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Yousuf Karsh Gala and Exhibition
Karsh: Celebrating Humanity
ousuf Karsh is best known for his iconic photographs of many of the key figures of the last century: Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, Ernest
Hemingway, Albert Einstein, and Helen Keller. Karsh was
also an Armenian and, according to his widow Estrellita,
“was so proud of his heritage. He was a citizen of the world,
but enormously proud of being Armenian.”
Y
65 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472-4400
Ph: (617) 926-2562 Fax: (617) 926-0175
www.almainc.org
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Armenian Library and Museum of America, Inc.
ARTI-FACT
The inscription reads “Ashod: The Armenian monastery’s two
altars and church in a ruined state and the burnt places.” The
church, built in 1258, monastery and village of Ashod in the
province of Sepastia were destroyed and the 1,650 Armenian
inhabitants driven away in 1915 during the Genocide. This
unique plate was probably commissioned in the 1920s as a
memorial by the survivors of the village.
LMA closed
its main galleries in summer 2011 in order to
implement its most
extensive renovations
since the museum
opened in Watertown
Square in 1990. The
exhibition
Karsh: View of the renovated Bedoukian Galleries
Celebrating Humanity
was the catalyst for the renovations. “We needed to give a
facelift to what we had and to showcase our collection in a
much brighter and newer light,” said Executive Vice
President Michele Kolligian.
On September 17, 2011, ALMA reopened as a beautifully
A
New face of ALMA, continued on page 4
Ceramic Plate (2012.029)
Donated by Dr. Levon Saryan
This intriguing commemorative plate with photograph and
inscription tells a dark story. Produced by Biedermeier/KPM,
whose best known factories were in Berlin and Vienna, this
example was custom made at the Biedermeier/KPM factory in
Poland. The neo-classical style china plate has the traditional
gilded edging, enclosing a colored border (here in green) but
is imprinted with an image of two people walking among
ruins.
The New Face of ALMA
Dr. Susan Pattie Appointed as New
Director
Yousuf and Estrellita Karsh by Steichen, 1967
A chance meeting at a Boston fundraiser brought ALMA
trustee Robert Khederian and Estrellita Karsh together initially. Their friendship grew, drawing in ALMA Executive
Vice President Michele Kolligian and an introduction to
ALMA. They began to discuss the possibility of a loan exhibition of Karsh’s portraits but Estrellita surprised them with
a bigger plan: a donation of 25 Karsh portraits, among them
photographs of Aram Khachaturian and Vartan Gregorian.
Later, a portrait of Stephen P. Mugar was added on loan from
the Mugar family. These photographs became the exhibition
Karsh: Celebrating Humanity, which opened to the public
on September 22, 2011.
Karsh, continued on page 6
LMA has appointed Dr.
Susan Pattie as its new
Director, effective September 24, 2012. Dr Pattie comes to
ALMA after a long residence in
London, United Kingdom, where she
was co-founder and Director of the
Armenian Institute. She is also a
Dr. Susan Pattie
Senior Research Fellow at University
College London and has taught there and at other universities in London.
Born in Washington DC, Dr. Pattie grew up in that area.
She received a BA in Art from Hope College, Holland,
Michigan and later began a PhD in cultural anthropology
at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her fieldwork
was with the Armenian community of Cyprus and further
research continues in Armenia, Syria and North America.
A
New Director, continued on page 11
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NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
2
In Memoriam: ALMA’s
Commemoration of Three Genocides
n Sunday, April 22, more than 200 people attended
the We Share Our Pain program, a joint commemoration of the Armenian and Ukrainian Genocides and
the Irish Famine. Each April, ALMA remembers the
Armenian Genocide together with one or two other genocides. According to Trustee Chairman Haig Der
Manuelian,“while the Armenian Genocide is the first of the
20th century, all Genocides need to be acknowledged and
remembered.” He added that “hopefully it will teach the
whole population that the genocide of one people begets the
genocides of other peoples for, in one way or the other, all
genocides seem to be perpetrated from the same blueprint.”
During the ceremony, Dr. Dikran Kaligian focused his talk
on the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide, Dr. Joseph
Downes spoke about the Irish Famine of the 1840s, and
Attorney Paul Rabchenuk discussed the Ukrainian Genocide
of the 1930s known as the Holodomor (Ukrainian for death
by forced starvation). An exhibit on the Ukrainian Genocide,
courtesy of the Connecticut Holodomor Awareness
Committee, was mounted in ALMA’s Terjenian-Thomas
Gallery.
Father Roman Tarnavsky from St. Andrew Ukrainian
Orthodox Church in Jamaica Plain performed a brief
Ukrainian service, which was followed by a performance by
O
The Ongoing Armenian Genocide
Exhibit on Display at the Virginia
Holocaust Museum
LMA’s traveling exhibit, The Ongoing Armenian
Genocide: Death, Denial and Desecration, has been
on display since November 6, 2011 at the Virginia
Holocaust Museum in Richmond, the third largest Holocaust
Museum in America. The 15-panel exhibit is unique in that,
unlike most displays on the Armenian Genocide, the main
focus is the aftermath of the Genocide, in particular the nearly century-long Turkish denial of the Genocide. The ongoing
Turkish policy to destroy vestiges of Armenian civilization
in what is now Turkey, the change in the names of places,
flora, and fauna to expunge hints of an Armenian presence,
and the desecration of world-class Armenian monuments.
In part because of the interest in and success of ALMA’s
display, the Virginia Holocaust Museum decided to create its
own permanent Armenian Genocide exhibit. Last December
the museum held a special event to highlight the ALMA
exhibit and also to encourage donations for its own forth-
A
The St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church Choir performs at the Three
Genocides Commemoration ceremony.
the St. Andrew church choir. A closing prayer was offered by
ALMA Board member Father Vasken Kouzouian, pastor of
the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater
Boston, while taking the hand of Father Tarnavsky. The service was followed by a reception during which guests had the
opportunity to share with one another their respective
Armenian, Ukrainian, and Irish cultures.
coming Armenian exhibit. The event, organized by the
Armenian Education Center of Virginia, presented the
Virginia Holocaust Museum’s plans to design a permanent
exhibit, “The Whole World Failed”, which will encompass
displays on genocides of the 20th and 21st centuries, including the Armenian Genocide.
ALMA’s Ongoing Armenian Genocide was funded by a
grant from Haig and Adele Der Manuelian, Vigen Der
Manuelian, and Lucy Der Manuelian in memory of their parents, Armenouhy and Manuel Der Manuelian. The exhibit
had its premiere at the University of Rhode Island in April
2010, made possible by a grant from Ardashes Nahabedian.
ALMA seeks to display the Ongoing Armenian Genocide
exhibit at non-Armenian sites in order to raise awareness of
the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide outside of the
Armenian community. If you would like to arrange a nonArmenian venue for this display, please contact ALMA at
info@almainc.org.
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
Koumjian, Aram & Ann, MA
Kouyoumjian, Diane, MA
Kovak, Frank,CA
Kricorian, Nancy, NY
Krikorian, Rose, RI
Krikorian, Vartney, WI
Kundakjian, Varujan, MA
Kupelian, Newton J, MA
Lakissian, Boghos, CA
LaMantia, Stephanie Gelenian, MN
Lesnick, Sheila & Irving, MA
Lind-Sinanian, Gary & Susan, MA
LoPresti, Peggy, MA
Lorincie, Barbara, CA
Mahakian, Carl, CA
Manuelian, John, MA
Marashlian, Kevork, MA
Mardiros, Anahid, MA
Markarian, Joseph & Florence, MA
Maronian, Bared, FL
Mazmanian, Edward & Evelyn, MA
McEvoy, Bill, MA
Mead, Cynthia R, MA
Medzorian, Jack, MA
Megerdichian, Robert, MA
Mekaelian, Kay, IL
Melikian, Zaven, CA
Melkonian, Tamar, MA
Mellian, Sema, DE
Merian, Diane, MA
The Merian Family, MA
Mesrobian, Arpena, MA
Minassian, Saro, MA
Modern Art Museum of Yerevan, Armenia
Mooradian, Ovsanna, NY
Moranian,Suzanne E, MA
Mouradian, George,MI
Muggeridge, Rose, MA
NAASR, MA
Nagoski, Ian, MD
Nahabedian, Ardashes, RI
Nahabedian, Walter, MA
Najarian, Leo, MA
Najarian, Louis, NY
Nalbandian, Dana, WA
Nalbandian, Edward, Armenia
National Academy of Sciences, Armenia
The National Archives, MA
Neff, Nathan, MA
Nickson, Charles G, TX
Nor Or Publishing, CA
Noradunkian, Albert, Canada
Ohanessian, Sita, MN
O'Kucian, Jean, MA
Olson, Loretta Gelenian, WI
Omartian, George K. & Zoya, MA
Orchanian, Never, MA
Pahigian, Helen, MA
Palmer, Araxi, NY
Panoyan, Kevork, CA
Papakhian, Victor, MI
Perethian, Charles & Angel, RI
Peroomian, Rubina, CA
Peterson, Marian Agazarian, ME
Petty, Dian Keuhnelian, VA
Pilibosian, Jacob & Audrey, MA
Piranian, Roxann, CT
Pitts, John, NY
Portoian, Sylvia, OH
Putney, Clifford, MA
Ricciardi, Hope, MA
Rogow, Zack, CA
Rosenfield, Joan Samour, MD
Rosenvold, Lee Toomajian, MA
Rolsin Art Gallery, CA
Roupen & Arsen, Kalfayan, Greece
Russian, Amy, WY
Sadjian- Mears, Therese, NJ
Sahagian, Alma, MA
Sahiner, Ara, France
Sarkisian, Zarouhi, MA
Saryan, Levon, WI
Schmeizl, Houry Yapoujian, MA
Setian, Shahkeh, MA
Shaftanian, Betty Mananian, CA
Shatakhtsian, Anna, RI
Shelemian, Ardashes & Shake, MA
Shirinian, Helda, MA
Shrikian, Gorun, MI
Simonian, Brenda, NYSingleman, Janet, MA
Soghigian, Barbara, MA
Sogigian, Rosanna & Raymond Bagdasarian, MA
Spyropoulos, Shirley, MA
St Martins, UK
St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church, NY
St. James Armenian Church, MA
Svazlian, Verjine, Armenia
Estate of Hovsep Tahmazian, NJ
Talanian, Rose, MA
Tarakdjian, Megerditch
Tashjian, Richard, NM
Tebeau, AgnesMA
Tellalian, Donald James, MA
Terchunian, Dean, NY
Terzian, Makrouhi, NC
Tokat, Osep, CA
Tolajian, Sophie, MA
Tootikian, Vahan, MI
Topakian, Karen, CA
Topjian, Diana, MA
Tourigian, Martin M, PA
Troyer, Katherine Emurian, NJ
Tutunjian, Shooshan, MA
VanDerkeyl, Roberta, MA
Varteresian, Alan, MA
Vasbouragan Society, CA
Verinikova- Manukian, Anna, MA
Vieira-Trant (Tafralian), Christine, MA
Wakeen, Kenneth, FL
Watertown Public Library, MA
Weisberg, Siranoush Frances, VA
Wilkins, Charles, MA
Woitasek, David, MA
Yagjian, Cora M, CA
Yahiayan, Jacob H, NY
Yeghiayan, Carol, MA
Yeshilian, Araxy, MA
Zakaryan, Lilit, MA
Zamanigian, Mary Ann, RI
Zeitounian, Mihran, MA
Zeytoonjian, Carol, MA
Shop at ALMA this Holiday Season!
LMA gift shop has undergone major renovations. It has become a stunning open space
boutique with new lights, cases, and window
displays to showcase items available to purchase.
Cards, pottery, ceramic serving pieces, hand-crafted
items made in Armenia, accessories, jewelry, religious
items including khatchkars, CDs, DVDs and books are
all available. There is also a section dedicated to children with games, books and learning materials for all
ages in both Armenian and English.
You can finish all of your holiday shopping at ALMA.
Drop in to see the new store or shop online at
www.almainc.org/store. All proceeds from the gift
shop benefit ALMA and its educational programs.
ALMA members receive a ten percent discount on all
gift shop purchases.
A
View of the renovated ALMA gift shop
Visit ALMA online for a virtual tour of the
Galleries, browse the Library catalog
or buy items from the gift shop!
www.almainc.org
15
4
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
Catching up with ALMA: September 2011 - September 2012
Over the past year, ALMA has organized new exhibits, scholarly
talks, and a wide variety of events, from Family Day to the Sunday
film series. ALMA’s rich program of events isn’t possible without
your support - please consider making a donation to ALMA or participating in one of our fundraising events.
2011
Photo courtesy of H. Berberian
Left from top to bottom:
ALMA Trustees Daniel
Dorian and Haig
Deranian; views of the
Bedoukian Galleries during and after the renovations in summer 2011.
Above: more than 250
people attended the
Karsh exhibition opening
on September 17, 2011.
Right: Dr. Vartan
Gregorian, President
of the Carnegie Corporation of New York,
beside his portrait by
Yousuf Karsh.
Photo courtesy of H. Khatcherian
The New Face of ALMA
Renovated Galleries Open, continued from page 1
renewed and modern space, displaying its own unique holdings alongside the new collection of Karsh photographs. The
exhibit space and redesigned galleries took inspiration from
the contemporary style of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Estrellilta Karsh introduced ALMA trustees Robert
Khederian and Michele Kolligian to MFA chief planning
designer Keith Crippen and MFA chief graphic designer
Jennifer Munson who envisioned these changes. Through
their work and the contributions of generous donors, ALMA
now boasts state-of-the-art facilities and displays. Mr.
Crippen was particularly excited about the architectural possibilities of the building, a former bank designed by
renowned architect Ben Thompson. For Crippen, the foundations for an excellent exhibit space were already there and
would “provide a space which could pay homage to all of the
beautiful objects on display.”
Crippen’s designs have transformed the former Bedoukian
Hall into the new Bedoukian Galleries. These galleries honor
the extraordinary contributions of the Bedoukian family
(including the late Paul Zareh and Vicki Bedoukian and their
son and daughter-in-law Robert and Gail Bedoukian). Their
books, coins, illuminations, costumes, maps, religious art,
Sept. 16: Yousuf Karsh Gala - Fairmont Copley Hotel, Boston.
Sept. 17: Opening of the Karsh: Celebrating Humanity exhibit.
Oct. 13: Mark Mustian, reading and signing of his novel, The
Gendarme.
Oct. 16: Dance class - Armenian village dances with Gary and
Susan Lind-Sinanian.
Oct. 23: Film series - The Priestess (Dir. Vigen Chaldranian).
Nov. 6: Drama reading- Director Judy Braha and playwright Joyce
Van Dyke preview the play Deported.
Nov. 27: Film series - Army of Crime (Dir. Robert Guedigian).
Dec. 4: Dance class - Armenian village dances with Gary and
Susan Lind-Sinanian.
Dec.15: Poetry presentation by Dr. James Russell, Mashtots
Professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard University: The Bells,
from Poe to Sardarabad.
Temporary Exhibits
Martin Barooshian Paintings Exhibit (Oct 2011- Jan 2012)
Hope Ricciardi Paintings Exhibit (Feb-Apr 2012)
Holodomor: The Ukrainian Genocide (Apr-Jul 2012)
Bound for Glory: 500 Years of Armenian Printing from
ALMA’s Collection (May-Sept 2012)
Now Entering Artsakh: Photography by Armen Babayan
(Summer 2012)
Author Taner Akcam signs a copy of The Young Turks’ Crime
Against Humanity for Chairman Haig der Manuelian after his
reading at ALMA on April 15, 2012.
2012
Jan. 15: Film series - The 36 Immortals (Dir. Hrach Vardanyan).
Feb. 12: Hawk Khatcherian, Yergir 2 Yergir - Talk on his new photography book.
Feb. 26: Film Series – Skylark Farm (Dir. Paolo and Vittorio
Taviani).
Mar. 18: ALMA’s Family Day.
Mar. 23: Peter Poullada, New England Rug Society Lecture: Lebab
Turkmen and their Interactions with the Local Uzbeks.
Mar. 25: Lace workshop with Susan Lind-Sinanian - Film Series:
Vodka Lemon (Dir. Hiner Saleem).
April 15: Book Presentation by Dr. Taner Akçam, Professor of
Armenian Genocide Studies at Clark University, upon publication
of his latest study, The Young Turks' Crime Against Humanity: The
Armenian Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing in the Ottoman Empire.
April 22: Joint Commemoration of Three Genocides (Armenian,
Irish, and Ukrainian).
May 6: Film Series–Genocide Revealed: Holodomor, the Ukrainian Genocide of 1923-1933 (Dir. Bobby Leigh).
May 27: Film Series – A Jersey Tale (Dir. Michael Tolajian).
May 31: "Charents' Book of the Way: Text and Icon of a Soviet
Armenian Apocalypse": illustrated lecture by Dr. James Russell,
Professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard University.
June 3: Film Series – My Son Shall be Armenian (Dir. Hagop
Goudsouzian).
July 17: Sports Raffle Drawing
July 26: Chris Bohjalian, presenting his novel The Sandcastle Girls.
Sept 15: Symposium on The Armenians and the Book.
From left to right: ALMA Assistant Curator Howayda Abu Affan,
ALMA Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian and Catheline Van Den
Branden, Executive Director of the French Cultural Center, during the Armenian Soirée on March 21, 2012.
Children posing with Noah’s Ark at ALMA Family Day on March
18, 2012.
13
14
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
Acquisitions (September 2010 through August 2012)
ALMA is grateful to the many generous individuals and institutions who have donated items to the library and
museum. Such donations expand and enhance the collections and these contributions are greatly appreciated.
In this Newsletter we are covering a longer period than is usual and thus have space to show only the names
of our donors, rather than the detailed list of items in earlier issues. The longer list is available on the website.
Thank you once more to all our donors.
Afeyan, Noubar, MA
Aghajanian, Elizabeth, MA
Aharonian, Donald, MA
Aharonian, Lehart, MA
AIWA, MA
Ajemian, David, MA
Ajemian, Harry, RI
Alajajian, Philip, MA
Alemian, Mary, MA
Estate of Edward & Grace Alexanian, NY
Allen, James, KS
Almasian, Arakel & Lillian, MA
Anderson, Douglas, MA
Anonymous
Apcar, Lucille, CA
Apelian, Vahe, OH
The Armenian Prelacy, NY
Armenian Research Center, University of Michigan, MI
Armenian Studies Program -California State University, CA
Armenian Tree Project, MA
Arpiarian, Archie, MA
Arzigian, Diane, NH
Asbedian, Varujan, MA
Aslanian, Jack, CA
Atamian, Christopher, NY
Avakian, Susan, MA
Avdoyan, Levon, DC
Avedisian, Mary Chapourian, MA
Babigian, Adrienne, CT
Babij, Lana, CT
Badalians, Rima, HI
Baladouni, Vahe, VA
Baljian, Der Antranig, MA
Bardakian, Claire, NY
Barooshian, Martin, MA
Barry, Scott, MA
Barsam, Fred M, PA
Barsamian, Elizabeth, PA
Basmajian, Vahan V, MA
Basmajian, Virginia, MA
Bastajian, Leon, MA
Bazarian, Margaret, MA
Bedford/St. Martin's, MA
Bedrosian, Lili, MA
Bettencourt, Lorraine, NH
Bezidjian, Georges G. & Elisa, MA
Boghosian, Paula, MA
Bousian, Jack, CA
Boyajian, Armene, MA
Boyajian, David B., MA
Branon, Nancy
Brewster, Edward, MA
Brown, Adrianne, CT
Brownlee, Paula, VA
Budakian, Peter, NY
Charkoudian, Bethel, MA
Cholakian, Ann, CA
Damerjian, Robert S, PA
The Christian Science Monitor, MA
Cinemosaic, NY
Coughlin, Marilyn Nargozian, MA
Covell, Catherine, Canada
Dagdigian, Joseph & Lisa, MA
Dart, Tom, VA
Davis, Susi, NH
Deckmejian, Birj, NJ
Deeb, Hera, CA
Deines, Mercedes Goshgarian, RI
Demerjian, Armen, MA
Demerjian, Linda, MA
Demerjian, Martha, MA
Der Boghosian, Paul, MA
Der Manuelian, Haig, MA
Der Manuelian, Lucy, MA
Der Manuelian, Roy, MA
Der Marderosian, Diran, FL
Der Parseghian, Albert, MA
Deranian, H. Martin, MA
Derderian, Carl & Armenne, MA
Derderian, George, VA
Derderian, Rose, MA
Dildilian, Margaret, NY
Diranian, Karen, MA
Der Koorkanian, Elizabeth, IL
Erasian, Van and John, NH
Esserian, Armen J, MA
Etmekjian, Lillian, MA
Farmhouse Treasures, MA
Feligian, Marian, MA
Ganjian, Julie Seferian, MA
Garabedian, Alice, MA
Gechijian, Arshag, MA
Gheridian, Juan & Odette, MA
Gold, Joan Ogasapian, MA
Goshgarian, Crosby & Flo, MA
Gregorian, Virginia, FL
Grigoran, Tigran, Armenia
Hablanian, Ann, MA
Hablanian, Marsbed, MA
Hachikian, Arto, MA
Haigentz, M, NJ
Hajian, Helen, MA
Haroian, Chris, MA
Haroian, Henry & Jessica, MA
Holmes, Ruth, MI
Hovagimian, Edna, MA
Hovanesian, Vasgen, MA
Howes, Dorothy Nakashian, MA
Hunkiar, Aram,
Iskenderian, Vera, MA
Janjigian, Alice, MA
Janjigian, Perouz, MA
Jeknavorian, Ara, MA
Jelalian, Elissa, RI
Jilajian, Alyce,NJ
Jingozian, Charles R. & Lillian, MA
John, Jeannette, MA
Johnson, Barbara, MA
Juskalian, Mary, RI
Kabakian, Mary & Hagop, RI
Kachigian, George & Alice, OR
Kahyayian, Hasmig, Canada
Kalajian, Nancy, MA
Kaloustian, Diana, PA
Kandalian-Aslanian, Mary, CA
Kaprelian, Julia
Kaprelian, Rose, WI
Karabian, Walter & Laurel, CA
Karakehian, Jason, MA
Karanian, Agnes, CT
Karanian, Henry & Agnes, CT
Karapetian, Alice, NC
Karapetian, David, MI
Karsh, Estrellita, MA
The Kasbarian family, NJ
Kashmanian, John, RI
Kasparian, Elaine, MA
Kassabian, Krikor, MA
Kaysalian, Emily, MA
Kayzak, Kristina, Canada
Kazazian, George & Nairi Havan, MA
Kehiakachoian, Harry, CA
Keuhnelian Petty, Dian, VA
Kevorkian, Leona, MA
Khachatorian, Anrieta, CA
Khachigian, Kenneth L, CA
Khalarian, Paul & Janeta, MA
Khantzian, Verna, MA
Khaytyan, Khachik, MA
Kimatian, Ester, NY
Kling Stubbins, MA
Kochenburger, Linda, NJ
Komendaryan, Ken, MA
ALMA Acquires Garabedian
Collection and Archives
3
Celebrating 500 Years of
Armenian Books
An extensive collection of domestic metal work with
detailed documentation by Berj Garabedian arrived at
ALMA in late September. ALMA is grateful to daughters Sossie, Zovinar, and Hourig for their contribution to
the acquisition of this extraordinary collection, representing their father’s life-time work. An exhibition will
be announced in the coming months and our next
newsletter will provide more information about this
important collection.
High School Students Reflect
on ALMA
Annual Holocaust Remembrance Project
n June 27, ten high school finalists in the Annual
Holocaust Remembrance Project essay contest visited ALMA to tour the Armenian Genocide and
Ukrainian Genocide exhibits. Sponsored by the Holland &
Knight Charitable Foundation, Inc., the project aims to
memorialize the Holocaust and to encourage Holocaust studies through a national college scholarship essay contest. This
year the finalists were chosen from over 2,800 essays from
coast to coast, winning college scholarships and the opportunity to take part in Scholar Week in Boston, a program of
talks, events, and study groups on the Holocaust.
As part of Scholar Week, a visit to ALMA was organized
by Holland & Knight and Facing History and Ourselves.
O
Students, continued on page 10
The Holocaust Remembrance Project contest winners at ALMA
From Urbatagirk (Friday Book), the first printed Armenian Book.
Venice, 1512
his year museums and libraries around the world
(including the Library of Congress) are celebrating
with exhibits and symposia the 500th anniversary of
the first Armenian printed book (published in Venice, Italy,
in 1512). Drawing on our extensive collection of antiquarian and modern publications, ALMA opened a major exhibit in late May titled Bound for Glory: 500 Years of
Armenian Printing.
ALMA’s exhibit highlights the creation of the alphabet
and literature, handwritten masterpieces, the development
of Armenian printing around the world, and an examination
of the types of books printed.
ALMA was also one of several Boston area institutions
working together to present a small exhibit at Harvard
University’s undergraduate library (Lamont) on The
Armenians and the Book for three weeks in April. Several
works from ALMA, including the first printed Armenian
Bible (Amsterdam, 1648) and four Prayer Scrolls
(Hyamils) were on display. The exhibit stressed the idea of
the book and the script of Mashtots as central to the cultural survival of a small and ancient nation that has faced
unique challenges over millennia in a central region of the
Asian and European worlds.
A version of the Harvard exhibit was subsequently moved
to the museum’s Third Floor Gallery, and an all-day
Symposium was held at ALMA on September 15, 2012.
Both the Exhibit and the Symposium were sponsored by the
Mashtots Chair in Armenian Studies at Harvard University,
in conjunction with the ALMA, the National Association
for Armenian Studies & Research, the Armenian Cultural
Foundation, and the Armenian programs at Tufts and
Boston University.
T
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
6
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
All photos courtesy of B. Brett
ALMA New Director, continued from page 1
Stella Aftandilian, ALMA Trustees Joan Agajanian
Quinn, Michele Kolligian and Carolyn Mugar
Betsy and Steve Demirjian
Kathy Campanella, Roger Marino and ALMA Trustee Sandra Missakian
Nisha, Levon and Bethel Charkoudian
Yervant Chekijian, Sara and Vasken Bogosian
Yousuf Karsh Gala and Exhibition, continued from page 1
Extensive renovations of the museum to accommodate the
exhibit and update the galleries were done very quickly
and made possible by gifts from the Dadourian Foundation
and other generous donors. Estrellita Karsh commented
that ALMA is “now using the past of the Armenians to
bring forth the present and the future, which my husband,
Yousuf, represented. This is a gathering of the old, the new,
the contemporary, showing that Armenian culture is moving out into the community.”
Karsh Gala
To celebrate the opening of the Karsh exhibition, ALMA
hosted a Gala on September 16, 2011 at the Fairmont
Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston. The event, raising more
than $500,000 for the renovations, was organized by
Michele Kolligian. Robert Khederian chaired the fundraising campaign. While the 375 guests socialized over cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a three-course dinner, the event
centered on celebrating the life and works of Yousuf Karsh
and heralding in a new chapter for ALMA. Former
Michigan Governor James Blanchard (later U.S. ambassador to Canada) and his wife Janet were also present. A dear
friend of Yousuf and Estrellita, Gov. Blanchard was the last
subject photographed by Karsh. Dr. Vartan Gregorian,
President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York whose
portrait hangs in the Karsh exhibit, was unable to attend but
sent a letter, read by Kolligian, recounting the loving relationship shared by the artist and his wife, and his admiration of how Karsh was able to "treat everyone as if they
were the only person who counted in the world."
Speakers included Guest of Honor Estrellita Karsh,
Robert Khederian, and Gala Chair Michele Kolligian, who
emphasized the importance of the Karsh exhibit and renovations to ALMA’s mission to preserve and promote
Armenian culture, heritage, and artifacts. ALMA Chairman
She is the author of Faith in History: Armenians Rebuilding
Community (Smithsonian Institution Press), many academic
articles and contributions to edited volumes, as well as two
recent books aimed at a wider audience.
Who Are the Armenians? (with Gagik Stepan Sarkissian
and Maral Kerovpyan), written for 6 – 12 year-olds, coincidentally bears the same title as a major exhibition designed
and showcased at ALMA. Both serve to present Armenian
heritage and culture to a broad public, Armenian and nonArmenian alike. Dr. Pattie’s most recent book, Treasured
Objects: Armenians in the Ottoman Empire 100 Years Ago
(with Vazken Davidian and Gagik Stepan Sarkissian) is also
a serendipitous match with ALMA and its rich collections.
With its roots in one of the oldest but still vibrant New
World communities, ALMA has numerous outreach programs, from curator-led tours of its galleries to traveling
exhibitions. Susan Pattie’s work with the Armenian Institute
has also focused on raising awareness of Armenian heritage
and culture as well as encouraging the exploration of what it
means to be Armenian in the 21st century diaspora in all its
diverse dimensions.
She notes: “I have greatly enjoyed my visits to the
Armenian Library and Museum of America over the past
years and am looking forward to this wonderful opportunity
to work with the talented team already in place at ALMA. As
the largest museum in the diaspora, ALMA has a great
responsibility to make the most of its collections, presenting
them to the public in ways that both showcase their beauty
and value but also stimulate the viewer to learn more about
the context and culture in which they were created and used.
The newly renovated galleries provide a stunning showcase
for this. I am especially happy to see the new Yusuf Karsh
exhibition there, generously donated by Estrellita Karsh,
demonstrating that great Armenian art continues to be created in our contemporary world, not only in the past. As the
new Director at ALMA, I hope to build on this work, expanding the outreach program and creating more opportunities
for people of all ages to actively participate in learning
about Armenian culture and history. My office on the 3rd
floor of ALMA has an open door and I welcome visitors who
wish to share their thoughts about the library and museum’s
work. I know that ALMA is built on the dedicated work, generosity and long-term vision of a number of people, trustees,
staff, and volunteers. I hope to make my own contribution to
this tradition and look forward to meeting you at ALMA.”
Susan Pattie is married to Levon Chilingirian, violinist and
leader of the Chilingirian Quartet, and has one son, Stepan.
She now lives in the Boston area.
11
Ongoing Exhibits at ALMA
Yousuf Karsh: “Celebrating Humanity”
Bedoukian Galleries, first floor
Permanent exhibition of Karsh’s photographs, including
portaits of Winston Churchill, Helen Keller, Aram
Khachaturian, Ernest Hemingway and Albert Einstein.
Highlights from ALMA’s collections
Bedoukian Galleries, first floor (rear)
Showcases some of the finest artifacts in the museum’s
collection in order to articulate Armenia’s rich cultural
and historical heritage.
Who are the Armenians
First Floor, side gallery
Exhibit spanning more than 3,000
years of Armenian history and culture.
Genocide Exhibit
Second Floor Gallery
Mounted in 2011, this exhibit explores the tragic
events of the Armenian Genocide.
Armenian musical traditions
Second Floor Gallery
Showcases traditional Armenian musical instruments
ALMA’s Wish List
Digital Camera
Table Saw
Video Camera
$600
$700
$1000
Staff Development Fund $1800
A fund enabling staff to represent ALMA
at national/regional conferences and
workshops, broadening the museum’s
professional network and increasing the
knowledge and skills of staff members.
Intern Scholarships $500 each
Many young, talented professionals
would like to help at ALMA. A gift of
$500 enables an intern to work for 100
hours, covering their basic expenses.
12
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
5
Get Involved at ALMA!
ALMA’s family of volunteers in 2010.
ALMA needs your help!
Whether it is through volunteering, an internship opportunity, or
helping us to find new venues to showcase our traveling exhibits,
we would love to have your support.
Volunteering at ALMA
Have you considered donating your time and skills to ALMA?
ALMA is always looking for volunteers to help with cataloguing,
mailings, curatorial work, carpentry, rug and textile restoration,
conservation, data entry, graphic design, and more.
We have a diverse body of volunteers, ranging from 15-year-old
high school students to 80-year-old-retirees, and we are always
looking to expand our volunteer workforce. Many of our retired
volunteers have made major contributions to our museum and
library by sharing their experience and talents, translating manuscripts and transcripts, filing, assisting with group tours and exhibit receptions.
Whether you are Armenian or “ABC” (Armenian By Choice), we
would love to welcome you to our family of volunteers.
Internship Opportunities
As the largest Armenian museum in the Diaspora, ALMA offers a
wide range of exciting internship opportunities for undergraduate
and graduate students who want hands-on experience to help build
their careers.
We are seeking enthusiastic students with an interest in Armenian
history and culture and/or who have a background in art history,
anthropology, communications, graphic design, web development,
museum studies or library science. All applicants must have a keen
eye for detail, excellent organizational skills, and a desire to learn.
Help Us Find Venues for ALMA’s Traveling Exhibits
As part of ALMA’s goal to make Armenian history and culture
more widely recognized, both nationally and internationally, we
have created three traveling exhibits.
We would like your help in finding venues for them, so that more
people can have access to our rich heritage and traditions. Would
your alma mater, local school, museum, visitor center or library be
interesting in displaying one of our exhibits?
ALMA’s Traveling Exhibits
• Légion Arménienne: The Armenian Legion and Its Heroism
in the Middle East honors the efforts of the Armenian
Legionnaires during World War I. The exhibit explores the formation, training, military action, and postwar activities of this all volunteer force through photographs and narratives. This exhibit has
toured Fresno and Pasadena, CA, Racine, WI, Whitinsville, MA,
Ann Arbor, MI, and Chicago, IL.
• The Armenian Genocide: Death, Denial and Desecration tells
the story of the ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide by the
Turkish government. This exhibit was shown in Providence, RI
and is currently displayed at the Holocaust Museum in Richmond,
VA where the panels were mounted over 8 months ago. ALMA
seeks to display the Ongoing Armenian Genocide exhibit at nonArmenian sites in order to raise awareness of the aftermath of the
Armenian Genocide outside of the Armenian community.
• Who are the Armenians offers a comprehensive account of the
history, culture, and traditions of the Armenian people from the
Iron Age to the present. In the summer of 2011 it was displayed at
Camp Haiastan in Franklin, MA so that young Armenian campers
could learn about their history and heritage.
All of the traveling exhibits have been designed to facilitate shipping in custom crates.
For more information on how you can get involved with ALMA,
please call 617-926-2562.
Clockwise from top left: ALMA Volunteer Koko Kassabian and his wife
Nancy; Jerry Fielder, Curator of the Estate of Yousuf Karsh, ALMA
Trustees Michele Kolligian and Robert Khederian, Estrellita Karsh,
ALMA Chairman Haig der Manuelian; MFA Boston Graphic Designer
Jennifer Munson and Eulogio Guzman, Professor at the Museum
School of Tufts University; Chairman Haig der Manuelian and
Estrellita Karsh cut the ribbon (photo courtesy of B. Charkoudian);
ALMA Trustees Arakel Almasian and Barbara Merguerian; Keith
Crippen, Head Designer at the MFA Boston.
stamps, rugs, embroideries, metalwork, and other
Armenian objects formed the original foundation of the
ALMA collection.
The new Bedoukian Galleries holds the Karsh exhibit,
an adjacent media room that screens films related to
exhibits, and the new Highlights of the ALMA Collections
exhibit. A display of some of the museum’s most significant Armenian artifacts, Highlights includes illuminated
manuscripts, religious objects, ceramics, weapons, early
books, reliquaries, Uratrian artifacts, intricate textiles, and
items from the Bedoukian collection. These renovations
were made possible by generous gifts from the Dadourian
Foundation and other donors. The new soundproof media
room, funded by Nancy, Michele and Greg Kolligian and
Lisa Kolligian-Dorian in honor of their late parents,
Gregory A. and Rose Kolligian, is currently screening
Karsh is History, a Canadian documentary directed by
Joseph Hillel that offers insights into Karsh’s life.
Other changes to the museum include the addition of
new free standing walls, a more contemporary reception
desk generously donated by Andy Pettiti, a fresh look for
the lobby and gift shop space, a flexible track-lighting system, and ten new climate-controlled display cases with
security features. Jennifer Munson designed large introductory wall texts for each exhibit and labels for individual
cases. “It was a real inspiration to work with the artwork”
she said.
ALMA curator Gary Lind-Sinanian said of the renovations, “We are transforming a small ethnic museum into an
art museum which is very exciting.” Indeed, 2011 has ushered in many changes to the museum displays. The
Armenian Genocide exhibition was redesigned in April
2011, and the Who Are the Armenians exhibit has recently
incorporated more artifacts and now displays the Mother
and Son Genocide sculpture by Alice Melikian. Kolligian
believes that the recent work means that ALMA is not only
renewing 20-year facilities but also changing ALMA’s public face: “The renovation of the gallery and the Karsh gift
puts ALMA in a position to attract more visitors and supporters, non-Armenian as well as Armenian.”
NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER
FALL 2012
8
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
What
What do
do YOU
YOU want
want your
your legacy
legacy to
to be?
be?
Including ALMA in your will not only show your pride for our rich heritage and culture, it also means that you are leaving
Including ALMA in your will not only show your pride for our rich heritage and culture, it also means that you are leaving
a lasting impact for generations of Armenian-Americans to come.
a lasting impact for generations of Armenian-Americans to come.
Make ALMA your LEGACY. Help strengthen this cultural cornerstone by including ALMA in your will.
What’s Next at ALMA?
Nov. 11- The Art of Ranzar - Opening Reception
On display through January 31, 2013
Nov. 15 - Presentation on Houshamadyan
Nora Lessersohn will present this historical and
cultural initiative based in Berlin, Germany
Have a question? Call 617-926-2562, ext. 4.
Dec. 13 - ALMA Holiday Reception
Join. Support. Experience.
Become an ALMA Member
Why Join?
As the only independent Armenian museum in the Diaspora funded solely through the contributions of individuals,
ALMA’s success depends on you. Membership signifies that you support the largest Armenian museum in the Diaspora.
It means you recognize the importance of collecting, preserving and presenting the culture, history and art of the Armenian
people during the past 3,000 years, for today, tomorrow, and for future generations to come.
It shows you care.
n
n
n
n
n
n
Membership Benefits
Free Museum admission and private guided tours with curator (tours by appointment)
10% off all gift shop purchases - whether you shop in house or online!
Invitations to exclusive events
Mailings about upcoming events
Discounted price for events and classes
New members receive two free guest passes and a $10 gift certificate at the Talk Restaurant (116 Main St, Watertown, MA)
Yes, I Want To Experience ALMA As a Member
Membership Information (please print)
Membership Categories (please check one)
c
c
Name
c
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address
c
Student
Individual
$15
$35
Charge to my:
c
Visa
c
MasterCard
Enclosed is my check
payable to “ALMA”
c
c
Family
$50
Sustaining $100
Card Number
Expiration Date
Signature (required)
c
c
Supporting
Contributing
$250
$500
ALMA Members only - RSVP at info@almainc.org
ALMA Essay Wins Historical
Society Award
his year Watertown high
school junior Alice Elbakian
won the first prize for her
essay about ALMA in a contest
sponsored by the Watertown
Historical Society. Annually, students are invited to submit a history essay, the best of which is
awarded a prize: $300 for first
place and $100 for second and third
places. This year students were
Alice Elbakian
asked to choose from four themes:
an individual, ethnic group, landmark, or historical event
in Watertown and its significance to the town and region.
While third place went to freshman Erin Hickey’s essay
on the Perkins School for the Blind and second place went
to sophomore Connor Crowley’s essay on Sir Richard
Saltonstall, it was first-prize winner Elbakian’s discussion
of the history and significance of ALMA that swayed the
Historical Society Council members.
In her essay, Elbakian argued that the refusal of the
Turkish government to acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide and the ongoing loss of Armenian artifacts
means that the Armenian people are “bitter, sorrowful, and
eager to find some sort of closure or end to their unforgettable past.” According to Elbakian, ALMA offers “one
step towards healing the wounded Armenian culture, tradition, and identity […] ALMA is one step towards
acknowledging the Armenian pain and suffering that has
been endured by all of its people.”
These student essays about ALMA are suggestive of the
organization’s impact on the wider community. Students
like Alice Elbakian, along with Kendall Jones, Anissa Lee,
and Daniela Hernandez-Fujigaki (see article page 3) are
highlighting the importance of telling the Armenian story.
Through ALMA, more people will be able to hear that
story.
T
9
The Gheridian Family
Collection
LMA recently received
an extraordinary library
collection from the estate
of Dr. Ruben Gheridian, donated
by his sisters Beatrice and Maria
Gheridian. The Gheridian family
has been active in Armenian
affairs on three continents and is
well known in the Watertown
community. Dr. Gheridian created a sensation in the American
community in the 1970’s when
he began to show slides of rural
Armenian life in the villages of
Drawing by Manuk Gheridian
the Armenian SSR. In the postsoviet era it is relatively easy to access these villages, but
during the soviet period it was expressly forbidden by the
government, which restricted the movements of foreign
visitors to Yerevan or to carefully supervised tours to government approved sites. Dr. Gheridian was an itinerant
physician in Soviet Armenia and assigned to travel as a
country doctor to the isolated villages. His photos documenting village life were the first glimpse of this restricted
world for most American-Armenian viewers.
His brother Manual (Manuk) Gheridian was a prominent
successful artist with works in many museums and churches. As a religious painter in Argentina, he painted the interiors of many Armenian churches in South America and created the elaborate “illuminated manuscript” donor board in
ALMA’s lobby. Several of Manual’s works are in ALMA’s
collection, donated by the artist or by the Gheridian family.
The Gheridian collection, which includes the personal
libraries of Ruben Gheridian and Beatrice Gheridian, is comprised of over 645 books on all areas of Armenian culture.
These range from 20th century works on literature, folklore,
history, the arts, geography, architecture, politics, architecture and other subjects, to rare 18th and 19th centuries works
on Armenia in a variety of European languages. The collection also includes brochures, art catalogs, maps, calendars,
posters, prints, paintings, and hundreds of periodicals. The
Gheridian Collection is one of the three largest library collections ever donated to ALMA, and strengthens the holding
in many areas. Members and visitors can see and use these
and other works in the library on the 4th floor.
A
The 25,000 volume research library is open every Friday
from 1-5 P.M., other times by appointment. Please contact
Berj Chekijian, ALMA’s librarian, for details at 617-9262562 ext. 6.
10
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
NEWSLETTER FALL 2012
Students, continued from page 3
Haig Der Manuelian, ALMA Chairman and Holland &
Knight partner, welcomed the students, and curator Gary
Lind-Sinanian provided a tour of the museum. Later in the
week, Der Manuelian spoke about the Armenian Genocide at
a talk at the Boston Public Library.
Together with other Board members, Der Manuelian invited the ten finalists to participate in another essay-writing
contest – this time to describe impressions of their visit to
ALMA. First prize went to Kendall Jones (Boise, ID) of
Capital High School, second prizes to Anissa Lee (Wellesley,
MA) from the Winsor School and Daniela HernandezFujigaki (Clarksburg, MD) from the Clarksburg High
School, and third prize went to Brian Hula (Bellevue, NE)
from the Mother of Divine Grace High School. The winners
were awarded monetary prizes.
In his essay, Kendall Jones reflected on the Armenian
Genocide, asking “Why have I not learned about this until
now?” Indeed, during their tour of ALMA, students questioned why Armenian History is not covered in American
High School curriculums.
Daniela Hernandez-Fujigaki wrote, “I left the museum
with a better understanding of and a deep appreciation for
the Armenian people.” For her, ALMA is unique in that it
allows visitors to “get immersed in the richness of its
exhibits.” She added “In no large museum will you ever get
the sense of intimacy and closeness to its exhibits and the
personalized attention that you get at the ALMA from its
knowledgeable and engaged staff.”
For Anissa Lee, the Karsh exhibit was of particular significance. After learning about the Armenian Genocide, she
wrote, the outlook for humanity seemed bleak. After viewing
Karsh’s photographs, however, she began to hope that
“humanity can be more like the man behind the camera,
showing light in others, remembering individuals, and their
goodness through simple acts each day, whether that be by
simply taking photographs of them or remembering their
legacy and carrying it on.” Just as Karsh could capture a
person’s true nature in his portraits, Lee wanted “to remember the spirit of each individual in the Genocide by telling
others to visit ALMA and by reading and learning about the
Armenian Genocide and countless other tragedies in our
past.”
Kendall Jones wrote that he was profoundly moved by his
tour of ALMA, a visit that made him “a changed, much
more enlightened person.” He expressed his belief that what
he learned from ALMA would help him in his personal mission to fight for justice: “My experience at the Armenian
Library and Museum gave me a priceless gift. It renewed my
conviction to spread awareness about all Genocides in order
to combat discrimination and injustice.”
Armenian Officials Visit ALMA
Claude Dubois and his wife Marianna Toroyan, Susan and Peter Vogt
Marion and Leon Semonian
From left to right: ALMA Trustee Barbara Merguerian, ALMA Curator
Gary Lind-Sinanian, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, Foreign
Minister Eduard Nalbandian, ALMA Acting Director Berj Chekijian,
Ambassador to the US Tatoul Markarian, ALMA Chairman Haig Der
Manuelian, ALMA Trustee Bruce Bagdasarian.
epresentatives of the Republic of Armenia were in
Boston to attend the dedication ceremony of the
Armenian Heritage Park. They visited ALMA on
May 22, 2012 where they met with Haig Der Manuelian,
Chairman of the Board and toured the museum and library.
Foreign Minister Nalbandian was especially impressed by
the Urartian collection, while Ambassador Markarian
praised the Karsh exhibit and the new Bedoukian Galleries.
R
Chris Bohjalian Talk Attracts
Full House at ALMA
ore than 250 people attended the presentation of
the New York Times bestselling The Sandcastle
Girls by author Chris Bohjalian on July 26. The
talk was part of a nationwide book tour which took the
author across the country, from Los Angeles and San
Francisco to New England, New Jersey, and to Capitol Hill.
M
Alice Kelikian, ALMA Trustee Hapet Berberian
and Melanie Dadourian
Estrellita Karsh (center) with Trustees Robert
Khederian and Michele Kolligian
ALMA: Gaining Recognition
2011 in which Estrellita Karsh, surrounded by her husband’s photographs at ALMA, shared intimate stories of
Karsh and his portrait subjects. Michele Kolligian spoke
about the design of the renovated galleries and mentioned that the catalyst had been the Karsh exhibit. A separate episode, broadcast in January 2012, featured
ALMA’s Assistant Curator Howayda Abu Affan speaking
about the museum’s third floor gallery of contemporary
paintings. These broadcasts, now on the web, continue to
attract many visitors to the museum. Indeed, since the
opening of the Karsh exhibit and redesigned galleries,
visitor numbers have quadrupled. ALMA, more than ever
before, is celebrating not only Armenians but also
humanity.
The Karsh exhibit has drawn considerable attention to
ALMA. WCVB’s Chronicle aired a segment on October 14,
Visit www.almainc.org to watch the Chronicle episode
on the Karsh exhibit.
Haig Der Manuelian extended his thanks to the Bedoukian
family for their generous contributions to ALMA and also
awarded an honorary lifetime membership to Dorothy
Burke, thanking her for the valuable support she has given
over 40 years. Board member Reverend Fr. Krikor A.
Sabounjian offered a prayer. Jerry Fielder, curator and director of the Karsh Estate, spoke about Karsh’s life, his photographs and his own experiences with the artist. In a presentation that included professional portraits as well as photos
of Karsh in his private life, Fielder recounted one of Karsh’s
lasting lessons to him. “Don’t give me what I ask for!” Karsh
told Fielder. “Give me what I want.”
7