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10 The Armenian Reporter | February 7, 2009 Armenia Seeing the world in red, blue and orange The “Tri-Color in My Eyes” photo exhibit kicks off in Yerevan by Maria Titizian YEREVAN – “We want society to begin loving the yerakyun (tricolor),” Arpi Dilanchian, member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Youth Organization, says. “It is one of the symbols of our statehood and we have to learn to appreciate its value.” In conjunction with Army Day, which is celebrated every year in Armenia on January 28, the ARF’s Youth Organization held a threeday photo exhibit-competition titled, “The Tricolor in My Eyes,” which kicked off on February 2. The exhibition took place at the prestigious Gevorgyan Gallery in downtown Yerevan. The photo exhibit-competition presented 43 original photographs depicting the Armenian flag. “Everybody sees the yerakyun differently,” said another youth organizer who added that the objective was for people to start seeing the flag differently and through their own eyes. Pointing to one of the photographs on exhibit titled, “Injecting the Tricolor,” a young participant wanted to highlight how differently people perceive state symbols. “Injecting the Tricolor,” submitted by a young photography student depicts an arm of a man painted with blue and red veins with an orange needle injecting something into his arm. The organizers admit that they were debating whether or not to display it because they weren’t sure how the public would react. “It’s freedom of expression,” a young woman interjected. “The point of the exhibition is for people to express how they see the yerakyun.” Another photograph by the same photographer was what some of the more conservative members of the organization called a ‘provocative’ picture of a woman with cleavage, with red lips sipping orange juice with a blue straw. Most of the photographs on display were from the Armenia-Turkey World Cup qualifying soccer match that took place in Yerevan on September 6, 2008, with Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul in attendance. That historic game not only prompted many people in Yerevan to view the tricolor differently but city officials also began placing the Armenian flag in key locations throughout the city. It created an unprecedented momentum in Yerevan. People were waving the tricolor flag and painting their faces red, blue, and orange. Some of the other photographs in the exhibit were taken during April 24 commemoration ceremonies at the Genocide Memorial Complex Tzitzernakaberd and during youth marches demanding Genocide recognition. The young activists say that with independence and statehood, Armenian society’s appreciation for state symbols like the coat of arms, the national anthem, and the tricolor were not automatic. Understanding the value of statehood, the organizers feel, still needs time to take root in the country. With this photo exhibit they hope to instill the love of the yerakyun in Armenian society . The organizers had invited several university faculties to participate. They had placed posters throughout the city calling for submissions, and they had used the Internet to advertise for the event. Even though they are a youth organization, the Above: Multitasking. Vahe Khachatryan. Below: Tricolor buds. Njdeh Yeranyan competition was open to everyone; there were no limitations placed on the age of those who wished to participate, but the overriding majority were indeed young people. “One of the participants is a young woman who is taking part in an exhibition for the first time in her life and was so excited. She told us she would never have imagined In second place, “Old Armenia.” Photo: Sarkis Virabyan. being a part of something like this,” Arpi explains. During the three-day exhibit, visitors to the gallery had an opportunity to vote for their favorite photograph. The first place winner, “Power, Faith, Love,” won 30,000 AMD (about $100) depicting three fists painted in red, blue, and orange. The photo in second place, “Old Armenia,” was awarded 20,000 AMD; it depicted an older Above: A scene from the Armenia-Turkey soccer match. Photo:Vahe Khachatryan. Far left: The first place winner, “Power, Faith, Love”. Photo: Aram Baghdasaryan. Left: Third place went to “I am Armenian.” Photo: Nayruhi Markaryan. Armenian with a tricolor scarf on. Third place went to “I am Armenian,” with a 10,000 AMD prize. It showed a young girl on her way to the Armenia-Turkey soccer match. The ARF Youth Organization says that they hope to turn this photo exhibit into an annual event, maybe even every three months with a different theme each time to encourage the young people of Armenia to participate.
The Armenian Reporter | February 7, 2009 11 Community Armenian Sisters Academy hold Family Night Funtertainment by Kayane Janjigian Knudson RADNOR, Pa. – Hectic schedules and attention-grabbing electronics pose a challenge for even the most well-intentioned family members trying to spend quality time with one another in this trigger-finger, fast-paced age. Fortunately, the annual Armenian Sisters Academy Family Night function reminds us of how enjoyable the simplest of pleasures are when spent with our loved ones and friends. Thanks to Seran Schug and George’s Dreshertown Shop n Bag, the Parent Teacher Council served a delectable filet mignon dinner to over 200 attendees on Saturday evening, January 24. The full course dinner was only an appetizer for what was dished up the rest of the night. Entertainment was provided by the Montessori children, who delightfully sang some favorite Armenian and American songs. On the heels of a presidential inauguration promising change for American citizens, the eighth-grade girls enacted their own “change” to the usual agenda for Family Night by choreographing and performing their unique rendition of an Indian Scarf Dance. In the days before, they chose to forego their prized recess time to practice their creation, demonstrating how a team can forge Eighth-grade girls perform their version of an Indian Scarf Dance. forward with fun and frolic for the purpose of bringing jubilance to others. When they concluded their dance, they hopped off the stage to teach the younger children the steps. DJ Serop Buldukyan (’06) then alternated lively Armenian favorites with American hip-hop music, making it impossible for anyone with happy feet to sit still. Parents and children filled the dance area with high kicks and high spirits! Families love to share in each other’s birthday celebrations and Family Night proved just that, as a beautifully decorated cake was presented to Principal Sister Louisa Kassarjian. The glow from the candles and the voices of young children sweetly singing “Happy Birthday” infused a warmth through the air well worth inhaling. Additional desserts were offered to satisfy any sweet tooth and provided extra fuel for the energetic dancers to keep their toes tapping. Raffle prizes, coloring stations and games allowed family members to peruse and participate as desired. ptc Chairperson Rita A joyous celebration. Ohanyan and her dedicated committee ensured “quality family time” for all who attended, as did the many volunteers who helped with set up, serving, and gift donations. Family Night’s success in attracting a high number of attendees was notable, but its true triumph was in delivering a forum where a family could happily connect through the basic pleasures of play, dance, feast, and song, while exponentially enhancing that joy with others doing the exact same! Abp. Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the National Council of Churches, and Raffi Balian, a member of the Legate’s Committee, participate in a discussion at the Christian Churches Together meeting in Baltimore. Archbishop Aykazian attends annual meeting of Christian Churches Together NEW YORK – More than 100 leaders of churches and Christian organizations nationwide gathered in Baltimore from January 13 to 16, for the third annual meeting of Christian Churches Together, an organization founded in September 2001 as a forum to broaden and expand fellowship, unity, and witness among Christian churches in the United States. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the National Council of Churches, represented the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Raffi Balian, a member of the Legate’s Committee, accompanied Archbishop Aykazian. During the meetings, the church leaders developed strategies to advocate for combating poverty in America. Also under discussion was the Middle East peace process, including the plight of Christian communities in the Near East. On Thursday, January 15, the church leaders met with senior advisors of incoming President Barack Obama and leaders from more than 20 Senate offices to discuss ways to help the poor in America, and also to help end violence in the Middle East among all communities, including the region’s Christians. In the meeting with members of the Obama Administration, Daniel Shapiro, one of the president’s senior Middle East advisors, asked Archbishop Aykazian to speak about the state of Christians in the region. Archbishop Aykazian discussed the shrinking number of Middle East Christians and the problems facing their communities. He indicated that he would be ready to assist the new administration “to act as a bridge to the communities in the Middle East.” As the gathering closed, Archbishop Aykazian was elected to the Steering Committee of Christian Churches Together. Throughout the meeting, participants gathered for worship services in the range of traditions represented in Christian Churches Together, including the Orthodox, Evangelical, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, historic Protestant, and racial and ethnic churches. According to Christian Churches Together, a total of 43 denominations are represented in the organization. connect: www.christianchurchestogether.org
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