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Wally Sarkeesian: My Life, My Journey, and My Heritage: Crafted Over Six Decades 

September 14, 2023 By administrator

“The Mindset of Reverse Engineering: Unveiling Life’s Path.”

Every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has a unique and valuable story to share, no matter how big or small.

Throughout my six-decade existence, I have embarked on a remarkable life journey that spans five countries across three continents. Along the way, I ventured into the realm of technology entrepreneurship, establishing various businesses. Now, at this stage of my life, I deeply appreciate the opportunity to introspect upon the multitude of challenges, triumphs, and the overall path I have traversed.

Throughout my personal history, I have relied on the reverse engineering approach to navigate my way forward. From a technical perspective, reverse engineering serves as a powerful tool, enabling individuals to gain profound insights into their own journey. It empowers them to make well-informed decisions and develop effective strategies that align with their goals and aspirations, ultimately shaping a promising future.

In this brief account, I purposely omit the details of my family life, while I acknowledge the role it played, along with my heritage, in shaping my narrative.

My journey began when the school year ended, and I returned to my village Meticulously recorded by my father, every expense he had incurred on my behalf amounted to approximately $35.00. Despite my parents’ tireless efforts to establish a thriving farming life, obtaining cash was challenging. That day marked a turning point as I, at the age of 15, decided to take control of my life and destiny.

On my way to school, a high-tech company always captured my attention. Every time I paused and peered through its windows; I was mesmerized by the machinery in operation. One day, after school, I mustered the courage to visit the company’s office. I knocked on the owner’s door and asked for a job. He glanced at me and said, “My son, you are still young. Come back when you have grown, and I will consider hiring you.” It was a disheartening response.

Instead of taking the bus, I decided to walk home to allow myself an hour to contemplate over his answer.

Two weeks later, I returned to the company and again approached the owner. I assured him that if he hired me, I would mature quickly, work diligently, and prove myself. To my surprise and delight, he agreed. His willingness to take a chance on a 15-year-old boy helped propel everything that came after.

I was really taking charge of my life and responsible for shaping my destiny. While I felt somber at some points that a mere lifetime could not fulfill all my aspirations, at this moment, the world was my oyster.

Throughout my career, I held work and education in equal regard. For every eight hours dedicated to work, I devoted another eight hours to studying. Education, in my opinion, played a pivotal role in pursuing one’s passions.

My upbringing significantly influenced my perspective on life. Growing up in a household with elderly parents and siblings two generations older than me had its advantages and disadvantages. One notable advantage was the freedom I was given to develop an open and receptive mindset, unburdened by outdated and antiquated ideologies, as my folks never imposed their religious or political beliefs on me. Perhaps because, by the time I had come around, they had outgrown their old ways and saw life differently.

Early on I began to value both work and education in equal regard.

During my school years, I contemplated whether to focus on subjects like geography, history, or sports. Ultimately, I to completed high school and began engineering studies, but I lacked the patience to see it through. Instead, I immersed myself in technology at a young age while grappling with the decision to pursue further studies or military service. Opting for the latter, I initiated my technology business at 18 while serving in the military, achieving remarkable success by the age of 24. I also brought my parents to live with me. Now, I continuously challenge myself, stepping out of my comfort zone and pursuing new opportunities.

At 26, I embarked on a journey across Europe to seek training, broaden my horizons, and advance my business technologically.

While returning from this journey, I made a short stop in Beirut, Lebanon, I was immediately captivated by the city’s charm. Beirut showcased a unique fusion of Eastern and Western influences, representing the epitome of the Middle East. At that time, Beirut was comparable to what Dubai represents today.

During my stay, I had the privilege of meeting a 55-year-old businessman involved in a similar line of work. After getting acquainted and sharing our backgrounds, he graciously invited me to lunch the next day. During our meeting, he proposed a

business partnership, offering me half of the business without any financial obligations. Furthermore, he promised to help me obtain residency in Lebanon. Intrigued by the possibilities, I accepted his offer, rented a place, and started working while managing my business back home.

However, after two months, I began sensing underlying issues in Beirut. Despite the locals assuring me about the country and its embrace of the concepts of democracy and freedom, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the city was on the brink of a crisis. With a heavy heart, I expressed my concerns to my business partner, conveying my belief that the country was facing significant challenges. This led to the end of my short-lived Beirut venture.

A few years earlier, while staying at a hotel in Baghdad, I met a French Armenian businessman named Stepan Benilian, who visited my hometown and was highly impressed with my work at a young age. He persistently invited me to visit him in Paris, and I saw it as an opportunity. Thus, I crossed the Mediterranean Sea and arrived in Paris, where he graciously picked me up from the airport and took me to his home. Being well-off, he insisted I stay with him instead of at a hotel. Although his residence was outside Paris, his fashion design business was based in the city. Initially planning for a week-long stay, he extended my visit to 20 days, reluctant to let me leave. He even attempted to assist me in establishing myself in Paris with financial support, but the language barrier proved insurmountable.

Because I couldn’t speak French, the idea of starting a new business was off the table, and working for someone else didn’t align with my plan to be self-employed. This meant once

again, I had to disappoint my French friend and bid farewell. In retrospect, as a gift to myself for not choosing France in my early career, I decided to take a month off ten years ago and return to the country to study French. I enrolled at the prestigious “Institute de Français” in Villefranche-sur-Mer, near Nice.

While it’s hard to recall my classmates’ names, I met people from various countries, including Japan, Denmark, the USA, Ireland, the UK, Australia, and even Blake Lively, the American actress.

“Behold, a captivating image captured at a technology conference in London, United Kingdom. Among the five esteemed businessmen representing the United States of America, Mexico, Germany, Canada, and myself, the youngest stands at the tender age of 26. This single picture encapsulates a tale richer than a thousand words.”

Driven by determination and motivated by past achievements despite my comfortable life back home, I entrusted my business to my worker, bid my farewell, and decided not to return. I courageously took a leap of faith. I crossed the vast Atlantic Ocean and set my sights on Canada, eager to embark on an exciting new phase of my life. Upon my arrival, I wasted no time reestablishing my business and thriving at the forefront of groundbreaking industries. 

Fully immersed in the realm of advanced technology, I utilized my parallel education to develop exceptional remanufacturing processes, pushing boundaries and embracing innovation. Equipped with state-of-the-art tools like CNC and CAD/CAM, I reached new heights in manufacturing, solidifying my industry leader position.

While in Canada, I encountered a devastating car accident that temporarily hindered my progress for a few years. Nevertheless, I persevered and gradually

recovered from the incident, resuming my journey. As I reached the milestone of turning 40, I achieved significant goals, including fully paying off my house and business and securing a comfortable life for my family.

Feeling the need for a fresh endeavor and yearning for a warmer climate, I was drawn to sunnier horizons to escape Canada’s bitterly cold and unforgiving winters.

At the age of 45, I once again found myself in California, ready to embrace a new venture in the field of information technology. I embarked on a new journey, establishing an IT business. Once again, I collaborated with renowned tech giants such as Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix, HP, and various other third-party developers. Through dedication and hard work, I achieved significant success, freeing myself from financial burdens and swiftly acquiring a wholly owned house and business without needing a mortgage. In a short period, I ensured a comfortable and prosperous life for my family once more.

Apart from my professional endeavors, I connected deeply to my heritage. I vividly recall my mother’s tears whenever she heard a particular song, as it reminded her of her uncle and cousin and their poignant memories. At the tender age of six, she was the sole survivor in the family, with the rest falling victim to the Turkish massacre. On my father’s side, the circumstances were somewhat different. They were young, organized from 14 to 16, and joined forces with brothers and cousins to resist the Turks. White and gray patterns They broke through the siege alongside other Armenians from Bitlis and Van, currently occupied by Turkey. This subject deserves a separate account to delve into the tragedies endured by the Armenian people.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-10.png

Apart from my professional endeavors, I connected deeply to my heritage. I vividly recall my mother’s tears whenever she heard a particular song, as it reminded her of her uncle and cousin and their poignant memories. At the tender age of six, she was the sole survivor in the family, with the rest falling victim to the Turkish massacre. On my father’s side, the circumstances were somewhat different. They were young, organized from 14 to 16, and joined forces with brothers and cousins to resist the Turks. White and gray patterns They broke through the siege alongside other Armenians from Bitlis and Van, currently occupied by Turkey. This subject deserves a separate account to delve into the tragedies endured by the Armenian people.

In the year 2000, intending to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide, I took the initiative to establish a website called gagrule.net. Through this platform, I had the opportunity to share valuable information with others. Three years later, I created an interview platform that showcased the personal stories of individuals from diverse countries “We provided free service to all, whether they were promoting a book or hosting an event, we offered our assistance. “While this work was not my chosen profession, it became a huge part of my later years.

Throughout my entire career, I have only spent a total of three years working for someone else. Despite my accomplishments, I have remained grounded and uninterested in accumulating excessive wealth. Instead, I have focused on embracing a comfortable lifestyle and cherishing life’s diverse experiences. Witnessing the passing of older acquaintances, I have realized that despite their wealth, most did not leave any tangible legacy.

My journey has been long and fruitful, and I take immense pride in my achievements. Despite having numerous accolades in those fields, I deliberately omitted any mention of my profession, title, or degree. To me, they are merely symbolic pieces of paper meant for display.

As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. Instead of delving into the intricate specifics, I have decided to embark on a more extensive endeavor, perhaps even writing a book about my journey. Condensing it into four or five pages would not do justice to the depth of the experience. Thus, crafting a book might be my next ambitious undertaking.

What inspired me to write this short story instead of a book? A few weeks ago, I attended the Cloud Computing Summit in Las Vegas, which inspired this narrative. During the event, I had the opportunity to meet influential leaders in the tech industry. I received a book written by Ginni Rometty, the former CEO of IBM, titled “Good Power.” This book recounts her remarkable journey and incredible story of overcoming challenges from a complex family background and ascending the corporate ladder. Her story reminded me that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has a unique and valuable story to share, no matter how big or small.

In conclusion, there are two paths one can take: working in the corporate world or starting your own venture. Both options offer unique challenges and excitement. In the corporate world, once you establish yourself and climb the ladder, the possibilities for advancement are limitless. On the other hand, entrepreneurship, especially in technology, can be very demanding as it requires constant reinvention.

“This is my tale, my voyage. I hope I have inspired you to embark on your narrative.”

Thank you for reading, and I wish you a wonderful day ahead.

Wally Sarkeesian

Filed Under: Books, News

Wally Sarkeesian: My Life, My Journey, and My Heritage: Crafted Over Six Decades 

August 23, 2023 By administrator

“The Mindset of Reverse Engineering: Unveiling Life’s Path.”

Every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has a unique and valuable story to share, no matter how big or small.

Throughout my six-decade existence, I have embarked on a remarkable life journey that spans five countries across three continents. Along the way, I ventured into the realm of technology entrepreneurship, establishing various businesses. Now, at this stage of my life, I deeply appreciate the opportunity to introspect upon the multitude of challenges, triumphs, and the overall path I have traversed.

Throughout my personal history, I have relied on the reverse engineering approach to navigate my way forward. From a technical perspective, reverse engineering serves as a powerful tool, enabling individuals to gain profound insights into their own journey. It empowers them to make well-informed decisions and develop effective strategies that align with their goals and aspirations, ultimately shaping a promising future.

In this brief account, I purposely omit the details of my family life, while I acknowledge the role it played, along with my heritage, in shaping my narrative.

My journey began when the school year ended, and I returned to my village Meticulously recorded by my father, every expense he had incurred on my behalf amounted to approximately $35.00. Despite my parents’ tireless efforts to establish a thriving farming life, obtaining cash was challenging. That day marked a turning point as I, at the age of 15, decided to take control of my life and destiny.

Me on the left with my nephew 4 years Younger

On my way to school, a high-tech company always captured my attention. Every time I paused and peered through its windows; I was mesmerized by the machinery in operation. One day, after school, I mustered the courage to visit the company’s office. I knocked on the owner’s door and asked for a job. He glanced at me and said, “My son, you are still young. Come back when you have grown, and I will consider hiring you.” It was a disheartening response.

Instead of taking the bus, I decided to walk home to allow myself an hour to contemplate over his answer.

Two weeks later, I returned to the company and again approached the owner. I assured him that if he hired me, I would mature quickly, work diligently, and prove myself. To my surprise and delight, he agreed. His willingness to take a chance on a 15-year-old boy helped propel everything that came after.

I was really taking charge of my life and responsible for shaping my destiny. While I felt somber at some points that a mere lifetime could not fulfill all my aspirations, at this moment, the world was my oyster.

Throughout my career, I held work and education in equal regard. For every eight hours dedicated to work, I devoted another eight hours to studying. Education, in my opinion, played a pivotal role in pursuing one’s passions.

My upbringing significantly influenced my perspective on life. Growing up in a household with elderly parents and siblings two generations older than me had its advantages and disadvantages. One notable advantage was the freedom I was given to develop an open and receptive mindset, unburdened by outdated and antiquated ideologies, as my folks never imposed their religious or political beliefs on me. Perhaps because, by the time I had come around, they had outgrown their old ways and saw life differently.

Early on I began to value both work and education in equal regard.

During my school years, I contemplated whether to focus on subjects like geography, history, or sports. Ultimately, I to completed high school and began engineering studies, but I lacked the patience to see it through. Instead, I immersed myself in technology at a young age while grappling with the decision to pursue further studies or military service. Opting for the latter, I initiated my technology business at 18 while serving in the military, achieving remarkable success by the age of 24. I also brought my parents to live with me. Now, I continuously challenge myself, stepping out of my comfort zone and pursuing new opportunities.

At 26, I embarked on a journey across Europe to seek training, broaden my horizons, and advance my business technologically.

While returning from this journey, I made a short stop in Beirut, Lebanon, I was immediately captivated by the city’s charm. Beirut showcased a unique fusion of Eastern and Western influences, representing the epitome of the Middle East. At that time, Beirut was comparable to what Dubai represents today.

During my stay, I had the privilege of meeting a 55-year-old businessman involved in a similar line of work. After getting acquainted and sharing our backgrounds, he graciously invited me to lunch the next day. During our meeting, he proposed a

business partnership, offering me half of the business without any financial obligations. Furthermore, he promised to help me obtain residency in Lebanon. Intrigued by the possibilities, I accepted his offer, rented a place, and started working while managing my business back home.

However, after two months, I began sensing underlying issues in Beirut. Despite the locals assuring me about the country and its embrace of the concepts of democracy and freedom, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the city was on the brink of a crisis. With a heavy heart, I expressed my concerns to my business partner, conveying my belief that the country was facing significant challenges. This led to the end of my short-lived Beirut venture.

A few years earlier, while staying at a hotel in Baghdad, I met a French Armenian businessman named Stepan Benilian, who visited my hometown and was highly impressed with my work at a young age. He persistently invited me to visit him in Paris, and I saw it as an opportunity. Thus, I crossed the Mediterranean Sea and arrived in Paris, where he graciously picked me up from the airport and took me to his home. Being well-off, he insisted I stay with him instead of at a hotel. Although his residence was outside Paris, his fashion design business was based in the city. Initially planning for a week-long stay, he extended my visit to 20 days, reluctant to let me leave. He even attempted to assist me in establishing myself in Paris with financial support, but the language barrier proved insurmountable.

Because I couldn’t speak French, the idea of starting a new business was off the table, and working for someone else didn’t align with my plan to be self-employed. This meant once

again, I had to disappoint my French friend and bid farewell. In retrospect, as a gift to myself for not choosing France in my early career, I decided to take a month off ten years ago and return to the country to study French. I enrolled at the prestigious “Institute de Français” in Villefranche-sur-Mer, near Nice.

While it’s hard to recall my classmates’ names, I met people from various countries, including Japan, Denmark, the USA, Ireland, the UK, Australia, and even Blake Lively, the American actress. 

“Behold, a captivating image captured at a technology conference in London, United Kingdom. Among the five esteemed businessmen representing the United States of America, Mexico, Germany, Canada, and myself, the youngest stands at the tender age of 26. This single picture encapsulates a tale richer than a thousand words.”

Driven by determination and motivated by past achievements despite my comfortable life back home, I entrusted my business to my worker, bid my farewell, and decided not to return. I courageously took a leap of faith. I crossed the vast Atlantic Ocean and set my sights on Canada, eager to embark on an exciting new phase of my life. Upon my arrival, I wasted no time reestablishing my business and thriving at the forefront of groundbreaking industries. 

Fully immersed in the realm of advanced technology, I utilized my parallel education to develop exceptional remanufacturing processes, pushing boundaries and embracing innovation. Equipped with state-of-the-art tools like CNC and CAD/CAM, I reached new heights in manufacturing, solidifying my industry leader position.

While in Canada, I encountered a devastating car accident that temporarily hindered my progress for few years. Nevertheless, I persevered and gradually

recovered from the incident, resuming my journey. As I reached the milestone of turning 40, I achieved significant goals, including fully paying off my house and business and securing a comfortable life for my family.

Feeling the need for a fresh endeavor and yearning for a warmer climate, I was drawn to sunnier horizons to escape Canada’s bitterly cold and unforgiving winters.

At the age of 45, I once again found myself in California, ready to embrace a new venture in the field of information technology. I embarked on a new journey, establishing an IT business. Once again, I collaborated with renowned tech giants such as Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix, HP, and various other third-party developers. Through dedication and hard work, I achieved significant success, freeing myself from financial burdens and swiftly acquiring a wholly owned house and business without needing a mortgage. In a short period, I ensured a comfortable and prosperous life for my family once more.

Apart from my professional endeavors, I connected deeply to my heritage. I vividly recall my mother’s tears whenever she heard a particular song, as it reminded her of her uncle and cousin and their poignant memories. At the tender age of six, she was the sole survivor in the family, with the rest falling victim to the Turkish massacre. On my father’s side, the circumstances were somewhat different. They were young, organized from 14 to 16, and joined forces with brothers and cousins to resist the Turks. White and gray patterns They broke through the siege alongside other Armenians from Bitlis and Van, currently occupied by Turkey. This subject deserves a separate account to delve into the tragedies endured by the Armenian people.

In the year 2000, intending to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide, I took the initiative to establish a website called gagrule.net. Through this platform, I had the opportunity to share valuable information with others. Three years later, I created an interview platform that showcased the personal stories of individuals from diverse countries “We provided free service to all, whether they were promoting a book or hosting an event, we offered our assistance. “While this work was not my chosen profession, it became a huge part of my later years.

Throughout my entire career, I have only spent a total of three years working for someone else. Despite my accomplishments, I have remained grounded and uninterested in accumulating excessive wealth. Instead, I have focused on embracing a comfortable lifestyle and cherishing life’s diverse experiences. Witnessing the passing of older acquaintances, I have realized that despite their wealth, most did not leave any tangible legacy.

My journey has been long and fruitful, and I take immense pride in my achievements. Despite having numerous accolades in those fields, I deliberately omitted any mention of my profession, title, or degree. To me, they are merely symbolic pieces of paper meant for display.

As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. Instead of delving into the intricate specifics, I have decided to embark on a more extensive endeavor, perhaps even writing a book about my journey. Condensing it into four or five pages would not do justice to the depth of the experience. Thus, crafting a book might be my next ambitious undertaking.

Throughout my 22-year career of conducting interviews with various individuals, including actors, actresses, politicians, and many others, I have always managed to bring genuine smiles to their faces.

What inspired me to write this short story instead of a book? A few weeks ago, I attended the Cloud Computing Summit in Las Vegas, which inspired this narrative. During the event, I had the opportunity to meet influential leaders in the tech industry. I received a book written by Ginni Rometty, the former CEO of IBM, titled “Good Power.” This book recounts her remarkable journey and incredible story of overcoming challenges from a complex family background and ascending the corporate ladder. Her story reminded me that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has a unique and valuable story to share, no matter how big or small.

In conclusion, there are two paths one can take: working in the corporate world or starting your own venture. Both options offer unique challenges and excitement. In the corporate world, once you establish yourself and climb the ladder, the possibilities for advancement are limitless. On the other hand, entrepreneurship, especially in technology, can be very demanding as it requires constant reinvention.

“This is my tale, my voyage. I hope I have inspired you to embark on your narrative.”

Thank you for reading, and I wish you a wonderful day ahead.

Wally Sarkeesian

Filed Under: Books, News

Conversation with the Founder of the Assyrian Genocide and Research Center (SEYFO Center) Mr. Sabro Bengaro (Video)

February 3, 2023 By administrator

The Assyrian genocide also known as Seyfo, Assyrian for Sword, was the mass slaughter of the Assyrians by Ottoman and irregular Kurdish forces during World War I.

The Assyrian Genocide Research Center, also known as the Seyfo Center, was established in 2003. Wally Sarkeesian founder and Journalist of Gagrule.net we had the pleasure Interviewing Mr. Sabro Bengaro the organization’s founder, who is completing his Ph.D. at The University of Texas University at Dallas. We talked about the Assyrian genocide and Seyfo Center’s recent publication, The History of the Assyrian Nation in the Twentieth Century, with Special Emphasis on the Events of World Wars I and II, written in Assyrian by Koorish Yacob Shlemon and translated into English by Arianne Ishaya, Ph.D.

Filed Under: Books, Genocide, Interviews, News, Videos

Katia Tavitian Karageuzian’s “Forbidden Homeland” Book Launch Gathers Crowd of Over 200 Community Members

January 25, 2023 By administrator

By ANNA GASPARYAN, ANCA

The ANCA-Western Region Education Committee organized a “kinetzon”, or wine blessing, for one of its own members, author Katia Tavitian Karaguezian, in a book launch for Forbidden Homeland, a personal account of diaspora with a focus on the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict.

“The ANCA-WR Education Committee was pleased to host the traditional Armenian book blessing, Kinetzon,” said Alice Petrossian, Chairperson of the ANCA-WR Education Committee. “Birthing a book is as difficult as birthing a child. Katia Tavitian Karageuzian has made us proud by telling her story through the lens of our painful history.”

“They say when you send the universe question marks, sometimes it sends you back the answers,”remarked Katia. Forbidden Homeland is a true account of the author’s family’s survival story and how a seemingly unremarkable comment she made in college led to the discovery of her roots and heritage.

The launch took place at the Glendale Public Library, where over 200 Armenian-American community members, public officials, and the author’s family members packed the hall to hear excerpts from the book and to witness the wine blessing, initiating its success.

“A whole community with churches, schools, and centers had risen from muddy marshes thanks to the will of an exiled people who fought to survive by rebuilding a new home to identify with” read artist and MC, Arpi Krikorian, from the chapter “Bourj Hammoud”.

Katia Karageuzian expressed her gratitude to the ANCA-WR Board and Education Committee for their support of the project. She went over some historic facts covered in her memoir adding, “And so it is, that regional players continue to use Armenian lands to negotiate compromises and push for their interests, while we constantly fight to hang on to our ever-shrinking forbidden homeland.” She hopes that her book will not only be a conversation starter when it comes to sharing our diverse backgrounds but that it will also reveal truths about the Armenian Genocide that seems to be continuing today in Artsakh and Armenia.

The timely launch of Forbidden Homeland sheds light on the origins and root causes of the Karabakh Conflict. After 44 long days of Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade, the United States and other western countries continue their shocking inaction: withholding aid for the Armenians in Artsakh who are at the brink of starvation and a complete lack of life-saving resources.

The book is available for purchase now on Amazon for Kindle and paperback, as well as Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores like Abril and Sardarabad.

Filed Under: Articles, Books, Events

Forbidden Homeland, Story of a Diasporan is Katia Tavitian Karageuzian’s vivid memoir, Interview Video

December 27, 2022 By administrator

Forbidden Homeland, Story of a Diasporan is Katia Tavitian Karageuzian’s vivid memoir of the personal journey that helped define her understanding of the Armenian Cause.

In 1988, a chance comment she made at college led to the discovery of long-lost relatives she knew nothing about. The family secrets that surfaced next became the catalyst to a decades-long search for answers she had been looking for since childhood.

Born in Lebanon, Karageuzian draws on her personal accounts of diaspora, and her research on the Armenian Genocide and the Karabakh conflict, to expose buried truths and unveil the geopolitics that consistently stand in the way of justice, and muffle the ongoing wars in Transcaucasia.

Forbidden Homeland is an American story of immigration and the pursuit of happiness, and the story of Diasporas that continue to form because of tyranny and leading nations engaged in power games. It is also a testament to bravery and resilience and the stubborn human will to live in freedom.

The book is now available on Amazon.com Forbidden Homeland in both paperback and Kindle e-book.

YouTube:

Facebook:

Twitter:

Conversation with Author Katia Karageuzian Forbidden Homeland Story of a Diasporan, The story of how a single innocent comment ended up unlocking answers to a lifetime of ancestral inquiries. https://t.co/bGj2knQVP3

— Wally Sarkeesian (@gagrulenet) December 21, 2022

Filed Under: Books, Genocide, Interviews, News, Videos

“The country with powerful security structures, Syria, fell into Turkey’s trap with its four paws. Armenia, which is preparing to establish relations with Turkey, Abraham Gasparyan

December 30, 2021 By administrator

On December 29, Genesis Armenia Brain Center / Foundation Founder, Candidate of Political Science, Associate Professor Abraham Gasparyan’s “Mukhabarat” took place. The Alawite Resolution on the Security of Syria “book presentation. The scientific paper presents the security structures of Syria and the issues of security policy. According to Gasparyan, “Syria’s military-political security is on the shoulders of four security” square “structures, which in turn have hundreds of subgroups and sub-branches. The powers of the security system, Mukhabarat, are interconnected, which has caused an institutional crisis in the country.

The author has studied “Mukhabarat” with a clear scientific methodology, which will allow understanding the nature of Syria’s military-civil relations, the mechanisms of security-intelligence agencies. “A country with such powerful security structures fell into the trap of Turkey with its four paws. “Armenia, which is going to establish relations with Turkey, must seriously study the experience of Syria and other Middle Eastern countries, so as not to fall into the trap of creeping neo-Ottomanism,” Abraham Gasparyan said.

The speakers of the meeting, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Ruben Melkonyan, Candidate of Historical Sciences Armen Petrosyan, used the work both in the context of the possibility of deep recognition of the Syrian state and the application of that recognition and knowledge in the foreign policy of Armenia. “The book answers a number of important questions, but especially in our time it is very vital for Armenia to understand how the Assad regime managed to resist geopolitical pressures and conflicts of interest,” said Armen Petrosyan. According to Ruben Melkonyan, the book is not only for the professional community, but for all concerned and thinking citizens. “The work is an opportunity to look at the experience of Syria’s relations with Turkey, to understand how the Syrian security system worked with a hard and soft Turkish force.

The latter is especially important for Armenia, given the authorities’ agenda to normalize relations with Turkey. “In the near future, our state and society will face enormous pressure from the Turkish soft power. In this sense, the book should also be a manual of state and security structures,” Melkonyan said. The book is written in an innovative style ․ In the links section you will find QR codes that will take you to the sources of the scientific articles and documents presented in the paper. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to fund an educational program initiated by Genesis Armenia to fund IT training for servicemen with disabilities during the 44-day war.

Filed Under: Articles, Books

Calouste Gulbenkian Translation Series First Books Published

December 19, 2021 By administrator

The initial three books of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s Translation Series have been published in Armenia. The series focuses on translating the most important social sciences and humanities texts into Armenian.

The first book published is Giorgio Agamben’s Remnants of Auschwitz: The Witness and the Archive (Quel che resta di Auschwitz. L’archivio e il testimone), translated into Western Armenian by Marc Nichanian and published by Actual Art. The book, originally issued in 1998, probes the philosophical and ethical questions raised by the testimony literature of the survivors of Auschwitz.

When asked why translating international books is important, Marc Nichanian explained: “translation is necessary for several reasons: first, because we need to get acquainted in the Armenian language with influential books read in the world, especially within academic circles that set trends. Second, because in order to keep a language alive and ensure its vitality, it must interact with the world outside of itself; in a way, it must be ‘measured’ by what is foreign. Lastly, because translation work is very delicate and difficult, it requires the translator to try, test and expand the boundaries of his or her own language. This Translation Series is a good opportunity for the two branches of the Armenian language (the Eastern and Western literary standards) ​​to listen to each other, to meet and read each other.”

The second book is Jürgen Habermas’s The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An Inquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society (Strukturwandel der Öffentlichkeit. Untersuchungen zu einer Kategorie der bürgerlichen Gesellschaft), translated into Eastern Armenian by Hrachya Stepanyan and published by Ankyunaqar. The book, originally published in 1962, is an important contribution to the modern understanding of democracy. It focuses on the process of the democratization of the public sphere, drawing on the European experience.

Stepanyan talked about some of the difficulties in translating such texts into Armenian: “in the case of the translation of this book,” he explained, “the additional task was to avoid the use of foreign words as much as possible, and to use the Armenian or Armenianized equivalents instead. But this brings with it another problem: the difficulty of understanding texts with a vocabulary that many readers are not familiar with, especially if the sentences have multiple clauses and are complex. As a solution to this problem, I found it effective to include the original foreign word in parentheses next to the Armenian.”

The third book published, by Newmag in Yerevan, is Alain Badiou’s The Century (Le Siècle) translated into Eastern Armenian by Nazenie Gharibyan. It was originally published in French by Éditions du Seuil in 2005. It is a book about politics, philosophy, and literature, weaving together approaches and disciplines that are not usually in dialogue with each other. Badiou’s analysis of the 20th century is drawn from his unique encounter with 20th-century poetry, theatre, and literary theory on the one hand, and the totalitarian realities of the century on the other. Badiou is in search of meaningful narratives that are not confined to the usual approaches based on “logic” or “dialectics.”

“Translation, and especially the translation of world philosophical thought, is the most important strategic impetus for the development of any language and culture, as well as civilization,” highlighted Nazenie Gharibyan. “In this regard,” she added, “the Translation Series undertaken by the Gulbenkian Foundation has created an unprecedented opportunity to fill gaps; it not only provides new and fresh food for thinking in Armenian but also directly enriches modern Armenian. This, in turn, expands the creative horizon of thought in all spheres of activity.”

The Calouste Gulbenkian Translation Series aims to reduce the schism between Armenian intellectuals in Armenia and current approaches to the social sciences and humanities in the western world. Within the framework of the Series, ten books of the most influential contemporary academic texts in the 20th and 21st centuries are being published, none of which have previously been translated into Armenian. This project is being implemented in Armenia by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, in close collaboration with the ARI Literature Foundation.

The following additional books will be published during the upcoming months: Edward Said, Orientalism; Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism; Michel Foucault, L’archéologie du savoir; Antonio Gramsci, Quaderni del carcere (selezioni); Simone de Beauvoir, Le deuxième sexe; Judith Butler, Ernesto Laclau and Slavoj Zizek, Contingency, Hegemony, Universality; Jean-Francois Lyotard, Instructions Païennes and La condition postmoderne.

The books can be purchased at all major bookstores in Yerevan, as well as some bookstores in the Diaspora, or by contacting the ARI Literature Foundation.

For more details about the Calouste Gulbenkian Translation Series, consult the explanatory “Foreword” to the Series by Razmik Panossian, the Director of the Armenian Communities Department.

Filed Under: Books, News

Magda Tagtachian: ‘The Armenians and the Kurds should join forces’

October 18, 2021 By administrator

Having published her third book “Rojava” on the women’s struggle in North East Syria, the Armenian writer says that Kurds and Armenians should join forces, pointing out the similarities between the ongoing attacks against the Kurds and the Armenians.

Third generation Armenian journalist and writer living in Argentina Magda Tagtachian analysed the ongoing attacks against the Kurdish people for ANHA.

Actively engaged in the struggle of her people and several Armenian institutions, Tagtachian has been known for her books “Forget-me-not Armenuhi, The Story of My Armenian Grandmother”, “Armenian Soul” and “Rojava“.

She told ANHA that the threats faced by the Armenians in 1915 are now similarly being acted out against the Kurdish people:.

“The whole world is watching these threats. The world remained similarly silent when the Ottoman state massacred over a million Armenians. Now the Kurds are faced with the same threats. The Kurdish people are faced with the same danger.”

She says that the states are remaining silent with an eye on their own interests. “Similarly when the Armenian massacre was being played out not one power even made a statement of condemnation. The condemnatory statements were made decades after the event,” she said.

She underlined that we are seeing the same crimes continuing today, but “no-one is saying a word, despite the fact that developing technology ensures that the moment genocide takes place it reaches the whole world.”

She states that Turkey has performed various theatricals in order to legitimise its crimes in Afrin (Efrîn) in the eyes of the world. “Numerous journalists were invited to occupied Afrin in an attempt to play out the theatricals being performed there to the world,” she said, adding that she was included in the invitations.

“I turned it down,” she said.

“Unfortunately numerous journalists accepted and became tools in the plans of the Turkish state to legitimise the occupation.”

Tagtachian finds it surprising that the world sees the Kurds as a “minority”, although there are 40 million Kurds in the Middle East. “Wherever Kurds are to be found they are under threat from the Turkish state.”

She stated that the Kurds have gone to great lengths to prove their existence. “They have achieved great things, like the Autonomous Administration in Rojava. They are currently being threatened. The US and Russia are pressurised by the Turkish state.”

The Armenians, she noted, experience threats from the Turkish state too. “So the Armenians and the Kurds should join forces. They should increase the struggle against their common enemy Erdoğan.”

She drew attention to the Turkish state’s bombing of Assyrian villages in Tall Tamr [Til Temir].

“The Turkish state is following Ottoman policies. They want to bring about a resumption of the events of 1915. They are waging a war against the ideological system that has come to life in Rojava. Erdoğan feels that the system in Rojava will threaten his power. Rojava is one of the greatest obstacles to his new Ottoman project.”

Tagtachian also analysed the Kurdish women’s struggle, stating that the YPJ (Women’s Defence Units) forces in North and East Syria had caused reverberations across the world and also gave her an inspiration to write her third book.

“I decided to write about the women’s struggle in Rojava when I completed my first two books. It was well worth writing about the great struggle of women against the Baath regime, the Turkish state and DAESH.”

When she wrote about the women’s struggle going on in North and East Syria, she felt as though she was “writing about the struggle of those saved from the massacre of 1915.”

“I feel honoured by the Kurdish and Yazidi women’s struggle. I have complete faith that they will achieve the aims they are struggling for. They have taken revenge for their sisters who were burnt alive.”

Filed Under: Articles, Books

Ruthless dictator Erdoğan publishes new book advocating global justice, equality, Putting human face on his brutality.

September 6, 2021 By administrator

Erdoğan publishes new book advocating global justice, equality

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan published a book named “A fairer world is possible,” advocating global justice and equality, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Monday.

In his book, Erdoğan detailed Turkey’s pursuing for justice for all humanity, it said.

Erdoğan has been supporting Islamist-leaning political movements in the Middle East such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas for the last decade that have drawn criticism from regional powers and concern from Western allies. Erdoğan defends the criticism, saying his policies are in support of democracy against autocratic regimes.

Turkey has also ranked 40th among 41 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in 2019, in a social justice index, measuring categories such as education and health.

The country placed 31st in poverty prevention, 41st in access to equal education, 37th in access to the labour market, 39th in inclusion in social life and non-discrimination, 18th in intergenerational justice, and 36th in health, the annual report prepared by Germany’s Bertelsmann Stiftung foundation found.

Pointing out the dilemmas of global politics, especially over injustice, refugee crisis, international terrorism and anti-Islamism, President Erdoğan said that there is a discrimination and double standard in the world, Anadolu said.

There is a need for a comprehensive reform, especially in the United Nations Security Council, Erdoğan said in his book, also drawing attention to the problems of legitimacy, functionality, effectiveness, inclusiveness, representation and governance of the United Nations, according to the news website.

“No one is innocent in a world where children die and are killed,” Erdoğan said.

At least 26 child labourers have lost their lives in the first five months of 2019 in Turkey, according to a Workers’ Health and Work Safety Assembly (ISIG) report released in June 2019, an organisation that tracks work-related incidents in the country.

Filed Under: Articles, Books

Hagop Baronian: Armenian Ottoman satirist of 19th-century Istanbul

August 5, 2021 By administrator

A talented journalist who published the first Turkish humor magazine in the Ottoman Empire, Hagop Baronian was also an important playwright in the Ottoman and Armenian theater known as the ‘Moliere of Armenians’

It has been more than a century since the death of sharp-tongued satirist Hagop Baronian. However, the literary works of the Armenian Ottoman journalist, playwright and humorist still offer readers a perspective into everyday life in 19th-century Istanbul.

Publishing his first play at just 22 years old, Baronian’s works are relatively few in number but their impact was great, dealing with issues such as marriage and family matters. The products of his journalistic career were likewise pertinent to the times, containing satire and social criticism.

Born in 1843 to a poor family in the city of Edirne in present-day northwestern Turkey, he predominantly went to Armenian schools, although he attended a Greek school for about a year where he learned to speak Greek.

In 1864, he settled in Istanbul, then the capital of the Ottoman Empire, where he worked in various jobs as a secretary and teacher, learning Italian and French through his own efforts along the way.

Here he also started contributing to various journals, gaining experience as a professional writer.

Professional life

Baronian’s interest in theater manifested at a very young age. His first play, written in 1865, was a short farce called “One Butler with Two Masters,” an imitation of Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni’s original work, “A Butler with Two Masters.”

Four years later came his first comedy, “Oriental Dentist,” in which he dealt cheerfully with arranged marriages and marital fidelity.

Baronian explored what he saw as decaying family relations, with couples going behind each other’s back, while the lives of spouses and lovers old and new intertwine.

Amid a background of the social developments of the period, the play invites readers to think about the timeless relationship between marriage and fidelity.

He began writing another play, “Flattery,” in 1872. However, this would only be completed half a century later by fellow great Armenian Ottoman humor writer Yervant Odian after it was left unfinished.

Another satire, “Honorable Beggars,” published in 1880-1881, focused on the indiscretion and naivety of a rural notable, while also drawing attention to how open these qualities were to exploitation by an array of artistic, professional, religious and artisanal opportunists.

His last work, “Baghdasar Aghbar,” again criticized Armenian institutions around the theme of divorce. It is one of the most popular plays in the Armenian comedy tradition.

Though he announced in 1887 that he would be releasing another comedy called “Dowry,” he never published this comedy. An incomplete draft of the play, consisting of eight scenes and some episodes, was found among his papers and published following his death.

Journalism

Baronian’s career in journalism began in 1871 when he became chief writer at Yeprad (Euphrates) newspaper, later also writing in the Megu (Bee) and Khigar (Wise).

He started publishing an Ottoman Turkish humor magazine, known as Tiyatro, on March 20, 1874, followed only a couple of weeks later by Tadron, a bilingual publication in both Armenian and Ottoman Turkish, which was first printed in the Armenian alphabet.

Baronian created all of the content published in the four-page Tiyatro magazine. The biweekly was the fourth Turkish satirical magazine published in the Ottoman Empire.

In Tadron, he discussed issues relevant to the Armenian community at the time. It was also published twice a week and included common content with Tiyatro, with both publications surviving until 1877.

Baronian died of tuberculosis on May 27, 1891, in Istanbul. He is buried in the Armenian cemetery in the city, though his exact place of rest remains unknown.

None of his plays were staged while he was alive, though they became popular in the decade following.

Known by many as Moliere of the Armenians, Baronian shines a light on contemporary social life in his city and his works have proven invaluable to interested historians and laypeople alike.

Filed Under: Articles, Books, Genocide

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