ARF Reinstates Weekend ‘Panagoum,’ Five New Members Join Ranks (With Slideshow)

By Georgi-Ann Oshagan

The ARF Eastern Region revived an important member mobilization and education program when it sponsored its first regional Panagoum in over 25 years from Oct. 8-12 at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Mass. The event attracted over 70 ARF members from across the eastern United States.

panagoum1 — The ARF Central Committee’s Organizational Committee planned the Panagoum weekend to offer ARF members an enriching program marked by education and camaraderie. (Photo by Tom Vartabedian)

The ARF Central Committee’s Organizational Committee planned the Panagoum weekend to offer ARF members an enriching program marked by education and camaraderie.

The weekend program featured in-depth presentations on Turkey, Artsakh, and the ARF, providing participants a chance to discuss important issues on the party’s political agenda. The educational portion concluded on Sunday with a panel discussion on issues confronting ARF leaders.

A highlight of the weekend was the ARF oath-taking ceremony, which was held in the traditional manner in Camp Haiastan’s Recreation Hall. The oath was administered by Mourad Topalian, formerly of the Eastern Region’s Cleveland Gomidehoutiun, now a member of the ARF Western Region’s Burbank Gomidehoutiun. Five ARF novices joined the ranks during the moving ceremony.

Presentations on Turkey addressed three topics. George Aghjayan presented statistical problems and some areas for research to help decipher Armenian population numbers in the post-Armenian Genocide period up to the 1990’s. Aghjayan has studied demographic and other village population statistics of the relevant time periods and has identified errors to challenge hypotheses advocated by various scholars who have attempted to analyze the numbers.

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Photos by Berge Zobian.

Armenian Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian discussed his recent experiences with Turkey’s Armenian community and its relationship with the Turkish government and Turkey’s political factions. Drawing on his dual roles as journalist and scholar, Mouradian centered his wide-ranging remarks on the evolving and different political and social responses expressed among Turkey’s diverse Armenian community, particularly after the assassination of Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink.

panagoum3 — A bonfire blazed every night of the Panagoum to give Ungers a chance to congregate and socialize. (Photo by Tom Vartabedian)

Greg Bedian gave a PowerPoint presentation on the various agendas of today’s Turkish-American organizations and other groups working to support Turkey and its political agenda. Bedian also devoted part of his presentation to Turkish multi-millionaire imam Fethullah Gulen and his 90 U.S.-based charter schools spanning 20 states. Gulen’s Islamist movement—including the role of his charter schools—has been deemed a “third power” for Turkey by Jane’s Islamist Affairs Analyst. The topic generated many questions and much discussion.

ARF Central Committee chair Antranig Kasbarian spoke on “The ARF’s Role in Artsakh’s Liberation and Today.” The talk was preceded by film footage from the battles for Artsakh’s self-determination in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Kasbarian reviewed the trajectory of the Karabagh war, updated members on the progress of resettlement efforts, opportunities for Artsakh’s growth and stabilization, and the possibilities of increasing Azeri aggression and the international and U.S. response.

Mourad Topalian presented “Remembering Our Past and Moving into the Future” from his unique vantage point. The long-time ARF member talked about inspiring events from his political life and urged current members to action. Topalian especially inspired those present to move beyond the status quo and become proactive, creative leaders.

Panelists Dikran Kaligian, Haroutiun Misserlian, Phil Nigon, and Georgi-Ann Oshagan discussed “Leading the Armenian Community in America.” Each panelist focused on a fundamental difficulty facing ARF leadership and proposed solutions to their identified issue. Kaligian focused on April 24 political and commemorative activity and ways to move beyond the norm to advance the ARF’s and Armenian community’s goals. Misserlian focused on the qualities of a good leader, the dynamics of the community that leaders seek to lead, and the ensuing mobilization possibilities. Nigon identified the issue of the new generation of Armenians who have no memory of the period before the Armenian Republic’s 1991 reestablishment and how that dynamic informs that generation’s response to politics and participation in the Armenian community. Oshagan discussed the impact of American politics on the ARF’s ability to move its agenda in the Eastern Region, including anti-leadership, anti-government trends, individuality prevailing over solidarity, and superficial political discourse dominating positive robust debate.

panagoum11 — The weekend program featured in-depth presentations on Turkey, Artsakh, and the ARF, providing participants a chance to discuss important issues on the party’s political agenda. (Photo by Tom Vartabedian)

The weekend’s lectures were complemented by an important social component. The Panagoum planning committee included free time in the weekend schedule so that ARF members from across the geographically expansive Eastern Region could get acquainted. Ungers played belote and tavlou together during free time and tournaments were sponsored for those who wanted to compete. A bonfire blazed every night of the Panagoum to give Ungers a chance to congregate and socialize. Singer Christapor Arabian of Washington, D.C. was invited to the Saturday night bonfire to lead the Ungers in revolutionary and patriotic songs following the ARF induction ceremony.

The ARF Providence “Christapor” Gomideh hosted the Panagoum. Hagop Donoyan of the Christapor Gomidehoutiun was the chief chef for the weekend and provided an eclectic menu that included fried turkey, an assortment of homemade pizza, foule, and mamoonya.

Berj Zobian of the Christapor Gomidehoutiun brought with him his nearly 40-year collection of Armenian political posters, art, and photographs of Armenian political activism. The display was set up during the entire Panagoum and generated many memories and much discussion.

All members received a comprehensive computer disc filled with educational materials, Artsakh freedom fighter photographs, and revolutionary and patriotic songs. These materials will be used for ARF and community education.

For more information about the Panagoum or ARF Eastern Region activities, call the ARF Central Committee office at (617) 926-3650 or email arfccer@hairenik.com.

Read Tom Vartabedian‘s article on the panagoum and view a slideshow of the photos he took here.