Catch me if you can - 1 -

Vaհe H Apelian

I will be referencing the book the PM Nikol Pashinyan wrote, “The Other Side of the Earth”. The book was edited by Arkemenik Nikoghosyan (Արքեմենիկ Նիկողոսյան)։

“The Other Side of the Earth” was published in the Armenian Times (Haykakan Zhamanak) from May to December 2008. Armenian Times (Haykakan Zhamanak) is a leading socio-political news outlet in Armenia. It was founded as a print daily newspaper in 1999 by the current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. It now operates exclusively as an online news platform and is edited by Anna Hakobyan. It is noteworthy to know that Nikol Pashinyan was 24 years old when he took over as the editor of Haykakan Zhamanak - Armenian Times, in 1999. He held the position until 2012. Prior to Armenian Times, Pashinyan founded and edited another daily newspaper, Oragir - Diary), in 1998.

I chose “Catch me, if you can” as this blog’s header, because he was taunting the authorities when he wrote the fictional novel, and had it published in installments in the Armenian Times daily.   The authorities had officially stated that Nikol Pashinyan had fled the country in March 2008 and illegally returned to Armenia. Pashinyan claims that, while he was in hiding among his friends and supporters, he never left Armenia, “even for one minute”.

On July 1, 2009, Nikol Pashinyan came out of the underground and presented himself to the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Armenia, “where he was arrested, then detained, and then sentenced to 7 years in prison. He spent 1 year and 10 months in the "Yerevan Center", "Nubarashen", "Kosh", and "Artik" penal institutions and was released under amnesty on May 27, 2011.”  (page 3).

Nikol Pashinyan’s incarceration seems to have mostly gone unnoticed in the Diaspora press, other than Keghart online journal, established by Dikran Abrahamian MD, where on November 27, 2010, Dikran Abrahamian had issued an appeal, soliciting Kegharl’s readers support. The appeal was  addressed to the Armenian authorities against coercion Nikol Pashinyan was reported to experience in the prison. You may read Keghart’s November 27, 2010 appeal below.

Nikol Pashinyan lays down the reason he wrote the book on page 4, which may very well be considered the forewardt of his fictional novel. This is what he wrote:

“Reader, have you started reading?, I don’t know what is your name; which date, what day of the month of that date is now. I don’t know what perceptions, sentiments, thoughts, and feelings, the expression, “Yerevan, March 1, 2008”, evoke in you.

Eight citizens of the Republic of Armenia were killed that day, two more died later from the wounds they received that day.

March 1, 2008 was a Great Day, of great courage, of great cowardice, great awareness, great lawlessness, great reawakening, great decline; of great love, great hatred, blood and tears, prayer and curse.

March 1 was a clash of Freedom, of Law, of future confronting abject let it go (ամենաթողություն), past illegality.  

Being an active participant in those events, I found myself in the status of a wanted person. The Armenian Police, the National Security Service, and private detectives, hired by the authorities, searched and searched for me but could not find me. Meanwhile, dozens of my friends were in prison, bearing the heroic name of a political prisoner. Thousands of friends continued their struggle, on the streets of Yerevan, in courts and in international tribunals.

This book was created in such times.

It is dedicated to the eternal memory of the ten victims of March 1: Gor Kloyan (Գոռ Քլոյանօ, Tigran Khachaturyan (Տիգրան Խաչատուրյան), Davit Petrosyan (Դավիթ Պետրոսյան), Samvel Farmanyan (Սամվէլ Ֆարմանյան), Tigran Adpkaryan (Տիգրան Արգարյան)Hovhannes Hovhannisyan (Յովհաննես Հովհաննիսյան), Hamlet Tadeosyan (Համլէտ Թատեոսյան), and Zakar Hannisyan (Զաքար Հաննիսյան).” (page 4)

The protagonist’s fictional, if not also improbable journey began in the dead of the night on March 2 and lasted in the book’s 383 pages and in 53 chapters with different headings. As noted, the book was published in Armenian Times from from May to December 2008, a span of 245 days. Surely more than one page of the book is expected to have been written daily detailing the fictional itinerary. 

In a reflective mood, the journeyman wrote. “Is it right what I am doing? Isn’t my place also with my comrades who are in the prison? Am I abandoning them at these trying times? But voluntarily going to prison is basically giving up, and giving up is not possible. It is necessary to fight back. It is necessary to win. I will not hide, here is my traveling route, catch me if you can.” (page 13).

The last paragraph of the book is two sentences long. It reads: "The human ocean surged. We all moved towards the Liberty Square, our march is unstoppable." “Մարդկային ովկիանոսն ալեկոծվեց։ Բոլորով շարժվեցինք դէպի Ազատոթյան հրապարակ.....Մեր ընթացքն անկասելի է։»      

                                                ***

Note: Keghart on line journal's appeal on November 27, 2010: «It was in Keghart on line journal that I learned about an Armenian journalist named Nikol Pashinyan. On November 27, 2010, the journal posted an appeal that read: “We, Armenians living in the Diaspora and our non-Armenian friends, are deeply concerned in the imprisonment of Nikol Pashinyan, editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak (“Armenian Time”) daily in Armenia, and his treatment in jail. While Mr. Pashinyan’s voluntary surrender to law enforcement agencies should have been duly noted by the Armenian authorities, the veteran journalist has experienced coercion behind bars. We attest that these reprehensible acts of the authorities–aimed at silencing Mr. Pashinyan and punishing him for his political views–will have the opposite outcome, making the editor’s voice heard more forcefully in Armenia and in the Diaspora. Deeply concerned with the treatment of the journalist, we are following the “judicial process” with vigilance, hoping that he will be released soon. Meanwhile, we demand that the Armenian authorities put an end to the unlawful acts against him and ensure his security.”

Little rose upon the heath

Vaհe H Apelian

 

“Vart” (The Rose) is an old Armenian song. The only person I know who has a recording of the song is Armen Guirag. I heard the song for the first time decades ago, sung by Armean Guirag, but I had not paid attention to the lyrics. I had not asked myself who wrote the song and who composed the song. Yesterday, out of blue, my friend Krikor Kradjian from Beirut, had posted the translation of a famous poem by Goethe’, by the eminent Armenian poet Hovhannes Toumanyan who endearingly continues to remain as “the all-Armenian poet”. It turned out that Krikor was quoting the lyrics of the song.

It turns out the poem is called "Heidenröslein", often translated into English as "Wild Rose. The legendary German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe had written the poem in 1771. It also turns out that "Heidenröslein" is a famous lyric poem as a folk-song style ballad about a young boy who spots a beautiful wild rose and insists on picking it despite its warnings. Different people have given different interpretation of the lyrics of the song. With time, norms have changed, so have perceptions, and thus interpretation of the poem has changed. Those interested may read about “Heidenröslein" in Wikipedia.

I imagine the Armenian song “Vart - The Rose” is mostly unknown by the Armenian public but that it was considered an Armenian classical song and was popular at one time. The lyrics of the song as noted is the poem of the same name by the German poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe, superbly translated into Armenian by Hovhannes Tumanyan, and composed by Romanos Melikyan.

 It also turns out that Hovhannes Tumanyan knew German and read fluently in the language, which allowed him to study and translate prominent German poets like Goethe. Furthermore, it is claimed that Hovhannes Tourmanyan was an avid reader and self-taught intellectual, who absorbed European literature and translated works from multiple languages into Armenian.

As to Romanos Melikyan, he had written the music for the song in 1911, claiming that he tried to create a simple, easily transmitted melody, which became a popular song at one time. 

 

Armen Guirag’s rendering of the song “Vart” (The Rose) is from YouTube. Horavhannes Toumanyan’s translation for the lyrics of the song is at the end of the blog. 

As to Armen Guriag, those interesting may read the following blog I wrote about him by pressing  on the following link: Remembering Armen Guirag this Sunday morning.

The lyrics:

 From Wikipedia: "Heidenröslein"

 

Food for thought: A shift in national paradigm.

The attached is the translation of Avo G Boghossian’s post today, on his Facebook page. His comment should not be accepted, nor rejected. But it should be viewed in the context that we, as Armenians, are living through a change; through a shift of our national paradigm. Historical trauma, distinction between Turks as people and Turkish State, the inevitable cultural overlaps that have come about through centuries living with and not necessarily only next to each other, and geopolitics is shaping our national paradigm as a free and independent and a sovereign country. But yes, I enjoy the song Kedashen / Գետաշեն, and  yes too, what Avo says has political implications, and as far as I am concerned gives validity to Civil Contract initiated cross road for peace initiative. Vaհe H Apelian

 

Landlocked Armenia at the cross road.

The post in translation

« I have long disagreed with the notion that we are an exceptional nation and our well-known opponents are nomads and “sheep”. 

Yes, I have always believed and am convinced that nations do not differ from each other in the biological composition of the brain, they differ only in the conditions.

 Indeed, our opponents, that is, Turkey, have today reached the level where they produce fifth-generation KAAN fighter aircraft, tanks and artillery, drones and other weapons. In other words, in addition to a huge demographic advantage, there is also an incomparable engineering superiority. 

The outdated national revolutionary songs are now naive and childish, and unattainable dreams only cause nightmares.»

Բնագիրը՝ 

Ես շատոնց համաձայն չէի այն կարծիքին թէ մենք բացառիկ ազգ ենք իսկ մեր ծանօթ հակառակորդները քոչուորներ եւ “ոչխարներ” : Այո, միշտ հաւատացած էի ու համոզուած եմ որ ազգերը իրարմէ չեն տարբերիր ուղեղի կենսաբանական բաղադրութեամբ, կը տարբերին միայն պայմաններու բերումով… : Արդարեւ մեր հակառակորդները, այսինքն Թուրքիան այսօր հասած է այն մակարդակին որ հինգերորդ սերունդի KAAN կործանիչ օդանաւեր կ՚արտադրէ, թանկեր եւ հրետանի, անօթաչուներ եւ այլ սպառազինութիւն: Այսինքն ժողովրդագրական հսկայ առաւելութենէ զատ նաեւ ճարտարարուեստական անհամեմատելի գերակայութիւն: Ազգային յեղափոխական հինաւուրց երգերը այլեւս միամիտ եւ երեխայական են իսկ անհասանելի երազները միայն մղձավանջ պատճառող:

is Armenia also heading towards a cashless society?

Vaհe H Apelian

 

I do not live in Armenia. My last visit to Armenia was a decade ago. But I follow news coming from Armenia and about Armenia. Yesterday, while responding to reporters’ questions, the PM Nikol Pashinyan noted that he will be on vacation in Armenia, but will be available to attend to his duties, should the need arise. Today he posted about visiting museums and also alluded to ՀԴՄ, which is the Armenian acronym for Cash Register Receipt. In Armenian, Հսկիչ-դրամարկղային մեքենայի կտրոն. While mandating receipts is not a prelude for a cashless society, but it is for stricter fiscal accountability.

A few days ago, a friend posted on her Facebook page, not about cash register receipts, but about the perils of a cashless society, here in the United States of America. She wrote, “A cashless society means no cash. Zero. It doesn’t mean mostly cashless and you can still use a ‘wee bit of cash here & there’. Cashless means fully digital, fully traceable, fully controlled. I think those who support a cashless society aren’t fully aware of what they are asking for. A cashless society means:…..”. You may read below. 

The notion of cashless society took me back a few decades. I was a new comer, when I heard a debate on television where an IRS agent said that they have the means of converting the society into a cashless society. I was petrified hearing that because where I came from, Lebanon, at that time, an everyday citizen having an account in a bank, did not exist. But,I also realize that, to a great extent, we have become a cashless society.

Nowadays we do most of our payments electronically. A few weeks ago, I saw a Girl Scouts counter next to a store I was attending, selling cookies. I told them, ‘Folks, I am sorry but I will not be purchasing cookie, I do not have cash with me'. One of the ladies attending to young girl scouts, said, no problem, we accept credit card, and for the very first time, I purchased girl scout’s cookie with my credit card. 

Yes, come to think of it; in America we have for all practical purposes, become a cashless society. Should you be at an Olive Garden restaurant, you will find an electronic gadget on the table for payment. When was the last time you paid for your meal in a restaurant with the green bucks? By the way I learned recently the term "buck" for money originated in the 18th-century American frontier, when deer hides (buckskins) were a highly valued and common medium of exchange. Traders and pioneers frequently evaluated goods in terms of how many "bucks" they were worth

Naturally a cashless society offers many advantages. The greatest challenge in a cashless society is the temptation to overspend and run into debt. I imagine that in countries were cashless transitions are not as available, one simply would not be able to buy a loaf bread if the person does not have the money at that moment, in its pocket.

Is Armenia fast heading towards a cashless society? Unlike, America, where the transition into a practically a cashless society came about after decades dealing not in cash but in credit, on the understanding the person will pay in time with interest. I imagine the change into a more accountable purchasing and into cashless dealings, such as purchasing a car, are relatively new in Armenia that a mere 35 years ago was under centralized planning.

I can imagine the pace of change in Armenia is innerving.

***

Food for thought folks….

HERE'S WHAT NO CASH ACTUALLY MEANS:

A cashless society means no cash. Zero. It doesn’t mean mostly cashless and you can still use a ‘wee bit of cash here & there’. Cashless means fully digital, fully traceable, fully controlled. I think those who support a cashless society aren’t fully aware of what they are asking for. A cashless society means:

* If you are struggling with your mortgage on a particular month, you can’t do an odd job to get you through.

* Your child can’t go & help the local farmer to earn a bit of summer cash.

* No more cash slipped into the hands of a child as a good luck charm or from their grandparent when going on holidays.

* No more money in birthday cards.

* No more piggy banks for your child to collect pocket money & to learn about the value of earning.

* No more cash for a rainy-day fund or for that something special you have been putting $20 a week away for.

* No more little jobs on the side because your wages barely cover the bills or put food on the table.

* No more charity collections.

* No more selling bits & pieces from your home that you no longer want/need for a bit of cash in return.

* No more cash gifts from relatives or loved ones.

What a cashless society does guarantee:

* Banks have full control of every single penny you own.

* Every transaction you make is recorded.

* All your movements & actions are traceable.

* Access to your money can be blocked at the click of a button when/if banks need ‘clarification’ from you which will take about 3 weeks, a thousand questions answered & five thousand passwords.

* You will have no choice but to declare & be taxed on every dollar in your possession.

* The government WILL decide what you can & cannot purchase.

* If your transactions are deemed in any way questionable, by those who create the questions, your money will be frozen, ‘for your own good’.

Forget about cash being dirty. Stop being so easily led. Cash has been around for a very, very, very long time & it gives you control over how you trade with the world. It gives you independence. 

If you are a customer, pay with cash. If you are a shop owner, remove those ridiculous signs that ask people to pay by card. Cash is a legal tender, it is our right to pay with cash. Banks are making it increasingly difficult to lodge cash. 

Please open your eyes. Please stop believing everything you are being told. Almost every single topic in today’s world is tainted with corruption & hidden agendas. 

Pay with cash & please say no to a cashless society while you still have the choice.

Copy and paste to your page if you like! Posted from a friend…. I agree

 

 

 

  

Farewell Dikran

  Vaհe H Apelian

I was saddened yesterday evening when I  read the following farewell message on the online journal Keghart. It read: “Dear Keghart readers and friends. Nobody likes to bear gloomy news; but I must. The Keghart.org periodical will shutter indefinitely because of serious deterioration in my health. I thank all readers, article contributors and donors who supported the publication, which lasted for almost two decades. Respectfully, Dikran Abrahamian MD, 07 July 2026.”.

Keghart online journal came about in 2007. I remember distinctly when I received a list of articles from a medical doctor in Canada who also held a B.A. in political science and public administration, claiming that he had come to a point in his life when he could invest time and resources to create a “Non-partisan Website Devoted to Armenian Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy”. Thus, Keghart online journal came about for an international audience.

I can safely say that I believe that I became among the earliest subscribers of the online journal/periodical. In time, one thing led to another and for some years I became among its regular contributors until I came with my own blog. I spoke and continued speaking with Dikran numerous times. But we never met. Although both of us entertained the notion of meeting in person at an opportune time. 

It was in Keghart on line journal that I learned about an Armenian journalist named Nikol Pashinyan. On November 27, 2010, the journal posted an appeal that read: “We, Armenians living in the Diaspora and our non-Armenian friends, are deeply concerned in the imprisonment of Nikol Pashinyan, editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak (“Armenian Time”) daily in Armenia, and his treatment in jail. While Mr. Pashinyan’s voluntary surrender to law enforcement agencies should have been duly noted by the Armenian authorities, the veteran journalist has experienced coercion behind bars. We attest that these reprehensible acts of the authorities–aimed at silencing Mr. Pashinyan and punishing him for his political views–will have the opposite outcome, making the editor’s voice heard more forcefully in Armenia and in the Diaspora. Deeply concerned with the treatment of the journalist, we are following the “judicial process” with vigilance, hoping that he will be released soon. Meanwhile, we demand that the Armenian authorities put an end to the unlawful acts against him and ensure his security.” The appeal was also listed in French, Armenian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian & German texts. The appeal invited interested readers to have their names included in the list. 

I believe Keghart online journal was the only Diaspora journal that posted about the plight of the young journalist. Furthermore, it could be arguably claimed the editorial board of Keghart was prophetic when it noted in the appeal that punishing Nikol Pashinyan “for his political views–will have the opposite outcome, making the editor’s voice heard more forcefully in Armenia and in the Diaspora.” The rest is history on both accounts; for the journalist and for the Diaspora online journal that sadly is being folded away.

The first article I contributed to the journal was titled “Miss Chambers–the Beloved Missionary of Kessab” and was published in the journal on Nov. 4, 2009. Fate would have it that I may end up among its last commentators as well. The day before yesterday, on June 6, 2026, I had two comments on the journal in response to an article titled and to a comment made about the article. I posted these two comments below for putting a closure to another memorable happening in my life that lasted for the past 20 years or so.

Thank you Dikran for coming with Keghart online periodical that lived up to its claim for being non-partisan, devoted to Armenian affairs, human rights and democracy.  

Fare thee well Dikran

                                                    ***

         I attached for archival purposes my last two comments on Keghart. One pertained to an article titled, “Evaluating International Recognition of the Armenian Genocide” by Dr. Armen Ayvazian. The other pertained to a comment made by David Boyajian to that article. Both comments were posted on Keghart the day before yesterday, on July 6, 2026.

                                                                    *

“Dr. Armen Ayvazyan rightfully points out that since its founding on May 28, 1918, the Republic of Armenia did not make the three Rs of the Genocide -recognition, restituting, reparation – instruments of its foreign policy.

But I disagree with his claim that because of Armenia’s inaction, governments have not recognized the genocide as it should be recognized; and, “nor could they have been, since the Republic of Armenia itself never set such objectives.”

During the Nurenberg trials, Shavarsh Missakian in his Haratch Daily editorial on December 9, 1945, where he introduced the newly minted term Genocide to his readers, wrote: “Our rage mounts tenfold particularly because the day’s victors were present then, where the crime was committed. They were there (in Turkey) for full four years and ruled like landlords, much like they do nowadays in Germany. Then also (aftermath of WWI), hundreds were apprehended, and 70 hand-picked monsters were sent to Malta to be tried and punished commensurate to the crimes they perpetrated. Then?” 

We all know no such thing happened.

Shavarsh Missakian wondered, and surely in sarcasm, wrote, “Had they not discovered the word (Genocide)? Or was it that the bloodthirsty monster was too strong to lay a hand on”?

The answer is simply, “the bloodthirsty monster” is “too strong to lay a hand on”; or strategically too important to punish it, no matter what Armenia does.” Vaհe H Apelian, July 6, 2026.

*

“Russia maintains a continuous military presence in Armenia, anchored by the 102nd Military Base in the city of Gyumri. This contingent comprises several thousand personnel (estimated to be up to 4,000) and includes mechanized units, fighter jets, and air defense systems.

My concern has been and remains the possibility Russia overtaking the Armenian government institutions and subjugating Armenia. There is more of potential of that happening then what David Boyajian claims.

I quote ARF ideologue Kristapor Mikaelian: “«moving forward, always faithful to its spirit of destruction, Russia, as in the past, as well as today, is a representation of a large-scale arena of general persecution, general destruction and violence. There was not a nation left in Russia that was not oppressed, there was not a people left that was not suffocated, there was no word, opinion, right, law – even proclaimed from the imperial throne – that was not violated. It is a terrible stage of rulers and slaves, predators and tyrants, spies and spiers, poisoned by the choices of mutual grudge and hatred. Russia competes with Turkey in all spheres of state life, equally successful in the negative, as well as in the positive. And the unfortunate Armenian is destined to live, to claim the right to see the light of day, on the borders of those two brutal tyrants, ‘between the devil and the deep blue sea’, as the English say.” Vaհe H Apelian, July 6, 2026.

 

Farewell Dikran

  Vaհe H Apelian

I was saddened yesterday evening when I  read the following farewell message on the online journal Keghart. It read: “Dear Keghart readers and friends. Nobody likes to bear gloomy news; but I must. The Keghart.org periodical will shutter indefinitely because of serious deterioration in my health. I thank all readers, article contributors and donors who supported the publication, which lasted for almost two decades. Respectfully, Dikran Abrahamian MD, 07 July 2026.”.

Keghart online journal came about in 2007. I remember distinctly when I received a list of articles from a medical doctor in Canada who also held a B.A. in political science and public administration, claiming that he had come to a point in his life when he could invest time and resources to create a “Non-partisan Website Devoted to Armenian Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy”. Thus, Keghart online journal came about for an international audience.

I can safely say that I believe that I became among the earliest subscribers of the online journal/periodical. In time, one thing led to another and for some years I became among its regular contributors until I came with my own blog. I spoke and continued speaking with Dikran numerous times. But we never met. Although both of us entertained the notion of meeting in person at an opportune time. 

It was in Keghart on line journal that I learned about an Armenian journalist named Nikol Pashinyan. On November 27, 2010, the journal posted an appeal that read: “We, Armenians living in the Diaspora and our non-Armenian friends, are deeply concerned in the imprisonment of Nikol Pashinyan, editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak (“Armenian Time”) daily in Armenia, and his treatment in jail. While Mr. Pashinyan’s voluntary surrender to law enforcement agencies should have been duly noted by the Armenian authorities, the veteran journalist has experienced coercion behind bars. We attest that these reprehensible acts of the authorities–aimed at silencing Mr. Pashinyan and punishing him for his political views–will have the opposite outcome, making the editor’s voice heard more forcefully in Armenia and in the Diaspora. Deeply concerned with the treatment of the journalist, we are following the “judicial process” with vigilance, hoping that he will be released soon. Meanwhile, we demand that the Armenian authorities put an end to the unlawful acts against him and ensure his security.” The appeal was also listed in French, Armenian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian & German texts. The appeal invited interested readers to have their names included in the list. 

I believe Keghart online journal was the only Diaspora journal that posted about the plight of the young journalist. Furthermore, it could be arguably claimed the editorial board of Keghart was prophetic when it noted in the appeal that punishing Nikol Pashinyan “for his political views–will have the opposite outcome, making the editor’s voice heard more forcefully in Armenia and in the Diaspora.” The rest is history on both accounts; for the journalist and for the Diaspora online journal that sadly is being folded away.

The first article I contributed to the journal was titled “Miss Chambers–the Beloved Missionary of Kessab” and was published in the journal on Nov. 4, 2009. Fate would have it that I may end up among its last commentators as well. The day before yesterday, on June 6, 2026, I had two comments on the journal in response to an article titled and to a comment made about the article. I posted these two comments below for putting a closure to another memorable happening in my life that lasted for the past 20 years or so.

Thank you Dikran for coming with Keghart online periodical that lived up to its claim for being non-partisan, devoted to Armenian affairs, human rights and democracy. 

Fare thee well Dikran.

                                                    ***

         I attached for archival purposes my last two comments on Keghart. One pertained to an article titled, “Evaluating International Recognition of the Armenian Genocide” by Dr. Armen Ayvazian. The other pertained to a comment made by David Boyajian to that article. Both comments were posted on Keghart the day before yesterday, on July 6, 2026.

                                                                    *

“Dr. Armen Ayvazyan rightfully points out that since its founding on May 28, 1918, the Republic of Armenia did not make the three Rs of the Genocide -recognition, restituting, reparation – instruments of its foreign policy.

But I disagree with his claim that because of Armenia’s inaction, governments have not recognized the genocide as it should be recognized; and, “nor could they have been, since the Republic of Armenia itself never set such objectives.”

During the Nurenberg trials, Shavarsh Missakian in his Haratch Daily editorial on December 9, 1945, where he introduced the newly minted term Genocide to his readers, wrote: “Our rage mounts tenfold particularly because the day’s victors were present then, where the crime was committed. They were there (in Turkey) for full four years and ruled like landlords, much like they do nowadays in Germany. Then also (aftermath of WWI), hundreds were apprehended, and 70 hand-picked monsters were sent to Malta to be tried and punished commensurate to the crimes they perpetrated. Then?” 

We all know no such thing happened.

Shavarsh Missakian wondered, and surely in sarcasm, wrote, “Had they not discovered the word (Genocide)? Or was it that the bloodthirsty monster was too strong to lay a hand on”?

The answer is simply, “the bloodthirsty monster” is “too strong to lay a hand on”; or strategically too important to punish it, no matter what Armenia does.” Vaհe H Apelian, July 6, 2026.

*

“Russia maintains a continuous military presence in Armenia, anchored by the 102nd Military Base in the city of Gyumri. This contingent comprises several thousand personnel (estimated to be up to 4,000) and includes mechanized units, fighter jets, and air defense systems.

My concern has been and remains the possibility Russia overtaking the Armenian government institutions and subjugating Armenia. There is more of potential of that happening then what David Boyajian claims.

I quote ARF ideologue Kristapor Mikaelian: “«moving forward, always faithful to its spirit of destruction, Russia, as in the past, as well as today, is a representation of a large-scale arena of general persecution, general destruction and violence. There was not a nation left in Russia that was not oppressed, there was not a people left that was not suffocated, there was no word, opinion, right, law – even proclaimed from the imperial throne – that was not violated. It is a terrible stage of rulers and slaves, predators and tyrants, spies and spiers, poisoned by the choices of mutual grudge and hatred. Russia competes with Turkey in all spheres of state life, equally successful in the negative, as well as in the positive. And the unfortunate Armenian is destined to live, to claim the right to see the light of day, on the borders of those two brutal tyrants, ‘between the devil and the deep blue sea’, as the English say.” Vaհe H Apelian, July 6, 2026.

 

Of Friendship , July 4, and an enchanting nest

Vaհe H Apelian  

Of friendship and elephants

Friendship transcends time, distance, religion, culture and race. 

A few days ago, I received an email from Nitin, a former colleague, and an old friend, I have not communicated for the past two decades, if not a bit more. The email read, “Respond, if this email is valid still. Hope you are doing well. Warm regards.” Yes, it was. I came with it not long after a domain popped called Yahoo! Who would have wanted not to jump onto a cyber world called Yahoo?

Time momentarily froze when I read the email. Nitin and I worked for the same company. Our offices faced each other. There was not a day at work that I did not meet him. He was in the chemistry side of our shared projects. I was at the pharmaceutical side. One day, I found out an intricately inlaid wooden carving of elephant on my desk. It was from Nitin, who had brought the heavy ornament with him on his return visiting home. It dawned on me that in a casual conversation I had mentioned that the elephants are my most favorite animals. It has become a permanent presence in our home. Elephants form profound life-long friendships.

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Of July 4

Tomorrow, July 4, 2026, marks the ssemiquincentennialof the United States. The month of July has a personal significance for me. On July 9, 1976, I set foot in the United States, at the JFK International Airport. Telltale signs that the country had just celebrated its bicentennial were palpable. To mark the 250th anniversary, Boston is hosting a massive, yearlong celebration with the peak festivities around the Fourth of July weekend. Our son and daughter-in-law have invited us and our khnamis to spend the weekend in Boston. That will also highlight my 50^th anniversary in the United States.

One of the high points of my immigration to the United States has been the friendships I formed, some passing and some enduring to this day. Some of whom were born and raised in the United States.They were Harold, Bill, John and a few others. Others were Imitiaz, Satish, Nilesh, Mushfig, Leonardo, Maria, Mohammad, Fu, Zhang, Nick, Saied, Masih, and others. They were from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China, Italy, Roumania, Uganda and far East. They were immigrants like me. The contributions they brought to the American pharmaceutical industry, be it its developmental science, and technology, are unmistakable and undeniable.

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Of enchanting nest

After our, out of main site facility of the company we worked for in Cincinnati closed, I looked for employment in another pharmaceutical company, while Nitin established his own company in Goa, India. In the ensuing email, he wrote that he and his wife have put an end to their professional careers and pursuing personal interests and  “enjoying life making documentary films, publishing digital books. Lot of community work,” and seeing their grandchildren.

It turns out that his wife Vinda is also an avid gardener and on their farm, she has started a home stay. “Lots of my friends do come and stay (of course complimentary to all friends).” He urged us “Do come so we can share memories of the lost time.”

India has fascinated me. Goa is the smallest state in India and has a unique culture of its own. I doubt that my wife and I will undertake such a journey. It was so good to get connected again. 

I read that Gao has a vibrant cultural which is a fusion of East and West, shaped by over 450 years of Portuguese rule alongside indigenous Indian coastal traditions. This unique Indo-European blend has come to define the region’s unique culture, architecture, and cuisine. And all those who may be interested in a home stay away from home, while experiencing the region’s unique culture may consider - https://theenchantingnest.com/