Day: April 30, 2024

In the first quarter of this year, “Azerenergy” OJSC (the state monopoly for the transportation and export of Azerbaijani electricity) exported electricity worth $40.3 million, the April bulletin “Export Review” of the Center for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms of Azerbaijan. According to the report, this is $240.6 million…

Tucker Carlson continues popularizing Russian ideology. He interviewed Dugin, one of the key Russian ideologists. Dugin is among the main inspirers of the war and genocide of Ukrainians.

During the interview, Tucker Carlson was once more in a “silent listener” position, giving… https://t.co/8rgSr1xt5f pic.twitter.com/QhpRGbLI7f

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 30, 2024

Prime Minister receives the Director-Generalof EU Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations  ARMENPRESS

NPR News: 04-30-2024 11PM EDT

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LONDON/NEW YORK—I. B.Tauris, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing, has announced the publication of Dr. Hakan Seckinelgin’s book The Armenian Genocide and Turkey: Public Memory and Institutionalized Denial. The book is part of the series edited by Bedross Der Matossian (University of Nebraska, Lincoln) and published by I.B. Tauris, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing UK. 

In this book, Seckinelgin investigates the mechanisms by which denial of the events of 1915 is reproduced in official discourse and the effect this has on Turkish citizens. Examining state education, media discourse, academic publications and public events debating the Armenian Genocide, the book argues that, at the public level, there exists a ‘grammar’ or ‘repertoire’ of denial in Turkey that regulates how the issue can be publicly conceptualized and understood. The book’s careful analysis examines the way that knowledge about the Genocide is censored in Turkey, from the language that must be used to publicly discuss it to the complex way in which selective knowledge and erased history are reproduced from 1915 and subsequent generations until today. It argues that denialism has become essential to a certain kind of Turkish national identity and belonging – and suggests ways in which this relationship can be unpicked in the future.

Seckinelgin commented on the book, saying: “This research project stems from a paradoxical realization: while many in the Turkish public feel comfortable in denying the 1915 Armenian Genocide, there is a significant lack of knowledge about Armenian lives before (or immediately after) 1915 in Turkey. I realized that there is a kind of intergenerational knowledge claim based on national citizenship at work here. People in the Turkish public deny the 1915 Genocide as members of a community that has constructed and imagined an appropriate past for itself. This revealed a process of intergenerational knowledge claims through which genocide is denied. I here focused on the nature of the denialist knowledge claims that appear in public discussions. Thus, the book has a distinctive entry point to its analyses; rather than focusing on the historical discussion, it begins from the present to unpack the conditions of denial. In this way, I explore conditions for reproducing the present institutionalized denialism.”  

Seckinelgin also focuses on several mechanisms that make such a reproduction possible. In particular, the process is not only about controlling available public knowledge of the past, but it also aims to control how far the public should have empathy towards those who are constructed as enemies, that is, those who make ‘us’ insecure in different ways. He continued, “In the analysis, I find that the language of ahistorical insecurity, to a categorical other, is used as a master narrative that stops the possibility of thinking about living with others and prevents thinking about conditions of cohabitation without silencing. The wider aim is to reveal mechanisms that maintain a public denial of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey, to open a possibility of thinking differently from what is currently taken as public knowledge.”

“This is an excellent book that demonstrates the extent to which the denial of the Armenian Genocide is embedded within Turkish identity,” said Der Matossian, the editor of the series. “Seckinelgin demonstrates the multifaceted mechanisms employed by the Turkish state in denying the Armenian Genocide as an official policy. His theoretical approach and analytical skills demonstrate a sophisticated web of denial implemented by an unrepented state,” he concluded. 

Review

“This excellent book analyzes the significance of collective remembering and forgetting in modern Turkey; state and government actors employ manufactured public memories in social media and education to produce and maintain the denialist public discourse on the 1915 events.” 

–Fatma Müge Göçek, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

About the Author

Dr. Hakan Seckinelgin

Hakan Seckinelgin is an associate professor/reader in International Social Policy at the Department of Social Policy, LSE. He is trained as an international political theorist. His work focuses on the epistemology and politics of international social policy by engaging with people’s lives in different contexts. He is particularly interested in understanding how we think about policy processes by first thinking about the problems experienced in the everyday lives of those who are supposed to benefit from the policies targeting them. He is published widely, including several books on international policy and HIV/AIDS, such as The Politics of Global AIDS: Institutionalization of Solidarity, Exclusion of Context (Springer 2017). He was the editor-in- Chief of the Journal of Civil Society.

Copies of The Armenian Genocide and Turkey: Public Memory and Institutionalized Denial are available for purchase from the Bloomsbury Press website.

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Honoree Maggy Madarentz (center with flowers) pictured alongside her artwork with (l-r) Berge Zobian, Greg Arzoomanian, Sarkis Minassian, John Mkrtschjan, Tigranouhi Minassian, Hamazkayin Central Executive chairperson Zakar Kechichian, Taline Mkrtschjan, Galin Tashian and Hagop Khatchadourian

On Monday, April 15, 2024, the Providence Hamazkayin held an event to honor one of the chapter’s founding members and lifelong Hamazkayin member, Maggy Madarentz. The event was hosted at the Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island (AHARI) museum with the presence of the Hamazkayin Central Executive chairperson Zakar Kechichian visiting from Lebanon. As part of the Hamazkayin 95th anniversary celebrations, Kechichian traveled to communities around the world, including California, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Boston.

Chapter executive member Berge Zobian welcomed about 50 guests and highlighted some of the recent activities held by the Providence Hamazkayin chapter this year. Following Zobian’s introduction, chairperson Sarkis Minassian read a brief biography of Madarentz. 

From an early age, Madarentz, who was born in Beirut, excelled in school. She attended the Académie Libanaise des Beaux Arts (ALBA), graduating with honors with a degree in architecture. At the time, Madarentz was one of four women architects in Lebanon. She became a professor at ALBA, teaching many generations of architects.

Madarentz established her own architectural firm in Lebanon. It was during that time that she joined the Hamazkayin in Beirut. She contributed her architectural talent to many Armenian communities, establishments and projects, such as winning first place in a competition to design the Hamazkayin Melankton and Haig Arslanian Djemaran school in Mezher, Lebanon. She also volunteered her expertise to the Armenian Relief Cross of Lebanon’s Araxi Boulghourjian socio-medical center, creating comprehensive architectural plans for the project.

The Lebanese Civil War forced Madarentz to leave Lebanon and move to Massachusetts, joining her loving extended family.

In the U.S., Madarentz continued her career, working and collaborating with several renowned architects and participating in major projects for many years. She contributed to the “Providence Renaissance” project with Bill Warner and the “WWII Memorial” project with Friedrich St. Florian in Washington. She retired in 2016 and began painting. Her canvases were on display at the Providence Hamazkayin event.

The Providence Hamazkayin was established in 1994 with the efforts of its founding members, Kevork Vichabian and Maggy Madarentz. Madarentz has played an essential role in the evolution and prosperity of the chapter, where she has served on innumerable executive bodies as treasurer. Madarentz has also represented the Providence Hamazkayin at countless regional conventions.

Hamazkayin Central Executive chairperson Zakar Kechichian presented Maggy Madarentz with the Hamazkayin Medal in recognition of her years of service to the organization

Then, the guest of honor was introduced, the multitalented artist and Hamazkayin Central Executive chairperson since May 2022, Zakar Kechichian. 

Kechichian’s many accolades and achievements were enumerated, including as a renowned duduk and flute performer who has performed in Lebanon, Greece, Armenia, Artsakh, Syria, Cyprus, Australia, Austria, France, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Born in Anjar, Lebanon, Kechichian pursued a musical education at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music and at the Hamazkayin Parsegh Ganatchian Music School, and then graduated from the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan. He completed his postgraduate studies in conducting at the same conservatory and defended his doctoral dissertation at the Institute of Arts of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.

Kechichian has founded and conducted choir groups in Lebanon, Artsakh and Armenia, including “Dziadzan,” “Gargach,” the United Nations Development Program choirs, the “Ayki” youth choir and the “Varanda” youth choirs of Artsakh, as well as the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia’s “Shnorhali” and Hamazkayin Anjar’s “Gakavig” choirs. Additionally, Kechichian has performed in the “Gorani,” “Komitas” and “Nor Yerk” musical ensembles. In 2023, he founded and continues to lead the “El Sistema” choir of the “Beirut Chants” festival. Kechichian has also signed musicological articles in the press of the homeland and the diaspora. 

Among Kechichian’s recordings are the albums “Pertakaghak” (Fortress City), which he recorded with the Shushi “Varanda” choir, and “Nerneni” (Pomegranate), recorded with his wife, Camilla Yerkanian.

Awards are not foreign to Kechichian, as he has received the Lebanese Government Medal, the “Yerakhdakidoutyoun ” and “Vachagan Parebashd” presidential medals of Artsakh, the title of “Honorary Citizen of Shushi,” the “Yeghishe,” “H. Atayan” and “Artsakh Movement–25” awards, the “Komitas” medal of the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia and the title of “Honored Artist of the Republic of Artsakh.”

He is currently a lecturer at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music and the Parsegh Ganatchian Music School and a visiting lecturer at Haigazian University.

Click to view slideshow.

After the brief biographical introduction, Kechichian addressed the audience and opened his remarks by saying, “How can we express our appreciation and gratitude to the founding fathers of the First Republic, who, 13 years after the Armenian Genocide, and just seven years after the loss of that First Republic they built along with their friends, had the forethought to establish the Armenian Educational and Publishing organization, which subsequently expanded its operations in the diaspora to be known as the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society?” 

Established in 1928 in Egypt with the efforts of legends such as Hamo Ohanjanian, Nigol Aghpalian, Levon Shant and Kaspar Ipegian, the Hamazkayin was born out of necessity to preserve Armenian culture. Since its inception, for 95 years the Hamazkayin has worked resiliently to enable new generations to learn the Armenian language and grant Armenian students the opportunity to attend Armenian schools. 

Kechichian stated that, currently, the Hamazkayin operates in 19 regions, where large or small Armenian communities come together to do their utmost to uphold the Armenian identity. Although the work is not easy, it is becoming even more difficult due to the assimilation of Armenian communities and the loss of traditions, especially the Western Armenian dialect, which is currently considered an endangered language. Meanwhile, displaced Armenians from Artsakh are enduring the unthinkable – the loss of their homeland – which is further exacerbated by the decisions of the authorities in Armenia. He drew a parallel between the despair following the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and the hopelessness of the present with the loss of Artsakh.

Kechichian stressed that even though many Armenian communities in the diaspora face unimaginable challenges, the Hamazkayin is committed to reinvigorating and rejuvenating its ranks and supporting Armenian schools, dance groups, choirs, theatrical productions and art.

“Drawing from our history, was the journey our ancestors took easy? Certainly not. Imagine all the Shants and Aghabalyans, who, along with their close friends who were sharing the same ideology, have established the independence of Armenia through their unmatched resolve, even though the country was facing existential challenges. Similarly, we should not despair but rather draw on our resilience to forge a path forward,” Kechichian concluded.

Zakar Kechichian honored Madarentz with a performance on the “shvi”

After Kechichian answered a few questions from the audience, he presented Madarentz with a certificate and awarded her the Hamazkayin Medal in recognition of her many years of service to the organization. He also surprised the audience by performing two songs on the flute (“shvi”) and duduk in honor of Madarentz, which was received with great appreciation.

To express her gratitude, Madarentz thanked the Central Executive board of the Hamazkayin for acknowledging her numerous contributions and unwavering dedication to the organization.

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I am a Girl Scout from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and I recently added a history section to the St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church website for my Girl Scout Gold Award Project. My great-grandparents, grandparents and mother grew up in this church, and I have been a frequent visitor. Therefore, preserving its history is important to me.

The section centers on the history of St. Gregory Church and the special community of Armenians that settled in the Springfield, Massachusetts area. The small but unique group of Armenians prospered in America and made a name for themselves in many Springfield industries. Their one constant throughout the decades has always been the church, which has served as an important reminder of where this group of people came from and what they have accomplished together. St. Gregory Church arose as a symbol of unity and survival after the Armenian Genocide (1915) and continues to do so today.

1917 ARF Gomideh

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the groundbreaking ceremony of St. Gregory Church, which took place on May 28, 1934. What began as a modest 24×44 ft. brick building, constructed by members of the Indian Orchard Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), is now a landmark at the corner of Goodwin and Mazarin Streets. Over the past 90 years, the church has welcomed many important clergy, politicians, business leaders and people of all faiths and backgrounds. St. Gregory Church congregation is a unique and close-knit community, loved by all for the unconditional acceptance bestowed upon those who come through her doors. However, as each successive generation grows up in the church, many have decided to leave Springfield for various reasons. So, the Armenian community there is becoming smaller, and the lack of access to historical records has become a concern. My history section of the website addresses this by highlighting the importance of the church and its preservation. It is dedicated to the Armenians of St. Gregory Church, both past and present. 

1934 Ground Breaking & Construction Crew

My hope for this section of the website is that it will be a place where Armenians who live in Springfield, or whose ancestors once did, will contribute their stories, diary entries, pictures, recipes and more, whether they be in written, audio or video form. I would appreciate it if you would visit the history section of the website at https://saintgregoryarmenianchurch.org and participate in my survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LYNV7TR. Your valuable input and contributions will help St. Gregory Church prosper. Thank you for participating in my project.

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