Author: Maral Chavushian

The education system of Azerbaijan is saturated with anti-Armenian sentiment. The formation of the image of Armenians as an enemy occurs through all possible platforms and means. The most effective method is through the curricula at public schools and kindergartens. Azeri children learn from a very young age that Armenians are the enemy, and that Karabakh and Armenia are “occupied Azerbaijani historical lands” that must be returned. This is the germination of Armenian hatred and inhumanity. As the main priority of state propaganda, this type of education is prevalent across a variety of statewide programs and extracurricular activities. Particularly disturbing is when the propaganda of falsifications, lies and Armenian hatred becomes the plot and content of Azerbaijani fairy tales.

In 2011, under the auspices of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, the first theater festival for children and youth was organized with a primary theme of patriotism. One of the winners of the festival was Sh. Xeyrulla’s mono performance “My Hostile Toy” about the great Armenian military leader Andranik Ozanyan. In addition to the dehumanization and depersonalization of Ozanyan, the performance discredited the Armenian hero with the goal of discrediting the whole nation.

Armenians are also promoted as enemies through fairy tales. In “The Tale of Ilham,” for example, Ilham is a kind and hardworking blacksmith, who is killed by treacherous Armenians for no reason. The qualities of treachery are attributed to Armenians and Russians. In “Bad Neighbor,” Rovshan is the protagonist, while Vardan the Armenian is the antagonist, portrayed with the worst human qualities, including jealousy, which compel him to throw poor Rovshan into a well. The “Innocent Woman” includes an Armenian girl named Siranush, an imposter sent from Armenian land who abuses the Shah’s trust. 

Socialization begins through fairy tales, along with recognition of the artistic world. Such fairy tale series’ should not become the right way of raising a generation.

The perpetuation of Armenian hatred is systematic and planned, starting from the primary level of general education. In history, geography, literature and language textbooks, the image of hostile Armenians is taken to the extreme. In contrast, Armenian elementary education generally does not include stories or poems that refer to Azerbaijanis or Turks with hatred, enmity and aggressive content. Morning exercises in the public schools of Azerbaijan include the message “Karabakh is Azerbaijan.” Schoolchildren loudly repeat the phrase three times; they’re also instructed to repeat “Armenians are enemies” (dushman). These hostile messages and images are everywhere.

After the 44-day war, books were published with great intensity in which both Artsakh and Armenia were presented as part of Azerbaijan, and Yerevan and Lake Sevan are presented as occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The illustrated book “Shushi” is intended for preschool children, as well as children of primary school age and adolescents. The poems of Ruslan Novruz, unfortunately, are included in the methodological literature for teachers, which they use at their discretion during lessons, activities and events organized with children.

In the poem “Armenians” by Novruz (accessed through the Wayback Machine Internet Archive), one can find the following lines:

If he sleeps in the cradle
Don’t hold the knife too long
Find a sharper one and slit his neck.
He is a dirty Armenian.

In this poem, the Armenian is the son of Satan.

There’s also a poem by Novruz about “The three-year-old soldier.”

As soon as he wakes up from sleep,
He immediately takes his weapon,
Every day my little grandson
Slaughters, kill the enemy.
He wears a soldier’s clothes,
Wears a soldier’s hat
Like a real soldier
He is dressed and ready.
And all of a sudden with full force
He shouts “Hurray!”
And passes with victory
Through Shushi and Khojaly.
And the child soldier passes
Through Mrav Mountain,
Kalbajar is free from fascists.
The little brave fights
He fights in place of the elders.
My child, fight!
Maybe the elders will be ashamed while looking at you.
And sooner or later, not only Karabakh,
But also the den of blood – Yerevan, must be occupied.

The following lines can be found in an Azerbaijani language textbook for second graders:

The Armenians didn’t let Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden
To enter Kalbajar and Lachin.
My dream is to have Santa Claus
Cover all the mountains with snow
And next year, invite us to Karabakh… 

(Translated by Angela Elibegova and Hovik Avanesov).

Thematic materials saturated with aggression find their place in all subjects and programs. In the 8th grade curriculum, there’s the song “Mother’s Instruction to her Son,” written by Mirza Bayramov with music by Uzeyir Hajibayli (O. Rajabov, N. Kyazimov, A. Babaeva, Music, textbook, Baku, 2017, 96 pages).

….You are brave,
And your name went far and wide
A worthy mother gave birth to you, be a worthy son.
The news about Azerbaijani brave men spread all over the world.
At the top of each mountain is the Kyurogli fortress,
The arrogance of the bloodthirsty enemy will soon be quenched.
The fields will be his grave
And his foul breath will blow.
Take your dagger and pierce his eye and let him drown in blood.

The forging and falsification of history is a state-sponsored initiative in Azerbaijan. Generations of Azerbaijanis are being raised, educated and socialized based on lies, hatred, aggression and intolerance, leaving no room in their mental world for humanity and truth. These destructive human qualities reveal themselves in Azerbaijan’s ongoing human rights violations, violence and terrorism against Armenians in the 21st century.

ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program Fall 2022 participants continue to excel in their careers and welcome the next wave of Armenian American professionals to the nation’s capital.

WASHINGTON, DC —The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP) continues to empower recent university graduates to explore careers in policy, politics and media in Washington, DC – building on the commitment of generous benefactors Apo and Nayiri Saghdejian, who honored their late son and brother through the naming of this landmark program.

“The Saghdejian family is proud that the ANCA’s Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program is inspiring a new generation of Armenian American leaders,” remarked Nayiri Saghdejian. “We believe this program is continuing to produce rising leaders who will contribute to our common cause – consistent with Hovig’s faith and dedication to the Armenian Cause,” Nayiri added.

Through each new class of fellows, the Saghdejians realize their shared vision of expanding the Armenian American professional voice in the nation’s capital. Recent graduates from across the US converge in Washington, DC throughout the year to pursue careers in public policy through three-month grants of free housing at the ANCA Aramian House, access to the ANCA network of contacts and resources, and hands-on training on how to find land career-track jobs in the governmental, political, policy and media worlds. Throughout the career-starter process, the CGP Advisory Committee offers expert guidance, helping set credible benchmarks for success.

“The ANCA is honored to join with Apo and Nayiri to realize the promise of Hovig’s vision of a strong Armenian American voice across the American political and policymaking landscape,” said ANCA chairman Raffi Hamparian. “We are blessed to count Apo and Nayiri as friends and benefactors, proud Armenians who translated their family’s tragedy into hope and opportunity for generations of young Armenians.”

A number of 2022 fall session participants explain how the Gateway Program has helped them start careers in Washington, DC and encourage recent graduates to apply to this unique program:

“Moving to Washington DC or any new place can be overwhelming, but the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program provided me with endless opportunities to expand my network and make new friends in a new city,” explained Natalia Matossian, who has started her career at a congressional office. “I am grateful for the support from the CGP team and friends in helping get my foot in the door on Capitol Hill and making this city feel a lot like home,” continued Matossian.

Nikolas Manzo, who started on Capitol Hill and continues to explore policy career opportunities, felt the mentorship provided through the program was key. “The most beneficial part of the program, in my opinion, is the mentor you individually receive. The doors they open for you do not go unnoticed, and can help lead your cohort to new heights.” Manzo also cited the importance of the program’s housing assistance. “The time I spent in the Aramian House as a part of the Capital Gateway Program is a time I will cherish for a lifetime. Moving to a new city can be daunting, but being part of CGP made Washington a home away from home.”

Soseh Yepoyan concurred, stating, “The Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to kickstart your DC professional career surrounded with the amazing support of the ANCA.” Yepoyan, who is working at a top immigration law firm in Washington, DC, continued, “Through constructive workshops, grabbing a coffee with someone new, and attending networking events, you are able to learn about different careers and hone in on where your main future interests lie. In this fast-paced environment, you are greatly encouraged to grow and succeed and pay it forward to others!”

The deadline for the fall 2023 session of the Gateway Program, starting in September 2023, is July 15, 2023.

The program is named in honor of Hovig Apo Saghdejian, the 23-year-old student from Fresno, Calif., whose life of community leadership and public service was cut short in July 2004 by a tragic car accident. The Saghdejian family’s support for the Capital Gateway Program has been a labor of love, with over $300,000 raised in Hovig’s memory. These funds will be held in perpetuity, with only the income being used to finance the participation of young Armenian Americans in the Gateway Program.

Hovig Apo Saghdejian: Inspirational Youth Leader and Community Activist

Hovig Apo Saghdejian, upon graduation from Clovis West High School, 1998.

Hovig Apo Saghdejian was born on Dec. 31, 1980, in Fresno, Calif. Early in life, Hovig became a member of the Homenetmen Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, and he joined the ranks of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), contributing to the welfare of the Armenian-American community and reinforcing his commitment to his homeland.

Hovig Apo Saghdejian (right) and fellow LCO volunteer Shant Minas with Ayroum village leaders.

He breathed life into the ideals of his youth by working to preserve and reinvent Armenian identity in America, while bringing a sense of optimism to the people of Armenia for a better future. As a volunteer with the Land and Culture Organization, Hovig traveled to Armenia during the summer of 2003 to work as a volunteer in Ayrum, developing infrastructure and self-sustainability for the impoverished population of this village. Beyond the value of the hard work that contributed significantly to the well-being of the villagers, Hovig’s efforts helped bring hope to all he came in contact with that the future held better things for the people of Armenia. Commenting on his time in Ayrum, in a testimonial on the Land and Culture website, Hovig explained, “I know that when I reflect back on this experience I will feel ecstatic about the work we accomplished, the things we saw, and the bonds we forged.”

Hovig attended Fresno City College, California State University of Fresno and the University of California, Berkeley, where he majored in interdisciplinary studies, with an emphasis on economics, philosophy and film studies. He performed his civic duties by being politically involved, not only with the ANCA but also with Congressman George Radanovich and State Assemblymember Steve Samuelian on campaign and public policy projects.

Hovig enjoyed life, family, and friends. He had a special bond with his parents Apo and Rosine and sister Nayiri. He spent his spare time helping his mother at the Adult Day Care Center, and his father with the family business.

ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian with Apo Saghdejian at a memorial to his son, who continues to inspire youth to pursue careers in public service through the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program.