“…One of the columns of our community has collapsed...”

Those were the words that the educator Mr. Bedrós Hadjian used to describe the pain of the whole Armenian community of Buenos Aires because of the death of Barón Kevork (Jorge) Sarafian.
Last 18th June afternoon Don Jorge Sarafian passed away at the age of 91. He was, I think, the most important generator of culture that the Buenos Aires community had ever. His father was killed by the Turks near the Euphrates River (Rakka). He survived and left Ourfa (Hetesia) his place of birth, to Aleppo to start a new life. He studied in the Haygazyan School of Aleppo and then in 1927 came to Buenos Aires. Last Friday 21st was the 75th anniversary of his arrival on this lands.
Don Jorge or Barón Kevork (the way people used to call him) manage to create his own business that then became an empire of wool called Lanas Hetesia. He was young when he started to work for the community. He organized the Administration of the Armenian Church in Buenos Aires, he was the president for many years of Homenetmen and he also gave his hand for the UGAB (AGBU) Institution. Kevork was the first great propagandist of the Armenian cause between non-Armenians. He wrote many books. Those books about Armenian literature, music, legends, religion, politics and more that he used to send as a present to all Argentinean and world wide intellectuals to know about our culture. Mr. Sarafian was baptized in Surp Asdvadzadzin Church in Hetesia, now Ourfa, Turkey. That church was converted to a Mosque so Don Jorge made real one of his final dreams. A pair of years ago he erected the Surp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nor Hetesia, Armenia in memory of the original. He was decorated with medals from Echmiadzin and Jerusalem and the Republic of Armenia gave him the double citizenship.
Don Jorge had two great families, the community and his own family that is quite big and respectful. He left six sons and more than ten grand sons. All of them are involved with the Armenian community, a community who suffered this lost. Wednesday 19th the Surp Krikor Lusavorich Church was filled up with people who wanted to say goodbye to Barón Kevork. Now his mortal remains rests in peace in the Britain Cemetery of Chacarita, Buenos Aires.


Note: In 1927 when Kevork took the ship to Buenos Aires he knew an Armenian that then became his friend: My grand father that I could not know, Mr. Kevork Abadjian. My grand father and he became friends there at that trip to a new horizon. He died very young.Maybe now their souls met again to a new travel some elsewhere.
I hope this world will receive more Kevork Sarafians…


Juan Augusto Abadjian

I'm home. Well.... I've BEEN home for a little more than a week now and I'm going absolutely nuts here!!! My doctor has told me I can't drive yet, so I'm left to rely on my sister or parents for rides... and you know what that means.. I feel 15 again! hahahah! :) But other than that I'm doing very well! Of course I'm still sad that I won't be spending the summer in Armenia as I had planned (as I hold my ticket to Yerevan in my hand..... tears tears) but I'm very very very relieved that this happened when it did and now I will be free to continue and finish school this December and then maybe spend New Years in Yerevan! :)

Things have been a bit slow here... it's absolutely too hot, but that doesn't keep us from running around on our daily errands. In late July, my cousin will be getting married... and this is a HUGE deal (apparently)!! Initially, I wasn't going to be here this summer to attend the wedding, so guess what Shooshig needs now? Yes.. you're right.. a dress, shoes, and managable hair (which is almost impossible in this weather).

Well now that I'm home.. I'll be writing a lot more often than before... and wishing I was out in Hayasdan with everyone else!

TSUH!! :)~

Reflexive Poetry
Think about our church and their origins...
Pagan Shadows

The throw of the censer
leaves the outline of the pagan priests
in incense around the aisles, the pews.
They measure the comparative
value of modern fire, then leave.
The ritual around the altar
leans toward the faithful,
crisp with definitions,
curling with the rise of hymns.
The spirits of the faithful rise too
in apostolic light.
The chandeliers are not enough.
They only hover close to the
ceiling of homage multiplied by each
glass crystal.

Who sings will also stand.
Who stands will also walk.
They blend with the stairs,
space accommodated to them.
They mingle as did the smoke with the
past-present and walk into the future
as i too must.

Helene Pilibosian

Next log i will tell you some bad news i have...
bye

This log a tribute to someone who I consider a friend and a role model. I will miss you Razmik.
Razmik Hekimian, father of two, loving husband, and a self made philanthropist with an abundant love for people and culture. Montreal Armenians and non-Armenians for that matter, mourn the passing away of this charismatic and humble visionary. Razmik was very involved in community life. He was at a point where he would fund and support cultural initiatives on his own. He was president of the Canadian Armenian Business Council. He was also one of the founders of AIM magazine. His printing company (Imprimerie AAA) would do all the printing. He was an instrumental component of having Montreal and Yerevan become sister cities. Through this he was spearheading a modern yet affordable housing project in Armenia.
I never saw Razmik without a smile. He was soft spoken and friendly. He was very accessible to young talent and encouraged many to find their fame. His office was practically an Art Gallery.
The funeral ceremony was held on Monday at the Armenian Church. It was like a movie. Hundreds of people from all generations, from different Armenian community organisation were gathered at Noon Monday to bid their final good-byes to a dear friend and a cherished community member. Not one word could be heard from the crowd. Some of the words of the Srpazan Derderian still echo in my head: “Razmik didn’t waste a minute. He took control of life and wanted to live every moment with his family, friends and people in general.” Representatives of both churches were there as well as his classmate who is now the Badveli of the Armenian Protestant Church. He told us how he had just met with Razmik 2 days ago and how Razmik had talked about his future plans and how he would work for another 2 years and then devote himself to cultural life. What he didn’t know was that he only had 2 more days left and not 2 years.
It was, and still is for me a very emotional experience. Although I knew Razmik through committee work, I was starting to get to know him on a personal level. What hurts more is how he died.
Razmik was electrocuted by a high voltage printing machine last Friday while changing a bulb. He was 47.
My prayers are with you Razmik.

I will not log about anything else today. Although this is very sad news, I think Razmik deserves a log (and even more) all to his own

Wow, I got so caught up with my interns, I didn’t even realize how quickly time has passed since my last log. I think my personal journal has been neglected for weeks now.

So as I am directing the AYF Internship in Armenia this year, my 8 interns arrived last Saturday night and will be here for two months. So far so good. They have adjusted to Yerevan, seem to be happy with their work and are excited to see the rest of the country. I have reached a point where staying in my own apartment is becoming unnecessary because I am only there from 2:00 am to 9:00 am to sleep, shower and then return to the central area where my interns are, or work.

I went to Zadig orphanage today with two of the interns to place them there. It’s always a pleasure. I was there once last year, and then traveled with the kids to Lake Sevan again, but I haven’t seen them since July last year. I returned today and they all remembered me very well. I felt so much at home there, and it was a fulfilling day to interact with them. Some of the precious little ones had a big smile for me when I arrived and giggled when they realized who I was. Oh, I miss children. It seems like I don’t get to see enough innocent children in my days, that when I do, I feel complete again.

I ran into friends of my parents today who have been here for two weeks now, but are leaving soon. They told me I look like I am on cloud 9 the way I am smiling so much. I think they might go back to my parents and tell them that their little Arsineh isn't coming home any time soon.

So the question that keeps popping up in conversation that wont let me sleep at night is… do I really want to go back to the States in August. I have been torn before, but never like this. I have never been so undecided about something in my life. Raffi, you haven’t won the bet yet, but odds might be looking in your favor! Do you prefer Thai or Mexican? Perhaps we can have that dinner in Armenia at Ginger since I might just be here when the bet is decided. Did we agree on November?

Mt. Laurel, New Jersey USA Well, I'm in Jersey. In a hotel suite for three weeks. On business. It just doesn't get any more boring than this. But, I will make use of my time by hitting a few record stores to grease some palms in hopes of getting "Yeraz" some in-store play. Tower Records on South Street in Philly was my first start. After that, the Tower Records on Avenue of the Arts in Philly was next. I dropped off some promo CD's, had a Philly cheese steak, and then bought a copy of "The Osbournes" CD. What a riot. Poor Ozzy can't even speak... But, the show and his persona are hysterical...

I guess everyone is gearing up for "Kef Time-Cape Cod" here on the East Coast and then AYF Olympics in Philadelphia during Labor day weekend. I'll probably drop by on both events and take in some old fashioned American-Armenian culture. My brother just got back from Hayastan (Sevan) as did a new friend of mine (Tamar). Can't wait to get their first impressions...

I usually like to adapt to whatever surrounding I may be in. When in Armenia, I tend to hand out with great friends in ancient places. In Boston, I stroll the brick-lined streets of one of the oldest American city. In Italy, there is Rome, Venice, and Firenze.

However, I'm in Jersey. So, I'm going to hit the local mall and get a pretzel and a slurpee.

It’s incredible how much happens in such a short time. I haven’t been around for about 2 weeks and there has been lots on cilicia.org.
I was away on a “professional development” training for about a week and the rest of the time was busy with my school work. I am also organising a street fair in my neighborhood that is taking up a good portion of my time. The fair’s theme will be the environmental concept of “reuse”. I’m sure that many of you know about the three Rs… reduce, reuse, recycle. Well, the idea is to organise a collective garage sale of all the residents. They’ll actually be giving objects a second life. For instance, you are re-decorating or moving into a smaller/bigger apartment. You don’t want to bring along this or that (curtains, lamps, books, cloths) so you sell them for a cheap price and you know that whoever buys it will use it for the purpose it was produced for. Whereas recycling involves an entire not so environmentally friendly process (pick up of items = use of gas = pollution; decomposing the recyclable objects = use of heavy machinery…) Anyhow, the big event happens this Sunday. My parents will come over and we’ll celebrate Father’s day at the same time.
The reason I am working on this project is simply to get our (Lara’s and my) newly founded organisation known. It’s call CREaction. It’s mission is to build bridges between the Quebec and Armenian societies. During this fair for instance, Lara and I will be promoting Armenia and its culture. I will teach some “shurchbar” steps and we will promote Armenian Art and artists. The audience for this organisation is not the Armenian community of Montreal but other ethnic groups and especially the French-Canadians who know very little about Armenia. Eventually we would like to see some fair trade business happening. We believe that Armenia has a lot to share with the world and we are going to be the agents that deliver its knowledge.
Other than that, Oh yes! Ara Gevorkian… it was a great show. There were more than 35 musicians on stage with a video backdrop and the local dance group. It was the first time that I was a spectator rather than a dancer. I guess that’s why I am a little more critical of the dance performance. Regardless, I think the Armenian community of Laval put on a kick a- - show. Apparently, this event was a fundraiser to establish a new social service center in the community center. They also announced that Laval and Gumri will become sister cities in 2003… BRAVO!

GREEN GREEN GREEN EVERYWHERE!!! What a picture perfect weekend it was. I gathered the troops and went camping in the Garni gorge for a night. Shant Petrossian, Sebouh Hatzakordzian, Kelly Bedeian and I grabbed our tents, sleeping bags, pots and pans, fruits and veggies, hot dogs and were outward bound to Garni. With no clue where to go, we hiked down only to stumble upon a corner of the world I will never forget. Of course, it called for creating an assembly line across an ice cold river with currents that nearly knocked me over to get to the side we wanted. The boys near reached hypothermia, but the reward was worth it. We found a perfect space between these humbling cliff sides with magnificent rock formations, right by the river/makeshift refridgerator... of course, building a damn was essential to making sure that we didn't lose our supplies. A full Saturday was spent setting up camp, playing frizbee, Kung Foo lessons, a game of Gin Rumi, climbing a hillside and preparing some tasty sandwiches.

Threats of cold temperatures and rain had us worried, but none were encountered. The weather was perfect. With the view of Garni accenting our landscape, the cows down the river, the passers-by practicing their English on us, and the lack of pressuring concerns, the evening was a textbook definition of relaxing. As the sun fell, the big dipper made its appearance, and the rest of the stars that have ever existed followed. The sky was crystal clear so much that the sky was lit up with millions of years of light.

So we started up the fire, cooked up some hot dogs and Kelly began reading our fortunes. Casual conversation took us well into the night until we couldn't even keep our eyes open anymore. So we hopped into our tents and slept to the sound of the running river right by our sides, ONLY to wake up to the cow on the other side at 8:00 am. Sebouh cooked up some omlets on the fire and we were on our way to climb up the hillside again, this time to see what was on the other side. We found only more natural beauty, and hence our weekend came to an end, but on such a wonderful note.

Going back to Yerevan was an achy and soar experience, what, with all the exercise I got after years of laziness. Oh, I will miss the rich green hillsides. As Shant said that night, "how on earth does one explain where we are right now?" How do you describe being one with nature just beneathe a temple that was built 2000 years ago, surrounded by enormous cliffs with rock shapes that none of us could explain? Just knowing the basic history of that land knocks me off my feet in awe of it all. It truly was a picture perfect weekend.

Wow.... summer is here!!!
Today, it was a wopping 96 degrees in L.A.!!!! I know that some people out there envy the weather we have here, but when you're out trying to run errands, going in and out of your car, in and out of stores/buildings... the heat is a step beyond a major inconvenience! (I noticed we hadn't really talked about weather lately.....hehehehe)
So, yes, summer vacation has started and my sister is home from San Francisco. (I'm still deciding if this is in fact a good thing or an annoyance hee hee :) Apparently, she cannot tell the difference between her Conservatory's music studio and our living room, because in the past week our house has become her personal studio where she feels free to sing and perform at ANY hour of the day, ANY day! hahahaha.... and no.... i'm not kidding :)

I'm still awaiting my surgery day (D-Day... tuesday), and i've been running around doing last minute tests for my doctors, but according to them, this is a "breeze" and everything should be great .. nayink! As for everything else in the community, everybody is busy with concerts and barahanteses (as usual) ... Oh, Rhoda, there's an English performer out here... his name is Kev Orkian (not his real name) and he's a comedian. Some of you might remember him from the Hokis CD. He's the guy who does all the jokes. Well there's a Comedy Dinner Night on friday, so I'll drop by to see how he is LIVE! :)

I'd like to say that there's more going on, but really there isn't. I think people are just trying to adjust to the sudden heat. And others are already starting to get ready to LEAVE..... and everyone else is glued to their TV's watching basketball.... (there are Laker flags EVERYWHERE now!) :)

TSUH!! :)~

True signs of summer in Yerevan... the Spyurk has arrived! I went to Monte Cristo the other night with some friends and I couldn't tell if I swam to LA in my sleep or if the place was just packed with visitors. Who says tourism isn't booming in Armenia? I hear more English spoken here than Armenian, nowadays.

Today (Raffi, you will appreciate this) some old friends from Camp Haiastan walked into the office, Arin Gregorian, Sevan Meneshian, Chris Derderian and Garo Nazarian. I heard someone say, "My God, it's like the Armenia version of the Hairenik building" (referring to the Arlex office in Yerevan). Raffi, don't worry, we will take good care of your brother. I think it's great to have so many people passing through. It's refreshing to see people's first reactions to Armenia... and major jet lag. It kinda reminds me of my first trip.

The only thing that is disappointing is that sometimes these tourists do not show respect for the culture here. The other night, I was out late at night looking for a taxi at about 1:00 am when I saw a big crowd of loud drunk kids as if they were back on Sunset Strip. For the people who plan on visiting, PLEASE try to show some respect. It's things like this that give locals in Yerevan the impression that Spyurk Armenians are just a bunch of idiots.

So a group of us plan on going camping this weekend around Garni, I'll make sure to update on that. After this weekend, the AYF Interns get here and I'll be chasing around after them quite a bit and dragging them around the country, so I'm sure every day I will have a new experience logged... Raffi (Koj), you can appreciate that! :) Thanks Shooshig!

It's the Queens jubilee weekend here in England......so that basically means lots of union jack flags flying, and two days holiday!!
I went off camping in the hills for the weekend with friends, just having finished a frantic month of writing up.....It was quite perfect weather, sun was in abundance which always quite rare here...and then I came back to a Cambridge which is most definitely not celebrating the queens' jubilee.... Everyone here has exams and I think the queen isn't really on anyone's minds here!!!
I'm very much looking forward to my time in Hayastan, and am envious of most of the group who've just started this week, I really hope they have a great few months - I'll be there in August.......can't wait!

ARGENTINA DEFEATED NIGERIA, AND BRAZIL DESTROYED TURKEY

Well, as diasporans we have to talk about the soccer world championship. Argentinean soccer team started a nice debut, defeating NIGERIA 1-0 with a goal of the legendary BATISTUTA. Meanwhile, Monday 6 p.m Turkey lost his first match against one of the ever favourites: Brazil. Can you imagine all the brazilian-armenians of Sao Paoulo screaming against the turkish team? Awesome!
What i founded interesting is how some turkish players seam to be armenian, physically. Maybe their original grand parents were islamizated armenians...
The soccer show has just begun, we will see what is going to happen next.
Bachikner
Juanig

GOR CONCERT IN YEREVAN ON JUNE 8

The Gor concert is set for June 8th in Yerevan, Armenia. It will be held at the big hall of the "Rock Club" at 3a Pushkin Street. The show starts at 9pm and is $1. You will be able to purchase CD's there as well. The "Rock Club" is just off the Hrabarag right behind the museum of Armenian History. Dolmama is on Pushkin Street at well. If you get a chance, check out the show, drink a few Kotayk's and listen to some great music...

May - June in Southern Cali......

Graduations, parties, weddings, christenings... the list is endless. All this, not to mention the frequent events taking place at Golden Palace, Ararat Home, the new HMEM Ararat Ballroom and/or Alex Theatre in Glendale. It's kind of funny how I drove by there today and I saw that all of the concerts listed were Armenian ones. Seems like we took over one more venue.... :) I spent the weekend down in Palos Verdes... the "South Bay" area. One might think that there aren't any Armenians there, but the truth is (and we all know this is a fact) there are Armenians EVERYWHERE! It was definitely weird being entirely surrounded by odars, but I have to admit it was somewhat of a "break".

There's actually a lot going on right now! Today I went to Sardarabad Bookstore and did A LOT of shopping! I hadn't been there in a while so I stocked up on some books that I could read while I'm in bed the next few weeks recooping. I got Viken Berberian's "The Cyclist" and Boghos Kupelian's "Passport". I got Vahe Berberian's video and my family and I died laughing, because it's all "soooooooo" Armenian! I also got some maps of Yerevan, I guess maybe to make up for the fact that I won't be there this summer. I got Robert Kurkjian's and Mathew Karanian's new guide for travelers to Armenia (not for the guide...but it has INCREDIBLE pictures). I was so excited I even threw in a couple CD's! Well, I thought since I'm here why not buy everyone's gifts from Sardarabad too! So I bought all my friends their graduation gifts ... little something-s from Hayasdan.

That's pretty much it for right now... It's funny how when you have nothing to do, it always turns out that you have a MILLION things to do! I thought I could put away my little black calendar book, because now that there's no school I won't have to keep track of all the things that are due on this day or that day.. BOYYYYYYYYYY was I wrong?! Welcome back blackbook! :) ohh ya.. and Welcome Arsineh!!! :)

TSUH! :)~