Category Archives: MEMORY

On the 90th Anniversary of their Signing

Summary

Armen Ts. Marukyan

The agreements signed in Moscow on March 16, 1921 and in Kars on October 13 of the same year, were sealed by gross infringements of norms and principles of International Law. With the help of the document signed in Kars, an attempt was only being made to “legalize” the Bolshevik-Kemal deal; which proudes ground to consider the Kars document not as a separate agreement, but as an attachment to the illegal document signed in Moscow.

The Republic of Armenia, as a subject of International Law, today can use the opportunities of International Law to neutralize or at least soften the threats of the aforementioned documents, which are not favourable for the Armenians.

To the 65th anniversary from the date of a victory of freedom-loving people over the Second World War 

Summary

Christine F. Melkonyan
The Second World War yet has not ended, but the Soviet Union has already undertaken serious diplomatic steps in relation to Turkey. For Turks the territorial claims, concerning Kars and Ardahan who have been annexed by Turkey 1921 became most terrible, under the Kars contract. Moscow behaved cautiously, without expressing openly its interests, — the initiative of returning of these territories proceeded from the Armenian and the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republics. In Stalin plans the Armenian diaspora too was given an important role. In November, 1945, as a pressing measure, Central Committee Political bureau has allowed repatriation of foreign Armenians to Armenia.

But during the «cold war», mainly, in spring 1946, in the atmosphere of implementing the «Truman’s doctrine» and «The plan of Marshall» in 1947 forced the Soviet Union to freeze temporarily programs of the Black Sea passages and revision of borders. Later, after the death Stalin in 1953, Moscow has officially renounced the claims to Turkey.

On the 90-th Anniversary of the Sevres Treaty Signing

Summary

Armen Ts. Marukyan
Even after 90 years, the Treaty of :Ÿvres, despite its ratification, is a partially applied treaty: that is to say, it has already been put into power. The division of the Ottoman Empire and the generation of new states in its former territory were carried out on the basis of the articles of the Treaty of Sèvres, which proves the authenticity of this treaty.

As for the part concerning Armenia and the Armenian nation, the Treaty of Sèvres still remains unapplied. Nowadays, the International Law gives right to the Republic of Armenia as the legal successor of Soviet Armenia and Armenia’s first Republic, on the basis of both the Treaty of Sèvres and the arbiter verdict of the US president Woodrow Wilson on the clarification of the Armenian-Turkish border, to present substantial demands to Modern Turkey, being the legal successor of the Ottoman Empire, and to call the latter for responsibility, achieving a complete overcoming of the consequence of the Armenian Genocide.

In the context of the development challenges

Summary

Atom Sh. Margaryan
The problems of formation and development of the national system of innovation–one of the basic elements of modernization and development of the independent Republic of Armenia’s economy areanalyzed in this article. The author considers the role and significance of the scientific and technological spheres in contemporary conditions and, as a whole, in the light of the problems of the development of the world economy. It is noted that,the only possibility for the economy’s reconstruction and hightening the level of competitivness of the Republic of Armenia, which is in a great need of mineral and energy resources, is connected with substantial development of science and technology. For the solution of this problem, it is necessary to transfer economy to the newly introduced regime by the formation of the national newly established system, which is an organically integrated entity of science, technology and economy. It has the ability to create modern high technologies, new competitive commodities and services, which will guarantee the high level of the society’s welfare and development.

On the 100th anniversary of the newspaper “Azatamart” published in Constantinople

Mariam V. Hovepyan
During the years of its publication (1909-1915), the official newspaper of the Western Bureau of the ARF, “Azatamart, being the speaker of the party published also articles of the Armenian progressive society’s representatives. Thus “Azatamart” was not a narrow-party newspaper. It guaranteed publication of different opinions. From this point of view it was the most open newpaper in the reality of Western Armenia. “Azatamart”, compared with other Armenian newspapers at the beginning of the 20th century, was unsurpassed because of its rich materials and the methods of presenting opinions. “Azatamart”” taught many newspapers of that time and of the following decades the lessons of journalistic mastership and national solidarity.

Summary

Susanna G. Hovhannisyan
Toumanyan and Komitas met for the first time in Etchmiadzin in the summer of 1904. They became good and dear friends. It is common knowledge that Toumanyan was the only person Komitas met in April, 1905, in Tiflis before his concerts.

Komitas loved Toumanyan and recognized Toumanyan as an artist after he became acquainted with his collection of poetry entitled Poems that had been published in Moscow in 1890. No doubt the composer, who was opening a new era in Armenian national music, was enthusiastic to read the works of the poet who had the same role in national literary history. Komitas was proud of Toumanyan, who was a national treasure and who, he was sure, would elevate the Armenian nation. Komitas would visit Toumanyan every time he went to Tiflis.

As Komitas’ fame intensified, the more envious and malicious were the attacks by some colleagues within Etchmiadzin toward him. After the death of Khrimian Hayrik, Komitas was subjected to further oppression when Archbishop Gevorg Surenyants reduced his salary 10 times.

Toumanyan’s love for Komitas’ music was as deep as Komitas’ admiration of Toumanyan’s works.
Toumanyan especially loved Komitas’ “Mikac Mirza” and “Ter Ketso.” Both men were interested in the aesthetic upbringing of children. It is no coincidence that both of them cooperated with the magazine Hasker.

Komitas, at 40 years of age, was an internationally renowned musician when he received his first piano, a gift by a wealthy benefactor, Alexander Mantashyan. That piano was a consolation and salvation to the musician, so desperate and disappointed by his life and by the people around him. The piano provided him the opportunity to continue working and developing national songs, especially the Holy Liturgy.

Komitas is also famous for his attempt at writing the opera “Anoush.” Today, the beginning of Komitas’version of “Bardz Sarer” is preserved including an extract from the “Kokhi” scene written in Armenian notes; “Ampi Takits;” “Ai Pagh Jrer;” “Aghji Anastvats;” “Asum En Urin;” “Ai Toukh Mazavor Aghjik;” “Aghji Bakhtavor;” Siroun Aghjik, Inch Es Lalis?” “Ver Kats, Ver Igit!” Berum En, Hren” and other parts. While Toumanyan took on the responsibility of writing the lines, Komitas took on the lion’s share and thoroughly composed his creative thoughts. Perhaps upon Toumanyan’s request or maybe in accordance with his own desire, Komitas kept the content of the poem intact and preserved all the characters. The only reason for not finishing the opera was because both men were busy. The poet couldn’t find the time to work on it while the composer was ready to postpone all his work to adjust to Toumanyan’s very busy schedule. Later, political persecution and pressure against Toumanyan increased and by the end of the year, the poet had been imprisoned.

We can affirm with confidence, that had it not been for Toumanyan’s cruel sufferings and Komitas’ mental deterioration, the opera would have been completed.

These two “brothers in spirit” are the cornerstones of Armenian culture, the very root of Armenian music and literature, therefore their friendship and personal intimacy was quite natural.

On the occasion of the 130th anniversary of his birth and 90th anniversary of his death

Armen S. Asryan
It is impossible to imagine the re-establishment of the independent statehood of the Armenians, the formation of the first Republic of Armenia without remembering and appraising the life and work of Aram Manukyan (1879-1919).

Aram Manukyan was devoted to the Armenian people, to the struggle for the re-establishment of its independent statehood and freedom. Aram Manukyan’s every act appeared to be politically mellow and prudent; he had a gift for organizing, an unselfish behavior, unbending will, optimism and a sense of responsibility towards the destiny of his nation.

Since his membership to the Armenian Revolutionary Federation in the 1890s, Aram Manukyan fought for the freedom of Armenians till the end of his life. He believed that Armenians, who had raised the flag of liberation against the yolk of Turkish oppression, must rely on their own power.

During the First World War, Aram tried to protect the Armenians of Van from Turkish brutality. In April, 1915, by collaborating with other political forces, Aram organized the selfdefense of Van. As a result, Van was saved from the massacres, which befell 1.5 million Armenians from other regions of Western Armenia.

The ideological, practical and consistent steps taken by Aram in 1918; his decisive orientation in the fatal days of May when the battle had turned in the Turks’ favor; his defense of Yerevan that brought a nation and its forces in despair to its senses from the horrific danger of a Turkish attack, not only guaranteed the existence of the Armenians nation but re-established an independent Armenian statehood.

We are obliged to Aram Manukyan for establishing the Republic of Armenia and it isn’t fortuitous that only he has been honored with the title of founder of the Republic.