Category: 2023

Growing up in a multi-generational Armenian household, New Year’s Eve was much like Saturday mornings, except the laundry and cleaning were on turbo drive. You see, the Armenian women in my family faithfully believed that starting a new year with dirty laundry, dirty house and dirty sheets would carry over the dirty demons from the previous year. And that meant the hampers needed to be completely emptied before any celebrations began.

Fast forward to the next generation, when I waived the Saturday morning cleaning rituals with my children but not the New Year’s Eve laundry and cleaning extravaganza. You can decide whether this is an Armenian superstition, folktale or tradition. As for me, I’m too afraid to care about the difference and believe my mother Rose and grandmother Lucy will haunt me from Heaven if I don’t comply. Now that my children are grown and on their own, they dodge my texts leading up to and on New Year’s Eve knowing full well what I will be checking on. Thankfully, there are young grandchildren to indoctrinate and keep the tradition moving forward. 

Ironically, this ritual has become much more than a to-do item on a checklist, but rather a beloved homage to my ancestral traditions. It tickled my curiosity to discover more rituals that are celebrated by Armenians and many other cultures around the world. Here are a few: 

Food and Drink

Unsurprisingly, a significant portion of rituals for Armenians and other ethnicities include food and drinks that are doused with good luck. Friends from the Armenian Cooking Facebook group speak of gatherings with family and friends to enjoy traditional dishes ranging from full course meals of pilaf, turkey or roast beef and beloved side dishes of kufte, sarma and boreg to sweet and salty desserts like paklava and assorted nuts and dried fruits. Many families pray at the stroke of midnight, kiss and exchange gifts. Some even talk about the benefits of khash (cow hooves simmered overnight for a roasted broth) on New Year’s Day to cure hangovers, including the late, great Anthony Bourdain on his 2017 Parts Unknown episode titled “Anthony Bourdain – Khash in Armenia.” The experience wouldn’t be complete without the guests raising glasses of spirits with a toast for the hosts and the khash makers that is loosely translated as, “Let my feet bring luck to your home.” 

Armenian khash (Wikimedia Commons)

Many cultures combine food with a game of chance, such as in Greece where a clean penny is baked into pita (spinach pies), and the lucky finder is said to have good fortune for the year. Other cultures combine food with symbolic origins, such as in Japan where eating a bowl of long thin soba noodles (firm yet easy to bite) is believed to symbolize a literal break away from the old year, signifying a new beginning. Additionally, some cultures associate fish as an auspicious New Year’s dish, as fish swim forward, mirroring the forward movement of time.

First Footing

The first person who walks through your doors on New Year’s Day may set the tone for the new year. In Albania, if it’s a small child, preferably a little boy who enters the house, the year will go well. But even more importantly, the person must enter with their right foot first. Similarly, in Scotland the first person to cross the threshold into one’s home indicates the theme of the year to come. Stemming from the days of Viking invasions, if the first footer is a tall and dark man, the year will be protected against the Vikings.

Water

As one of the critical elements of earth that drives the ebbs and flow of life, using water as a symbolic gesture is a natural place for new beginnings. Brazilians head to the warm beaches at midnight to jump seven waves while making seven wishes. In colder climates, people have flocked to freezing cold water for a ritual known as a Polar Bear Plunge since 1920, albeit without an origin of good luck. The ritual was started by a swimming enthusiast who felt that everyone should swim once a day, and it has become a philanthropic tradition to raise funds for charitable causes. In Puerto Rico, many believe that dumping a bucket of water out the window drives away evil spirits, while other cultures send their children running around the house to turn on faucets at midnight. 

Making Noise

Whether it’s the squeaky sound of party horns at the stroke of midnight, the unconventional tradition in Denmark of throwing plates and glasses at loved ones’ front doors for good luck, or the practice of banging pots and pans to ward off demons—New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world are here to stay. 

While there are no guarantees that any New Year tradition will make the year ahead a better one, there’s no harm in trying something new to ring in the new year with a fresh start. And take it from me, if you want to make an Armenian mother or grandmother happy, call her at midnight to tell her that you have finished your laundry and have clean sheets on your bed. That should start fresh beginnings for both of you!

Happy New Year, and may our feet bring good luck to each other’s homes.

Armenian nativity scene (Flickr)

Christmas is the celebration of God’s revelation of Himself in and through Jesus Christ. God reveals Himself in many ways—in historical events, in nature, through the Bible, through persons and supremely through Jesus Christ.

God’s revelation through Jesus Christ is called Incarnation. Incarnation tells us the truth about God. It tells us about His intervention in human affairs. It tells us about His true nature, about His self-giving love. It tells us that God came into this sin-filled world out of love in order to save it.

Incarnation also tells us the truth about human nature. It tells us that mankind has violated God’s will and has alienated itself from Him. God, however, wants to reconcile humanity, to restore the broken relationship and bring His sinful children to Him.

Christmas is the celebration of God’s presence with us here and now. Centuries ago, God told the prophet Isaiah that a baby was going to be born whose name would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:4).

One of the central affirmations of Christmas is that in Jesus Christ we see the love of God for humankind made flesh. In the fullness of time—God’s most opportune time—He intercepted human history with the gift of a Savior to redeem a world that had lost touch with its Creator.

In Jesus Christ we have come to know who God is. He indeed is Immanuel—God with us. Not a remote God beyond space and time, but God within us, among us, a deity that binds us to Himself and to one another.

The greatest news that Christmas imparts is that the God who came to mankind in the babe of Bethlehem two thousand years ago can come to us today if we make room for Him in our lives.

In the nativity story of Jesus, Luke tells us why it was necessary for him to be born in a manger. It was because there was no room for the Holy Family in the inn (Luke 2:7). And the most obvious reason why there was no room for Jesus was because the inn was occupied to capacity. One wonders whether the innkeeper could have done some rearrangement in order to accommodate the Holy Family. Most probably he would, had he recognized the significance of the occasion.

An existential question that arises in one’s mind is: If there was no room for Christ two thousand years ago, is there any room for him today? It appears that some people are so preoccupied with so many worldly cares that there isn’t room for anything else, not even for Christ.

Having room for Christ involves some rearranging of life. His very presence requires some commitments and changes.

Those who have made room for Christ in their lives are those for whom Christ is Immanuel (“God with us”). They have experienced the true joy of Christmas.

The advent of Christ into the world is not limited by time. Mary and Joseph held him in their arms. We can hold him in our hearts. If and when we do that, then our Christmas celebration will truly be a joyous one.    

Christ is born and revealed
Tidings of joy unto you and unto us.

Meghri

On October 3, 2023, the Armenian National Assembly passed into law the prohibition of the sale of animals that were not slaughtered in a licensed slaughterhouse. The law went into effect on December 3 of this year. This means that local cattle herders and shepherds must deliver their animals alive to licensed slaughterhouses, and the slaughterhouses then deliver the meat to butcher shops. 

In the United States, this would be a normal law, protecting citizens and guaranteeing the quality and safety of meat purchased. As I dig deeper into what the government of Armenia is trying to achieve with this decision, I remember many years ago when I read Upton Sinclair’s  in school to learn about the evolution of food and drug regulations in the United States. Is our new legislation a means of making safer, cleaner meat a standard in Armenia, or is it a sinister move to force a taxable step into the livestock economy? The Ministry of Health would have to answer this question, by sharing instances of meat-related poisonings in Armenia, broken down by frequency and location. 

Having lived in Meghri for the better part of the past three years, my arguments come from a local perspective on this matter. The closest registered slaughterhouse to Meghri, which is located along Armenia’s southernmost border with Iran, is in the Syunik capital of Ghapan, which is 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) away, a one and a half hour drive from the city of Meghri itself and even farther for some of the surrounding villages. However, since slaughterhouses are private entities, and the slaughterhouse in Ghapan only butchers meat from its own farms, a person from Meghri would have to drive three hours to Goris for the closest slaughterhouse that accepts outside livestock. 

Since the law went into effect on December 3, the local meat that takes advantage of the rich pastures surrounding Meghri is no longer available for sale and has been replaced by lower quality product that is raised on industrial feed. While you may pay top dollar for Whole Foods grass-fed free range organic beef, Armenia’s latest legislation is preventing Meghri from having access to local livestock, raised by farmers who are known to locals and have a reputation that they have upheld proudly for years. In Meghri, we have not seen the sanitation standards of the slaughterhouse and do not have a good impression from witnessing the supplier’s truck, which brings a mix of lamb, beef and pork, mixed together, lying open and exposed on a piece of cardboard for at least the three hours on its journey from Goris to Meghri. Additionally, considering that I have not heard locals recount any instances of poisoning or disease directly related to a local butcher shop, the government’s intent is clear. 

But why not build a slaughterhouse in Meghri? As the American saying goes: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Meghri does not have any issues with local meat and is not seeking regulation on its local markets. However, due to the centralized legislative system in Armenia, this is not a choice. Multiple shepherds and cattle herders met with the Syunik state governor, and the response they received was that the onus is on an individual to open a slaughterhouse in Meghri or to take their livestock to Goris for slaughter, both of which are not economically viable solutions. The Armenian government’s rash geopolitical decisions have caused tensions with Russia, leading to the closure of its fruit import market, Meghri’s largest buyer of local produce. Now with the livestock business freezing in its tracks, how are local villagers supposed to make a living? Worse yet, with the slaughterhouse law, how will the church perform a traditional madagh?

To add salt to the wound, for the last two months the pistol and iPad clad “Baregayin” police have been deployed to Meghri and are wreaking havoc on a once free region of Armenia, where local customs did more to dictate law than official legislation. Some locals have shared with me that, according to unofficial data, more than 150 million drams (350,000 USD) in fines have been issued to the 100,000 residents of the Syunik area since the Baregs’ deployment. From traffic violations and missing paperwork to unlicensed drivers and absurd laws that have no regard for the local infrastructure or way of life, locals now live in fear of being fined every time they leave their homes. There is no DMV equivalent, no smog and brake test centers, and limited public transportation in the Meghri area, giving the Baregs a field day with the poorest of villagers.

Since PM Nikol Pashinian’s arrival, the supposed crackdown on corruption has mostly affected the lives of those living farthest from the capital city Yerevan. Before Pashinyan, and particularly before the arrival of the Bareg police force, who are not locals to the areas of their deployment, there was a natural equilibrium through which laws were and were not enforced, based on local customs and available infrastructure. Legislation comes from Yerevan, and there is no representative body to uphold the rights and livelihoods or make decisions for those living in Meghri. The new police, equipped with body cameras, also have no choice but to issue the fines, as a review of the footage could lead to an investigation as to why a fine was not issued for a violation, which can lead to a corruption investigation. I myself have witnessed a 10,000 AMD ($25) fine to a friend for having their driver’s license out of date by three days. The same occurrence in the U.S. would likely end in the officer giving a reminder to get it renewed.

EU-sponsored courthouse placard

Since, according to the World Bank, only 60-percent of Armenian adults have a high school education, with that number being much lower in rural villages, it makes sense that driver’s licenses have traditionally been obtained through bribery. With bribery no longer an option, many are left in a hopeless state, given the difficulty of the driving test. Here are two sample questions from the exam’s official English version:

What are the signs of principal arterial bleeding, and how does first aid for principal arterial bleeding begin? 

1. Dark blood flows slowly out of the wound. A compression bandage is placed on the wound on which there is a note on the time of holding it on the wound. 
2. Bright red blood flows from the wound, spouting strongly with intermittent flush or like a fountain. The injured artery should be squeezed with the fingers, then above the wound, as far as possible near the wound, a bleeding cord is placed, on which there is a note about the time for keeping it on. 
3. Blood flows slowly from the wound. A bleeding cord is placed below the injury, with a note of time for keeping it on.

The answer is number 2.

In what cases should the victim be taken out of the car? 

1. In the event of a car overturning, ignition, high probability of explosion or loss of consciousness of the victim. 
2. In case of a car overturning, ignition, high probability of explosion or hyper freezing of the victim, loss of consciousness and breathing, as well as in case of impossibility to provide first aid directly in the cabin. 
3. In the event of a car overturning, ignition, high probability of explosion or severe bleeding, craniocerebral injury.

The answer is number 2.

Regardless of how one obtained their drivers license, prior to the arrival of the Baregs, residents in the Meghri area had the liberty of driving without a license, which was particularly advantageous to teens who live far from school in a region with no school buses. The closest location to take the driver’s test is in the provincial capital, Ghapan. I would be interested, and also surprised, to see if there is a correlation between accidents in Meghri and unlicensed drivers to justify the strict enforcement in such a rural area.

One of six EU-sponsored Bareg police cars in Meghri

Over the last 50 years, there has been a heavy migration from the surrounding villages of Meghri to the city of Meghri itself, leaving many villages completely empty. The villages of Vank, Galer, Lijk, Guris, Gudemis, Vahravar and Garjevan, once thriving, now only have a handful of residents, if any at all. However, many people with family roots in those villages maintain their relationships to the villages by visiting frequently, hosting celebrations and spending their summers as well as keeping livestock, bees and gardens in the very cottages that they or their parents grew up in. 

The recent strict enforcement of various laws is destroying what was left of any remaining life in these villages, and leaves me increasingly feeling that we are living under foreign rule and not in the homeland we were raised to believe was our home.That may be so, as the Meghri courthouse and the new Bareg police vehicles all feature EU flags, and the similarly foreign-funded red beret contingent is scheduled for deployment to Meghri this January. Jungles are synonymous with being unruly, but in its own twisted way, life in rural Armenia is feeling more and more like a jungle, and less like the civilized society that it was when I first moved here.

The media currently is saturated with references to hostages but not in the context of Armenians. The term hostage refers to an abduction or forced incarceration, usually for the purposes of leveraging something in return. The Armenian military personnel, civilians and Artsakh government officials illegally detained against international protocols by the Azerbaijani government must be referred to as hostages and not prisoners. Last week, it was reported that a “prisoner exchange” took place, with 32 Armenians released for two Azerbaijani soldiers. Most of those released were detained during one of the fabricated Azeri “counter-terrorism operations” in late 2020 in Hadrut, Artsakh after the negotiated end of the 2020 Artsakh War.

The media has reported the exchange as a confidence building measure resulting from direct negotiations. This, of course, supports the narrative that Azerbaijan and Armenia are mutually engaged in peace negotiations. Although the release of Armenian hostages is a positive development, it is important to note that the exchange coincided with the visit of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James O’Brien to Baku. It is reasonable to assume that Aliyev’s agreement was the result of western pressure, specifically from the United States. Given the racist and volatile position of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev towards Armenia, it would be naive to view this as an olive branch. Aliyev has been more isolated from the west in recent months, due to his continued aggression and refusal to participate in trilateral peace negotiations. Armenia has compromised, at the urging of the west, in order to entice Azerbaijan to participate in talks. Shortly after the prisoner exchange, it was rumored that both countries were open to discussing pulling their troops back from the border. Azerbaijan quickly refused to agree to such a proposal and is engaging in rhetoric around delimitation and demarcation of its border with Armenia. For its part, Armenia also removed its objection to Azerbaijan hosting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). In return, Azerbaijan supported Armenia’s candidacy to the COP Bureau of the Eastern European Group. Outside observers, eager for good news, view these as confidence building measures, but they are generally a continuation of Azerbaijan’s policy of committing only to minor moves.

Western actors are forcing Azerbaijan to choose between the east and the west. Western nations, such as France and the United States, view the South Caucasus through the prism of the new Cold War with Russia. The end game for the west is to build a western-leaning support base in the southern backyard of Russia. Putting aside the rhetoric of supporting democracy, it is in the interests of Europe and the United States to bring the South Caucasus into the western sphere. Taking a page from their Turkish cousins, the Azeris have built their foreign policy on playing both ends of the east/west divide. Given the complex and volatile dynamics, Azerbaijan will find it difficult to leave the Russian orbit. Although Azerbaijan’s family dictatorship creates a value dilemma for the west, Azerbaijan’s energy leverage has enabled it to burn both ends of the candle with measurable success. 

Aliyev will continue attempting to buy time until the geo-political environment is more favorable. His recent decision to hold snap elections in early 2024 illustrates this point. Azerbaijan is a rogue, corrupt dictatorship with no democratic institutions. Parliamentary snap elections, in reality, are a mechanism for delay and can only have one outcome. It would be easy for Aliyev to postpone any further agreements and wait for the will of his people. Delay tactics are Aliyev’s primary weapon, given the trending support for Armenia in the current process. For decades, Armenians have asked when the Azeri abuse of power and lack of respect for international law will run their course. The tolerance of the west was on full display during the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, but its patience has been depleted with Azeri aggression towards Armenia. The west senses an opportunity with the Armenia/Russia tension to alter the regional dynamics. It remains to be seen whether the western overtures will translate into security for Armenia, but some interesting options have been defined.

Recent history tells us that Azerbaijan has never implemented any bilateral agreements with Armenia and continues to hold hostages illegally and occupy sovereign territory of Armenia. Human rights advocate Siranush Sahakyan reported that Azerbaijan officially still holds 55 Armenian detainees, including 41 military personnel, eight former members of the Artsakh government and six civilians. Some unofficial reports claim the list of those held is as high as 80. Against all rules of civility, Azerbaijan offers little insight into the hostages’ current status. The recent release of the 32 Armenians is gratifying, but no credit should be given to the Azerbaijani government. It should not be interpreted as an act of benevolence, humanity or confidence building. Azerbaijan was forced to make a move to relieve some of the pressure of isolation. While the private negotiations continue, the Armenian public should have renewed focus on the outrageous nature of the incarceration.

Among the remaining hostages are political prisoners from the former Artsakh government. The eight Artsakh detainees are: David Babayan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Arkady Ghukasyan, former President; Arayik Harutyunyan, former President; Davit Ishkhanyan, chairman of the National Assembly; Davit Manukyan, deputy commander of Artsakh forces; Levon Mnatsakanyan, commander of the defense forces; Bako Sahakyan, former President; and Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister.

During the time of the Artsakh government, Armenians held a variety of opinions on these state politicians. This is expected when people are in office and are experiencing the trials and tribulations of national life. Whatever your opinion, we need to focus on the humanity and patriotic element of their captivity. They were deported from Artsakh like the rest of the 120,000 Armenians, the difference being that the Azeris arrested them to demonstrate the subordination of Armenians and retain negotiating capital. We must remind the world of their captivity until they are free. These are the people who created a functioning democracy with a market economy within a blockaded state and without the benefit of global recognition. This is a remarkable accomplishment, and their courage and valor will always be a source of inspiration. Forget your disappointment and disagreements long enough to advocate for fellow Armenians in need. 

The character of a nation is often defined in times of adversity. The Azeri government has an obvious disdain for all Armenian hostages, but it holds particular contempt for those from Artsakh. They consider the Artsakh soldiers as rebels and the government officials as traitors. This is outrageous and must be vigorously opposed until their freedom is secured. A genocidal assault on the peaceful people of Artsakh under the false pretense of an “anti-terrorism operation,” which resulted in the deportation of all Armenians, can only produce victims. There is no legitimacy to holding any Armenian as a result of the Azeri campaigns of atrocity. A vicious dictatorship has violated international law, destroyed a functioning democracy and detained military and political personnel. This is why the debate between “territorial integrity” and “self-determination” is biased to support the status quo. All powers maintaining the need for territorial integrity began with a struggle for self-determination sometime in their history. As Armenians, we must resolve that there is no difference between detainees from Armenia and Artsakh, nor does it matter if they are common soldiers or political figures. They are all victims of illegal detention.

Protesters in Geneva demand the release of Armenian POWs and other detainees held by Azerbaijan, April 2021 (Iskender.Giragossian/Wikimedia Commons)

Freeing the remaining Armenian hostages in Baku prisons is an intersection of the regional geo-political dynamics with humanitarian empathy. In our cynical world, the latter is often a casualty of the bigger picture or subordinated from our view. Ruben Vardanyan is a visionary leader of our people. He took significant personal and political risk by surrendering his Russian citizenship and moving to serve Artsakh. After his brief tenure as state minister, he stayed to work for the nation in other ways. These men did not use their influence to abandon Artsakh. They are more than deserving of our respect and admiration. Who among us should judge them from our comfortable box seat in the diaspora while they are subjected to “Azeri justice”? Vardanyan, along with his partners, has brought much-needed vision to our global nation. Some of these illegally held soldiers were 18 or 19 when detained. While our children are home from university semester breaks, these young men are sitting in Azeri prisons because they faithfully served their nation. We should think about these people with families and dreams of a better life. We must translate the cold realities of political jousting into the names and faces of those impacted.

Next week we will celebrate western Christmas, and shortly thereafter Armenians will remember His birth and baptism. During our family celebrations of a religious and social nature, save some time to pray for our hostages. It is also an opportunity to respect anyone who serves our communities both in the diaspora and the homeland. It is one of the lessons of Artsakh. Unity starts with respect for each other. 

On March 6, 2023, I was accepted into the College of the Holy Cross Washington, D.C. Semester Program. The program entailed participating in a public policy seminar, writing a thesis and interning at an agency of my choice in Washington during the fall 2023 semester. I knew from the moment I was admitted that I wanted to spend my time in Washington working to advance Hai Tahd at the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in a very large and prominent Armenian community, attending Armenian day school and staying very connected to my culture and heritage while living within the diaspora. One of the first questions people ask me when they find out I attend Holy Cross is why I chose to go to school in Worcester, Massachusetts. The answer for me is always an easy one and one I am proud to talk about. I knew I wanted to attend a liberal arts college on the East Coast, and Holy Cross had much to offer. More importantly, however, moving away from home at 17 years old was intimidating, and I wanted to make the right choice. Worcester is the birthplace of the Armenian-American diaspora, and from the moment I stepped foot in the city, I knew it would be home for the next four years. It is a privilege to be part of the oldest Armenian community in the United States.

Madeline Bogdjalian (bottom left) with the Fall 2023 Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program post-graduate fellows and undergraduate interns at the ANCA Aramian House

As a Worcester “Aram” AYF Chapter member, I have gotten to know so many wonderful Armenians in Worcester and feel at home. Since joining the chapter in my freshman year of college, I have become treasurer and an involved member of the Worcester Armenian community. My involvement in AYF has raised my awareness of the challenges facing our community, both here in the United States and in our homeland. I believe diasporan Armenians have a responsibility to play a role in the Armenian cause however they can.

When I had the opportunity to spend my semester in Washington, I wanted to continue to be an involved member of the Armenian diaspora and push forward Armenian advocacy initiatives in the nation’s capital. From the moment I arrived in Washington, D.C., I knew the next three months would be filled with meaningful advocacy for the Armenian community.

My semester in D.C. took place during a tragic and turbulent time for our homeland and the Armenians of Artsakh. On my second day as an intern at the ANCA, I attended my first-ever congressional commission hearing—the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission emergency hearing—to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh. I remember sitting in the hearing room, surrounded by fellow ANCA team and community members, listening to U.S. representatives and former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo discuss Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh Armenians. From that day on, every day I spent at the ANCA office focused on Artsakh justice and Armenian advocacy. We attended multiple hearings, posted updates and encouraged members of Congress and presidential candidates to speak up for Artsakh. We used our voices to amplify the Armenian cause in the American political sphere.

Reflecting on my semester in D.C. and my time at the ANCA, I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to work at an exceptional organization. The ANCA does unparalleled work for our community and puts Hai Tahd at the forefront of its goals. The grassroots advocacy power of the Armenian community and consistent work done by the ANCA are inspiring and a testament to the Armenian diaspora’s impact in the political sphere. During my time as a Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Intern, I met with several distinguished politicians, attended congressional committee and commission hearings and even sat in Congress for a historic moment as His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, led the opening prayer in the U.S. House of Representatives. These experiences were truly formative in my understanding of Armenian advocacy and the workings of Washington and made my time in D.C. very special.

Madeline Bogdjalian and fellow Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program fellows and interns join ANCA Programs Director Alex Galitsky in thanking Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) for spearheading the unanimous passage of legislation (S.3000) cutting U.S. aid to Azerbaijan and demanding accountability for the genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh

Spending my semester in D.C. as a Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Intern has been very rewarding. I have been able to contribute to the Armenian cause in the political sphere and tie my undergraduate education with my passion for Armenian advocacy. I wrote my thesis on the Armenian lobby’s influence on United States foreign policy, largely inspired by everything I learned during my internship at the ANCA. My research and thesis would not have been possible without the resources, network and interviews the ANCA provided me.

While in D.C., I worked with fellow Capital Gateway interns in the office and Capital Gateway fellows living in the Aramian House. The community fostered by the program is second to none. They make D.C. feel like home and offer great support, guidance and mentorship. I have made wonderful connections and lifelong friendships through the Capital Gateway Program.

I encourage anyone who can spend a semester in Washington, D.C., to apply to the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program university internship. It is a fantastic way to engage in Armenian advocacy and activism while pursuing an undergraduate education. I cannot speak highly enough about the program and my time working at the ANCA. This has been my favorite semester in my undergraduate education, and I hope to return to Washington and the ANCA as a Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway fellow post-graduation to explore career opportunities and continue advocating for the Armenian cause.

Patil Toutounjian ziplining in the homeland

Patil Toutounjian and I had “known” each other virtually, but we finally got to meet in person in late November. We had a delightful time at My Cafe LA on Artsakh Street in Glendale, California, and our conversation was tremendously enlightening and uplifting.

Toutounjian was born and raised in the Armenian community in Aleppo, Syria. In 2011, when she was 17, the family immigrated to Toronto, Canada. Moving at the age of 17 was very difficult for Toutounjian, as she was trying to find herself and her purpose. She focused on her education and career, and after graduating with a degree in business marketing, she started working as the marketing manager for a commercial real estate company in Canada. After five years, she did some self reflection and realized that something was missing in her life. She craved the sense of belonging that she had felt in Aleppo, surrounded by the Armenian community.

In 2018, she resigned from her job and got a one-way ticket to volunteer in Armenia with the Birthright Armenia program. She had no idea what to expect. “Feeling a little nervous but a lot more excited, I arrived in Armenia to begin this new chapter of my life,” Toutounjian said.

After four months of volunteering, she was given the opportunity to work for the Birthright Armenia organization as the alumni coordinator. She enjoyed being a part of every volunteer’s journey and making connections with Armenians from around the world.

In 2020, she visited Canada, planning to visit her family for a month. However, when the  coronavirus pandemic started and everything was shut down, she was not able to return to Armenia.

In April of 2020, she was at a crossroads—she could either return to her previous job in Canada or find a way to virtually stay connected to Armenia and the community she had there. She decided to put all of her marketing and e-commerce experience into play to support Armenian artists around the world. Thus, Tatik Streetwear was born. Tatik, meaning grandmother in Armenian, brings the work of Armenian artists to life through streetwear.

Artsakh is always near and dear

This work was fulfilling for her, not only because it empowers Armenian artists, but also because it helps tell the Armenian story around the world. During the 2020 Artsakh War, Toutounjian donated 100-percent of profits from the website to Armenia and Artsakh. “Artists from around the world donated their designs, designs that told our story, and brought the international community’s attention to what was happening. Together, they were able to donate over $85,000 USD,” Toutounjian said.  

As soon as the borders opened up and Toutounjian was able to travel again, she got on the first plane to Armenia. After her arrival, she received a lot of questions on social media regarding the current state of Armenia, travel restrictions and requirements from Armenians who were keen to travel to Armenia. She decided to make a small video to answer all these questions while showing the world her day-to-day life in Armenia. With every video she posted, she received many more travel questions like: “Is Armenia safe?” “Do I need a visa to travel to Armenia?” “What’s the average cost of living?”

She realized that there is a lot of need to show the world the beauty of Armenia and Armenian diaspora communities and spread awareness. This is when her YouTube channel was officially born, the Armenian Traveler.

“My channel is still very young, but my aim is to continue visiting Armenian communities around the world to shed light on their work, empower one another and grow the community together,” Toutounjian said.

Over a year ago, I uncovered a relatively forgotten story on the transfer of William Saroyan’s ashes from the United States to Yerevan, Armenia, where they were subsequently buried at the Komitas Pantheon. My report was based on research I conducted using online and print sources. This was when I discovered that my great-grandfather, Armenian playwright Aramashot Papayan, had been a part of this historic transfer and was one of the leaders and members of the Yerevan delegation that went to Moscow, Russia to greet the U.S. delegation tasked with bringing the urn to the homeland.

At the time, I did not know that I would, over a year later, have the unexpected chance to personally speak with a key figure of the U.S. delegation who brought Saroyan’s urn from the United States to Armenia. 

William Saroyan with the Jendian family: Allan Jendian and his wife Rosemary Jendian with their children Matthew and Megan (Micah not pictured). Witnessing William Saroyan’s will being signed. April 11, 1981. Fresno, CA. Photo captured by Penny Console.

Just a few weeks ago, as I sat celebrating my birthday at a Lebanese-Armenian restaurant, I received an excited text from Dr. Tony Saroyan, a distant relation of William Saroyan and a doctor of psychology, someone I had interviewed in the past about his family’s history and relation to William Saroyan. “Allan Jendian,” the text read as my phone lit up. “I met him right now. He was in charge of transporting William Saroyan’s ashes. He has amazing stories.”

“What are the chances?” I thought to myself. I immediately asked Dr. Saroyan to ask Jendian if he had any memories of my papik. “He said in a briefcase [Papayan] had a burner and coffee,” was Dr. Saroyan’s reply. “Yep,” I thought, smiling to myself. “That was definitely my papik.”

A few days later I got in touch with Jendian, who was gracious enough to lend me his time and shared a more revealing perspective of this historic moment. Jendian was born in Boston and raised in Watertown, Massachusetts. He graduated from Fresno State University in 1967 with a degree in accounting and worked as a Revenue Agent for the IRS until his retirement. 

Jendian has been, and still is, very active within the Armenian community. He is an ordained deacon and has been involved with organizations such as AGBU, the Armenian Assembly, ACYO Central Council, Knights of Vartan and many more. 

As a Fresno resident, his path crossed William Saroyan’s on several occasions. Jendian first met Saroyan at a laundromat, where Jendian approached him to hand him a booklet on the writer himself, one that had been created during his time at the United Armenian Commemorative Committee, on which he served as chairman for 15 years. 

They subsequently had coffee, and their relationship sparked from there. Years later, Saroyan asked Jendian to witness the signing of his will. This was the last signing of Saroyan’s will, which took place on April 11, 1981, a month before his death. Saroyan called Jendian and personally asked him to be present at the signing, insisting that he not forget to be there.

“I can’t forget, because April 11 is my daughter’s birthday,” said Jendian.

Jendian arrived at the signing with his wife and two of his three children. Saroyan had a book prepared and signed for Jendian’s daughter, Megan, in honor of her birthday.

After Saroyan passed away, a tribute committee was created by community members, of which Jendian was the acting chairman. The tribute was held in Fresno, California and attended by Vardges Petrosyan, president of the Writers Union of Armenia, and Lusine Zakaryan, beloved Armenian lyrical soprano, both of whom had hoped to return to Armenia with Saroyan’s ashes.

U.S. and Yerevan delegation arrive at Yerevan airport with William Saroyan’s urn. From left: Aramashot Papayan, Vardges Petrosyan, Vardges Hamazaspyan (chairman of Spurk), Robert Demir, Allan Jendian and Dr. Dickran Kouymdjian. 1982.

Due to the time pressure of the Armenian Orthodox tradition of conducting a requiem at the one-year mark of a person’s death, the organization agreed to create a delegation to transfer the ashes to Armenia. 

The delegation consisted of Jendian, William Saroyan’s attorney Robert Demir and Dr. Dickran Kouymdjian, former director of the Armenian Studies program at California State University, Fresno. Later, the Committee for Cultural Relations Abroad (Spurk) chose Osheen Keshishian, former editor of the Armenian Observer, to join the delegation in representation of their organization. The four of them garnered the endearing nickname, “Saroyan Quartet.”

Members of the Writers Union greet the arriving U.S. and Yerevan delegations. From left: Mkrtich Sargsyan, Vardges Petrosyan, Razmik Davoyan, Aramashot Papayan, Robert Demir and Allan Jendian. Yerevan airport. 1982.

When the U.S. delegation arrived at an airport in Moscow, a delegation from Yerevan was waiting to greet them. The Yerevan delegation consisted of Papayan, Petrosyan from the Writers Union, Perch Zeytuntsyan, Karlen Mikaelyan, Robert Galustyan, Albert Gasparyan and Garo Atoyan. 

The urn was revealed at the foot of the plane, and members of the Yerevan delegation took turns holding it. Following their arrival, the two delegations had dinner at the Budapest Hotel, which went on for hours as the writers took turns eulogizing William Saroyan. 

“You could see that Saroyan meant so much to them,” said Jendian. “They were all very somber. [Papayan] more so because they both had the same make-up as individuals. There was a lot of likeness. For them, being Bitlisian meant the world.”

Yet the urn was not officially transferred to the possession of the Writers Union until the group reached Yerevan and an event took place for the transfer. Until then, Jendian was primarily tasked with protecting the urn.

Writers Union event of William Saroyan’s urn transfer. Vardges Petrosyan and Vardges Hamazaspyan carry William Saroyan’s urn. Allan Jendian stands in the center. Yerevan, Armenia. 1982.

Early the next morning the delegations boarded the plane for Yerevan and were taken to Armenia Hotel, now known as Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan. Later, at an official event, the urn was transferred to the Writers Union. 

Over the course of the next few days, the Yerevan and U.S. delegations explored the city together and attended many events. They went around the city in free taxi rides, this being a luxury bestowed particularly upon the Saroyan Quartet on behalf of the generosity of the taxi drivers. Every time Papayan visited their hotel, he pulled out his briefcase, stuffed to the brim with ingredients and tools for coffee, and made everyone cups of coffee.

William Saroyan’s urn is presented to the Writers Union at the official event. Photo includes Vahagn Davtyan, Allan Jendian, Robert Demir, Dr. Dickran Kouymdjian, Vardges Petrosyan, Hrachya Hovhannisyan, Vardges Hamazaspyan and others. Yerevan, Armenia. 1982.

A day after watching one of Papayan’s plays at a theater, the group decided to visit one of the writer’s homes. There happened to be no taxis out at this time, so Papayan hailed a bus instead and earnestly explained who they were and the unfortunate predicament that had left them with no transportation. “The bus driver, then knowing this was the Saroyan Quartet, went off the route and took us,” said Jendian.

Several days later, on May 29, 1982, the burial of the urn took place at Yerevan’s Komitas Pantheon. The observance lasted two hours and consisted of numerous speeches. Jendian stood on the dignitaries platform along with the Writers Union Members, First Secretary of the Armenia SSR Karen Demerdjian, and other dignitaries, alongside thousands of admirers who came to honor Saroyan’s life and cultural contributions. 

The burial of William Saroyan’s ashes at Komitas Pantheon. The dignitaries’ platform. Vardges Petrosyan and Vardges Hamazaspyan stand behind the microphones, alongside First Secretary of the Armenia SSR, Karen Demerdjian (left). May 29, 1982. Yerevan, Armenia.

Jendian visited Armenia several more times after this event. In 1995, Jendian returned to Armenia as a delegate representing the National Ecclesiastical Assembly for the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians. At this event, 13 years after the burial of Saroyan’s urn, when Jendian entered the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin during a procession, his eyes met Papayan’s. 

The burial of William Saroyan’s ashes at Komitas Pantheon. The dignitaries’ platform, including the U.S. and Yerevan delegations, Writers Union members, Armenian government officials and other dignitaries.

“It took me back to when I first met him,” said Jendian. “Many years later, neither of us forgot each other. [Papayan] was a really nice man. Very bubbly. Somewhat reminds me of Bill.”

William Saroyan was the reason Jendian and Papayan met. Dr. Tony Saroyan was the reason Jendian met me, Papayan’s great-granddaughter. Life has a way about it sometimes, as it delicately weaves the past and present together into images of unforgettable people. Jendian and I are a snapshot of such moments. When worlds collide and memories revive, they help us breathe life into the photos in our possession. Through his own memories, Jendian helped me gain a clearer understanding of my great-grandfather.

“He was a warm, very gentle person. With his white wavy hair and all, you can’t miss him. Even today while we are talking,” said Jendian, “I could just picture him.”

Dignitaries and citizens gather around in Komitas Pantheon to mourn William Saroyan.

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has opened applications for its broad-based Washington, D.C. career services and pro-Artsakh/Armenia student advocacy programs, as it gears up to welcome hundreds of youth to the nation’s capital in 2024.

“Empowering the next generation of Armenian American leaders is not just a goal; it’s our duty,” said ANCA Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian. “Each of our job placement and internship programs nurture talent, fostering growth and providing opportunities to strengthen the Armenian American voice in the nation’s capital, as well as campuses and hometowns across the U.S. To all students and recent graduates, we encourage you to apply today to explore new paths to personal development and strengthen the Armenian cause.”

Meet the Fall 2023 Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program fellows and interns—many starting their careers on Capitol Hill—all adding to the vibrant and growing Armenian American professional network in Washington, D.C.

ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program

Recent university graduates are invited to apply to the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP), which helps secure permanent employment and professional internships in Washington, D.C. for young Armenian American professionals and students interested in careers in policy, politics and media. The CGP offers three months of free housing and enrichment seminars, connects participants with mentors and much more.  

Spring 2024 career services session: April 8 – June 8; Application deadline February 16, 2024
Summer Internship session: June 17 – July 26; Application deadline April 15, 2024
Fall 2024 career services session: September 9 – December 9; Application deadline July 12, 2024
Learn more and apply at: https://anca.org/gateway

ANCA Semester-in-DC Internship Programs

In addition, the ANCA encourages students who attend universities that offer Semester-In-Washington programs (UCDC, USC, Pepperdine, AU, Holy Cross, etc.) to take advantage of these opportunities and consider interning at the ANCA. The ANCA is happy to work with participants to ensure their ANCA internship meets university requirements. Students can apply through the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program portal.

ANCA Rising Leaders with Congressional Armenian Staff Association members following an interactive briefing on careers on Capitol Hill, held during the Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Day.

ANCA Rising Leaders

Offered in two sessions in March, the ANCA Rising Leaders is a three-day seminar in Washington, D.C., offering expert advice on careers in government, development and media. The program includes the Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Day—a full day of Capitol Hill discussions with legislators and staff on strengthening U.S.-Armenia ties, demanding accountability for Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and securing justice for the genocides committed against Armenians. The program is organized by the ANCA, in conjunction with the Armenian Youth Federation Eastern and Western U.S. Washington, D.C.-area Armenian American high school seniors are also welcome to participate. ANCA group housing accommodations are available for youth 18 and over.

Rising Leaders Session 1: March 10 – 12, 2024
Rising Leaders Session 2: March 24 – 26, 2024
Application Deadline: January 26, 2024
Learn more and apply: https://anca.org/risingleaders/

ANCA 2023 Leo Sarkisian, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Summer interns prepare to head to Capitol Hill to advocate for Artsakh justice and Armenia security.

ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship

During the summer, the ANCA invites university students to participate in the Leo Sarkisian Internship, a six-week intensive program designed to give them the tools necessary to effectively advance issues of concern to the Armenian American community on the federal, state and local level. The Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship runs parallel to this program.  

The 2024 ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship Program Dates: June 17 – July 26, 2024
Application deadline: March 29, 2024
Learn more and apply at: http://anca.org/internship 

The ANCA’s Alex Galitsky and Tereza Yerimyan prepare 2023 Kasparian Summer Academy participants for a day of pro-Artsakh/Armenia Capitol Hill advocacy during this early morning session at the Aramian House.

ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy

High school students ages 17 to 19 are invited to participate in the Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy, a one-week, intensive program that brings a select group of high school students with proven community leadership experience to Washington, D.C. to learn more about the Armenian cause and how our policy priorities are advanced within the framework of America’s federal government. High schoolers have two sessions to choose from:

Kasparian Summer Academy – Session 1: August 5 – August 9, 2024
Kasparian Summer Academy – Session 2: August 12 – August 16, 2024
Application deadline: May 17, 2024
Learn more and apply at: https://anca.org/summer

The ANCA’s Tereza Yerimyan and Alex Galitsky speak with Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School eighth graders about the vital role Armenian students of all ages can play in advocating for Artsakh and Armenia.

Junior High School Class Visits to the ANCA Washington, D.C. Headquarters

The ANCA welcomes hundreds of students from Armenian American junior high schools during their annual trips to the nation’s capital for an interactive discussion on the important role they can play in advocating for pro-Artsakh/Armenia priorities in their hometowns, while offering an early introduction to Washington, D.C. career opportunities in policy, politics and media.

Schools or parents interested in scheduling a “Pizza and Politics” session with the ANCA Washington, D.C. team, email [email protected] or call (202) 775-1918.

For more information about these programs, visit anca.org/youth or email [email protected].