1998_10 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper October 1998

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Hye Sharzhoom-20th Anniversary
October 1998
Armenian Summer Studies Brings Youth Together
By Chad Kirkorian and
Michael Harutinian
Staff Writers
BRADFORD, MA.-
This year's ARS Summer
Studies Program, organized
by Mary Mooradian, was
held on the beautiful campus of
Bradford College. The three week
intensive program offered a wide
variety of Armenian courses taught
by highly qualified professors.
These intellectually challenging
courses: Armenian history taught
by Dr. Simon Payaslian, Armenian
literature taught by Dr. Peter Cowe,
Armenian music taught by Dr. Leon
Janikian, and Armenian Cinema
taught by Ara Madzounian. The
overall program was directed and
coordinated by the very capable Dr.
Houri Berberian, who also gave a
lecture on the role of Armenian
women in Iran.
A total of seventeen students arrived at Bradford with the
same common goal- to gain a deeper
understanding of their Armenian
culture and heritage. These students
traveled from France, England,
Canada, and all parts of America,
ready for an intellectual challenge
and the opportunity to meet fellow
Armenian language taught by Dr.
Ara Caprielian, Armenian art and
architecture taught by Dr. Lucy Der
Manuelian, Armenian dance taught
by Gary and Susan Lind-Sinanian,
Armenian peers. A bond quickly
developed between this diaspora of
students, and friendships were established which will last a lifetime.
As this tightly knit group of Arme-
Armenian Quiz
1. Name the Armenian All-Pro NFL placekicker who
played for the Miami Dolphins?
a. Gary Danielson
b.TedTorosian
c. Garo S. Yepremian
d. Stephen R. Furness
2. Name the Armenian who was a head coach in the NBA?
a. John Koligian
b. Jerry Tarkanian
cAraParsegian
d. GregS. Goorjian
3. How many Gold medals did Armenians win in the
1992 Barcelona Olympics?
a. 1
b.3
c. 5
d.None
4. Where is the oldest Armenian Apostolic Church in
America?
a. Fresno, California
b. Watertown, Massachusetts
c. New York, New York
d. Worcester, Massachusetts
5. What is the highest point in Armenia?
. a. Mt. Aragats
„  b.MtArarat
cMtAchkassar
d. Mt. Kapoutdjough
u c p >q £ q z a i:sj3msuv
nian youth became better acquainted with each other, each individual was able to learn from the
others experiences not only as Armenians but as French Armenians, Canadian Armenians, English Armenians, and American
Armenians. Therefore, each student was able to take back home a
piece of the Diaspora.
Although the program
consisted of intensive studies, it
was balanced with plenty of extracurricular activities. Besides a
couple of excursions into the city
of Boston, the ARS students traveled to Hampton Beach, N.H., for
a fun filled day under the sun.
Another stop for the students was
the Cultural Festival in Lowell,
MA, where the students were
treated to the fine classical Armenian music ofthe Ayriyan Family.
The students were also treated to
an incredible shish kebob dinner
at the house of Armen and Sossy
Jeknavorian. The most enlightening experience outside ofthe classroom was visiting the Armenian
Library and Museum of America
in Watertown, MA. The well organized tour encompassed all aspects of Armenian history and
culture. However, the most emotional aspect of the tour was the
Genocide exhibit which conjured
up emotions buried deep inside of
the students. Not one student left
the Genocide exhibit without a
tear rolling down the side of their
face.
Another  important  aspect of the session was the open
forum in which the students had a
chance to discuss the issue of
Armenianness. The question posed
was, What does it mean to be
Armenian? The discussion was
based on each individuals heartfelt opinion regarding their own
unique perspectives, which led the
students to realize that there are no
rules or guidelines with respect to
Armenianness. Being Armenian
is something which you feel from
deep inside your heart, and if you
feel Armenian, you are a true Hye.
As for both these authors.we will
always bleed red, blue, and orange.
The most difficult part of
the session was not any homework
or exam, but instead our last days
together. On our final day we
could feel the sorrow and sadness
which began to overcome us, and
filled us with a desire for the experience not to end.   The typical
Armenian good-bye could not last
long enough on our last day because
the camaraderie which had been
formed between us created not just
friendship but a sense of family.
This reaction was not only on the
part of the students, but also a feeling felt mutually between the professors and students.
There were bonds and
memories formed which will last a
lifetime, so we would like to thank
the ARS for allowing us the opportunity to develop these new friendships with: Michelle Amirkhanian;
Laurie Arslanyan; Nayiri
Arzhoumanian; Twine Balian;
Laurie Bedikian; Tamar Der
Ghazarian; Natasha Kantzabedian;
Lauren Kazarian; Gregory King-
Underwood; Lalai Manjikian;
Zabelie Margossian; Bethany
Mooradian; Raffi Moughamian;
Garine Tcholakian; and Anoush
Yezeguelian.
Professor Speaks on Armenian Art
By Matthew Maroot
Staff Writer
On August 25, 1998, Pro
fessor Levon
Chookaszian, UNESCO
Chair of Armenian Art from
Yerevan State University spoke to
a crowd in the Alice Peters Auditorium on the topic
of "Royal and Self
Portrait in Armenian
Painting." This was
the first presentation
in the Armenian
Studies Program
Fall Lecture Series.
Professor
Chookaszian is a
well-published expert on this topic.
Through this vividly
illustrated lecture,
Professor
Chookaszian presented numerous examples of Armenian
Art, most of which
are centuries old.
Professor
Chookaszian,
whose field of specialization is manuscripts and manuscript illuminations, is responsible for the reopening of the Chair of Armenian
Art at Yerevan State University in
1996. He has published literally
hundreds of articles and entries in
major encyclopedias «and is now
working on a major book on the
most famous Armenian painter,
the 13th century artist TorosRoslin.
Included in the realm of Armenian Art are works such as
manuscripts, portraits, stone carvings and miniatures. It is also
interesting to note that several examples of Armenian coins were
presented as examples of Armenian, Art.  Though much artwork
and many Armenian manuscripts
have been destroyed through the
course of history, we are very fortunate to still be able to view many
works of art that have been wisely
preserved. Perhaps some of the
longest-surviving forms of Arme
nian Art can be found in and around
the churches of Armenia. These
elaborately decorated churches not
only serve as a symbol of the art
form of Armenian Architecture but
also serve as historical remnants of
the kings who built them. Because
ofthe rich history of Armenian Art,
many people find it to be a very
captivating example of Armenian
culture. "I find the
area of Armenian
Art to be very
thought provoking," said senior
. Chad Kirkorian.
Armenian
Art, in a sense,
serves as a window
through which we
can view Armenian
History. "I had no
idea that Armenian
Art and culture
were so interwoven," said junior
Armen
Ghanbarian. Numerous Armenian
kings including
Tigran the Great
and the great King
Gagik commissioned artists to
transfer their images to objects such
as coins. And thanks to them, we
are able to catch a glimpse of Armenian life from their time up through
the present.