December 17, 2007
Lord’s Prayer In Armenian (Video)
The Lord’s Prayer In Armenian Video
November 02, 2007
Documentary of Climbing Mt. Ararat
Even though it is now located in Turkey, one of my life goals is to climb Mt. Ararat. This is a journal of someone’s trip to Turkey to climb the sacred mountain of Ararat. Enjoy!
October 23, 2007
Armenian Matches In 1,700th Commemorative Casing
While in Armenia in 2001 during the 1,700th Anniversary of Armenia becoming the first Christian nation in 301 AD, I was able to pick up a souvineer to bring back with me to the US. It was a commemorative case that held 40 boxes of matches with Armenian Churches and Locations on both sides of the box. The case that the matches were in and the match boxes themselves was created just for 2001 and they can no longer be purchased. This was given to me as a gift from my host family in Armenia.
The front cover of the box is a picture of Holy Etchmiadzin where the Catholicos resides and the birthplace of the Armenian Church.
On the inside cover is a picture of Khor Virap where St. Gregory was held captive in a pit for 13 years.
October 22, 2007
US House Urged Not To Vote On Armenian Genocide Bill
Just when I think the US government is finally going to do the right thing and recognize the Armenian genocide, George Bush and other politicians petitioned Nancy Pelosi not to vote on the resolution next month. Their reasoning behind this letter was that since we are at war, we need Turkey as an ally so we can use their air space to be closer to Iraq. He said that it would cost too much money to fly in from another country and that having them as allies will help “our” cause. The question I have for Bush, is who’s cause? Your cause? All this war has done is killed innocent Americans who are trying to cover up his mistakes by continuing to fight. Don’t get me wrong, I fully support the troops and what they are doing for this country, but I don’t think that we should still be in this war and about 65% of the country agrees with me.
Facts:
- Feburary 2006: 72% of active troops in Iraq think we should leave within a year (almost two years later, still not out)
- Feburary 2006: 1 out of 4 said the troops should have left in the beginning of 2006
- March 2007: 69% believe the presence of U.S. forces is making things worse
- March 2007: 51% of the population consider attacks on coalition forces “acceptable”
Besides the people that George Bush has killed (yes, he has killed), he has also put this country in horrible debt. At the time of this post, the cost of war is at $462,300,000,000 (over 4.5 Billion dollars) and rising drastically. Here’s an interesting tidbit of information, Bush has spent more dollars in the war than the age of the earth which is 4.54 billion years old. My parents taught me growing up that, “Money doesn’t grow on trees”, but George Bush is apparently proving them wrong because he is spending more money than we have to spend, so what do we do, borrow it from other countries. Who is going to pay that off once the war is over? The American citizens are going to now and in the future and they will pay it off in taxes and other price increases. The reason I bring up the war is because I am an Armenian American who will have to pay off that debt, but what has this country done for the Armenian American population, they have rubbed this bill in our face by not passing it.
Adolf Hitler before the Holocaust: “Who still talks nowadays of the extermination of the Armenians?”
Turkey has condemned the “genocide” bill and recalled its ambassador to Washington back to Turkey for consultation over the matter, a sign of exasperated U.S.-Turkey tension over the issue. More than 1.5 million Armenians were killed in a systematic genocide in the hands of the Ottomans during World War I, before modern Turkey was born in 1923. All Armenian Americans want is for the US government to recognize this as a genocide and not try and pull some political bull just so we can use Turkey’s land. It has been 92 years since the genocide took place and Armenian Americans want to know that the country that our ancestors escaped to is finally going to agree with us. My great grandparents were featured in an article in the Boston Globe in the 1990’s for escaping the genocide and finally coming to Ellis Island to start a new life in Boston, Mass. A new beginning that my grandmother and my father and I were able to have in this country, one that 3/4 of my ancestors were not able to have because they were killed by the Turks in 1915.
To the US government, this might be a chance to keep an ally oversees, but to the 700,000 - 1.4 million Armenian Americans currently living in the US, it is about being recognized for the lives that were taken and new start this country gave us when the US actually cared about its citizens that live here. Please help raise awareness on this cause, and vote Yes (MSNBC Poll) and help bring the numbers back up because they are extremely low. This is not about politics, this is about doing the right thing and helping the Armenian Americans take back what the US has never given us…Recognition
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER!!!!
October 20, 2007
3,000 Year Old Instrument: The Armenian Duduk
The duduk is an 3,000 year old Armenian instrument of the woodwind family (similar to an oboe) that has been one of the biggest musical instruments in movies from the recent past. From The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to The Passion of the Christ, System of a Down’s “Toxicity” album, Gladiator and The Hulk, the duduk has been a powerful sound that many people overlook as being Armenian and it is time they know. It ancient instrument is made from “Apricot Wood” that soaks for many years in a controlled environment. The master of the duduk, Djivan Gasparyan, makes it sound so much more exciting.
Duduk.com sells the instrument on their website and I am thinking about saving some money and buying one. After hearing it recently at a performance that His holiness Karekin II was at, I was very interested in its sound…again. While I was in Armenia in 2001, I was able to listen to a duduk, but I didn’t know what it was until recently.
We began collecting Apricot wood from 1998, since then over 4,500 blanks
for duduk have been stored and aged in a moisture controlled environment.
Instead of using the typical two step process throughout three years we have aged the wood for 5 years and used a 5 stage aging process. Using the knowledge and experience passed to us from the masters of Armenian duduk we are adding our own research and techniques to produce our own brand of instruments while maintaining its traditional integrity of Armenian duduk.
- duduk.com
Below is a sample of what the Duduk sounds like so that people who are unfamiliar with it will understand its amazing sound.
[audio:duduk.mp3]
October 19, 2007
Vernissage Marketplace In Yerevan, Armenia
Back in June I wrote about my art analysis in Armenia and how amazing one of the pictures was that I saw at a marketplace, but I couldn’t remember the name of it, until now.
The Vernissage Marketplace is Yerevan is an amazing outdoor venue that holds a giant flea market every Saturday that runs from Republic Square all the way to Khanjian Street. (see map below)
Nowadays, you can find almost anything in this weekend open market. In just a few blocks, you will see, besides art, carpets, old collections of coins and medallions, jewelry, music, books, carved wood, lace, embroidery, ceramics, posters, food, tools, parts for electronics and even pets. It is open year round, though only on the weekends, except for a rump vernissage held daily at the end of the usual Vernissage venue where it meets Khanjian Street.
October 15, 2007
Armenia Tree Project (Blog Action Day Today)
Since today is Blog Action Day, I am posting about the Armenia Tree Project and how it impacts the environment.
The Armenia Tree Project was established in 1994 by Carolyn Mugar to promote Armenia’s socioeconomic development through reforestation. Carolyn Mugar is a part of the Mugar Family of Boston who have been voted number 6 on the top 50 most influential families in Boston (Star Market and Mugar Omni Theater). The reason that Carolyn Mugar founded the ATP is due to the fact that her family is from Armenian decent. They shortened their last name from Mugardichian to Mugar when they arrived.
The Tree Project has its main offices in Watertown, Mass and Yerevan, Armenia. In 2006, ATP planted around 720,000 trees which brought their grand total to 1,500,000 which is one for every victim of the Armenian Genocide. From those trees 240,000 pounds of apricots, apples, peaches, plums, and cherries for the benefit of local communities. I don’t know what it is about the soil, but I have never tasted fruits as good as the fruit from Armenia.
If you would like to donate to the ATP, you can help save Armenia’s forests. Single Tree - $20.00, Cluster of Trees - $80.00, Grove of Trees - $160.00, Arbor of Trees - $700.00, Woodland of Trees - $2000.00, Forest of Trees - $5000.00
The following are front and back postcards that I got while I was in Yerevan at the Armenia Tree Project.
October 12, 2007
US House To Vote On Armenian Genocide Recognition
The US House of Representatives are going to be making a vote as to whether they should consider the “Event in 1915″ as a genocide. The Armenian Genocide has been denied since then from the US government because they are trying to keep good relations with Turkey for their resources.
It will start in the house and then go to the senate and will most likely pass. As soon as it hits the President’s desk, it will be vetoed because the President is an idiot when it comes to forgien/domestic relationships. We will wait and see if they actually decide to do the right thing pass the bill.
For now we have to wait.
October 10, 2007
Karekin II Boston Visit: Sayat Nova Armenian Dancing
The Sayat Nova Armenian Dance Company of Boston (horrible website by the way), performed in front of the Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of all Armenians on Friday night which was amazing. I love Armenian dancing and this is a tribute to Armenians and this culture. Every now and then, I get to do Armenian dancing and I love it. I wish I had the time/skill…more skill to dance like they are because I don’t think I am that coordinated. Enjoy it!
The Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston (SNDC) was formed in January 1986, as an independent, non-profit dance ensemble, under the direction of Apo Ashjian. With his leadership and the efforts of a handful of dedicated individuals, the Company has been able to surround itself by a group of young, talented individuals from all walks of life.
As part of a rich culture, Armenian folk dancing is a reflection of the life and legacy of the Armenian people. Each dance symbolizes the livelihood, the aspirations, the legends, the celebration of life and appreciation of beauty.
The Company takes its name from the famous 18th century troubadour, Sayat Nova, whose beautiful music and poetry captures the essence of the Armenian soul and spirit.
The Company aims to preserve and promote Armenian culture through the art of dance. With this in mind, the group performs extensively in the United States and Canada. In 1995, the SNDC took its much-anticipated first trip to its homeland, Armenia. The group presented eight performances throughout the country, including the capital city of Yerevan, receiving rave reviews and much applause.
Inspired by a love for their heritage and for dancing, members of the Company are enthusiastic, devoted individuals, investing both time and talent to make the Sayat Nova Dance Company a symbol of pride and achievement for the Armenian people.
October 06, 2007
Karekin II Boston Visit: US and Armenian National Anthems
A few days ago, I blogged about the Armenian Anthem and had an attachment of the Anthem and I realized that it isn’t enough just to listen to it as audio, you need to see it and feel it. While I was at the New England Pontifical Visit by His Holiness Karekin II, a girl from Watertown, MA sang the US and Armenian National Anthems in front of the Supreme Patriarch of all Armenians.
It was an amazing evening that I will remember for a very long time. I have more videos and pictures that I will be blogging about at a later point, but I figured I would share this.
