Remembering the Mekhitarists—50 Years Later (Part III)
Living inside a monastery for the better part of a year with no dating privileges and no television was certainly sacrificial on my part and those around me.[caption id="attachment_8686" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The Motherhouse of the Mekhitarist Congregation in Vienna has been the center of Armenian culture and education in Austria since 1810."][/caption]As a 19-year-old, I had just finished a year at Boston University, helped reorganize the Armenian Club there, and beefed up the membership by inviting Harvard-Radcliffe and Tufts students to join the ranks. Life was good.The social calendar was brisk. We had begun to make an impact on campus ...

ACEC to Host Boston ‘Kermesse’
WATERTOWN, Mass.--On Sat., Sept. 11 and Sun., Sept. 12, the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) will host the inaugural “Boston Kermesse: One Town, One Tent” open-air festival on its grounds (and the adjacent Nichols Avenue) in Watertown.[caption id="attachment_8660" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Armenchik, the John Berberian Ensemble featuring Onnik Dinkjian, and Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble will provide live entertainment. "][/caption]The kermesse (festival) will showcase the diversity of our entertainment and culinary heritage; will feature cultural exhibits on the history of Armenia and Armenians; and will provide all Armenian organizations with an opportunity to engage the community at large. Entertainment for children ...

The Armenian Side of Yoga with Karoun Charkoudian
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (A.W.)—If there is any correlation between being Armenian and running a yoga studio, talk to Karoun Charkoudian.[caption id="attachment_8654" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Karoun Charkoudian teaches—and practices—yoga with a smile while meeting a need in Springfield, Mass."][/caption]She appears to have the right formula for operating a successful business in this bustling city while maintaining an idyllic lifestyle.Aptly, she calls her venture Karoun Yoga (www.karounyoga.com) and it's opened the doors to many in search of inner tranquility. It also helps to own the only yoga studio in downtown Springfield."A lot of people have no idea what yoga is and think they can't ...

Mensoian: ‘Il Bacio della Morte’: President Sarkisian’s Reward for Restraint and Subservience
Have we given up? Or a more alarming thought is that the timidity of our leadership is indicative of a flaw in our national character. Have we become so accustomed to being subservient to foreign interests and alien cultural environments that our actions are forever restrained and our legitimate demands muted? Whether we realize it or not, we are in a game of diplomatic hardball for the future of Armenia. Either our leadership decides what needs to be done to create a strong Armenia for the 21st century and makes a genuine effort to follow through, or by default Armenia ...

Georgetown Boys Farmhouse Designated Historic Site
HALTON HILLS, Canada—On June 26, more than 700 members of the Canadian Armenian community gathered at Cedarvale Park, Georgetown, to witness the official unveiling of the plaque designating the Georgetown Boys Farmhouse as a historic and protected municipal site. In the presence of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos; Minister Gary Goodyear; Ted Arnott, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP); several dignitaries; as well as a number of the Georgetown childrens’ family members, the landmark was officially integrated within the Halton Hills historic landscape.[caption id="attachment_8596" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="His Holiness Aram I addresses the audience."][/caption]Between 1923-27, 138 children orphaned during the Armenian Genocide ...

Jennifer Lopez Northern Cyprus Visit Generates Controversy
Celebrity Jennifer Lopez has not canceled an upcoming rumored visit to Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, reported Gibrahayer e-magazine.[caption id="attachment_8558" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Jennifer Lopez"][/caption]The Turkish newspaper Zaman wrote about the political nature of Lopez’s visit, and claimed that she had signed an agreement with the "Crato" hotel and casino owners last week. "It is true that Greeks put pressure on Lopez not to visit ‘Turkish’ Cyprus,” reported Zaman. “Of course, she was affected by the pressure. She even received threats from Greeks. In effect, she has certain hesitation. However, Zaman concludes that there is a contract that is signed by the actress." ...

News »
ANCA Releases Statement on Bryza Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON—Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) executive director Aram Hamparian made the following comments following the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing with Matthew Bryza, the U.S. ambassador-designate to Azerbaijan.
“Matt Bryza’s testimony unfortunately raised more questions than it answered, underscoring our longstanding concern that he is not the right person to represent the United States [...]
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ALMA Unveils Updated Benefactor Wall
WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) recently hosted a private reception in appreciation and honor of its major donors. The celebratory evening also featured the unveiling of the updated Benefactor Wall, which is prominently displayed in the lobby of the museum.
The evening began with a cocktail reception where guests socialized and browsed [...]
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Columnists »
Sassounian: Bryza Wrongly Tells Senators: Armenian Patriarch Is Dead
Barack Obama ran for the presidency on a platform of “change” and promised to bring a fresh approach to domestic and foreign policy issues. After the election, however, he disappointed his supporters by continuing many of his predecessor’s policies.
One example of Obama’s failure to break with the past is his nomination of Matt Bryza as [...]
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Opinion »
Remembering the Mekhitarists—50 years later (Part IV)
Should you visit the Mekhitarist Sisterhouse in Venice, you might be surprised to find a bust of Lord Byron at the entrance.
Located on the island of San Lazzaro, it’s quite an imposing structure dedicated to one of the greatest Romantic poets in English literature.
So what was Byron doing in a place like this?
He came here [...]
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