Wow, it really does seem forever ago when I last posted on here. Now that the April 24 "craze" is over, I have some time to actually sit down and write a few things. First off, let me say (like many have already said) that I don't quite understand the logic of Armenians. I mean, sure, us Armenians have this "special" way of thinking... but really - where do we draw the line? I mean, to think that once April 24th roles around every year we need to get up and do something... wow... that's just weird! Are we Armenian just on that date? Nuh uh! Anyways... so let me tell you a little about April 24th in L.A.

This year, there were SEVERAL events all commemorating the Armenian Genocide. To list them all would almost be impossible for me, so I shall talk about the MAIN things.
a) First, there was a walkathon organized by the AYF, from Alex Pilibos Arm. School all the way to the Turkish Consulate on Sunday the 21st. The reason why I think this was significant, is because in Monday's LA TIMES, the walkathon made front page of the News-Press section. There were 2 great articles both highlighting the event and stating several facts about the Armenian Genocide.
b)Then, there was a week-long Genocide Commemoration organized by a special council in the Glendale District. This began on Monday the 22nd and ended on the 26th (the main event being on the 24th).
c) An All-ASA (Armenian Students' Association) Vigil held at California State University Northridge, during which Genocide survivor Sam Kadorian spoke to an audience of University and College students, staff and faculty.
d) The AYF's Youth Rally at the Ferrahian gym. The evening included a touching reinactment of Siamanto's "Kheghtamahuh", along with performances by Harout Pamboukjian and Razmig Mansourian.
e) Commemoration at the Montebello Armenian Genocide Monument, where several city and state officials gather with the Armenian community. Thousands of Armenians were present, despite the fact that there was rain.
f) Little Armenia: United Armenian Students organized a March in Little Armenia. 15,000 Armenians marched along the half-closed streets in Hollywood. This was the second year the students organized this march... a great beginning!
g) Protest at the Turkish Consulate: The AYF held its annual protest at the Turkish Consulate, this year later on in the day than usual, making it a more successful rally than previous years.
h) City of Glendale's Main Event: At the Civic Auditorium, the city hosted a commemoration of the Armenian Genocide... There was not only a program going on, but downstairs there was a museum type display set up about the "Armenian Genocide Project" and a viewing room for "Voices from the Lake".
i) Glendale Unified School District, for the first time brought together the Armenian Clubs of each high school and organized an evening to commemorate the Genocide on April 26th. The program consisted of student performances, as well as from members of the community. This was the first time an event like this was held...mainly thanks to the efforts of the Armenian school board member, Greg Krikorian.

These were just some of them.
Now, someone might think.. "Woahhhh, how did they pull all of this off? Were there 5 people at each event?" ... the answer? NO. Each event I attended had a GREAT number of Armenians present, as well as non-Armenians. There was something different about it this year. I haven't quite put my finger on it... but I narrowed it down to a couple possibilities, and here they are. I think maybe the community has finally realized the importance of unity. Their activism this year showed that there was some sort of awakening within these Armenians who used to go to Vegas on April 24th.. just another day off for them! The television ad campaigns, the endless interviews on Armenian shows and radio... the newspaper articles, the activism of the YOUTH...... all of this had a GREAT impact on how the community responded. For example, I have been attending the protest for several years... and no other year has been like how it was this year. This April 24th, I looked around in the crowd and saw a WHOLE different bunch! There were all kinds of people there....even non-Armenians! That just tells me a lot about the activism of the community.... it was a good feeling!

That's all about April 24th.. if there are people who have questions, feel free to email me and i'll be glad to answer them....

As for everything else? WOW... it's going FAST!!!! I can't believe April is almosttttt over with and May is just around the corner! Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited to finally go back to Armenia.... but this means that in the next 3-4 weeks I'll be working on papers and projects! Akhhh.... don't remind me! :)

TSUH! :)~

Alright, I shall attempt to share my "take" on this dual citizenship in a bit more detailed manner than before.
Let me first say that, Raffi M.... I agree, yet disagree with you. I TOTALLYYY understand your point about the importance for Diasporan Armenians to be connected to Armenia (with dual citizenship-in your opinion). I was born here, in America... my parents each came here at a young age and met, married, and continue to live here with NO intention of ever leaving. As an American born Diasporan Armenian, I have also dealt with the issues of being so detached from a homeland. Like I've said before, I grew up "Armenian". Then I went to Armenia and I found out.. "WOAH, I'm not "Armenian" like these people!". I came back, and tried to see where I fit in, in the world around me... and once again, I was not American either. So where do I belong? ("Nepantla") Will I be lost forever? .... No! I say NO, because I went to Armenia again..and again... and again. And now, I feel there is NO WHERE else I fit in more than in Armenia.

Now, do I need that piece of paper (citizenship) to validate my official linkage to the country where I truly belong? MAYBE....in time! I really don't think I'm qualified to make decisions about the future of a country (because that's what democracy is...EACH PERSON COUNTS!). Maybe others feel like they can fix things, if ONLY they had the power to vote. But here is my point.. Why would you care about, let's say, distribution of water in Yerevan... if you don't live there? Fine, forget the caring part...if you've never even been there, how could you vote on something like that? You've never experienced the whole "2 hrs in the mornin' and 2 hrs in the evenin' deal". You don't really know how it feels when you've cooked dinner (without running water there), and then it's 11pm and water hasn't come yet, so you have no choice but to leave you kitchen dirty and wake up at 5am to do the dishes. You see, your vote affects soooo many people and their daily lives! You live in the diaspora and you make decisions about other people's lives? SURELY you are aware of the fact that there are WAY more diasporans than Armenians living in Armenia. Giving people dual citizenship, just to "link them to the country" .... sorry..... no no no.

Here is my suggestion... (although it might be a lot of extra work... "no pain, no gain")... So Armenia should start this big ol' list of all people interested in becomming citizens of Armenia. They should fill out something like a census...with details about their lives, like if they're married, how many kids, etc. So when election time comes, these people should get a "fake" ballot form (this could even be done with email!) and AT LEAST for some time, Armenia should treat these ballots, or votes that come in, as a majority view from the Diaspora. So, let's say there's a big issue on the ballot... we can say, "Well, Diasporan Armenians' majority vote went to blahblahblah, where Armenia's population voted on blahlabhalbha". So now, the government and the people get a good feel of how similar/different the views of the Diaspora are! AND THENNNN it would be easier to judge whether Diaspora votes are REALLY thaaaaaat outrageous, or if they're "right on the money".

Sometimes trying things out, then re-trying them is the best solution to any problem. Armenia, ASK PEOPLE what they think! Diaspora, TELL PEOPLE what you think! Everyone, ANALYZE IT.... then you can make "educated" assumptions as to how much Diaspora Citizens' votes hurt Armenia. If you ask me, right now, it's all hypothetical and no one is thinking to actually gather some info about it to make things a big more substantial.

Ok, that's what I think folks.... I still believe if you want citizenship, you would need to live there. At least for right now, this is how it's gotta be. We can't take a chance. And here is my ultimate last "conspiracy" scenario for you all.... Fine, say we give everyone who has visited Armenia twice, paid the $300 (or whatever), passed the Armenian history/language test... citizenship. Ummmmm, what stops ANYONE (even someone who is definitely not Armenian) from becomming a citizen and having say in our country's future?? I don't know about you, but you just go and look at Armenian Studies Departments in Universities here, and there are non-Armenians who know more about Armenian history and language than anyone else. So do we do some sort of DNA/blood test to make sure they're Armenian? hahahaha (Just kidding) Does Armenia slowly begin to be another melting pot of a nation (eventually)?

I know that it would be AWESOME to have the opportunity to be an Armenian citizen, just like that. But I think about the pros and cons of ME having the citizenship, and then how that gives the SAME rights to others... and honestly, I wouldn't want that. Eventually, yes... I would love to be an Armenian citizen.. if I've actually gone to live there, and not have to give up my American citizenship. Cause as much as I hate to admit it.... I am truly Armenian-American. If I lost one or the other, I wouldn't be a "gadaryal" person.....

K, now I must head out to school...
OHHHHH... the chat was AWESOME! Big thanks to all those who came! I hope we can do it on a more regular basis.... and like they said, with a set agenda, so people don't go asking "where r u from?" a million times in the room. And about the reality shows... "OH GOD!"... Alfred's room yegher.. HAJIS! I'm glad Armenia is in tune with the rest of the world's hype about reality shows, but I was hoping we'd rise above that kind of entertainment. Well that's my proud nationalistic side talking right there... I knowwwwww we're not different than the rest of the world! So I guess we HAVE to have our "survivor/real world" shows too! :)

TSUH! :)~
p.s. - "tsuh" is a short (dzooyl) way of saying "tsudesootyoon". :)_

Reality TV has reached Armenia.
Wow, I was surprised, … well I shouldn’t really be. If Armenia and Yerevan in particular is in the “transitional period” to democracy and market economy, then I assume it will import the good and the bad of the capitalist, “anything for money” way of thinking. I was just caught by surprise at the speed of it all. In Canada we are soooo lucky to have almost one reality show per day. Thanks to the American copy of the English “Survivor,” our voyeurism seems to have consumed us. All these pretty, hot girls and young “studs” showing as much of their bodies as possible, and cheating on their Girl(boy)friend and eating as much as they can and bla, bla, bla…
Anyhow, I am more curious about this new Armenian show called “In Alfred’s Room” which is aired 3 times a day. Read the article in Armeniaweek.com :
Apparently 9 young adults (boys and girls) are placed in an appartment and are video taped 24/24… even in the washroom (they take their baths with bathing suits on). There are different reactions in the article about this show. The winner gets one million Dram ($1,750).
What do you think about this type of shows in Armenia?
I personaly think it,s a good example of “cultural imperialism.”

Dual citizenship: Here’s a ten year old debatethat seems to have no concensus. It would be great if I can have an Armenian passport, but I believe it must have a price (not monetary). Although I would be willing to pay this price (living in Armenia), I don’t want to lose my Canadian citizenship. I may sound selfish to some, but as a Diaspora Armenian, I don’t feel ready to leave my future in the hands of a young government with a lot of corruption in its system… maybe someday!

By the way, see you on Sunday 9:30 AM (that’s 00:30 AM in Montreal).
(sorry for the spelling, still no spellcheck) :o(

Nune:
I don't particularly care what she seems to be doing. I wouldn't pay 100 dollars for any concert, and certainly not for one of hers.....$2 to listen to a concert at the Opera with artists of a higher standard suits me very well!!

Dual Citizenship:
Isn't citizenship : 1. Social and moral responsibility 2. Community involvement and finally, 3. Developing political awareness....decide whether gaining dual citizenship will fulfil all of these criteria.....I think that citizenship in Armenia would be feasible for these criteria, but only if you lived in Armenia, and then would you be taking away from the community involvement in your country of birth.......?!

Hope everyone's well, at least I don't have to get up at 4am in the morning this Sunday for the online chat - it would have been quite daunting....

I respect both Ara and Raffi's responses with regards to the Nune and Dual Citizenship issues.

I am less concerned with the Nune issue. While it is easy to get wrapped up in the numbers game with figures and conversion ratio's, my point of view is that even if the cost of a ticket to her concert was 5 bucks, average Armenians still wouldn't be able to go. Her market for the $100 a ticket affair is entirely different from that of the average spectator. She is appealing to Diasporans and wealthy Armenians in Armenia who can afford it and want to spend that kind of money. I personally don't attend $50 Armenian functions here in Boston and don't feel artists should have to lower the price if they don't want to. I have no hard feelings against them. I'll just buy the record. U2 gives a benefit concert and charges $250 a ticket, I personally don't care nor am I offended by it. Why should I be? They have no obligation to me nor does Nune. So, raise the money Nune, do what you want with it. Personally, it would be much better if you were more concerned with your own people in Armenia. But, donating money to help people in general is not a crime or offensive. It's actually quite noble. But, then again, who are we to say?

More on the dual citizenship issue later...

Oh wow.... I'm sooooo behind! :) The log is sooo active now, and I'm missing all the action! hee hee hee
Ok, so it's Wednesday morning (my worst day), and I don't plan on being home from school till really late so I'll jot down some of my ideas real fast.
First off... Nune: "Chi hasgtsa"... I haven't really had time to read-read the Armenia Week article (I just skimmed it), but you're telling me that Nune is putting on a concert ..... in YEREVAN... where people have to pay $100 for a ticket? WOAH! (let's all say it together.... WOAAAAAAH)! I think it's great that she is reaching out and blah blah blah.... but let me tell you something, I think someone should find this girl a better publicist.... or maybe give her a crash course in Politics 101. PAREE LOOYS! Nune, hokis, if Americans were the first ones giving a helping hand to Armenia, REST ASSURED that they not only got that hand back, but they also got an arm, a foot, a neck.... u get the idea. And another thing... Americans came to Armenia, 99% because of ARMENIAN-Americans. If it wasn't for the fact that so many Armenians are politically active here in America... you think America would even care? I think maybe we should say, "well it's the thought that counts".... but COME ON.... can't we send a sympathy card and flowers? or a nice jar of dzirani anoush? Geeeez, I just hope that this gets the "expected" publicity. $150,000 being spent.... NY for NY.... let's see what happens!

Second: hahahha..Raffi N. ... new tax payers?! lol :)

Third: Everyone come to the chat on Sunday! yay yay yay!

Fourth: I'm gonna be late for school! .. I just had to get the Nune thing out of my system... phewwwwww

Some interesting LA "happs" ...
Protest the Inhumanity
March in Little Armenia

TSUH! (for now)

The girl has gone mad!
Nune Yessayan will put on a 100$/ticket performance in Yerevan to raise funds for the family of the World Trade Centre victims. Can anyone else see the irony in this? I mean how can she expect that the average worker who makes about 34$-45$ a month will be able to afford such a thing? And why this cause? I read the article in armeniaweek.com (http://armeniaweek.com/april052002/nune.html) where she says that since the USA has helped Armenia so much it’s time for us to help them… hey, we’ve helped by sending thousands of new tax payers to that country! Seriously though, I agree that Armenia and Armenians in general should me more compassionate to issues concerning other nations. I applaud her innitiative to reach out and put Armenia on the international cultural scene. However, would it not have been smarter to reach out to those who are really in need? I assume that most of these families (for which the entire world gave money to – just Hollywood raised billions) who had a member working in those buildings had life insurances. And it’s not like they lost their homes. How much money could they need? Are we supplying their children with scholarships or what? I am not, under any circomstances saying that what happened wasn’t awful. It must’ve shattered many innocent lives… about 3500 and their families. But what about the millions of Afghan families that we don’t hear about as much from CNN or BBC (thanks to yet another U.S. alley who has shifted media’s attention to itself) ? What is really happening to them and their children? For the most part, they lost their homes, their jobs, their identity and their honour. When a parent has to watch their child die in their arms because they cannot find any food or medication to provide them with… this is where I would say the REAL needs are. SO, NUNE, if you want to be genuinly worried about the world, don’t cave into your American patrons who promise you a great furture in return for this or that favor.
I thought that Nune was a real artist and that she had values that made me proud … I am so dissapointed!
What do you think?

sorry for the spelling... my spellcheck seems to be sleeping already. It's 2 AM in Montreal.

I like these logs - so far, everyone I've met who writes a log on the cilicia.com site is most definitely someone to meet up with! Vartan was on business in London and visited Cambridge at the weekend, where we had a really interesting time discussing the various sides of Hayastan and why Hayastan has advantages which far far far outweight the various disadvantages. Unfortunately we never got to go punting......next time! So the last thing is to mention the absolutely perfect weather, blue skies - lots of sun, but in true english style, a slight cold which always reminds you that you're still in england!

Institutions vs. Independent Movements

On this month, Buenos Aires will have its traditional BOOK CARNIVAL. There, all the editors show their news about books and also about their old stock to sell. Thousands of argentinians come to see what is going on in this carnival. It´s prepared on a big place and , the week of the Armenian Genocide, there is a day arranged for the REPUBLIC of ARMENIA. Before that day, the April 20th HAI GETRON organized a round table for debate and comment about the "New Armenian Press". There will be four exhibitors, Alex Sarafian from the Generation Third Magazine of the AGBU Youth, someone from the New Radio of Hai Getron, Jorge Toufenedjian from the unique complete armenian page in spanish href="http://www.arrmeniosonline.com.ar">, and me, because of the BASTERMAN comic. It is said that we are the new armenian press but i think that we´ll debate about other thing. Nowadays the armenian institutions, for example in Argentina, are in a big crisis. The ARF, the AGBU, the Mekhitarians, and more are trying to save a community that is sinking very deep. On the other hand , the independent movements are growing a lot. My comic or the armeniosonline web page is an example of that. We are only a few but we do a lot. The institutions have lots of members that , as typical armenians, are always fighting each other because of their thirst of power. Or just look this page, Mr. Kojian started his own movement and he did a page of a high level of quality and the he call us. No institutions, no donations (i think), nothing of that and its great and its armenian!
In Argentina we have three dance troupes and they always have problems because there are lots of members in and they start to argue each other plus each troupe represent an institution so there is a no comprensive sence of competition among they. In France there are twelve dance troupes and many of them do not depend on an institution. In middle 90' the armenian youth was almost dead. A group of guys auto-called J.A.I. (Juventud Armenian Integradora = Integrator of the Armenian Youth). After the great activities they done, the youth of ARF and AGBU woke up.
In conclusion i think that independet movement are like SPARKS. As RAFFí the writter said the "sparks will make the armenian people never to disappear."
I´ll continue now listening to Armenag Shahmuratyan in 1912 and the Strokes of NY, great mix!
CHAUUUU

Dual Citizenship and Genocide Issues- What do you think?

This log is going to be a bit scattered. I haven't logged in a while so here we go. First off, tonight Armenian pianist Armen Babakhanian is giving a concert here in Boston at Boston University at 8pm. Depending on my workload for school, I may go. Babakhanian caught my eye in 1994 on PBS when they aired the Van Cliburn Piano competition. He is a very expressive pianist who has an intersity typical of an Armenian artist. He came in 5th over many objections at the Cliburn but has had a modest recording and performing career. He still lives in Armenia and I am hoping to approach him to record for my music label in the future. A friend of mine here in Boston manages his North American gigs so we'll see what we can do.

I am a bit detached from the April 24th activities this year. Come to think of it, it has been awhile since I've actively participated. I think that my personal focus has shifted from Genocide recognition to activities directly in Armenia. The way I look at, until you live in Armenia, a person has a certain time/capacity for Armenian activities. A sort of energy bank that we expend toward Armenian stuff. These days my focus and time comittments have shifted due to the fact that there are many capable people leading and spearheading Genocide recognition. The fight to keep our history is neverending as long as the Turks and their allies actively are on the Denial campaign. The best we can do is to stay informed, be aggressive with media activity, and stay focused on the Genocide recognition campaign.

Since April 24th is nearing, I though I would share an issue with everyone that has stumped me for some time. I believe that this log is a great forum to whomever chooses to take advantage of it. It is a great virtual bridge between Diasporans and Hayastansi's and any other combination you can think of. One of the issues that has really stumped me is the lack of perceived "passion" or "care" Armenian citizens have over the Genocide issue. I've heard these comment many times over from friends that have returned from Armenia over the last five years. This is a sticky issue because it may cover many Diasporan/Hayastansi issues. But, to be focused, it is my general impression that Genocide recognition is much more important to Diasporan Armenians than it is for Hayastansi's. I think many people get bent out of shape about this needlessly. It used to bother me intensely, but now I think I understand (but don't agree) with the apathy. Before I explain myself, I'd like your opinion on how much of your "Armenian Time" you spend toward Genocide related issues and how much time you spend on "Armenia Direct" activities. Do you think that Armenians in Armenia should be more aggressive with Genocide recognition issues. How much of the perceived apathy is the fault of the government? How much of it is Armenians just focusing on day to day struggles (finding a job, food, basic survival). In short, how important should this issue be to Armenians in Armenia?

Another issue I'd like to open up to everyone is the issue of dual citizenship. Why hasn't it happened yet? Some say that it is a perfect opportunity to strenghen the country by making Diasporans feel more "officially" welcome. Plus, it may open up the pool of applicants for governmental positions to more qualified applicants that can blend in and connect better with the international media. Is the fear of granting the dual citizenship rooted in opening up the country to the world so that Diasporans can "buy" the country in terms of land, etc... I'd like your opinion. Again, I am reserving my opinion until we get some feedback on it.

I can't believe how fast this week passed! Today was another Friday, and this evening I was at our monthly family dinner night at the Armenian Center. I guess since it is April, they had a different program. Usually there is a mini-band and loud music and such... but today.... Today we were blessed with hearing classics by Gomidas and Sayat Nova while we watched slides of pictures of Armenia. Churches, monuments, streets, buildings, waterfalls, etc..... they were all there. Looking at the pictures and listening to the live music of authentic Armenian instruments (duduk, dhol) was a very "needed" experience. A small reminder that, although this month Armenians everywhere will be commemorating our great loss on 1915, we have something to celebrate. We honor the memories of those lost... but we do not forget those whom we have today.

I used to think that the Genocide is an issue that unites all Armenians. No matter what "tsi" of an Armenian you are (fransatsi, lipanantsi, sooryatsi, iraqtsi....etc) you come together when it is Genocide related. Sure, reparations and denial are a devisive issues within Armenians, but the Genocide is our most common denominator... at least as Diasporans. But now....not even THAT unity is left. Just look at the calendar section of an Armenian newspaper and you will see that there are at least 25-30 events this month which will commemorate the Genocide. They will all show the same pictures, tell the same stories..... These thoughts brought me to another important issue.... (In America) we're living in a time where violence is everywhere and just by turning on the news you would be able to hear about the countless murders that took place that day. Our children play video games (for hours) in which people bleed (quite graphically) and others die....or whose mission it is to kill. Blood, murder, violence.... it's normal. And kids grow up on that. Now, we're expecting these children to see pictures of the Armenian Genocide, and actually feel something? To them, those pictures are just another graphic image depicting dead people. They see those everyday. They are desensitized... thus being desensitized to our history and our cause. Is this our new generation? ...... perhaps the worst kind of Jermag Chart. A more modern version? .... and what is the solution?

I don't have the answers..... I guess one answer is... TEBI YERGIR! Another might be to ban your children from ever watching TV or playing video games.....

On a lighter note... the weather is beginning to warm up... but we've been getting warm days and FREEZING nights! Weird! On Sunday I'll be going to Disneyland! I haven't been there in YEARSSSSSSSSSS so i'm very excited about that! :) As far as everything else... school is back in session so it's business as usual. Our plans of taking 25 students to Armenia are well under way (Ara...remind me to ask you something) and if everything goes as planned, they will arrive in Armenia on June 28th and depart July 22nd. For some, it is a "return" to their childhood home.... for others, it will be their first Armenia experience... I think I'm more excited for them than they are! haha :)

As for me... I arrive in Armenia on June 9th! (Just 2 months away!)
TSUH! :)

Happy Easter to everyone!

I went to the newly renovated Armenian church in London this morning, it was really nicely done (aside from the alterpiece), and definitely beats the gigantic new one in Yerevan. It is named after a non-existent saint (Yeghishe), but aside from that is very well done.

Looking forward to Hayastan this summer, have already booked my flights and will be there in the middle of August and hope to meet some of the loggers whom I've never met!

In the meantime, I have a huge amount of work to get through, but it's all quite interesting which makes it even better.

PS Ashod writes enough in his one log to equal about ten of my logs, so his efficiency is probably lowered as well now anyway!!