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The Armenian Reporter | September 6, 2008NationalCalifornians welcome Rep. Joe KnollenbergArmenianorganizationssupport MichiganRepublican’s bid for10th termby Silva SevlianBURBANK, Calif. – On August 28Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R.-Mich.),co-chair of the Congressional ArmenianCaucus, met with Armeniansupporters in southern Californiato speak about his track recordand re-election campaign. Theevent took place at USArmeniaTelevision’s headquarters, whichalso houses the Armenian Reporter’sWest Coast Bureau.A Republican from suburbanDetroit, Mr. Knollenberg was welcomedby representatives of theU.S.-Armenia Public Affairs Committee(USAPAC), the ArmenianNational Committee-Western Region(ANC-WR), the National Organizationof Republican Armenians,the California Courier, and others;the speakers underscored the importanceof supporting Mr. Knollenberg’sre-election bid, citing hisrecord as a strong advocate of Armenianissues in the U.S. Congress.The event illustrated the powerthat Armenian-Americans havein the political arena, said AppoJabarian, publisher of USA ArmenianLife. “This sends a message toour friends and foes that we areserious in our solidarity and ourcauses,” Mr. Jabarian noted.GOP’s Armenian issueschampionIn almost 18 years in Congress, Mr.Knollenberg has emerged as a leadingadvocate of Armenian-Americanissues, particularly in the GOP.He has championed annual effortsto keep U.S. assistance to Armeniaat appropriate levels, provideassistance to Nagorno-Karabakh,and limit military aid to Azerbaijanas long as it continues its anti-Armeniaposturing.Though a fellow Republican hasoccupied the White House over thelast eight years, Mr. Knollenberg hasfrequently disagreed with the Bushadministration’s Armenia policies.Last March, for example, he questionedthe administration’s justificationfor aid reduction to Armenia.“It troubles me that MCA fundingcontinues to be used to explain thevast reduction in aid to Armenia,”Mr. Knollenberg said at the time, referringto the Millennium ChallengeAccount. “MCA funding for Armenia,which supports rural roads and irrigationinfrastructure development,should not be used as a justificationto cut [other] funding.”In July, Mr. Knollenberg movedto zero out U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan.His motion was narrowlyLeft: Rep. JoeKnollenberg.Above: RossVartian calls Mr.Knollenberg “anational leader.”Photos: HilmaShahinian.voted down by the House ForeignOperations Subcommittee.“We are not quitting,” Mr. Knollenbergsaid about that effort.“When [Azerbaijan] is boastingabout military might . . . thosethreats are real and that is why weshould take away their funding.”He also reiterated his support forefforts to affirm the U.S. record onthe Armenian Genocide. Mr. Knollenberg,who was one of four originalco-sponsors of House Resolution106, the Armenian Genocideresolution, and fought to overcomejoint opposition by Turkey and theBush administration, said he believesthe only way to pass the Armenian-Genocideresolution is tomobilize the grassroots and lobbyelected officials.“The diaspora cannot give up, becauseif it gives up, then CongressSaroyan and Kouymjian: the untold storySaroyan’s centennialthrough the wordsof one man whoknew him wellby Shahane MartirosyanPARIS – There are some storiesthat ought to be told, and I knewthis was one of them the secondI walked into Dickran Kouymjian’sliving room in Paris, France.In a cozy room leading to aclosed balcony where I sat downfor our interview on a gloomyday, I noticed many portraitsof William Saroyan. My assignmentwas to write a story aboutKouymjian and his appearance atthe Fifth Annual Golden ApricotInternational Film Festival, heldin July in Yerevan, where he wasinvited to introduce Saroyan’sfilms.It all made sense. I saw Saroyaneverywhere in Kouymjian’s livingroom. By the time we concludedour interview, I knew that in orderto do justice to my film-festivalstory, I would have to go back intime and explore the start and developmentof Kouymjian’s friendshipwith Saroyan.Inspired by a literaryiconNow a retired professor, Kouymjianwas introduced to Saroyan at avery young age. Back in 1945, whenKouymjian attended high school inChicago, Saroyan was a teacher at theschool. “I liked Saroyan,” Kouymjiansaid, adding that his relatives, whopersonally knew the author, hadsent him copies of his books, someof which were autographed.Thus Saroyan had enteredKouymjian’s life many years beforehe pursued his studies on variouscontinents and became one of theworld’s most renowned Armenian-Studies professors. In 1972, Kouymjianwas the chairman of the Departmentof Armenian Studies atHaigazian University in Beirut. Thatyear, Saroyan delivered Haigazian’scommencement address. The eventmarked the beginning of the twomen’s friendship. By then Kouymjianwas an accomplished professorand had taught at various universities;Saroyan enjoyed great fame,with an Academy Award (for TheHuman Comedy) under his belt.After his tenure at Haigazian,Kouymjian was appointed directorof the Armenian Studies Programat Fresno State, where he wasasked to give a much-needed pushto the crumbling program.Dr. Dickran Kouymjian.At Fresno State, Kouymjiansoon noticed something. “No onewas doing Saroyan when I went toFresno State,” he recalled. “I askedthe English Department whetherthey would mind if the ArmenianDepartment offered Saroyan. Theysaid no, so I made a course andstarted teaching Saroyan.”Subsequently Kouymjian informedSaroyan about the classesand the author was more then happyto contribute to their success.“I told Saroyan about them andhe started giving me unpublishedmanuscripts,” Kouymjian nonchalantlymentioned. “I did four semesters,trying [the manuscripts] on thestudents – particularly plays whichwere published afterwards,” he said.will give up,” Mr. Knollenberg said.Armenians stressnational support forRep. KnollenbergBurbank was Mr. Knollenberg’s laststop on his campaign trail beforehe returned to the Detroit area. Hesaid he thought it was importantto meet with Southern California’slarge Armenian constituency.Gregory Boyrazian, an advisorwith the National Organization ofRepublican Armenians, said it isvital that a member of Congressof Knollenberg’s caliber remain inCongress.“Congressman Knollenberg hasan unshakable record and becauseof this we ask the Armenian-Americancommunity at large to rallysupport for him,” he said.Ross Vartian, executive directorof USAPAC, said that the member ofCongress was responsible for helpingsecure millions of dollars of U.S.aid to Armenia.A senior member of the HouseAppropriations Committee, Mr.Knollenberg pushed for U.S. financialassistance in response to the“Was the response to those classesgood or bad?” I asked.“I always get good responses fromour students in everything I do,”Kouymjian answered with a slightgrin. He also stated that during onesemester, two professors attendedhis class to hear the lecture. One ofthem painted a portrait of Saroyan.It happened to be one of the paintingsI saw as I was walking throughKouymjian’s living room.Saroyan the filmmakerAt Fresno State, Kouymjian beganlooking into another area that Saroyanwas greatly familiar with: theworld of films. He decided to teacha course titled “The Armenian Experiencethrough Film.”“And I got a hold of all the rearfilms because I had close friendsin New York from when I was livingthere,” Kouymjian explained. “Ihad a restaurant with a friend, PeterBitlisian. He was from Iraq. Heused to clean up 35-mm films. Hehad a little studio by Carnegie Hall.He had this machine. He would putscratched films on the machine andframe by frame he’d touch them up.If he happened to like a film, he’dsecretly make a copy for himself.He acquired a lot of films. He particularlyliked anything with an Armenianactor, an Armenian angle,an Armenian subject.”1988 Spitak earthquake, as wellas in support of Armenia’s transitionfollowing independence andKarabakh’s struggle for self-determination.Mr. Vartian said that having Mr.Knollenberg come to Southern Californiaallows him to count new Armenian-Americansupporters amonghis friends. “The congressman needsa national following beyond Michigan,”Mr. Vartian stressed. “He’s ournational leader and he deserves a nationalconstituency.”“[Mr. Knollenberg] makes surethat Armenian interests are alwayswatched closely,” said AndrewKzirian, executive director ofANC‐WR.The event doubled as a fundraiserin support of Knollenberg’s reelectioncampaign.“The Armenian-American communityhas learned how to ask forthings from Washington and nowit is time for us to learn how to say‘thank you,’” Mr. Vartian said. “Weneed to give much more generouslyand much more consistently.” fconnect:usa-pac.orgWith the help of Bitlisian,Kouymjian went on to organize filmfestivals and bring rare Armenianrelatedfilms to life for audiences inthe Diaspora and the homeland.“When I organized the first Armenianfilm festival in Columbiain 1980, I got Peter to lend us acopy (the only one in existence asfar as I know) of The Good Job – a35 mm, a short film that Saroyanproduced himself, directed himself,and wrote the story back atMGM studio in 1942,” Kouymjianconfessed.Later on, when Bitlisian lay dying,he called Kouymjian and toldhim he was leaving him his vastcollection of films he had acquiredthroughout the years. Among themovies that Bitlisian sent Kouymjianwas the 64-mm copy of TheGood Job.“I don’t know what happened tothe 35-mm copy,” Kouymjian said.At this year’s Golden ApricotFilm Festival, Kouymjian sharedthe movie, one of the very rarefilms made by Saroyan, with Armenianand international audiences.In addition to presenting Saroyan’sfilms, Kouymjian conducted a masterclass on the subject.When Saroyan passed away in1981, Kouymjian took his ashes toArmenia and had them buried atthe Pantheon in Yerevan. f
The Armenian Reporter | September 6, 2008 5CommunityGlendale community will celebrate Armenia’s independenceIndependence DayFestival to showcaseArmenian music, art,food, and spirit ofunityby Anna MargaryanGLENDALE, Calif. – Since itsinception ten years ago, the annualArmenian Independence DayFestival has grown into a wildlypopular, multicultural tradition,showcasing Armenian music, art,and cuisine, and celebrating a spiritof community and shared history.The Tenth Annual ArmenianIndependence Day Festival, organizedby the Nor Serount CulturalAssociation, will take place onSunday, September 21, at VerdugoPark in Glendale, from 11:00 a.m.until 7:00 p.m.Given the fact that the festivalhas by now become one of thecity’s largest public events (it wasattended by some 10,000 peoplelast year), it is worth noting that itwas started with much hesitationon the part of its organizers, whowondered whether it would createany interest in the community.“We started with our hands onour hearts, wondering how manypeople would attend if we did somethinglike this, says Nor SerountChairman Harut Der Tavitian.“We were expecting a few hundredpeople. [But] it came to the pointthat the McDonalds across thestreet from the park complainedto the city that if we’re having abig event like this we should warnthem ahead of time, because theyran out of food. From that day onthey have been prepared for thisevent and we have been preparedtoo for the number of people thatattend.”The event’s exponential growth,Der Tavitian explains, owes in nosmall measure to its appeal to Armeniansand non-Armenians alike.“The festivities started becausethis was a very important event inour history,” says Seta Khodanian,a 12-year Nor Serount veteranand an event organizer. “ArmenianIndependence is somethingwe should all celebrate. However,throughout the years, it’s turnedout to be an occasion that bringsother people, non-Armenians. Ithas become a community eventmore than anything else.”The stars line upThis year’s list of celebrity performersincludes Sako, Sokrat, RobertChilingirian, Alen, Armen Hovanissyan,and Ararat Amadyan,among others.Verdugo Park will once again betransformed into a full-fledgedfestival venue, with a makeshiftstage and booths offering handicraftsimported from Armenia andhomemade Armenian foods anddesserts.Before the pop singers take thestage, festival-goers will be treatedto an appearance by the GlendaleHigh School Choir, consisting ofArmenian and non-Armenian studentswho will perform the Armeniannational anthem during theopening ceremony. SubsequentlyGlendale City officials will deliverspeeches.“Nor Serount wants to introduceArmenian culture to non-Armeniansand at the same time to promoteharmony and bring us closertogether,” Khodanian says when Iask her about Nor Serount’s role inattracting people of all cultures tothe event.“There are a lot of different culturesin Glendale and we would liketo interact with them. They needto know us and we need to knowthem.”Tearing a page from thehistory booksSeptember 21, 1991 was a climacticmoment for the Armenian nation,a day that saw the dawn ofa new era. The country has sincewitnessed much socio-economicchange and turmoil, and eventuallypolitical stability and economicgrowth. Armenia has also seen considerablemigration in the past 17years, with large numbers leavingthe homeland for Russia, Europe,and the United States – Los Angelesin particular. Among those who attendthe Armenian IndependenceDay Festival are many recent immigrantsfrom Armenia who havebuilt new lives in Glendale.This year there is another reasonfor jubilation, as 2008 marks the4,500th anniversary of the legendaryBattle of Hayk and Bel and thesymbolic establishment of Armenianstatehood.According to the Armenian Observerblog, “August 11, 2008 marksthe 4,500th anniversary of thevictory of the Armenian patriarchHayk against Bel, the head of evilforces trying to conquer the world,at the battle of Hayots Dzor (southof Lake Van). The day of Hayk’s victorywas marked as the startingpoint of the Armenian calendar.”The fact that this little-known anniversarycoincides with the IndependenceDay Festival has sparkedthe desire in the organizers to usethis opportunity to educate thepublic, including Armenians, aboutthe significance of the day.“I would venture to say that 99%of Armenians don’t know aboutthe 4,500th anniversary of theestablishment of Armenia’s statehoodbecause we don’t use it,” saysDer Tavitian. “Even the Armeniangovernment was late in noticingthe date because they are sayingnow that they will celebrate it nextyear,” he adds with a laugh.The irony here is that a nationsteeped in 4,500 years of history iscelebrating only 17 years of autonomy.Yet Der Tavitian is optimisticthat this reality provides a chanceto reacquaint Armenians with theirroots and heritage.“It’s a good combination that weare celebrating the 17th anniversaryof the modern independencewhen we go back 4,500 years,” hesays. “It’s important to [remind]people that we have a culture, thatwe have a history which we mustbe proud of.”Accordingly, Der Tavitian adds,the Vartan and Siranush GevorkianDance Academy ensemble will appearin a special performance at thefestival, in celebration of Hayk’s triumphover Bel.Behind the scenesOrganizing an event of the IndependenceDay Festival’s caliber andscale requires tremendous dedicationand countless man-hours. Inthe past nine months, the organizingcommittee, comprising morethan ten individuals, has workedhard to plan and coordinate everyaspect of the event, down tothe last, miniscule detail – suchas compiling and sending outsponsorship packages, bookingperformers, and working out thetransformation of the venue into aproper festival site.The event’s prestigious list ofsponsors includes Diageo JohnnieWalker, Commerce Casino, PacificWestern Bank, Wells Fargo, GlendaleMedical Pharmacy, SarkisThe Glendale High School Chamber Choir at the 2007 Armenian Independence Day Festival.Pastry, Tamara Ice Cream, MissionWine and Spirits, Color Depot, andthe City of Glendale.While planning and coordinatingrequires the efforts of a dozen committeemembers, monitoring andrunning the festivities call for thetalents of a devoted operationalcrew, whose 35 members were recruitedfrom the ranks of the GaidzYouth Organization, Homenetmen,Glendale and Pasadena women’sauxiliaries, and the ArmenianCouncil of America.Despite the enormous numberof attendees, crowd control hasnever been an issue – a fact thatreflects positively on the event organizersand the Armenian communityat large.“We have had no negative incidentsoccur in the last ten years,”Khodanian proudly states whilesuperstitiously knocking on wood,indicating her hope that thisyear will prove to be no different.“That’s why every year the policedepartment sends fewer offices toour event,” she adds. “With thesekinds of events you always expectsomething to happen, but nothinghas.”It is difficult to imagine that10,000 people can come, go, andmingle in a single location, as wasthe case last year, without a singledisturbance, yet this is the fortunatereality for organizers who doeverything in their power to minimizedisruption to the communityneighboring the park.The mission of harmony and educationthat Nor Serount has undertakenwith this event is far tooimportant to allow logistical problemsand disturbances to infringeupon and dampen the atmosphereof community and respect theyhave fostered.The bottom lineThe festival organizers say thatthe goal here is not only to imprintwithin the Armenian psychethe importance of the thread ofhistory and culture which we haveinherited, but also to encourageunity, mutual appreciation, andawareness among the variousethnic groups that call Glendalehome.“We have a rich culture and a longhistory and we have to make peopleaware of it,” Khodanian says.“If we manage to get a young Armenianor non-Armenian to knowabout our history, to be interestedin it and research our nation, thenwe’ve made our point.”“It’s all about introducing ourculture and our nation to non-Armeniansand Armenians alike,” shecontinues. “As we get driven by ourdaily lives, we leave everything elsebehind. Maybe this event will bean opportunity to look back and tolook forward.”connect:norserount@sbcglobal.net(818) 391-7938
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