Varazdat Torgomian – Page 66 – Armenian Directory & News

Panorama, Armenia

July 8 2017

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to People’s Artist of Russian Federation, filmmaker Karen Shahnazarov on his 65th birthday anniversary, wishing him robust health and new creative achievements, the press service of the President’s Office told Panorama.am.

“You are one of the greatest masters of cinema, a famous filmmaker and producer, whose films are highly appreciated by both the spectators and film critics.

Created with the same artistic hand, your films wrote a vivid page in the annals of the Soviet and Russian cinematographic art.

Your art is loved and expected in Armenia, while your public activity, including the efforts aimed at strengthening the Armenian-Russian cultural ties, deserve praise and appreciation,” the President’s congratulatory message reads.

June16, 2017
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.westernprelacy.org


PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN FRESNO

- VERY REV. FR. DAJAD ASHEKIAN TO RECEIVE PECTORAL CROSS

        On Sunday, June 18, 2017, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy
Trinity Church in Fresno.
        In mid-May, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, conferred the privilege of wearing a pectoral cross to six young
members of the Brotherhood, including Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian, Pastor
of Holy Trinity Church in Fresno, and Very Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian,
Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in San Francisco.
        During Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will present Fr. Dajad with the
Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness and pectoral cross.   

***

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS TO BEGIN

        For the past few years, a number of our parishes organize Vacation
Bible Schools over the summer where our youth come together to learn
prayers, Bible stories, hymns, services and traditions of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, and engage in educational and fun activities including,
sports, games, and arts and crafts. 
        This year's schedule is as follows:
        Forty Martyrs Church, Orange County: June 19 - 23, from 9:00 a.m. -
12:00 noon, for Kindergarten to 8th grade students.
        Holy Trinity Church, Fresno: June 25 - 29, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00
noon.
        St. Sarkis Church, Pasadena: Four one-week sessions beginning on
July 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for children ages 3 and up.
        Holy Cross Cathedral, Montebello: Camp Shining Light, from July 16 -
22, at Mount Kare Camp in Wrightwood. 
        We urge our parents to enroll their children in these spiritually
enriching programs. Please contact the church offices for more information.

*** 

PRELACY SCHOOLS' COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

        At the close of the academic year, in the past two weeks
commencement ceremonies of Prelacy Schools took place, which H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and/or representatives attended. This year,
the Prelate attended the following ceremonies, during which he conveyed his
congratulatory message and blessings to the students and their families and
his commendation to the school administrators and faculty. 
        On Sunday, June 4, the 12th grade graduation ceremony of Rose and
Alex Pilibos School was held at the school's Nerses Tashdjian Gymnasium. The
Prelate was accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian and Executive
Council member Dr. Kaloust Agopian. The program began with the national
anthems and school hymn. MC Ms. Sevan Sherikian delivered welcoming remarks,
followed by the Board of Regents address by Mrs. Lena Kortoshian,
valedictorian and salutatorian speeches, presentation of scholarships,
recognitions, and awards, the keynote address by alumna Aleek Sherikian,
presentation of diplomas, and the Principal's address by Dr. Alina Dorian.
        In his message, the Prelate highlighted the vital and unique role of
Armenian Schools in the intellectual, national, moral, and spiritual
development of our youth. His Eminence commended the students' speeches, and
referring to Matthew 7:7 ("Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you
will find; knock, and it will be opened to you"), which one of the students
had cited, urged the graduates to turn to God and seek His wisdom, to enrich
their minds with our national and religious treasures, and to seek out
opportunities.
        On Tuesday, June 6, the end of the year program and graduation
ceremony of Richard Tufenkian Pre-School and Kindergarten took place at
Glendale High School Auditorium. The Prelate was accompanied by Archpriest
Fr. Vazken Atmajian. The program began with the national anthems and the
invocation by Fr. Vazken. Director Mrs. Arsine Aghazarian conveyed her
message. The Prelate commended the young students for their culturally
enriching performances, the parents for trusting the instruction of their
children to Armenian Schools, and the devoted service of the faculty. He
greeted the school benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph and Savey Tufenkian and
thanked them for their continued support. The program continued with songs
and dances by the Kindergarten class, remarks by School Board member Mrs.
Nora Kalachian, and the presentation of diplomas.
        On Thursday, June 8, the elementary and middle school ceremonies of
Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School took place at Glendale High School
Auditorium. The Prelate attended the 8th grade graduation ceremony,
accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Torossian and Executive Council member
Mrs. Elo Boyajian. The program began with the national anthems and the
school hymn and continued with welcoming remarks by Masters of Ceremony Mrs.
Ani Berberian and Dr. Armig Panossian, valedictorian and salutatorian
speeches, presentation of special awards, the keynote address by alumnus
Hrach Titizian, presentation of diplomas, and the Principal's message by Dr.
Talin Kargodorian. The Prelate first commended the school family for their
utmost dedication to ensuring a bright future for our youth. He advised the
graduates to be prudent, make wise choices, always give their best, and do
good, and urged them to never forget their school and to give back to their
community. 
        On Saturday, June 10, the 12th grade graduation ceremony of Holy
Martyrs Ferrahian High School took place at Avedissian Hall. The Prelate was
accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian. The program began with
the national anthems, followed by the invocation by Fr. Razmig, welcoming
remarks by Masters of Ceremony Mrs. Jasmine Rostamian and Mrs. Talin
Janetsian, Board of Regents message by Dr. Hasmig Baran, senior class
messages, the commencement address by Mr. Christ Keosian, School Board
message by Mr. Vahe Benlian, conferring of academic and monetary awards, the
Principal's message by Mrs. Sossi Shanlian and the presentation of diplomas.
The Prelate commended the school family for their care and devotion to our
students. He commended the graduates for the pledges they made to keep their
national identity, and as they prepare to embark on the next phase of their
lives, he urged them to always speak, think, and do good, keep the faith,
keep learning, and give back to their school.
        Finally, on Sunday, June 11, the High School graduation and Middle
School promotion of Armenian Mesrobian School took place in the school
courtyard. The Prelate was accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Rev.
Fr. Ashod Kambourian, and Executive Council member Mr. Antranik Kasbarian.
The program included national anthems, the invocation by Fr. Muron, opening
remarks by MC Mr. Berch Papikyan, Board of Regents message by Mrs. Armineh
Alexan Papazian, the Middle School message, presentation of scholarships,
valedictorian and salutatorian speeches, keynote address by alumnus Mr.
Richard Elden, the Principal's message by Mr. David Ghoogasian, and the
presentation of diplomas. The Prelate commended the school family and wished
them continued successes in their vital mission as a "fountain of light and
cradle of hope" in the words of the school's motto. His Eminence urged the
students to place their hope and trust in God, to keep learning, bettering
themselves, and always striving for the best. 
        In addition, parish pastors attended ceremonies of all Prelacy
Schools and conveyed the Prelate's blessings. These included the ceremonies
of: ARS "Mayr" Chapter Mary Postoian Pre-School on Friday, June 2nd, Levon
and Hasmig Tavlian Pre-School on Saturday, June 3rd, Holy Martyrs Cabayan
Elementary School, Ari Guiragos Minassian, and ARS Ashkhen Pilavjian
Pre-School on Sunday, June 4, Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan on Saturday,
June 10, and Holy Martyrs Ferrahian School on Sunday, June 11.

***

APA, Azerbaijan

Military operations could be launched in Nagorno-Karabakh only when the governments of Azerbaijan or Armenia makes the decision of war, Matthew Bryza, former US ambassador to Azerbaijan and former co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, said in Baku on Friday, APA reported.

He noted that war is in the interests of neither Azerbaijan nor Armenia.

“Some country outside the South Caucasus—I don’t mean the US— might carry out such a provocation. The presence of heavy military hardware at the contact line could lead to military clashes like the one that happened in April [of 2016]. However, that did not result in an all-out war. This is because war is in no one’s interests,” he added.

AzerNews, Azerbaijan

12:28 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Moscow does not exclude the discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during the meeting of Russian and French Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Jean-Yves Le Drian on June 20 in Moscow.

“We do not exclude the raising of this issue during the discussion of a number of international problems. We are in dialogue with our French colleagues, including on this issue,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on June 15.

She noted that the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is in finding a compromise of seeming diametrically opposed positions.

“The situation requires progress and resolution, therefore contacts in different formats have lately intensified,” Zakharova said.

The spokeswoman added that Russia, as a mediator, is doing everything so that a compromise would be found, but not to the detriment of the peoples of the two countries.

The conflict between two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

Aravot, Armenia

An intense discussion has commenced in social networks on replacing the national anthem of the Republic of Armenia based on the poem “The Song of an Italian Girl” by Mikael Nalbandian with the song “Pour toi Armenie” (“For You, Armenia”) by Charles Aznavour. Gagik Hambaryan expressed his opinion stating that the change which is being discussed is extremely irrelevant.

“The song of the poor Italian girl is absolutely irrelevant as our national anthem. Maybe that aura influences our lives negatively as well. I am not a superstitious man, but I want our national anthem to be a glorious and a bold one, to give hope and to encompass our victories. But what do we see? From one miserable song, we pass to another which was written in 1988 dedicated to the earthquake and illustrates our hopeless and miserable situation when the whole world comes to help us.

Assuredly, I like Charles Aznavour’s song very much, but both the representatives of our generation and older people know that Charles Aznavour’s song has not been intended for a national anthem, it is a song dedicated to the earthquake. I do not want the anthem of our republic to be a song dedicated to a disaster, no way. Every time I hear that song, I remember the earthquake, our ruined Gyumri, I remember the victims in the streets. That disaster is depicted even in the clip of Charles Aznavour’s song. I find that this is a totally irrelevant discussion. Charles Aznavour is the pride of our nation, but that song brings about pity, as they say – we come out of dirt, fall into a dirty pond.”

Interfax - Russia & CIS General Newswire
June 9, 2017 Friday


Yerevan accuses Azerbaijan of attack on Armenian village

YEREVAN. June 9

The Azerbaijani army shelled an Armenian border village, Baganis, in
the Tavush region on Thursday evening, the Armenian defense minister's
press secretary Artsrun Hovhannisyan told Interfax on Friday.

"The village came under attack at about 9 p.m. (Yerevan time). The
shelling lasted for about two hours with some pauses. They firing both
on defensive positions and the village itself. Luckily, casualties
were avoided," Hovhannisyan said.

Baganis village head Narek Saakyan told Interfax that the shells
damaged a number of house roofs.

Interfax has yet to obtain comments from Azerbaijan.

te ng aa

Al Monitor

Author: Riada Asimovic Akyol

Posted

With its story of a love triangle between a strong-minded American nurse, a rugged Ottoman soldier and a zealous American doctor, it would be easy to classify “The Ottoman Lieutenant” as a classical romance set in a picturesque Anatolian town at the dawn of World War I. Yet the film, which takes place in the Turkish city of Van — a scene of bloodshed between Turks and Armenians — has been the cause of wide controversy both in the West and Turkey.

Despite the attention it has received in the media due to its subject matter, the film has not done well at the local box office, totaling 41,578 viewers so far.

The Turkish-American co-production, directed by Joseph Ruben and written by Jeff Stockwell, stars Academy Award-winning actor Ben Kingsley, Josh Hartnett, Hera Hilmar and Michiel Huisman along with Turkish actors Haluk Bilginer and Selcuk Yontem.

Set in Turkey’s eastern province of Van in 1914, it's a love story between American nurse Lillie (Hera Hilmar) and a Turkish lieutenant, Ismail Veli (Michiel Huisman). American doctor Jude (Josh Hartnett), the reason Lillie came to Van’s hospital in the first place, is also in love with her. The tense triangle comes across in several scenes such as the two men’s fistfight at the hospital over Lillie’s honor and an angry clash of words over ethics as Jude accuses the Ottoman Empire of being an accomplice to the killing of “Christians” by doing nothing to protect them.

Subtle political messages are abundant in the film. When asked to stop the Armenians' rebellion against the Ottoman Empire by his superior, Col. Halil (played by Haluk Bilginer), Veli asks, “How are we to know who are rebels and who are villagers?” Halil replies, “The rebels are the ones firing at you.”

According to one of the film’s Turkish producers, Yusuf Esenkal, in an April 15 interview with the state-run Anatolia News Agency, the film could be called the first Turkish film in Hollywood. He described the film as classic love story, saying, “There is a common pain — and that pain is war.” Stephen Brown, one of the film's producers who will work with Esenkal on another film about the medieval poet Rumi, said he wanted to give an objective account of the common suffering of both Turks and Armenians. "We wanted to show the audience what happened during World War I in Eastern Anatolia, a subject that has not been handled before," he said.

Its reception in the West has been marked by controversy, and terms like “revisionist” and “denialist” have been thrown around. “The Ottoman Lieutenant” was compared to “The Promise,” another recently released film on a similar topic but told from the opposite perspective. “Battle over 2 Films Reflects Turkey’s Quest to Control a Bitter History,” reported The New York Times. The Hollywood Reporter saw the two films as a “battle over the Armenian genocide.”

Back in Turkey, reactions have been mixed. Pro-government newspapers have shown unwavering support of the film, which presents the Armenian “deportation” as reasonable and necessary.

Serdar Akbiyik from the pro-government Star daily describes “The Ottoman Lieutenant” as a love and action film set in the time of “Armenian deportation,” but without pretensions of broad statements regarding historical events. He explains 1915 Turkey as follows: “Think of a country stabbed in the back by a minority that for hundreds of years was considered brotherly — eating, drinking together. … This minority and enemy armies would slaughter the people of the region, and then when the wind turned would pay the price for what they had done, and 100 years later still try to take revenge.”

Ali Saydam from pro-government Yeni Safak took a similar position in his column. Calling the movie a truly professional work, he said that it highlights “the official Turkish understanding of history” on an international scale through cinema. Saydam also emphasized the aggressive political outrage of Armenian lobby groups prior to and during the film’s release in the United States.

Respected Turkish film critic Atilla Dorsay said he found the film "impartial and honest, without maligning any particular camp and leaving little room for objection" but "pretty close to our national views.” However, he expressed astonishment that the famous church on Akdamar Island in Lake Van was briefly mentioned in passing and its beautiful murals were not shown. According to Dorsay, it could have been a powerful message, particularly for Western viewers, to show them and say, “Even in those complicated times, we saved these treasures.”

Other Turkish critics found the film too faithful to the Turkish narrative. Senay Aydemir from the leftist Gazete Duvar panned the film from both political and cinematic angles. Aydemir, who doesn’t shy from using the word “genocide” to describe the events of 1915, slammed the film as devoid of feelings, consistency and narrative tempo. Aydemir cynically described a scene in which Veli saves 20 Armenians from another “evil-hearted” Ottoman lieutenant and lambasted the film's light tone and thin plot that completely omits historical points of interest, such as the political context that led to the Ottoman Empire's decision to deport the Armenians. He also criticized the film's blaming of the Russians for provoking Turkish-Armenian enmity, ignoring the roles played by Germany and the UK.

The plot and actors' performance also got a dose of Turkish criticism: Hurriyet's Ugur Vardan described the story as weak and not believable. He called the performance of Hera Hilmar “expressionless” and Josh Hartnett's “mediocre.” Burak Goral of the secularist Sozcu mocked the censoring of kissing scenes in the version of the film shown in Turkish theaters: “As if an Ottoman lieutenant’s kiss on the mouth of a beloved Christian woman would spoil our Turkishness or our faith!”

Clearly, the film hasn’t found much acclaim in the box office or among critics. Yet it may still be valuable as a depiction of the common Turkish perspective on the deadly Armenian “deportation,” defined by many in the West as genocide.

news.am, Armenia

Brad Sherman: Erdogan’s security personnel should not be given visas

18:49, 25.05.2017

Rep. Brad Sherman called not to issue visas for security personnel of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“They should not be given visas,” he said during the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearings on Thursday.

He warned U.S. against granting visas to the same security force that assaulted Americans and trampled on American freedoms.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher joined the voices condemning the brutal attack outside Turkish ambassador’s residence.

“He [Erdogan] is not welcome in the United States, if he thinks that he can attack Americans,” Dana Rohrabacher said.

Tasnim, Iran

Armenian Archbishop of Tehran Hails High Turnout in Elections

News ID: 1412916 Service: Politics

May, 19, 2017 – 17:21

Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Sarkissian described the great participation of Iranians in the elections as very important in the regional and international arenas.

“The (massive) participation will lead to admiration for the level of political awareness of the country’s citizens,” the archbishop said.

He went on to say that the high turnout would further strengthen the country’s Leader and next president to resolve domestic problems and play a major role in regional and international equations.

Iranians headed to the polls as soon as the stations opened to elect the country’s 8th president.

There are four candidates seeking the presidency in the polls, namely incumbent President Hassan Rouhani, Ebrahim Raisi, Mostafa Hashemitaba, and Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim. Two other hopefuls, Eshaq Jahangiri and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, dropped out of the race in favor of Rouhani and Raisi, respectively.

Concurrently, the 5th City and Village Councils elections are being held across the country.

Near 63,500 polling stations across Iran opened on Friday morning. Around 14,000 mobile ballot boxes have been also prepared for inaccessible and rural areas.

According to the Interior Ministry, the election process involves around 1.5 million executive forces and monitors, 350,000 security forces, 70,000 inspectors, and around 100,000 representatives of local governors.

Authorities say the number of eligible voters stands at above 56,400,000, more than 1,350,000 of whom are allowed to vote for the first time.

More than 600 local and foreign reporters and journalist cover the news of the election.

Author: Varazdat Torgomian

Entertainment: President Sargsyan congratulates filmmaker Karen Shahnazarov on birthday

Western Prelacy News – 6/16/17

BAKU: Bryza: War is in interests of neither Azerbaijan nor Armenia

BAKU: Russian, French FMs may discuss Karabakh issue in Moscow

‘From homeless Italian girl to earthquake?’: political scientist on changing Armenian anthem

Yerevan accuses Azerbaijan of attack on Armenian village

German winemaker to Armenians: You have to be exclusive

07.06.2017 | 11:29 Home / News /

Film: ‘The Ottoman Lieutenant’ loses box office war

Brad Sherman: Erdogan’s security personnel should not be given visas

Tehran: Armenian Archbishop of Tehran Hails High Turnout in Elections