050622 - STUMBLES UPON A

GIBRAHAYER e-GIBRAHAYER STUMBLES UPON A "LOST" ARMENIAN CHURCH IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED NORTH CYPRUSGibrahayer - Nicosia 21 June 2005. Meet the Armenian Protestant Church of Nicosia. Lost, forgotten and not talked about. I wonder how many of the younger (or even older) members of our community are indeed aware that another Armenian Church is located a few hundred meters away from Turkish occupied Victoria street, in the heart of the old Armenian neighbourhood? I for one wasn't. And the first 20 people that I contacted enquiring about its background, weren't either. However the Turkish Cypriot girl who pointed it out to me, was quite well aware, after all she is employed there! The Armenian Protestant Church is now renamed to 'Cyprus Turkish Handicrafts Cooperative Ltd', an organisation supported by USAID and UNDP through UNOPS ! Ironically the new Turkish name is El Sanatlari Kooperatifi Merkezi, and its address is 11/25 Mahmut Pasa, Sok. Ermeni Kilisesi - Lefkosa, gracefully named after the Protestant Armenian Church. The first person I met, who was actually knowledgeable about the existence of the Church, is an Armenian Protestant herself - Ruth Keshishian - who like many of us, still hasn't crossed the border, thinking that she cannot handle the trauma of seeing her Church and re-living her past. Are we also aware that more than 200 members of our community were once Armenian Protestants? Forgive my ignorance, although I am bravely admitting to things I do not know, but it almost feels like the older generation have been hiding this community heritage under covers! Should it be acceptable that a Church never acknowledged before, fails to get the mention it deserves in our history books? Why do we so easily give up on things that are ours? Why do we react only when we are pinned to the wall? Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church on Victoria street on the other hand - which is situated a few hundred meters further down from the Armenian Protestant Church - has an even more repulsive story to tell. The community members although aware of its existence, still stay passive towards its fate. The area where the choir once sang is now a public toilet, its walls witness the intimate moments of young Turkish couples. Young Turks have redesigned the Church floor into a football ground to accommodate their sporting activities, and Efes Pilsen beer bottles now substitute the candles of this sacred place. The Armenian Monastery of St.Magar is being turned into a coffee shop and the fate of Melkonian seems to be sealed. Following a series of tragic events, that both the dead and the living have experienced this year... suddenly this... we stumble on an Armenian Church built in 1946 lost, forgotten and not talked about.Images at: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2124991578&code=16705939&mode=invite&DCMP=isc-email-AlbumInvite
GERMAN PARLIAMENT PASSES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MOTION ddp news agency, Berlin - 17 June 05 - Berlin - Just over 90 years after the beginning of the expulsions and massacres of Armenians in Turkey in April 1915, the Bundestag has unanimously called for the "sincere reappraisal" of what happened in the Ottoman Empire. Without a debate, parliament adopted a joint motion by all parliamentary groups in Berlin on Thursday [16 June], focusing on the "nearly complete extermination of the Armenians in Anatolia". The Bundestag also pointed out the "inglorious role of the German Reich", which, in spite of manifold information on the "organised expulsion and extermination of Armenians did not even try to stop the atrocities". Yet the term "genocide" was not used in the actual motion but only in the pertaining explanation, in which the Social Democratic Party of Germany, the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union, the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party point out that over 1 million Armenians were killed in the deportations and mass murders, according to calculations by independent experts. "Numerous independent historians, parliaments, and international organisations have described the expulsion and the extermination of the Armenians as genocide," the explanation reads. Yet the dimension of the massacres and expulsions continues to be played down and to be largely denied in Turkey, the four Bundestag groups criticised in the explanation, stressing: "This Turkish position conflicts with the idea of reconciliation that guides the community of values of the EU." The Bundestag resolution calls on the Federal Government "to ensure that the Turkish parliament, government, and society reappraise their role towards the Armenian people in the past and present without prejudice."ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Youth Organisation member speak to Turkish press in Constantinople[http://www.yerkir.am/img/transparent.gif][http://www.yerkir.am/img/transparent.gif]YERKIR - Yerevan: - The adoption of an Armenian Genocide resolution by the German Bundestag on Thursday has also stirred a rapid reaction in the Turkish media. In this context, the Turkish media is showing an increasing interest in the members of the ARF Dashnaktsoutiun's Youth Organisation members, who are in Constantinople to participate in an International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) meeting. Yerkir-Media reporter talked with the delegation member, Zinavor Meghrian, who said that the delegation members were interviewed by several Turkish newspapers. Milliyet's reporter asked us to comment on the Armenian-Turkish relations, and especially the Genocide issue, Meghrian said. "We explicitly noted that it is Turkey that stands as an obstacle on the Armenian-Turkish relations; Armenia has never shut the borders, and that Turkey has put forward preconditions for normalising the relations," Meghrian mentioned. "We also said we have no doubts in the fact of the Armenian Genocide; it is a historic fact, and Turkey should make a step towards admitting to it."
WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED PROTESTING TIME-EUROPE'S ADVERTISEMENT DENYING ARMENIAN GENOCIDEBrussels, Belgium (17th June 2005)- The Armenian National Committee of France(CDCA-France), European Armenian Federation (EAFJD) and the Armenian NationalCommittee (ANCA) launched a worldwide campaign this week protesting TIME-Europe'srecent decision to disseminate a DVD advertisement which grossly mis-characterisesthe Armenian Genocide. The advertisement, paid for by the Ankara Chamber ofCommerce, is valued at $1 million. The DVD, with content available in seven languages, was packaged as part ofTIME-Europe's June 6th issue, which included Turkey's denialist propaganda underpretence of tourism advertisement. The magazine was distributed to 485,000households and businesses. The European Armenian Federation, CDCA France and ANCA have urged people of goodconscience around the world to send James Geary, Senior Editor at Time-Europe a freeANCA WebFax by visiting the EAFJD website ( http://www.eafjd.org ) or going directly to the following link: http://capwiz.com/anca/mail/compose/?mailid=7722236 Earlier yesterday, the European Armenian Federation requested a meeting with TIME-Europe publishers to discuss the issue. In the request letter, the European Armenian Federation noted that the disseminationof "this State propaganda is just as unacceptable as having relayed a pro-Nazi or pro-apartheid advertisement." The letter stressed, that "genocide denial has nothing to do with freedom of speech" but is a "harsh attack on human dignity." The Federation stated that that this act calls to "question both TIME's credibility and the ethical principles which underlie its editorial line."
TIME MAGAZINE ADVERT & DVDA WEB RESPONSE http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.phptitle=Armenian_Genocide_Contemporary_Articles
TATIANA'S CORNERThis corner is reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian's comic strips which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries, painted with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage awareness and interest toward our community's everyday happenings.
YOUR EMAILSDear Simon,I'm an Armenian who born outside Armenia, at the moment living in The Netherlands, this summer I' am planning to visit my mother land with my mother which will be the first time.However, I have been checking with Armenia Airline flight from Amsterdam to Yerevan, the Armenian airline is the most expensive one, and the price is unreasonable high. To my understanding that Armenia Airline does not care what is the competitors, the people in charge of the tickets who doesn't pay attention to all the offers form other competitors, under such circumstances, how do you expect the traveller want to take your flight? I feel sad because I really want to take airline which from my mother land, but the price difference between Armenian Airline and others like Austrian airline is quite half, then I have to give up Armenian airline, I'm asking why is that stupidity???Sarkis SarkisjanDear Sarkis,I invite the representatives of both airlines who are subscribers of our newsletter, Vicken Telian and Sirvart Der Avedissian to comment in the next issue.Simon Aynedjian Dear Simon, I was very glad to receive this articles on my e-mail,they were very interesting and moving. Especially I want to thank u not for just the mails u have sent me but also for the gigantic work you are doing for Gibrahayer, by creating these enchanting avalanche of Armenian news. The only word I can say to you and your collaborators for creation of this brilliant source of information is BRAVO.Sincerely ARTYOM MUZHIKYAN - Nicosia An-kin Simon,It is wonderful that you have let Fatma Muga Gocek's cool article become your Editorial - giving your Voice to her and vice versa!You are absolutely brilliant - an innovative thinker - what the Armenian diaspora so desperately needs...Prof H.I. Pilikian Dear Gibrahayer Team, Before this evening, I had not ever heard of you. I am delighted to know of your existence and of your dedication to our precious heritage and to fellow Armenians. I will look forward to receiving your communications.Rose (Tashjian) Fox in Dayton, OH Dear friends, The following info may be useful for action. Hitler in 1936 was on cover of Time when world already know what is fascism. http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101360413,00.html Hrachya Dear Simon,I would like you to urge all your readers to write a letter of thanks to the German Ambassadors of their residing countries thanking the German Government for having the moral courage to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution unanimously the the parliament.Love to all, Sirov - Mihran Keheyian - London Hy, Tanks for your news...you can go to : www.sergebedrossian.com For HOMAGE TO AZNAVOUR here in MONTREAL, CANADA. Thanks - Serge Bédrossian June 1, 2005 I’ve just returned from a short visit to Cyprus and wish to send an urgent message to anyone interested in the Cypriot Armenian community. There are a number of concerns within the community today but perhaps only one can be helped immediately in a relatively simple way. That is the treatment of the old Armenian cemetery by the Ledra Palace. I know many people have already raised their voices, but I would like to add my own as well. Over the last 22 years I have asked about this place, walking by it many times, stopping to look at the graves, wondering at the mystery inside and the mystery of why it was so neglected. Let me put it as clearly as possible – this is not only a sacred site, packed with emotional ties for descendants of the deceased, but one of great historical importance. There is “information” in this oldest known Armenian cemetery in Cyprus that is only accessible when everything there is left in situ, carefully tended, with only experts doing any movement of the graves. Walk around the cemetery and it is easy to find fascinating stories visible to any amateur eye on the inscriptions, the architecture, placement of the tombs, the carving and decoration of the stones. An archaeologist, art historian, sociologist of religion, anthropologist, medical experts, etc, could discover much more and help to build up the picture of life among Cypriot Armenians in the more distant past. There is very little that is known about the Armenian Cypriot community beyond the past 120 years, though we know Armenians have lived in Cyprus since the 6th century. That cemetery contains a real treasury of information. Everyone should be concerned. Clearly many people are implicated in the mistakes made here but I think it is fair to say that those involved believed they were taking positive steps that would improve a long-neglected eyesore. Bitterness and accusations will not improve the situation though the mistakes made must be acknowledged and steps taken to avoid further damage. This sacred, historical site can still be saved. Here is a simple suggestion: – please avoid thinking of it a manicured, designed park and consider making this a haven for Cypriot flora and fauna. There is so little undeveloped green space left in Nicosia. Once wild grasses, shrubs and flowers have been sown, the space will be a drier version of the many ancient cemeteries throughout the rest of Europe. The graves should be put back as much as possible and the bones that were disturbed, given a dignified re- burial. The untouched graves should remain, perhaps repaired by experts. The space should be tended, of course – but not in an expensive and intrusive way. Historians and art experts, archaeologists should be invited to begin a study of the narratives held in this cemetery. For example, within a week I have been able to make contact with two French Armenians who are preparing a detailed book of Armenian gravestones. The government of Cyprus has generously and rightly designated this site one of national heritage. It is the heritage of Cyprus and of Armenian Cypriots and also of Armenians more generally. It is essential to treat it with great care. A church and a community that puts the spiritual, beauty, and nature first will be a beacon and an example. Sincerely, Dr. Susan PattieAuthor, Faith in History: Armenians Rebuilding Community (in Cyprus) Participate in ANCA's WebFax campaign.For Time Magazine's denial: http://capwiz.com/anca/mail/compose/?mailid=7722236 Sincerely - Hovanes Manucharyan Simon,You may be interested in publishing (or placing a link to) the following letter by the International Association of Genocide Scholars to Turkey's Prime Minister in your newsletter. The letter is dated June 13, 2005, so it's quite topical and it's probably the most authoritative refutation of Turkish attempts to stall the recognition of the Armenian genocide by playing an "archives game." The link to the letter is http://genocidewatch.org/TurkishPMIAGSOpenLetterreArmenia6-13-05.htm BTW we will be in Cyprus in mid to late July and would by happy to meet you if we get the chance. Do you guys still meet at the AYMA club regularly Friday nights?Best regards,Ara Arabyan Department of Aerospace and Associate Professor Mechanical Engineering University of Arizona Web: www.ame.arizona.edu/faculty/arabyan/arabyan.html
MELKONIAN THIS WEEKInjunction handed to AGBUhttp://www.savemelkonian.org/Diary/index%20Diary.htmStudents defy AGBU HQ and stage Graduation Ceremony at the Schoolhttp://www.savemelkonian.org/Pictures/Graduation_2005/index.htm
TIME MAGAZINE LETTERS AND EMAILSGIBRAHAYER e-magazine HAVE BEEN RECEIVING EMAILS AND LETTERS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO TIME MAGAZINE. IF YOU WANT YOURS PUBLISHED IN GIBRAHAYER, PLEASE SEND THEM TO simon@cytanet.com.cy . Please also note that simon@thunderworx.com is not operational any more. This email has been deleted, as a result of the technical problems we experienced last week. Please only use simon@cytanet.com.cy or my work email simon.aynedjian@gapgroup.com . Thank you - Simon Aynedjian
•Over 1,500 Armenians staged a protest demonstration in Beirut against the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Erdgoan in Lebanon on Wednesday, Armenpress reported. The demonstrators burned the Turkish flag, and the stores in Beirut's Burj Hamoud district were shut for one hour.•Armenia urged the U.S. to be “more assertive” in its calls on Turkey to lift the 12-year blockade of Armenia, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said at a press-conference following his meetings with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the President’s National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.•Defence Minister Serge Sargsian officially submitted Armenia’s Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) leadership in Brussels last week. Meeting with the NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Sargsian discussed Armenia’s expanding relations with the Alliance. Armenia’s Ambassador to NATO Samvel Mkrtchian described the IPAP submission as “a serious step that raises relations with NATO to a new level.”•An Armenian citizen pleaded guilty to charges of treason and conspiracy to commit terrorist attacks on behalf of the Azerbaijani Ministry of National Security (MTN). According to prosecution’s indictment, Andrey Maziyev, who had worked as an engineer at Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport, provided the Azeri MTN with pictures he took of the Armenian President’s air plane, security procedures at the airport and on the way to the President’s residence, as well as of various buildings throughout Yerevan, including those of the U.S. and other embassies.•Turkish daily Zaman says that on June 20, 10,000 Turks of Germany organized a march in Berlin to protest German Federal Parliament's resolution on "Armenian Massacres". Participants of the rally carried banners written in German that read, "Turkey is not the scapegoat of German policies" and "German policy distorts history".
SPORTS NEWS AND CALENDAR•Wimbledon Championships in England. Mikhail Youzny of Russia ranked 31 defeated Cyprus tennis sensation Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, and 29 seed Nicolas Massu of Chile defeated Sargis Sargsian of Armenia 7-6, 6-3, 6-4. In the ladies event, Magdalena Maleeva of Bulgaria defeated 24 seed Shinobu Asagoe of Japan 6-2, 7-6 while the victory of the day was produced by Greek Champion Eleni Daniilidou who defeated seed seven Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium 7-6(8) 2-6 7-5. David Nalbandian is scheduled to meet Raemon Sluiter of Holland.•The International Tennis Federation has appointed Turkey as the organising country for the 2007 ITF Seniors World Championships. The Seniors World Team Championships will be followed by the individual event that will be held in two consecutive weeks in April/May 2007. This year's Super-Seniors events are scheduled for October 2005 and they will be held at Club Ali Bey in Antalya on the Turkish Riviera.•http://www.tennisnet.com.cy/?page=news&ac=1 International Tennis Federation's European Seniors Singles Championship by BNP Paribas that was held in Athens from June 1-13, 2005.•Under the fanatical cries of more than 2,000 Turkish fans waving flags of the TRNC, The Cyprus National Volley Ball team defeated the national team of Azerbaijan in Ankara, in a decisive match that sealed the fate of which team would eventually succeed in remaining in the second division of the Nations Cup.

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•Classical Song Recital by Maral Vorsganian (soprano) Given for the Licentiate in Performance LGSMD Teacher: Sona Gargaloyan. Piano: Lelia Khatchadourian June 25th, 2005 at 4:30 pm. At the English School Hall, Nicosia.•Armenian Night at The Marathon Beach Hotel in Limassol on Saturday June 25, 2005. Armenian live music, dance and traditional Armenian cuisine at only 10.00 CYP. For reservations please call 25 320122.•School's OUT under 18s party: Meet other Armenians from all over London. when: Saturday 25th June where: The Navasartian Centre, time: 8pm to 1am, tix: £6 more info: Narbeh 07711 279 965 hyevents@aol.com , www.hye.org.uk OVER 18? STAY AT HOME!•Photography Exhibition by Sebouh Voskeritchian. Opening Monday 4th of July, 2005 at 8:00 pm at the St.Raphael Hotel in Limassol. Duration until 6th of July. Opening hours from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Sebouh Vosgeritchian is the fourth generation of the well known family Armenian photographer Edward •STUDENTS CULTURAL FORUM July 21 – August 3 in Yerevan, Armenia Interested in taking part in a culturally, intellectually, and socially stimulating program especially tailored for Armenian university students? If so, come and discover the various facets of our rich Armenian culture and heritage offered by The HAMAZKAYIN STUDENTS CULTURAL FORUM For more information and application forms please contact:USA East Coast: Sevag Shirzoyan sms275@yahoo.com , USA West Coast: Shoushig Arslanian Shoarslan@aol.com CANADA Lalai Manjikian, Lalaim@hotmail.com , EUROPE Sella Tenjoukian (London) stenjouk@aol.com Hourig Baghdassarian (Paris) navasti@wanadoo.fr , MIDDLE EAST Arin Kalousdian (Lebanon) hamazcen@cyberia.net.lb ARMENIA Tamar Shahbazian (Yerevan Office) hamazg@netsys.am , Arto Tavitian (Cyprus) artavi@cytanet.com.cy •AKTI: Coasts Without Frontiers, Age group:18-25. Dates/Duration: August 20-27. Location: Polis Chrysochous camp site. Contact: Kyriaki Demetriou; Tel: 22 45848548454; Email: akti@akti.org.cy A multicultural environmental youth camp will bring together 30 Cypriot youth between 18 and 25 years old, from Greek-Cypriot, Turkish-Cypriot, Maronite and Armenian communities of Cyprus. The project will focus on coastal areas of Cyprus, both at the north and the south, aiming at the protection and preservation of the Cyprus coastal ecosystem by promoting knowledge-based society. The camp will take place for a week in August and will feature environmental workshops, facilitated discussions, field visits to the coast, clean-up activities and a final poster production.•Armenian musical duo of Jean Davidian and Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian perform at the Palm Beach Hotel in Larnaca every Saturday.•AYMA/HMEM Chicco Football practises take place every Friday from 7:00 - 8:30 pm for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor Mahdessian on 99650897.•Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation via real audio on www.cybc.com.cy . Broadcast 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time (14:00-15:00 GMT). Armenian news every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.•The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is on Sunday June 12 & Sunday June 26.•Every Wednesday from 7-8 pm (Cyprus time + 2 GMT) on CyBC's Trito, Puzant Nadjarian presents the "History of the Blues". Internet edition on www.cybc.com.cy
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