Yes eem Anoush Hayastani....

I'm in Armenia! Can somebody help me understand why none of the Russian crew members aboard Aeroflot or at the airport in Moscow smile? I noticed blatant expressions of annoyance and disgust when they encountered travelers who didn't speak any Russian. Did I miss something? Is it pre-requisite to know Russian to fly Russian airlines and through Russia's airports? Stewardesses would speak to me in Russian and then roll their eyes at me when I responded in English.

While standing in the transit/transfer line at the airport in Russia I was somehow managed to always be one of the last people in the line since these folks don't believe in lining up and just walk up and randomly join the line somewhere in the middle.

Since I've been here I've had a few amazing experiences. The first occurred while I was in the car with my father. We were driving around near Ara Ler and he started telling me a story of how he once saw an eagle circling in the sky swoop down and pick up a snake from the field below and fly up grasping the snake in its talons. I expressed some regret that he didn't have his camera handy to capture the moment. About five minutes later I almost couldn't find my words when I looked over to my right and saw an eagle flying overhead with a snake gripped in it's talons! Luckily I had my camera handy and I was able to capture the moment! My father and I were a tad spooked by what had just happened, but then again things like this happen in Armenia!

We also revisited Komitasi Ayki and there is a new museum there that was opened last summer.

A few days ago a few of my friends and I went to the Armenia vs. Portugal soccer game. Television broadcasts had advised people to arrive an hour early but that was useless since the stadium staff (aka soldiers and police officers) had absolutely no clue about effective crowd control measures. On the contrary all they were doing was creating havoc. For over an hour we were stuck in a mob getting pushed and shoved with people shouting at each other. Let me just say that not only was I afraid we were going to get trampled and killed I was embarrassed because numerous non-Armenian tourists simply gave up and turned back. I couldn't believe they were witnessing our people acting like such savages. I can understand how ridiculous the organization of the event was but why must the people lose all order and act like wild animals? Thank goodness for the one tall guy near us who kept shouting at people to come to their senses and not push and shove to avoid a stampede which might cause deaths. I admit it I was scared! I was shaking, my nerves were shot and at one point I couldn't help it anymore I was crying because my right arm almost got torn off when my entire body was being shoved forward while my arm was being shoved backward! Even at that point when I was yelling "tevus..akh tevus" the stinky men around me didn't even exhibit one ounce of chivalry or sensitivity and instead of trying to ensure my safety they just kept pushing and shoving. LOVELY! I can't say I was too proud of my people at that point.... on the contrary I was pained! (pun intended!)

Once we got to our seats I had to kick some kids out of our seats which I had no problem doing. I was pleasantly surprised that they didn't argue with me or put up a fight and I'm really glad they didn't or else I would have just sat on them! The crowd was roaring, whistling, shouting, chanting, there were horns, drums, singers, fights...you name it! What really perplexed me was how people were chomping on seeds. How did they manage to hold on to their seeds through the mob scene? The game itself was pretty good and ended in a tie. The Armenian players were playing their hearts out.... rumor has it they had been offered some monetary incentives

Yesterday was my friend Noushig's last day here before returning back to the States. I didn't want to say good bye so I hung out with her at her hotel until we both were exhausted and almost falling asleep. While we were sitting in the lobby of her hotel in walked a man who I made eye contact with and I turned to Noushig and our friend Norair and I said "I think that was Arkady Ghoukasian" and they didn't believe me until they saw him walk by again, this time being escorted by secret service agent/ bodyguard people! I would like to report that he is a very good looking man in person. Pictures and television don't do him justice!

The best part of my trip so far was last night when I went over to my father's house for dinner and he asked me if I wanted to play backgammon. I agreed reluctantly since he always kicks my ass and I hadn't played in over a year. We played best out of 5 and he was up when I somehow beat him with a mars!!!! He was livid! He couldn't believe I beat him for the first time ever and in Armenia at that! I will be boasting about this FOREVER!

Boston Globe and Others Hammer Genocide Point Home

I really don't do this often. Really, I don't. But, the last few weeks have been extraordinary for those interested in the issue of Armenian Genocide recognition and how it is played out in the media. Especially in the Boston community where the Boston Globe used to have a policy of not using the word "Genocide" when it came to the Armenian experience.

So, in the most graphic and forceful use of language yet, Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby hits a home run in his editorial entitled "No Room to Deny the Armenian Genocide". (Keep in mind that these titles change from print to online media, so it may be titled something slightly different by the tie you click on it). The link can be read HERE. You will also find several others stories in the Globe today about the wrap up on how the ADL finally came to bowing to its critics toward their stance. Let's hope this is the tipping point toward universal Armenian Genocide recognition.

Here is an article in The Scotsman on a Turkish academician living in the United States and his battle to continue work on the subject of the Armenian Genocide.

Checkmate- ADL Reverses Stance- It's Genocide

The ADL headquarters has just released a statement that they are indeed calling the Armenian Genocide by its proper term. However, they still will not back the Congressional Bill supporting the Armenian Genocide resolution. While the Armenian community does not need the blessing of the ADL to validate the historical integrity of the Armenian Genocide, it is a small step in making self-proclaimed human rights organizations accountable.

The obvious view here is that Abe Foxman and Glen Lewy, the two heads of the National Anti-Defamation League (ADL) were caught in a checkmate. They lost support from their own Jewish community, the greater public, and the press. Thus, the ADL had no where else to turn. Granted, their Turkish "Sugar Daddy", Abdullah Gul will be none too happy. It shows the power and effectiveness of grass roots activism in that a small community of local Armenians put the game into play, got the media on-board, and then showed the hypocrisy involved.

Kudos to the Boston area Armenians, Joey Kurtzman of Jewcy, and all activists who pushed for the ADL to begrudgingly accept and acknowledge history.

Statement from Abraham Foxman, ADL Headquarters:

In light of the heated controversy that has surrounded the Turkish-Armenian issue in recent weeks, and because of our concern for the unity of the Jewish community at a time of increased threats against the Jewish people, ADL has decided to revisit the tragedy that befell the Armenians.

We have never negated but have always described the painful events of 1915-1918 perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians as massacres and atrocities. On reflection, we have come to share the view of Henry Morgenthau, Sr. that the consequences of those actions were indeed tantamount to genocide. If the word genocide had existed then, they would have called it genocide.

I have consulted with my friend and mentor Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and other respected historians who acknowledge this consensus. I hope that Turkey will understand that it is Turkey's friends who urge that nation to confront its past and work to reconcile with Armenians over this dark chapter in history.

Having said that, we continue to firmly believe that a Congressional resolution on such matters is a counterproductive diversion and will not foster reconciliation between Turks and Armenians and may put at risk the Turkish Jewish community and the important multilateral relationship between Turkey, Israel and the United States.

I can't wait to see what Round Two will bring...

ADL Under Fire from the Boston Herald and the Jewish Community

The Boston Herald has now covered the ADL/Armenian situation in an article by Joe Fitzgerald that can be read HERE.

However, the national ADL shameless leadership of Abraham Foxman and Glen Lewy took out a full page ad in the Boston Globe today again justifying their position of Genocide denial. It is almost comical that they have dug in their heels, whereas the rest of the public who have chimed in regarding this subject are in universal condemnation of their stance.

What is clear are the following:

1. The Anti Defamation League (ADL) under the leadership of Abraham Fox/Glen Lewy are doing massive and potentially irreparable damage to their reputation as a so called "human rights" organization by selectively choosing what is deemed a genocide worth acknowledging. The further they use not-so-clever language to continue their campaign to serve Turkey's interest, they cannot be viewed as a legitimate organization interested in defending "hate" from all claimants. Instead, they reduce their scope as an organization only interested in lobbying for Turkey and Israel, and nothing more.

2. The No Place for Hate campaign will be under scrutiny in every city and town where there are Armenians in the United States. Given the precedent set in Watertown, and the negative reaction toward the national ADL policy of denying Genocide within the Jewish community, a good program will go to waste. Instead, towns and cities interested in an anti-bias program will create their own, free and independent of the ADL calling the shots.

3. The ADL/Armenian controversy over the No Place for Hate/Armenian Genocide issue has clearly upset the Jewish community and has created pressure internally to have Foxman and Lewy fired. From the media reports and comments on blogs and newspapers, it is clear that the Jewish community is clearly upset that the perception is that Foxman and the ADL represents them. When, in fact, it clearly is not the case.

To submit your complaints to the ADL directly, contact your local ADL chapter and let them know that their national leadership has to reverse course. Then, go to your town/city council and seek to have a hearing to have the No Place for Hate program removed from curriculum and encourage them to create their own independent program. Cite the hypocrisy and "conflict of interest" that the ADL creates and refer to the Boston Globe coverage.

Holaaaaaaaa Armeniooooooossss

Finally…HaShiSh will be visiting Los Angeles and New York. September 2007


Dearest all,

I know I am one of the worst blogger here. But well, every time I blog I come with atomic bombs of news.

HaShiSh Touring U.S.

This time I will tell you about my first International Tour with my beloved band HaShiSh.

I, Levon and Ernesto are going to visit California (Los Angeles-San Francisco) and New York from 17th September to 8th October. We have been invited by most of the bands from the Los Angeles Armenian Rock scene so imagine how we feel.
After many years playing our unique pop punk rock in many languages we are making this dream come true. In New York will have an interview with Arturo Vega, founder of The Ramones logotype, and founding member of the Ramones’ Staff.
I have tons of news and details to tell you about this big event, but I must organize the data first.

The New Website of HaShiSh

We have been busy the new myspacemania so we also had our account: check it out.

But it wasn’t enough, we had to renew our main website and so we did.

http://www.hashishpunk.com/ has it all about us. I mean…it’s a crazy adventure trough our thoughts, experiences, influences, Armenianess, and all the pure madness of our humble souls.

Check out this link about one of the first rock bands of the Armenian Dispora: Zartong, and also all the links concerning the rock genre and Armenia. (There is a link of my belove Cilicia website and the Pomegranate Records as well, for my friends both Raffitossss)


Other News

My lovely community still exists. The Armenians of Buenos Aires celebrated the Navasart. The New Year 4500 was organized and supported by the Lusavortchagan Armenian Church of Buenos Aires. Big Contradiction, don’t you think? As I read one of the nations that killed its own past were the Armenians, and unfortunately the main leader of the killing of the Armenian pagan past was Mr. Krikor Lusavorich, so I can’t understand how the Church support their own mistakes 2000 years after.

Roots are Roots…

Ok, I will keep you posted about all the dates for the shows in Los Angeles and New York.

Bachikner to all,

Still a blogger,
Juancito

New England Anti Defamation League Head Andrew Tarsy Fired by ADL Headquarters for Stance on Armenian Genocide

"...If the national ADL doesn't acknowledge the genocide, it is complicit in a coverup."- Boston Globe Editorial (August 18, 2007)

Amazing, but true, the story just keeps getting more interesting. Read all about it, HERE.

Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz and State Representative Rachael Kaprelian wrote a joint piece HERE.

The Globe has another piece in the form of an editorial, HERE.

You gotta give Andrew Tarsy some (not all, though) credit, after looking like an ass for a better part of one month toting the ADL party line in denying the Armenian Genocide, he finally had enough and broke ranks with Abraham Foxman and the National ADL Headquarters. Well, the difference of opinion with an organization that preaches "tolerance" cost him his job.

Armenian Diaspora and Anti-Defamation League Embroiled in Political Drama

"I'm a longtime supporter of the ADL, and I think the work the organization has done has often been stellar," said Rabbi Ronne Friedman, senior rabbi of Boston's largest synagogue, Temple Israel. "But I'm really saddened that Abe Foxman, the national director, has failed to affirm the historical fact of this (Armenian) genocide, and I really think that failure represents a moral myopia."- Boston Globe (August 17, 2007)

New England Cable News Report on Controversy HERE.

Here are my own thoughts on the fiasco...

The Boston suburb of Watertown, MA has played host to what is now a national scandal involving the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and their shameless leader Abraham Foxman. The spark that ignited a bonfire of controversy was a little known program called "No Place for Hate". However, when a local Armenian Diasporan named David Boyajian called into question why Watertown is involved in such a program when the ADL has effectively gone on to deny the Armenian Genocide, that's when the mud hit the fan. The result has been a wild and bumpy ride which has forced the Jewish community to choose between Real Politick and historical integrity. Fortunately, it looks like the ADL does not represent the wishes of many Jewish Americans as there has been a huge backlash within their community against Foxman over this, and other issues. For the Armenian Diaspora, it signals a victory in grass roots politics and reminds the community at large that our history is being used as a political bargaining chip right before our very eyes. And being passive will only lead to having our history re-written and re-interpreted.

Today's Boston Globe front page story reports on how the local Boston Anti-Defamation League chapter has now officially broken ranks with their head office on the issue of the Armenian Genocide. You can read the story HERE. However to understand the real back story, you should read a bombshell piece written by Joey Kurztman in a very hip and progressive Jewish online magazine called "Jewcy". You can read it HERE. In brief, Kurtzman exposes the collusion between American Jewish organizations, Abraham Foxman, and the Turkish government in setting out a program and plan to deny the Armenian Genocide within the backdrop of the US House of Representatives. When you are done reading the article, check out the open comments by general readers. It is eye-opening.

Back to the Boston Globe, they published a story (again front page) on how Watertown residents were feeling a little uncomfortable having an ADL sponsored program entitled "No Place for Hate" when the ADL itself was complicit in a form of Genocide denial. You can read that story HERE. That story spurred an editorial in the Boston Globe a few days later denouncing the ADL's hypocracy. That can be read HERE. Keep in mind that this is the same Boston Globe that had an official policy of not using the term "Armenian Genocide" until a group of Armenian-Americans hounded them for 10 years before the Globe relented by using the historically accurate terminology.

The end result thus far in the story is that Watertown, MA has officially revoked the "No Place for Hate" campaign until the ADL officially acknowledges the Armenian Genocide and the growing concern of the ADL's stance is clearly spreading to other nearby towns as well. The local ADL chapter has buckled under this embarrassing blow by now taking an official stance of breaking ranks with the ADL headquarters.

As Tip O'Neill once stated, "politics is local". To view how local politics may influence a greater shift in a national or international dialog on the issue of combating the denial of any mass murder by organizations supposedly championing "no place against hate", please click HERE to view the Watertown council meeting. Unfortunately, the viewer does not allow a fast forward, or rewind feature. So, you will have to view the whole thing. However, it is a remarkable piece of footage.

For those who want to vent, I encourage you to visit THIS SITE to sign an online petition.

Tsmeroog Fresh here I come!

In just a few more days I'll be on my way to "The Stan", (as my friends and I have so lovingly dubbed Armenia) and even though I've never been a scout just like a good kayleeg is "meeshd bahdrast" I feel prepared! I went to Costco the morning the new Harry Potter book was released and bought my copy and it has been sitting on my nightstand taunting me. So far I have resisted every temptation and urge to just begin reading. NO! I'm saving it for my layover in Moscow! I'm going to spend my hours in Russia indulging in the pages of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

I can't wait to see the renovations at Zvartnots. I'm looking forward to seeing if the Mayrig that used to sing by the Hrabarag metro stop is still around or if the musical trio with the accordion still plays at night near the corner of Moscovian and Mashtots! Speaking of Moscovian I'll share a funny story with you guys so you can laugh at me. So, about 3-4 years ago Shoosh and I were riding in a Taxi and the dork that I am, I proceed to say to the cab driver "Mashtots hasgtsank, Deryan hasgtsank, Khanjyan hasgtsank payc Moscovian-uh ov eh?" I'm surprised the man was able to answer with a straight face....wow did I feel dumb!

I always look forward to encounters with interesting kids in Armenia. I wonder if we'll run into Yuri (shoosh have you seen him around?) Yuri is a child entrepreneur, every time I'm in Armenia I see him and he's selling something different. I told him I didn't like his name and told him I was going to call him by a more Armenian name and he suggested Tavit after Sassountsi Tavit! I wonder if we'll see the kid on Mashtots that jumps out of a box then insists you pay him for entertaining you!

One of my fondest memories of Armenia is of the afternoon I spent at Goshavank. We just hung out on the grounds of the vank for hours and kicked it with the local kids. We played, we laughed we even chatted with their folks and grandfolks. They were all so sweet, so friendly, so loving and warm. I felt so comfortable and welcomed not like an outsider at all, I felt like I could have stayed there forever! Now that I really think about it THAT'S the magic of Armenia! for when any two Armenians meet anywhere in the world... even if that may be in Armenia... they create a "new Armenia"! I get it on a whole new level now Saroyan.... I get it!

Boston Musician Roger Krikorian Passes Away

I received some sad news this weekend. Boston area musician Roger Krikorian passed away.

For those familiar with the New England "kef" scene, he was a legend. And, for others who attended occasional Armenian picnics, dances, or weddings in the Watertown/Boston area, Roger was a fixture on the dumbeg (Middle Eastern hand drum) and vocals. He was booked most weekends somewhere, and was one of the hardest working men in Armenian-American show business here on the East Coast. I briefly met Roger twice in person and did not know him personally. As such, I apologize for not being able to give you more details on his biography. I believe he was in his early 50's at the time of his untimely (and tragic) passing. However, I can confidently say that he had a positive effect on several generations of Armenian Americans through his gift of music. I thought I would share my own memory of how I came to appreciate Roger's music and hope it captures the sentiments others of my generation.

Back in 1987, I was 17 years old and eager to serve as a councilor at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Ma for the summer. It is an Armenian American camp where I met life-long friends and came to appreciate my Armenian identity/heritage. Since I grew up in the Chicago area, I was never completely exposed to "kef music" in the form of old Armenian songs/tunes from Anatolia performed on the oud, dumbeg, clarinet, guitar, and tamborine (daf). This musical unit created the core of the "New England Kef" sound. Since the first Armenian immigrants settled in the New England area after the Genocide, the music also came with them. You can call Armenian "kef music", the Greek equivalent of "Rembetika".

During the day, "kef music" would be broadcast on the Camp speakers in the form of cassettes being played during the day. I was really taken in by the "roots" sound, acoustic timbre, and exceptional playing. It was a much more interesting take on Armenian folk songs than I had been used to, given the almost "rock and roll" energy that went into the approach of each song by the musicians. During the first week of councilor preparation ended in anticipation of the young students that would visiting the camp, the Camp Haiastan staff made a decision to drive to Burlington, MA from Franklin to attend "Kef Time". I was made to understand that the "Gods of Armenian Kef" would be performing that weekend, and that if I had any appreciation of music, this weekend is the nirvana event of the year. There were two names that kept popping up by my elders "musical mentor" friends I had met at Camp during the short time we had to get to know each other- Dumbeg player Roger Krikorian and Oudist Richard Hagopian.
Being 17 years old and having a "boom-box" at my disposal, I immediately ran out to Walgreen's to buy some blank tapes in anticipation of recording this monumental event right before we hit the road. At that age, Armenian-American musicians were sort of considered "rock stars" before we could realize that they were mostly hard working professionals who loved to perform music on the weekends at a very high level.

So, all 24 young Armenian-American Camp Haiastan staff members stepped into the sparsely attended (about 150 people maximum) ball room at the Burlington Sheraton and immediately hit the dance floor. However, I snuck away at the very beginning of the wild dance and placed my Panasonic boombox with the Walgreen brand blank cassette right on stage and pressed "record". And, so it went, I flipped the tape every 45 minutes, and eventually broke open two more cassettes as the dance went on until the wee hours of the morning. Old Armenian step village step dance music continued for hours. As the musicians continued to play, Roger's "moment" came when he was to play the solo to "Drumsalera". It was a 10 minute dumbeg solo that absolutely blew everyone way. Flailing fingers, perfect syncopation, and hypnotic beats that seemed to go on forever. All of the staff members were completely transfixed on Roger Krikorian. At around 3 am, it was time to call it quits and we made it back to the Camp at around 4am just in time for the noon time arrival of the kids for first session. Yet, on the ride back from Burlington to Franklin, my cassette of the kef musicians we had just witnessed was the topic of conversation. And, for the next two months, those Walgreen's brand cassettes were played over and over again at Camp Haiastan.

During the summer of 1987, the kef band we saw in Burlington inspired some of us to start a "Camp Band" with Khoren on the clarinet, Haig on the dumbeg, "Uncle Mike" on the oud, and me on violin. For me and many others of that generation, the cassettes opened up a new world of music for us, and a newfound appreciation for the art of old folk music being transfered from one generation to another with this exciting combination of instruments I never fully was able to appreciate before. This was the music of our grandparents and great-grandparents being transported to 1987 and beyond. There were other cassettes that were traded and shared between Armenian Americans into this style of music for years after 1987. If you can get your hands on one, be prepared to be blown away.

When I dug out those three Walgreen's cassette tapes from my basement this morning after I had heard the news about Roger's death on Saturday, I popped them into my portable tape recorder from an equally banished box and pressed play. I listened to the music for about 15 minutes. It was rough in terms of sonic quality as I now remember I had placed the boombox right next to the bottom of Roger's dumbeg. However, it wasn't until this morning that I realized that those sessions actually signified the start of my own musical journey along with a deep appreciation for the musicians who performed it for us.

Over the years, Roger continued to perform for countless function electrifying those who heard him play. I suspect that I am one of many who appreciates the legacy he left, as he was part of a generation of musicians who opened our eyes and ears to the possibilities of music.

And for that, I thank him...