Armenian International Magazine (AIM),October 1999, Volume 10, Number 10, p. 24-27
Turkish Tragedy A Devastating Earthquake Shakes the Land, People and Government of Turkey
By Hratch Tchilingirian
The devastating earthquake that hit Turkey’s Marmara region in August killed almost 20,000 people, left more than 27,000 people injured and hundreds of thousands homeless. The epicenter of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake was near Izmit, an industrial city about 104 km (60 miles) east of Istanbul.
Armenian International Magazine Volume 10, Number 10, October 1999, p. 11
[Editorial by Hratch Tchilingirian]
Electing A Holy Father Will the new Catholicos heal, build and lead the Church into the next century?
At the end of October over 450 delegates from around the world, elected by their respective communities, will convene the National Ecclesiastical Assembly (NEA), the Armenian Church’s highest body of authority, to elect a new Catholicos of All Armenians.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM), August-September 1999, Vol. 10, No. 8&9, pp. 76-77, 79
Looking to the East Chant Avedissian rediscovers and redefines Egyptian visual art
By Hratch Tchilingirian
If you’ve traveled through London’s Heathrow Airport or flown on British Airways in the last few years, chances are you’ve seen Chant Avedissian’s paintings—representing Egypt. It is one of a series of colorful art deco British Airways plane tails representing different nations around the world.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) July 1999, Volume 10, Number 7, pp 53-54
Instilling the Armenian Spirit Armenian Education in a Transient Community
By Hratch Tchilingirian
The tiny Armenian community in the United Arab Emirates, numbering less than 2000, has a collective history of about 20 years. Unlike most established Diaspora communities around the world, the most prevalent characteristics of this community is its transient nature.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) July 1999, Volume 10, Number 7, pp 29-33
The End of a Journey Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, 1995-1999; Catholicos of Cilicia, 1977-1995
By Hratch Tchilingirian
In April 1995, Karekin I was elected the 131st Catholicos of All Armenians in Ejmiatsin by the National Ecclesiastical Assembly, arguably, the most pan-Armenian body representing almost nine million Armenians in the republic and 32 countries in the Diaspora. Unlike other elections in the last five hundred years, this one was the first in a free and independent Republic of Armenia. And for the first time in history, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, in Lebanon, was elected Catholicos of All Armenians in Ejmiatsin.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) June 1999, Volume 10, Number 6, pp 46-48
Master of Grand Theater Gerard Avedissian in the Cultural Landscape of Lebanon
By Hratch Tchilingirian
Playwright, actor, director and producer Gerard Avedissian, 55, is one of the most sought-after artists in the Middle East. A regular guest on the Lebanese television talk show circuit and the cultural scene, Avedissian is the master of the grand theater. “People expect something big and something well done,” he says, when they see his name associated with a theatrical production. In 1997, when he wrote, directed and co-produced “Ghadat Al-Camilla”—a musical play inspired by Alexandre Dumas Jr’s The Lady of the Camellias—some 55,000 people saw the production in one season.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) April 1999, Vol. 10, No. 4, p 58-59
AN ARAB HISTORIAN AND HIS CAUSE Saleh Zahredeen Takes on the Armenian Genocide
By Hratch Tchilingirian
"The truth shall be told even while hanging on the gallows," confidently affirms Saleh Zahreedin, 48, Lebanese Druze historian and author of a dozen books and pamphlets in Arabic on the Armenians and the Genocide.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) April 1999, Vol. 10, No. 4, p 56-57
The Armenian [Diplomatic] Mission in Egypt Ambassador Edward Nalbandian goes to Paris with acclamation
By Hratch Tchilingirian
Unlike countries with decades-old (even centuries-old) state apparatus and experience in diplomatic relations, the "first generation" diplomats of virtually all newly independent countries carry enormous responsibilities and challenges. In addition to representing political and economic interests of their respective countries, diplomats of new states bear the responsibility of creating new diplomatic infrastructures in their host countries with virtually no (or at best very little) state budgets. From finding, acquiring and maintaining decent embassy buildings to obtaining cars, computers, faxes and staff, the first few years for a "new diplomat" are most challenging.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) February 1999, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 18-19
NOBODY'S LISTENING Who is Responsible for Maintaining Armenia's Telephone System?
By HRATCH TCHILINGIRIAN
"Everything is being done to do nothing," said Makich Demirian, Chairman of the Merchants Guild of Armenia, regarding the recent and growing dissatisfaction with ArmenTel, Armenia's sole telecommunications company. An exasperated population in Armenia is caught between company executives looking out for corporate interests, a government trying to figure out which official made what deal with whom, and a political opposition garnering momentum on a critical economic issue prior to the May parliamentary elections.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) January 1999, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 20-21
A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS Armenia moves to reinforce the UN Genocide Convention
By HRATCH TCHILINGIRIAN
"Genocide shaped the founding of the United Nations" said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a message on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The legally-binding Genocide Convention was adopted in 1948 and entered into force in 1951.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) December 1998, Vol. 9, No. 12, p. 52
The People's Choice Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan Elected 84th Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey.
By HRATCH TCHILINGIRIAN
After months of state interference, the Governor of Istanbul-having received the required approval of Turkey's Council of Ministers-permitted the 80,000-strong Armenian community of Turkey to proceed with the election of a successor to Patriarch Karekin II who passed away in March of this year.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) September 1998, p. 13
Election of Patriarch Postponed Indefinitely by Turkish Government
By Hratch Tchilingirian
For almost five months now, the Turkish state has refused to approve an election date permitting the 80,000-strong Armenian community, Turkey’s largest Christian minority, to proceed with the election of the 84th hierarch of the 537-year old Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) August 1998 (Notebook, p. 10)
UNITED DIOCESE?
By Hratch Tchilingirian
In an interview with AIM (April-May 1998), when speaking about the protracted administrative schism in the Armenian Church, Catholicos Aram I made it very clear that it is ultimately up to the people to decide the question of “church unity.” When asked about the role of the hierarchy and who is going to take the first step, His Holiness said: “Antelias came here not to divide the people, but to serve the people. If the people whom we are serving tell us thank you very much for what you did, the next day Antelias will go back to Antelias.”
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) June 1998 (pp. 10-13)
100 YEARS IN AMERICA The Armenian Apostolic Church is celebrating the centennial of the establishment of the North American Diocese.
By Hratch Tchilingirian
With nearly 150 parishes and mission communities, 135 clergyman and several hundred full-time staff and an estimated cumulative budget of $12 million, the Armenian Church is the oldest, the largest, and arguably one of the most organized Armenian institution in North America.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) April-May 1998, pp. 32-36
ARAM I ON FAITH AND THE HOMELAND
By Hratch Tchilingirian
The Head of the Great House of Cilicia speaks about his commitment to education, fellowship, service and outreach, in the hope that they will lead his flock back to greater spirituality and a cohesive commitment to Armenia. Does the absence of church unity stand in the way?
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) April-May 1998 (p 38)
Istanbul's Patriarch Kazanjian's Death Reawakens Old Issues of Church Rights
By Hratch Tchilingirian
The spiritual leader of the estimated 60 thousand Armenians in Turkey, Patriarch Karekin Kazanjian, died on March 10; a final vote on his successor is expected in late May. Kazanjian was the 83rd leader of the Armenian Patriarchate established by Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror of Constantinople in 1461.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) March-April 1997 pp30-32
Playing with Tigers Armenia Looks East for Trade and Investment
by Hratch Tchilingirian
"Here in Asia, we are spoiled. We have not seen any political difficulties for a long time. The Far Easterners in general are not really interested in politics. Their main aim is business and how to increase productivity. This is why this region has been growing at a very fast pace. Everybody is interested in making money. Economics comes before politics," observes Vartan Keshishian, President of Hong Kong-based Checkmate Industries.
Armenian International Magazine (AIM) December 1995
"Collaboration First Unity Later, Maybe" Two new Catholicoses in One Year
by Hratch Tchilingirian
The Catholicossal election that was held in Etchmiadzin, April 3-5 of this year, was an event with many historical firsts. The National Ecclesiastical Assembly (NEA), the highest legislative body of the Armenian Church, convened for the first time in 40 years. The election took place for the first time in a free and independent Armenian Republic. For the first time in history, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia was elected Catholicos of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin.