Jirair Tutunjian’s Toronto Lecture on Origins of Words Attracts 150

On September 30, 2011, the Armenian community in Toronto enjoyed a fascinating lecture at AGBU’s Alex Manoogian Cultural Centre entitled “Around the World in 1,001 Words.” The presentation, given by author and editor Jirair Tutunjian, covered the origins and derivations of Armenian and English words. Over 150 people attended the event.

Tutunjian began his talk by giving the audience a brief lesson on the rules of transliteration and why words change their spelling and pronunciation over time. He also spoke about the Indo-European language group and its major division into East and West — Armenian being part of the east branch, together with Iranian, Beluchi, and Sanskrit in India.

The lecturer proceeded to provide a history of how and why languages borrow from one another. Using humorous anecdotes, he illustrated how Iranian and Arabic words have infiltrated the Armenian and English languages, and how the English language has adopted certain Armenian words in their everyday lexicon. Using a sampling of over 40 Indo-European and Sanskrit words, which are very similar to Armenian and English, he unraveled the fascinating connections of how words have changed shape and meaning over the centuries. Tutunjian has been invited to give similar lectures at AGBU in Montreal and elsewhere.

Armenia News Bulletin 10-28-11

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Eduard Sharmazanov: It is time for Azerbaijan to awaken
2. Serzh Sargsyan meets with the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin
3. Serzh Sargsyan receives Mayor of Paris
4. NA deputies pay tribute to the memory of victims of October 27, 1999
5. Richard Kirakosian: Armenia did its best in normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations
6. Eduard Sharmazanov says victims of Oct 27, 1999 see from above that Armenia has chosen a right path to move forward
7. Armenia receives official request of quake aid from Turkey
8. Montreal Mayor visits Tsitsernakaberd
9. Artak Zakaryan: Rumors spread about coalition are artificial
10. News about resignation of Yerevan Mayor confirmed
11. Karen Karapetyan says he is leaving the office, but not the President’s team
12. Arman Melikyan about preliminary refusal of Turkey: Playing theater was not right
13. Exhibition of Armenian artists in Germany
14. Concert of world famous violinist Pinchas Zukerman in Yerevan
15. Sanahin complex in focus of the state
16. 31st general assembly of Association of Francophone Mayors launches in Yerevan
17. Yerevan and Paris Mayors sign agreement on friendship and cooperation

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Karabakh Representative Attends YP No. California Event

YPNC members with the Karabakh representative to the US. Left to right, David Ojakian (Marketing & Publicity), US Permanent Representative of Nagorno Karabakh Robert Avetisyan, Sevan Abnous (Vice Chairman), Greg Nemet (Treasurer), Steven Cherezian (Chairman), Noeme Chahenian (Board Secretary). (photo courtesy YPNC)

On Saturday, October 1, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, Robert Avetisyan, attended the YP Northern California’s “Armenian-style” BBQ at Coyote Point Park last. Fourty-five people attended the social gathering in the Bay Area.

Fresno Chapter Takes Part in “Walk of Life” Walkathon

The following is excerpted from the Armenian Reporter‘s extensive article on the Walk of Life walkathon [emphasis ours]:

LOS ANGELES - For the first time in its history, the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) held a Walk of Life event in Fresno, California on October 15, in addition to its annual walkathon in Los Angeles on October 22. The Walks were attended by large numbers of supporters from throughout the Armenian community as well as several elected officials. Both events received extensive media coverage.

…

Walk of Life 2011 kicked off on the morning of October 15 at Fresno’s Eaton Plaza Amphitheater, as teams of supporters from various local organizations gathered to take part in the event. The teams represented the AGBU Fresno Chapter (led by chairperson Zaroohi Der Mugrdechian), the ANC of Fresno (led by chairperson Hygo Ohanessian), the ARS Fresno Mayr Chapter (led by chairperson Angele Ohanessian), the AYF Fresno Kevork Chavoush Chapter (led by chairperson Rita Costanian), and the Fresno State Armenian Students Association (led by Vartush Mesropyan).

Armenia News Bulletin 10-25-11

IN THIS ISSUE

1. John Heffern: “The US Administration attaches importance to the development of cooperation with Armenia”
2. Analyst: The possibility of progress over the Nagorno Karabakh issue may be registered only in case Azerbaijan stops its rhetoric
3. Armenian President receives US Deputy Secretary of State
4. William Burns: NK issue does not have a military solution
5. Paruyr Hayrikyan suspends the activity of his party and backs RPA
6. Tigran Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin meet
7. “Hilton” hotel chain interested in Yerevan
8. Harut Sassounian: 96 Years Later, Turkey Still Pays A Price for Genocide Denial By Harut Sassounian, Publisher, The California Courier
9. Armenia’s National Archives starts negotiations with secret archives of Venice
10. Armenia awarded with “The Best Actors Staff” prize in Sochi
11. Serzh Sargsyan meets philanthropists assisting construction of the newly built complex of the Armenian Apostolic Church
12. Joelle Le Morzellec: Armenia’s biodiversity can be profitable
13. Armenia ranked 46 in a new ranking list of national teams of FIFA

Click here to download the PDF (54KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

Armenia News Bulletin 10-18-11

IN THIS ISSUE

1. New York Dinner Honors 60th Birthday of Catholicos Karekin II
2. Galust Sahakyan says favorable conditions created for international recognition of NK
3. Rafik Petrosyan says the ANC to soon understand the necessity of dialogue
4. Arman Kirakosyan appointed RA ambassador to Austria
5. Arman Melikyan: Armenia and Turkey were not ready for signing protocols
6. Bernard Fassier: Karabakh issue unsettled because of Azerbaijan
7. Vigen Sargsyan appointed head of President’s staff
8. John Heffern says he will do the utmost for reinforcement of Armenian-American relations
9. Henri Reynaud: 2011 was special year for the Armenian-French relations
10. Nicolas Sarkozy: France considers Armenia its friend and sister
11. Tigran Sargsyan says higher economic growth to be registered in case of fair competition conditions
12. Harut Sassounian: Pres. Sarkozy says ‘Tseghasbanoutyoun’ a word Obama has yet to utter By Harut Sassounian, Publisher, The California Courier
13. Shakespeare festival to launch by “12th Night” performance by Declan Donnellan
14. Armenia to perform at “Junior Eurovision 2011” the fourth
15. Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra sums up Yerevan 5th International Music Festival
16. 7th international festival of junior films to launch October 22
17. Shakespeare festival launches with Declan Donnellan’s “Twelfth Night”
18. “Masquerade” parade in the capital
19. The best students and pupils of IT sphere handed RA President’s educational awards
20. Certificates to persons who supported “Come Home” program

Click here to download the PDF (73KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

Armenia News Bulletin 10-07-11

IN THIS ISSUE

1. AGBU celebrates 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence
2. Tigran Sargsyan: AUA must be expanded
3. President of France arrives in Yerevan
4. Nicolas Sarkozy pays a tribute of honor to victims of Armenian Genocide
5. If Turkey does not recognize Armenian Genocide by the end of the year, France will adopt Bill Criminalizing Genocide Denial
6. Armenian and French Presidents visit Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
7. Nikolas Sarkozy hopes Turkey to recognize Armenian Genocide during his presidency
8. Armenian Genocide Memorial reminded Sarkozy Jewish Holocaust Museum
9. France does not see Turkey in the EU
10. President of France wraps up his state visit to Armenia
11. Statue by Auguste Rodin opens at the France Square
12. Charles Aznavour’s house museum ceremonially opens
13. Nicolas Sarkozy awarded Order of Glory
14. Vardan Bostanjyan: Armenia’s internal political life is stable
15. Vahan Hovhannisyan: Turkey tries to keep Armenia in a state of hostage
16. Mher Shahgeldyan: In RA Presidents speech the most important issue was the position toward NK issue
17. Jochen Mangelsen: NK will not be returned to Azerbaijan
18. The coalition to discuss whether to resume dialogue with the ANC or not
19. Serzh Sargsyan: Armenian-French friendship is anchored on spiritual and cultural commonalities
20. Ruben Tovmasyan says ANCs political activity not desirable in the current social conditions
21. Lebanese parliament speaker hopes NK issue to soon be settled
22. Czech FM: Opening of the Armenian Embassy in Czechia to serve as important impetus for the development of bilateral ties
23. Coalition not to resume talks with ANC
24. Development of Armenian-Lebanese relations discussed
25. Ruben Safrastyan: No progress in NK conflict settlement till midst of 2012
26. Analyst: Return of Armenian-Turkish protocols to parliament is of propagating nature
27. Tigran Sargsyan: Armenia has a huge potential for development of tourism
28. Armenia and Artsakh to participate in international tourism exhibition in Italy
29. Economy Minister believes double digit economic growth to be registered in all the spheres by the end of the year
30. Delegation of young people from the Diaspora arrived in Artsakh at the “Depi Hayk” (“Birthright Armenia”) foundation’s initiative
31. Serzh Sargsyan meets with Mayor of Paris and representatives of Armenian community of France
32. 85th anniversary of Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra to be celebrated
33. Armenian distinguished composers in Gyumri
34. “Web Apricot” pan-Armenian film festival will be launched on November 15
35. Winners of “Book Art” republican and international contests awarded
36. “Twenty Songs to Twenty-Year-Old Armenia”: Elodie Frege congratulates on behalf of France
37. Vanush Khanamiryan passed away
38. “Nairi” cinema to reopen Oct 8
39. Help remote schools of Artsakh program launched
40. Tour of picturesque sites of Yerevan for older persons
41. Census to launch October 12 in the republic
42. Turkish Education Ministry accused of “giving Ararat to Armenians”
43. New arrival hall of “Zvartnots” airport receives first passengers
44. Sociologist says Kocharyan’s rating to be low

Click here to download the PDF (107KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

Some Impressions of the Yerevan Summer Intern Program from a Visitor

2011 YSIP participants during their visit to the monastery of Geghard.

The following text, written by H. Mardirossian, appeared in the Nor Or newspaper on September 15, 2011 (p. 12). It is written by an Armenian-American adult who visited Yerevan this past summer and had the opportunity to see some of the valuable work of the AGBU Yerevan Summer Intern Program.

*   *   *

During my stay in Yerevan, I received an invitation from my friend’s grandson, Hovsep Ouzounian, Jr., to visit at the hotel, where some twenty young men and women, who were in Armenia to gain work experience in their fields, as participants in the AGBU Yerevan Summer Intern Program, were staying.

The hotel was located in the eastern section of Yerevan. It was a handsome structure with numerous rooms, endowed with all modern conveniences. Despite my having made several visits there, I can’t remember the exact name of the place now. The young men and women, who were gathered on the balcony, offered me Armenian dolma, which they themselves had prepared, with the assistance of a local woman. The dolma prepared by the youths was tasty. Equally enjoyable was the post-meal hospitality, part of which consisted of a surprise birthday party for their leader.

Iraq Chapter Celebrates 100th Anniversary

The AGBU Iraq chapter celebrated its centennial in early 2011. The following Armenian article highlighting the event, was published in the September 15 issue of Nor Gyank newspaper in California.

Click on the image to expand.

Camp Unger in Bulgaria Concludes 2011 Session

AGBU’s Camp Unger recently concluded a succesful session. From September 3 – 10, Armenian-Bulgarian youth spent time at the scenic camp located outside Sofia, Bulgaria.