tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38037669558275522762023-11-16T03:49:56.567-08:00OtarakanChronicals of the perpetual foreigner...Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-80297488465535344172011-11-02T12:38:00.000-07:002012-02-14T00:49:28.684-08:00The Aviator - no not Hughes... Abgarian!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVEBL4dTsD-fjn9v2qWotqCdvEJPd7d8UAE3h36-QuwZs1eBT0RPq8Z-HZ7h0TH8nVVifVdaLhjxS7_i2Ch1aI2SpZ9QMtUikMf0kzDVE_9iHOSszYEBibsV965qt5XRdwcM-wo8UZMA/s1600/Abgarian+Aram+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVEBL4dTsD-fjn9v2qWotqCdvEJPd7d8UAE3h36-QuwZs1eBT0RPq8Z-HZ7h0TH8nVVifVdaLhjxS7_i2Ch1aI2SpZ9QMtUikMf0kzDVE_9iHOSszYEBibsV965qt5XRdwcM-wo8UZMA/s320/Abgarian+Aram+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708910720925118370" /></a><br />A little article I wrote about a legendary Armenian - Aram Abgarian. Enjoy.<br /><br />Early Life<br /><br />Out of Turkey<br />Aram Abgarian was born in Constantinople, Turkey, on February 4, 1913, and migrated with his family to the United States before his first birthday. The family settled first in Toledo, Ohio and later moved to Detroit where Aram received his primary education at Cass Technical High School.<br /><br />A love for Aviation - Airplane Model League of America<br />While in high school, Aram's burning interest in aviation led to his participation in model airplane design and competition, primarily through the auspices of the Airplane Model League of America, or A.M.L.A. which was founded by renowned aviator William Bushnell Stout. The A.M.L.A.'s original purpose was to unite the various boys modeling clubs so that the first national competition could take place. At the first international meet Aram set the world record and won a trip to Europe. Following are William Bushnell Stout's early impressions of young Aram Abgarian: "This model-airplane work, in my opinion, accomplished far more than it has ever been given credit for. It did something to the boys. It taught them fundamentals of airplane design and flying that even Boston Tech failed to get over to many of its graduates. These boys knew what made a plane fly and what gave it performance, and they learned a type of free competition and sportsmanship that I have never seen equaled in any other form of contest. Early in the development work, I put up some prizes for Cass High School contest - $10.00, $5.00 and $2.50 for first, second and third prizes. Finally I designed and made up a trophy of Duralumin. The Stout Trophy is still contested for annually in the national event. One evening when I attended on of these contests in the Cass auditorium, a spirited indoor contest was going on. As I passed a young chap sitting on the stage floor, with his assitant helping him to wind up the rubber bands of his model for the next contest, I gathered that he, one of the smallest of the group, was in line for second place. In the last heat his plane had tied its nearest competitor. Next day, he said, was his mother's birthday and he was doing his best to win the contest so that he could buy her some flowers. By a few extra turns of the rubber bands without breaking them, he managed, this time, to add a few seconds to his plane's flight in the air and won second place. This promising young man was Aram Abgarian, an Armenian. His mother must have given him good backing at home, for he appeared in all contests after that. When we came to our first international meet, the outdoor contests were held at the State Fairgrounds in Detroit. It was a tricky day. Several times the outdoor models got caught in thermals, and even after their propellers stopped turning they were carried on and up and disappeared from sight. According to the rules, the judges counted the time as that in which the model was "in sight". Up to the last night of the outdoor contest, England, Canada and Hawaii had not placed. Our Detroit boys had taken every world's record in the meet. In Aram's event both his plane and the English entrant's model had disappeared from sight. The judges had timed the visible flight of Aram's plane a quarter of a second longer than its English rival's.<br />Aram standing second from left, with his model case in hand, during the prize trip. London, 1928<br />On this basis he might have won. The committee came to Aram, however, and explained that as a matter of club sportsmanship they did not think it would be good ethics to deprive the English of a win on so close a margin and on one based merely on the judgement of the timers as to when the models ceased to be visible. The prize was a round trip to Europe with all expenses paid. It was no small thing for a boy to lose. To be a good sport, however, Aram gave up his trip to Europe and allowed the judges, without protest or complaint from him, to award the outdoor contest to England. But he was not through. The next day was the international indoor contest for endurance. Aram had no model ready. Late that night when Aram got home he went to work on the kitchen table with scissors, razor blade, glue, tissue paper and microfilm. His mother made strong coffee and stayed up with him all night to help him keep awake. At ten o'clock the next morning he appeared at the big stock amphitheater in the fairgrounds where the contest was to be held, ready to fly his new model. It weighed a quarter of an ounce complete, stayed in the air for twelve and a half minutes, broke the world's record, and Aram went to Europe after all! This was one of the finest exhibitions of nerve and determination and sportsmanship I have ever heard of in any sport."<br /><br />William Bushnell Stout "So Away I Went"<br /><br />Aram meets President Coolidge<br />On April 2, 1928 the Detroit Free Press reported that Aram, along with 3 other national champions, all from Detroit, put on a demonstration for U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, on the south lawn of The White House. The boys left two of the model planes dangling from the tall poplar trees adjacent to the executive offices, and two landed on the roof of the offices. President Coolidge was reportedly very interested in the mechanism of the models, and wrapped up the event with a photo shoot with the boys. The event was also attended by Representatives Clarence J. McLeod, and Robert H. Clancy of Detroit, and Merril Hamburg, secretary of the Airplane Model League of America. The boys also met, and demonstrated their models for then-Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover, and earlier that day at Bolling Field (now Bolling Air Force Base) to Assistant Secretary of Commerce William P. McCracken, in charge of commercial aviation. George F. Plerrot, managing editor of the American Boy Magazine, accompanied the boys to Washington. Fred L. Black, Advertising Manager of the Ford Motor Company joined the boys, as a personal representative of Edsel Ford, who had provided air transportation for the delegation in a large monoplane.<br /><br />Aram meets President Hoover<br />In the spring of 1929, U.S. President Herbert Hoover welcomed to the White House a delegation consisting of Aram Abgarian, then indoor world record holder, William Chaffee, who formerly held that title, Thomas Hill of Winston-Salem, N.C., boy’s outdoor champion, and Ford Grant of Detroit, international champion (who had won a contest with international champions at the Croydon Airdome, in the U.K., July, 1928. They were accompanied by Mitchell V. Charnley of The American Boy’s editorial staff and again by Fred L. Black of Ford Motor Company. This time, the party flew from Detroit to Washington in a giant Ford all-metal tri-motor airplane, again supplied by Edsel Ford himself. The flight took three hours and fifteen minutes, at a time when it took sixteen hours to travel by train. President Hoover recalled meeting the delegation the year before when he was the Secretary of Commerce.<br /><br />A letter from Admiral Byrd<br />On June 17, 1928 only weeks prior to his 2 year long first expedition to Antarctica, famed American explorer Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd wrote Aram a personal letter of thanks. Through the offices of Mitchell V. Charnley of The American Boy Magazine, Aram had sent Byrd's young son two airplanes, that happened to be planes that Aram acheived the world record with. Byrd congratulated Abgarian on his accomplishments as well as his workmanship on the planes he sent, and remarked at how much he enjoyed flying the planes with his son. That year Byrd led an expedition to Antarctica that would lead him to become the first person to fly a plane over the South Pole on Nov. 29, 1929.<br /><br />Education and Career<br />After graduating from high school, he continued in the experimental engineering field, supplementing his education with classes at the University of Detroit and Wayne State University. In 1933, he married Ella Avedian, and shortly thereafter he began his first venture in business by producing a motor scooter called the "Traveler" from designs and patents he had developed. The success of the venture was halted by World War II, when materials became scarce, and Aram Abgarian turned his attention to the defense effort, working for several local companies.<br /><br />United Metal Products Corporation<br />In 1946 Mr. Abgarian founded United Metal Products Corporation, a company that produced sporting goods and parts for the automotive industry. The firm grew substantially during the ensuing years and Mr. Abgarian used his success to contribute to both the Armenian and Civic community until his death on June 20, 1968.<br /><br />A dream fulfilled<br />The late Aram Abgarian loved music and he played the piano for his own enjoyment in the privacy of his home. At the time St. John’s Armenian Church in Southfield, MI was being built, Mr. Abgarian expressed a desire to donate a pipe organ to the church. He made an original substantial contribution towards this purpose through the offices of his uncle, Edward Mardigian, president of the Armenian Apostolic Society, the organization charged with the responsibility of building and furnishing the new church.<br /><br />When the eventual selection of the pipe organ was finalized and the contracts were made, it was learned that the price of the organ was greater than the original estimate. Mr. Abgarian gladly paid the difference, only two weeks prior to his death. The organ project, so dear to his heart, was completed.<br /><br />The new pipe organ was dedicated in the loving memory of Aram Abgarian on Friday January 22, 1971. Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church, presided over the Holy Badarak, organ dedication and Requiem Service in memory of Aram Abgarian. Mr. Berj Zamkochian was the guest organist, accompanied by the Komitas Choir.Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-85403704850869463232011-01-14T19:14:00.000-08:002012-02-14T00:18:16.670-08:00Founder of the Gomidas Organ FundA Love for Sacred Music<br /><br />Berj Zamkochian was appointed as Organist of the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras when he was 26 years old. That year he signed his first recording contract with RCA Victor Records, and the Gregorian Institute of America Records. Mr. Zamkochian's recordings and concerts throughout the United States, Canada and Europe have earned for him international acclaim. From the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Gallup, New Mexico, he has played dedicatory organ recitals of the foremost organs in the country.<br /><br />At the 3rd World Congress of Sacred Music, in Paris, Zamkochian was chosen to represent the Organists of the United States. The Gregorian Institute of America has presented Berj Zamkochian in Sacred Music Workshops and Lectures throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1965 he was given the title of Titular Organist of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy by Pope Paul VI himself.<br /><br />In September of 1969 he was appointed University Organist in Residence at Boston College, where he inaugurated a series of Organ Recitals at the famed Jesuit School which became a very important part of the Boston Musical Scene.<br /><br />At the personal invitation of His Holiness, Catholicos Vasken I on December 16, 1970 Berj Zamkochian arrived in Armenia to tour the country and perform concerts. He played 6 concerts in 10 days on the newly installed organs of Yerevan and Etchmiadzin. On December 21st and 26th he played to standing room only audiences at the Yerevan Philharmonia. The newly installed organ was the personal gift of Vasken I to the people of Yerevan. On the evenings of December 27th and 30th Zamkochian appeared as soloist with the Yerevan Philharmonia in the Poulenc Organ Concerto. At the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, Berj Zamkochian served as Organist of the newly installed Cathedral Organ, for the Celebration of the Divine Liturgy. He offered an Organ Recital at the completion of Holy Mass.<br />The Gomidas Organ Fund<br /><br />The Gomidas Organ Fund is a project initiated by Berj Zamkochian during the year that marked the 100th Anniversary of the birth of the famed Priest-Composer Gomidas. Its purpose was to supply the Gomidas Conservatory in Yerevan, Armenia, with five practice pipe organs. Donors who purchased one instrument would be entitled to a commemorative memorial practice studio in the Gomidas Conservatory.<br />Interesting Facts<br /><br />Former United States President George H. W. Bush and Mr. Zamkochian lived next-door to each other in Kennebunkport, Maine. Berj often recalled that he and the President had long 'over-the-fence' discussions about Armenia, and two issues of importance at the time: The 1988 Earthquake, and the Liberation of Artsakh.<br /><br />Mr. Zamkochian was sometimes called "The Ambassador of all Armenians".<br /><br />Notable Requiem Services performed by Mr. Zamkochian include U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Philanthropist Aram Abgarian.Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-33057492228921630542010-10-23T10:22:00.000-07:002012-02-14T07:38:32.708-08:00Thoughts on Ani being away and giving back to ArmeniaAs the readers of this blog know our daughter Ani is in Armenia now with my in-laws who have a house in the Arabkir district of Yerevan and she loves it there. Ani is surrounded by neighbors and relatives who visit her on a daily basis, not to mention all the playmates she has acquired. The most important thing to me in this child's first 3 years of life is that she is surrounded by love, the second most important thing is that for the first time in 4 generations my side of the family has produced a native speaker of the Armenian language, I cannot express how important this is to me. My personal joy when I hear her recite Ayb, Ben, Gim or sing Mer Hayastan, is indescribable, it's the ultimate music to my ears. This is what it is all about as you know, for us in the Diaspora to refocus our attention not on ourselves, but back towards our culture, our free and independent motherland which is developing at an impressive rate. Many of our nations benefactors have made it their personal responsibility to contribute very generously and have helped our nation in ways that most of us will only spend our lives dreaming of being able to do. <br /><br />For my part, I am stuck in a sort of cruel limbo. I acknowledge in my heart that God has clearly spoken to me and told me that I must dedicate my life's work to my nation, and I have not only accepted that, but embraced everything it means to me. I have accepted repatriation as a must, and I now see it as a great honor, and am truly excited about it. However, I simply haven't found the opportunity to make that next chapter in my life open.Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-29231231520666339332010-08-26T00:20:00.000-07:002012-02-14T00:25:25.200-08:00Tribute to Uncle Edward MardigianWell I recently wrote this article on the life of a relative, the late Edward Mardigian, thought I would share here for those interested.<br /><br />Edward Mardigian (October 25, 1907 - November 3, 1993) was an engineer, Leader, Philanthropist.<br /><br />Early Life<br />Edward Mardigian was born in Constantinople on October 25, 1907. He was the youngest of Stephen Mardigian's children, and was only six when he immigrated to the United States. Stephan Mardigian, who had been working as a Butcher in Toledo, OH, saved enough money to bring the family to the United States in October 1914, on the eve of the Armenian Genocide.<br /><br />Stephen Mardigian's first order of business, once settled was to ensure for his children, the best educational opportunities and benefits that America had to offer, and which had been denied to his people in Turkey. Luckily, an excellent student blossomed in Edward, who couldn't seem to surround himself with enough books to satisfy his thirst for knowledge, particularly for the automotive industry and technology.<br /><br />Education and Career<br />Losing his mother at the age of 12 was very difficult for young Edward, but was not enough to slow him down, and by the age of 15 he joined his brothers at the Ford Motor Company, enrolling in the Trade School in Highland Park, MI. He entered the industrial field as a tool and dye designing apprentice student. He graduated in 1928 with excellent marks and was offered a great position with Ford Motor Company in Detroit.<br /><br />In 1930 Mardigian left Ford Motor Company and joined Chrysler Corporation, which allowed him to attend night classes at the Detroit Institute of Technology and Wayne State University, where he soon would earn the equivalent of a high school diploma and the training of a mechanical engineer.<br /><br />By 1933 he had the knowledge, education and passion to begin an exciting and successful career. In that year, Mardigian accepted the position of Assistant Chief Tool Designer with Briggs Manufacturing Corporation. In 1934 Briggs sent Mardigian to London, England to supervise the first major tooling program at their Dagenham plant, and in 1936 he returned to the United States to head up the process and estimating department, which he would lead through the difficult and early part of the second World War.<br /><br />Mardigian left Briggs in 1943 and formed a tool and die company called Oakman Engineering Co., and the following year bought a major stake in Northern Engineering Co. These two companies would later enter the production realm and become known as the Mardigian Corporation.<br />Family<br /><br />Edward Mardigian is survived by his wife, Helen and family. He was the Uncle of Philanthropist Aram Abgarian.<br /><br />Armenian Community<br />In 1984 Mr. Mardigian helped assure the future of the then forming Armenian Assembly of America by making a contribution to that organizations endowment fund. Helen Mardigian is a life Trustee of the Armenian Assembly of America.<br />Armenian Church<br /><br />The Helen and Edward Mardigian Institute is a highly successful training program for educators, particularly for Sunday School teachers without a professional education background. The program helps them reach out to children by providing on-going training, inspiration, and encouragement free of charge to local Sunday School staffs across the Eastern Diocese. The program takes place bi-annually at the Diocesan Center in New York City and at the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.<br /><br />The Mardigian Institute was founded in 1978 and has trained more than 350 Sunday School educators. The program is organized by the staff of the Diocese’s Department of Youth and takes small groups of around 10 students at a time for 1 week courses which include demonstrations, lectures and discussions of Christian faith.<br /><br />Along with Alex and Marie Manoogian, Edward and Helen Mardigian were major benefactors of St. John’s Armenian Church in Southfield, MI.<br />Academia<br /><br />In 1987, Helen and Edward Mardigian donated $500,000 to the Armenian Research Center endowment and $350,000 to an endowment for the campus library. Pleased with the work of the Armenian Research Center and with the generosity of the Mardigians towards the University, which has extended beyond their original contributions, the then Chancellor of the Dearborn campus, William A. Jenkins, recommended to the President of The University of Michigan, at that time Harold Shapiro, that the University name the campus library the Edward and Helen Mardigian Library. This the Regents did the following year.<br /><br />The University of Michigan In 1996, a $3 million gift from the Mardigian Foundation in honor of the late Detroit-area industrialist and philanthropist Edward Mardigian and his wife, Helen, helped in the construction of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center and Geriatrics Center Building. In recognition of the family foundation’s generosity, the building’s lobby was named the Edward Mardigian Memorial Lobby. “We have always believed in sharing,” Helen Mardigian said in announcing the gift. “We have always wanted to do something for the Hospital. Edward would be very pleased.”<br /><br />The Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital Funded by a $1 million donation from the Edward Mardigian Family, the Mardigian Family Surgery Center at the Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital provides a comfortable and bright waiting area for family members, flooded with the warmth of daylight from the skylights above. The area features a children’s playroom and a business center with computer access and health care information. To enhance patient privacy, coaster pagers, similar to those used in restaurants, summon waiting family members to the postsurgery consultation with the surgeon.<br />Location of the Edward and Helen Mardigian Museum of Armenian Art and History in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem<br /><br />Art, Culture and History<br />Opened in 1979, the Edward and Helen Mardigian Museum of Armenian Art and History of Jerusalem is located in a 200-year-old building that once housed the Armenian Patriarchate’s Theological Seminary, The Mardigian Museum of Armenian Art and Culture present a picturesque overview of Armenian history, religion and cultural heritage.<br /><br />Exhibits include historical and religious artifacts, many brought to Jerusalem by pilgrims, including hand-woven rugs, a collection of Armenian coins, huge copper cauldrons crafted by Armenian smiths, colorful tiles from the world-famous Kutayha district, and a map of the ancient world printed in Armenian. There is also a replica of Gutenberg`s original printing press, the first to be established in Jerusalem in 1833.<br /><br />Awards<br />The Armenian Students' Association of America awarded Mr. Mardigian the Sarafian Award for Good Citizenship in 1986.Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-79971101167925302622010-08-17T00:30:00.000-07:002012-02-14T00:37:07.998-08:00Helen Mardigian has passed awayIt is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Aunt Helen Mardigian. I was fortunate enough to have spent some time visiting with her at home and speaking with her by phone several months ago and I can honestly say she was one of a kind. It's hard to grasp everything that her and Uncle Eddie have done not only for Armenians but for Michiganders as well, but I can tell you they were very kind, caring and generous people. Aunt Helen will be missed but I have fond memories to hold on to. Astvats Hokin LusavorOtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-75307104322892936492010-03-26T13:39:00.000-07:002012-02-14T00:26:50.470-08:00On the 30th anniversary of the passing of Rafik Ordyan by Minas KojayianRafik Ordyan’s Enduring Odyssey<br />The GT-77 Race Car<br /><br />Every time I reminisce about blooming Hollywood stars of the past, such as James Dean, I come face to face with the highly talented artist and clown who passed away before his prime, circus star of Armenia and the former Soviet Union, the late Leonid Yengibarian. I also remember an extraordinary and uniquely gifted young man from my university years in Armenia, automotive pioneer, inventor and designer Rafik Ordyan.<br /><br />Rafik would have turned 61 years old this year had the medical world taken his heart condition more seriously. Having departed from this world at the tender age of 30, Rafik’s love, determination and creative talents in the field of automotive design could have earned him a well-deserved place in the Guinness Book of World Records.<br /><br />In the 18th century, Rafik’s forefathers emigrated from the city of Ordubad in the Nakhijevan region to Armenia’s northeastern province of Tavush and the village of Aygedzor. Young Rafik’s keen interest in the sciences and creative arts became a driving force in his persistent efforts to gain knowledge of mechanical engineering in both the Armenian and Russian languages. In the eighth grade, with the use of objects found at home, Rafik had already created an FM radio transmitter in the compact size of a cigarette box.<br /><br />At the age of 14, upon reading about a hand-crafted model truck in the Russian-language monthly journal Young Designer, Rafik vows to create his own model vehicle. Upon graduation from high school, Rafik is accepted by the cybernetics department of Yerevan’s Polytechnic University. Prior to his enrollment exams, however, Rafik had already designed and built his first automobile, and Armenia’s first ever convertible car.<br /><br />Rafik was a special student. During his university years, Rafik’s interest in the field of physics propelled him to dream of defending his Master of Science thesis in the physics “capital” of the Soviet Union, the city of Dubna. During his graduating year at the university, he devotes himself to the initial preparation of a blueprint for his dream car. Rafik’s hard work and tenacity in building his dream car comes to fruition six years later.<br /><br />Rafik the inventor had to start everything from scratch. During the process of building his famous GT-77 race car, Rafik’s hands as well as personal connections were put to good use in his quest to find accurate automotive parts. Despite working for the Transportation Ministry of the USSR, Rafik spent his non-working hours at the ministry by going through great lengths to find, inspect, modify, and incorporate correct and dependable automotive parts for his GT-77. When interviewed, Rafik stated that he had “one purpose… to create a contemporary and unique automobile, which would be distinctly different than any other automobile.” Specifically, Rafik incorporated a Skoda 1202 47HP engine manufactured in Czechoslovakia, and a Moskvich 412 gearbox. In June 1977, all of Yerevan was raving about Rafik Ordyan’s orange GT-77 race car.<br /><br />August 6, 1977 was a special day in the life of Rafik Ordyan. The USSR’s Grand Prix was set to begin in Moscow. Over 2000 automobiles and their drivers, including Rafik and his GT-77, participated in this event. A number of scholarly journals and publications throughout the Soviet Union, in addition to prominent scientific institutions, the Zaporozhets factory in Ukraine and the YERAZ factory (Yerevan Automotive Factory) in the Kanaker district of Yerevan all expressed serious interest in Rafik’s creative prowess. The Grand Prix commenced in Moscow’s Gorky Park, en route 2500 miles to the Black Sea port of Sevastopol in the Crimea. Among 2000 participants, Rafik Ordyan became the champion of the Grand Prix, earning several accolades and worthy attention throughout the Soviet Union, and bringing pride to his native Armenia. Thanks to Soviet newspapers and television, over 250 million people familiarized themselves with the young Armenian inventor and his “baby”, the GT-77.<br /><br />Rafik was a rising star with a promising future ahead of him, who would have brought pride to any nation. Sadly, his life was cut short at the age of 30, due to a heart condition which could have been properly treated had he undergone the correct medical procedures. Rafik Ordyan passed away on May 31, 1979 in Moscow.<br /><br />The Armenian nation never forgot her native son. Due to the efforts of Rafik’s friends and admirers, the annual Ordyan Prize was established in recognition of an inventor who has built the best automobile by hand. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Rafik’s passing, a decision was made by the Ordyan family to restore the GT-77 race car, in addition to publicly exhibiting a collection of Rafik’s photographs, trophies and medals, letters, and the designs of his automobiles.<br /><br /><br />Written by Minas Kojayan<br />Translated from Western Armenian by Mihran ToumajanOtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-57319359509952032312009-05-27T23:48:00.000-07:002012-02-13T23:57:11.577-08:00Rafik Ordyan garage restoration progressing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoRRr7ZzKEQ_4SLApgJKvxwolIsfKgptihn1w2cI3u3HmNG9JDF0t0iKb50V9jwjeRY3AbfVlLGQENNyrjHqh0ezeaKod-MxzYSZ8L0jF8GOQgbsduCcQKxxEiXg8OgYwQX8EiUN57NE/s1600/car.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoRRr7ZzKEQ_4SLApgJKvxwolIsfKgptihn1w2cI3u3HmNG9JDF0t0iKb50V9jwjeRY3AbfVlLGQENNyrjHqh0ezeaKod-MxzYSZ8L0jF8GOQgbsduCcQKxxEiXg8OgYwQX8EiUN57NE/s320/car.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708897063498805234" /></a><br />Beginning in May of 2009, as part of the events commemorating the 30th year since the passing of 1977 Soviet Grand Prix winner Rafik Ordyan, volunteers from the United States as well as Armenia undertook a project to renovate the Rafik Ordyan garage in Yerevan. The garage serves as the current storage location for the handcrafted GT-77, and had a leaky roof, dirt floor and holes in the garage door. The project elements included leveling the ground and installing a 10cm thick (5cm is standard in Armenia) concrete garage floor, a brand new custom garage door, a new concrete roof with weather shield and a much needed ventilation duct, and infrastructure to allow the addition of electricity in a later phase of the project. The project's early steps have been completed including the door and floor and sealing of the inside of the garage (to reduce moisture levels and mold which are very harmful to the vehicle). The first layer of the roof has been completed and is waiting for the weather sealant to be applied so that another layer of cement can be added on top.<br /><br />We will keep you posted as our work progresses. Thank you for your support!Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-31637952157657311782009-05-13T13:59:00.000-07:002012-02-14T00:11:01.961-08:00Rafik Ordyan page on Armeniapedia!Dear Readers,<br />Please check out the page I recently finished about Rafik Ordyan on Armeniapedia. This guy was a legend!<br /><br /><br />Winner of the USSR Grand Prix<br />Rafik Ordyan<br /><br />Rafik Ordyan (Armenian: Ռաֆիկ Օրդյան; Russian: Рафик Ордян; September 25, 1948 – May 31, 1979) was a Soviet-Armenian engineer and handcrafter of automobiles, who designed and built the GT-77 race car which went on to capture 1st place in the 1977 Soviet Grand Prix.<br /><br /><br />Early Life<br /><br />Rafik Ordyan was born in Berd, located in the Tavush region of Armenia to notable painter Sarkis Ordyan and Arevhat Grigoryan. The origin of the Ordyan family was in Ordubad in Armenian Nakhijevan, hence the surname Ordyan, in the 18th century Rafik’s ancestors settled in Aigedzor, in Tavush province.<br /><br />As a young boy Rafik absolutely loved to read, and could be found immersed in a journal or book almost always. He was particularly fascinated with science and technology, and like many Soviet boys adored reading “Юный техник” (“Young Engineer”), a publication comparable to the style and popularity of “American Boy” (later “Boy’s Life”) in the U.S. Other magazines of which he was a fan included “Техника молодежи” (“Technology of the Youth”), and “Знание – сила” (“Knowledge – Power”). He was also interested in boxing and was involved in a local boxing club in Yerevan, to which he would go with his friends several days a week. <br /><br />In the eighth grade Rafik had figured out how to build an FM radio from scratch, and with common household products. He produced a number of the gadgets and passed them out to family and friends. They were about the size of a pack of cigarettes.<br /><br />By the age of fourteen his love for engineering and specifically his love for cars was born with a single publication. While reading the journal "Young Engineer", he discovered a vehicle known as the “Юный сибиряк – 62” (“Young Siberian - 62"), a cab-forward, mid-engine light truck, and quickly became obsessed with the idea of building his own hand-made car one day.<br /><br />While in the tenth grade Rafik partially realized his dream, building a vehicle called a “Buggy-model” which was a convertible and besides being handmade, was the first vehicle of its type in Armenia. [1] After completion the vehicle was donated to friends of his in Berd and having gained valuable hands-on engineering, design and fabrication experience he was ready for his dream car.<br /><br />Rafik’s attraction to technology led him to the Department of Cybernetics at Yerevan Polytechnic Institute where he was an excellent student who was captivated by physics and dreamt about defending his Master’s thesis in Dubna, the capital of Soviet Physicists. During the final year of his studies Rafik began to design his car, the completion of which would take him six long years. His childhood dream was now becoming a reality.<br /><br />While in the tenth grade Rafik partially realized his dream, building a vehicle called a “Buggy-model” which was a convertible and besides being handmade, was the first vehicle of its type in Armenia. After completion the vehicle was donated to friends of his in Berd and having gained valuable hands-on engineering, design and fabrication experience he was ready for his dream car.<br /><br />Rafik’s attraction to technology led him to the Department of Cybernetics at Yerevan Polytechnic Institute where he was an excellent student who was captivated by physics and dreamt about defending his Master’s thesis in Dubna, the capital of Soviet Physicists. During the final year of his studies Rafik began to design his car, the completion of which would take him six long years. His childhood dream was now becoming a reality.<br /><br />While in the tenth grade Rafik partially realized his dream, building a vehicle called a “Buggy-model” which was a convertible and besides being handmade, was the first vehicle of its type in Armenia. [1] After completion the vehicle was donated to friends of his in Berd and having gained valuable hands-on engineering, design and fabrication experience he was ready for his dream car.<br /><br />Rafik’s attraction to technology led him to the Department of Cybernetics at Yerevan Polytechnic Institute where he was an excellent student who was captivated by physics and dreamt about defending his Master’s thesis in Dubna, the capital of Soviet Physicists. During the final year of his studies Rafik began to design his car, the completion of which would take him six long years. His childhood dream was now becoming a reality.<br /><br />While in the tenth grade Rafik partially realized his dream, building a vehicle called a “Buggy-model” which was a convertible and besides being handmade, was the first vehicle of its type in Armenia. After completion the vehicle was donated to friends of his in Berd and having gained valuable hands-on engineering, design and fabrication experience he was ready for his dream car.<br /><br />Rafik’s attraction to technology led him to the Department of Cybernetics at Yerevan Polytechnic Institute where he was an excellent student who was captivated by physics and dreamt about defending his Master’s thesis in Dubna, the capital of Soviet Physicists. During the final year of his studies Rafik began to design his car, the completion of which would take him six long years. His childhood dream was now becoming a reality. <br /><br />Career and the GT-77<br /><br />By 1971, the design and construction of the GT-77 were in their beginning stages, and Rafik was experiencing first hand the difficulties of building a car with one’s own hands and from an image in the back of one’s mind. This undertaking proved to him that it takes much more than the knowledge of an engineer, he had to become a smith, welder, plumber and even a chemist also. Once construction had begun, Rafik chose the basement of his home in Arabkir district’s “Kanaker GES” neighborhood as his workshop, down one flight of stairs from his first floor home. It was dark, dusty and had a low ceiling at about 7ft., which for Rafik who was well over 6ft. tall, was uncomfortable to say the least.<br /><br />In 1973 Rafik went to work for the Soviet Ministry of Transportation (КТБ) in their “experimental department”. Shortly thereafter he was promoted to Engineer, and eventually Lead Engineer. All his time outside of work was dedicated to the car, it took days, months, and years. The doors alone took 6 months to perfect. “I had one goal” he said in a 1978 interview, “to create a modern and original car, that is distinct from all others”. His friends and relatives tried to talk him out of it, believing his strength and patience did not suffice, but he proved them wrong, and they gladly joined him in his endeavor. His friends and colleagues would often be in his shop offering a hand where needed.<br /><br />The car began taking shape and though almost entirely handmade, included a 47HP engine from a Czechoslovakian Škoda 1202, and steering gearbox and rear-end from a Soviet Moskvitch 412, which were allowed by the rules of the Grand Prix. The rest of the car, including the frame had to be, and was built custom by Ordyan. He even handmade and threaded his own nuts and bolts for the project. The trunk space, placement of instruments and plush interior added to it’s appeal while placement of engine, low center of gravity and an all-fiberglass body were defining characteristics of the final product. <br /><br />On July 5, 1975 he married Emma Mailyan with whom he would have two children, world-renowned videographer Arman Ordyan was born in 1977 and Arevik Avedian in 1978. They had met first at the Department of Cybernetics where Emma was also a student, and ironically both later worked as Engineers for KTB. After their marriage Emma would put a great deal of support behind the project, and recalled picking up the sandpaper when it came time to smooth out the fiberglass body whose joints, when finished looked like what was later described by a reporter as “perfect”.<br /><br />In June of 1977 the GT-77 saw the light of day for the first time and took Yerevan by storm. Wherever it appeared this bright orange car which boasted one of the lowest profiles (only 1.05 meters, or 3’ 5”) in the world at the time, attracted crowds of people who marveled at it’s unusual shape and meticulous equipment. But aerodynamics aside, the mere presence of a car with upward opening gull-wing doors and automatic hidden headlights, which would reveal themselves when the ignition was turned on captivated the Yerevanian public. Their reaction to his handmade creation assured Rafik of the success of the car and it’s ability to win in the upcoming Grand Prix.<br /><br /><br />Grand Prix<br />Rafik Ordyan (holding open the door) is presenting the GT-77 to Edward Gierek, leader of the Communist party of Poland and Vladimir Kirilin, Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology of Poland. Moscow 1977<br />On August 6, 1977 the Soviet Grand Prix began in Moscow. The event, was also known as Vsesovetskaya Vistavka Nauchno Tekhnicheskogo Tvorchestva Molodyezhi or All-Union Exhibition of Science and Technical Creativity of the Youth and was often abbreviated as НТТМ-77. The Journal “Armenia Today” set the number of vehicles entered in the competition at 2000. The panel of judges consisted of representatives from ЦК ВЛКСМ (Vsesoyuzny Leninskiy Kommunisticheskiy Soyuz Molodyozhi or Central Committee All-Union Leninist Young Communist League) or later Komsomol, Technika Molodyozhi magazine, ГАИ (Guyee or Soviet State Automobile Inspectorate) and others. In the first round of eliminations the vehicles, representing 11 Soviet Republics were judged based on technical and aesthetic aspects of construction including simplicity and reliability of construction and originality and creativity of design. If the vehicles were not hand-built meeting the guidelines for entry they were eliminated. Including Rafik, about 35 of the highest caliber vehicles were chosen to move on to the final round.<br /><br />Spectators noticed during the exhibition that a group of designers from the Ukranian Zaporozhets Automobile Factory were making notes of many aspects of the GT-77 but had specifically marveled at the successful arrangement of instruments in the cockpit of the vehicle. Specialists from the Yerevan Automobile Factory were also in attendance and showed great interest in the fiberglass body of the GT-77, said Ordyan “even production specialists can learn something from amateurs”. They would later collaborate with Rafik on fiberglass prototypes for an electric vehicle back in Yerevan.<br /><br />The next and final round of the competition began in Moscow’s Gorky Park. They would drive their vehicles from Moscow to the Crimean Port city of Sevastopol, a distance of around 2,500 miles. Along the way the caravan stopped in numerous cities and held exhibitions in city squares. The vehicles were subjected to further tests, including turning radius and even testing vehicle strength by having a person stand on top of them. During the trip a large truck coming in their direction veered towards them and narrowly missed crushing Rafik and his car. By the time they reached Sevastopol Rafik was named “Laureate” of the Soviet Grand Prix and presented with metals and a high-end camera as a prize. From his win in Sevastopol he returned to Yerevan.<br /><br />In the summer of 1978 Ordyan was invited to return to НТТМ -78 as the previous year’s winner of the Grand Prix. That year 10,000 vehicles were estimated to have entered in the competition, and Rafik spent 2 months abroad proudly displaying the incumbent vehicle.<br /><br />Tragedy<br /><br />Not long after capturing the Grand Prix title, Rafik was battling a life-threatening heart condition. One of the best heart doctors in Armenia diagnosed him with a treatable heart condition. Yet other specialists in Moscow insisted otherwise, and prescribed him medications that he was said to have told relatives were killing him. On May 31, 1979 in Moscow’s Botkin Hospital Rafik Ordyan died at the young age of 30. During the autopsy it was discovered that the original diagnosis had been correct. Rafik is buried next to his mother in the cemetery of Navur in the mountains overlooking Berd.<br /><br />Rebirth<br /><br />The impact of Rafik Ordyan’s victory in the 1977 Soviet Grand Prix was significant in Armenia. The Yerevan Automobile Factory had planned to mass-produce Ordyan’s GT-77 in Armenia for the Soviet market but decided to scrap the plans after his death. Shortly thereafter the Armenian Autolover’s Club Հայաստանի Ավտոսիրողների Ակումբ was established in Yerevan and membership grew as Rafik’s friends, colleagues and fans carried on the tradition in his memory. After the Soviet collapse, the use and legal ownership of precious metals in the newly independent Republic of Armenia gave way to the creation of a handmade memorial plaque which is given out every year by the Car Club to the best handmade car of the year. The plaque features a center relief of the GT-77 with the name “Ordyan, R.S.” at the bottom. The GT-77 still exists and is part of the Ordyan family collection in Yerevan. As part of the 30th anniversary of the passing of it’s creator a restoration will commence in May of 2009.Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-19798274668388545072007-11-17T18:32:00.000-08:002012-02-13T23:37:57.443-08:00Oh to miss...Well, it's going on 6 months since I last saw my daughter. She a little over 1 year old when my wife and I left her in Yerevan with my in-laws. Words obviously cannot describe how much I miss her, and most parents simply cannot and do not understand why we "left her there". I just wanted to write about the good and bad of this experience, so I hope you enjoy reading.<br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><br />The Bad:</font> I remember clearly, it was very early on the morning of June 5, 2007 when I last saw my daughter. We had been packing our luggage all night, well at least my wife had. I had been sick and wasn't really able to help too much. We knew the next few minutes could very well have been the hardest of our lives. My daughter Ani was sleeping in her crib next to the bed from which I had recently awoken. My wife and I were both hating and yet trying to cherish every last second with our baby. The hardest part was knowing that Ani lay sleeping, dreaming in a far away place, not realizing that the two people who had spent every second at her side were about to travel no less than 7,500 miles away from her. It's hard even now to describe it without wanting to cry all over again. But I just remember holding her precious little hand and crying, wondering if she would miss me during the many months of separation, and if she'd even remember me when we were reunited, and when that would be?<br /><br /><font style="font-style: italic;">It may sound funny, but I just remember Aerosmith's "I don't want to miss a thing" playing over and over again in my head at that moment - and does every time I recall those last moments with my daughter. I think the song is more about a man and a woman in love, but trust me it's a tear-jerker for me. </font><br /><br />My wife and I cried together over the peaceful shadow of our sleeping daughter and then, as difficult as it was - we left for the airport without looking back. Oh, it may sound like it was a walk in the park, but I assure you I remember it being like someone knocked the wind out of me. I felt, empty, breathless, and miserable for a long time.<br /><br />The Good: Something good had to come out of the difficulty of being without our daughter for 6 months. There is one general theme to this situation that makes me happy. I grew up without a culture, and I felt that emptiness growing up. So by allowing my daughter to spend the earliest times of her life in her motherland, I'm giving her something that was robbed from me, from my family. I pray these moments, these memories will not be lost on her, I pray they stick with her throughout her life and fill her with warmth, love and happiness, and most of all always remain with her as fond memories of a sense of home. For this, our tears will have paid a legitimate price, our feelings of emptiness filled with the satisfaction of purpose. Our daughter will not have left our home - we're the ones that left home.<br /><br />May God grant us the strength to continue this until our daughter is in our arms again...Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-84211172161300258742007-08-22T20:07:00.000-07:002012-02-13T22:47:32.052-08:00The Sands of Ararat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYtmAs6MwwAEAvx5VpoUm2hfVA3GQOjmhAxGR6VdBw7nC8wUPFUKZUnIkJOZ4BHDNdEVUsFA6Pv5YWNJWPXSt-TiD_ZmR3f5Bbd1mVyDQOp8kbw9D1gReotFnu58dObmOu1jiAvUJ_e0/s1600-h/araratpokr.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYtmAs6MwwAEAvx5VpoUm2hfVA3GQOjmhAxGR6VdBw7nC8wUPFUKZUnIkJOZ4BHDNdEVUsFA6Pv5YWNJWPXSt-TiD_ZmR3f5Bbd1mVyDQOp8kbw9D1gReotFnu58dObmOu1jiAvUJ_e0/s400/araratpokr.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101729479614126946" /></a><br />Strange that I would think about Mt. Ararat when I'm at a Southern California beach on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in August. But there I was, watching my wife burying her feet in a pile of beige granules as she sat on the warm sands of a secluded cove just south of downtown Laguna Beach - and imagining the sand in the shape of my beloved, holy mountain thousands of miles away.<br /><br />As silly as it may sound, the idea made me want to see the mountains, so I quickly talked my wife into allowing me to modify the mound she was burying her feet in to resemble Masis (the big mountain) and to add a second, smaller "mountain" to it's left that would resemble Sis, and gained her approval and assistance. <br /><br />We sculpted and then re-sculpted, and tried to get it as close as possible to the images of Ararat that we had saved in our memories. First Sis wasn't upside-down-cone shaped enough, then the lump on the East side of Masis wasn't prominent enough, etc. Finally we smoothed them as close as we could to the real thing and wrote "Ararat" on the front. We were able to snap a few quick photo's of it with a camera phone before the rising tide behind us finally claimed our fleeting moment of pride and longing. Ararat's sands were gone, but her memory continues...Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-73277334124080240702007-06-14T21:11:00.000-07:002012-02-13T22:42:45.313-08:00Ani: The Orphan?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJjj0ln0RgY8k-BQnIpHg8irIAfFldyxesMT0uLHs0XH1cs_ADLHX25H7JIYZiHlyCodA1Dr7XbXEbiCFRTbhD-HiCjvVmsioLj-gLztEu5LIQHk_EDmxhMN4593HV3jZmAZnPxHEeIc/s1600-h/800px-Double-Walls-Northside-Ani-Armenia-1885.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076141561497247010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJjj0ln0RgY8k-BQnIpHg8irIAfFldyxesMT0uLHs0XH1cs_ADLHX25H7JIYZiHlyCodA1Dr7XbXEbiCFRTbhD-HiCjvVmsioLj-gLztEu5LIQHk_EDmxhMN4593HV3jZmAZnPxHEeIc/s400/800px-Double-Walls-Northside-Ani-Armenia-1885.gif" border="0" /></a>It was always my dream to travel to "The City of 1001 Churches", the city after which I have named my daughter – the city of Ani. Of course without some background on the history of this city, it may be hard for one to imagine even 100 churches existing in what is now a deliberately neglected and destroyed "ghost-town". The fact that the city itself sits inside the military borders of Turkish-occupied Armenia, has been the biggest obstacle in the way of a visit by my wife or myself. Not that it's impossible for Armenians to go there, we just hadn't found a way to work it into our plans. So when we began planning our most recent trip to Hayastan earlier this year, we started considering the second best option: We had been told in 2005 while in Yerevan that there was a spot along a road to Gyumri that you could stop and see the ancient Armenian capital of Ani with the naked eye, while Binoculars or a Spotting Scope would provide an even closer view. Needless to say we jumped at the opportunity to add this little adventure to our plans for this year's trip. Why I wanted to go see a ghost town so bad – I don't know. <br /><br />Needless to say, we added a half-day side-trip to Ani to our growing list of planned activities, which included swimming in the Arax river inside the military Checkpoint and meeting musician "Mister X", and a large number of other amazing activities. The day before we were to leave, a dear friend of ours remarked to us that we were free to do as we chose, but in his mind it didn't seem like the best idea to go see Ani from the border. Upon my inquiry as to why he thought this way, I learned that he was of the opinion that viewing Ani from the border is like Ani being an "orphan" that you know is there but that you know is all alone, and untouchable. His preference, he explained, is to not waste time going to see Ani as long as it's occupied, due to this "orphan" phenomena. I couldn't understand so I let the statement settle for a minute and then asked "So why do you so admire the view of Ararat from the window of your house in Yerevan?" I think my point was accepted by my friend and we had a few laughs about it. We didn't go to see Ani on this trip but it's definitely on the list for next time. Everyone has their own mentality and Armenians are no exception, minor differences in thought and approach are expected when traveling or living abroad, understand and embrace them, they're part of the colorful fabric of our world.Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-71732094300514862072007-06-13T20:29:00.000-07:002012-02-13T21:42:35.665-08:00"Menk enk mer lernere"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhgN9ufuob40XPN3DFtb85yJzdkn4eo2OWs10QSHmgK8FVAMsl2lkL1f5HyUsm98Ec39AgOVLW270iwZyBFFtkHB_9M3EV-qqOJWamDBjvyPH7nyUQRiIhbVf_vB0hu0qsZ5riXjYj7k/s1600-h/5-29-07+321.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075761572855667954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 187px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" height="132" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhgN9ufuob40XPN3DFtb85yJzdkn4eo2OWs10QSHmgK8FVAMsl2lkL1f5HyUsm98Ec39AgOVLW270iwZyBFFtkHB_9M3EV-qqOJWamDBjvyPH7nyUQRiIhbVf_vB0hu0qsZ5riXjYj7k/s200/5-29-07+321.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a><br />May 28th – My first morning in Stepanakert, we woke up early and decided to head to Gandzasar Monastery and Dadivank. And while I'm sure Gandzasar is popular with the tourist crowd due to its close proximity to Stepanakert, Dadivank is surely less visited (though perhaps one of the most enchanting sites in Artsakh). And while I really try to travel the less beaten path and journey to lesser known locations while touring here, I once in a while can't help myself and have to stop at the touristy sites. And so it was that on our way out of town (after purchasing 3 highly detailed maps of Armenia / Artsakh that one simply cannot come by anywhere but Yerevan or Stepanakert) we slammed on the breaks at the Tatik - Papik monument on the outskirts of town.<br /><br /><div>Now before telling what happened there, I should emphasize one point. The very first thing I noticed the day before when we arrived in Stepanakert was how incredibly clean it was in comparison with Yerevan. Not to say that Yerevan is filthy (after all, I see more trash on the 10 fwy in L.A. and 57 in Orange County during my daily commute) but our friends in Artsakh seem to take an exceptional level of pride in keeping their neighborhoods cleaned up. (I would again confirm this the following morning when taking a 5-6am walk to buy Hatz. As I walked down the side streets parallel to Vazgen Sargsyan St and into Republic Square I saw people everywhere sweeping, shoveling and detailing everything.)<br /></div><br /><div>So when we climbed the hill from the parking lot to the rust-colored monument of <span style="font-style:italic;">Tuf</span> I was disappointed to see trash on the ground. Now please don't be mistaken, I don't mean there were garbage bags dumped everywhere and heaps of refuse – that's reserved for the eyes of a driver on Brea Canyon Road in the second wealthiest county in the United States – Orange. No, this was more like bottle caps, empty "Masis Tabak" cigarette boxes and butts, used tissues (which in Armenia are used as table napkins…) and the occasional plastic NOY or Kilikia bottle. </div><br /><div>I spent a little time soaking up the beauty and importance of Tatik – Papik, and was inspired by the inscription "Menk enk mer lernere" ("We are our mountains") located at the back of the structure. Those simple yet profound words made an impression on me. If we are our mountains, then why should I walk past a piece of trash on our mountains? So I decided to occupy myself while waiting for the rest of the group, with picking up as much trash as I could. As good spreads quickly it wasn't long before another member of our party decided to help me, then another and another. Before long we had filled several plastic bottles full of trash, and the whole place was, as far as we could tell completely clean. We took pride in leaving Tatik-Papik even better than we found them. Any day you can enjoy your environment and have a positive impact on it, is a good day. </div><br />Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-70544815643577112152007-06-10T23:01:00.001-07:002012-02-13T23:24:09.671-08:00Flight to Yerevan 2007I wrote this the second day I was in Yerevan, and although I intended to keep a journal the entire time I was there, I didn't have access to a computer, so this is the only bit I wrote "on-site". I've vowed to take a laptop next time I go. I may publish more thoughts from different events on the trip later, for now my trip to Yerevan:<br /><br />Well I didn't get to write about my first day right away so I'm writing it on the second. Needless to say it was a long trip to Yerevan, with an 8 or 9 hour layover in Munich. Thank God my dear friend from college, Paul is a native of the region, and was so generous to meet me at the airport and show me around Munich. We had the pleasure of starting the afternoon (though for me it was about 1 am) at a biergarten near downtown Munich. When the glass came it looked more to me like a gallon milk jug, but I drank with pleasure. It had been a long walk from where we parked, through wooded trails and open fields along a river in which nude men and women were swimming, students were studying, and laying out under the sun.<br /><br />Needless to say I was thirsty, and as I was chugging down the massive quencher, couldn't help but notice the flavor of lemon. I asked Paul what it was and he explained that you can buy the beer mixed half lemonade / half beer (called a "Russian") which he did with the hope we wouldn't get smashed (especially since he was driving). We spoke of his work on a golf course in the town of Seeshaupt in the South of Munich and of course friends and family. After we emptied the glasses we headed to the car, this time under more shade trees since the sun was really burning now. We drove into town and Paul showed me the old buildings and what everything means.<br /><br />After some more walking, drinking and talking we went to the Olympic Park where the summer games were held in 1972. I couldn't help but notice how modern the architecture of the stadiums was, with its open air, but clear glass covered roofs, it looked like something that could've been built yesterday. The most prominent structure however, was the Olympic tower, on the top of which was an antenna, dual-level lookout and restaurant. We took the elevator to the top and explored the lookout. About half-way up the ceiling-height glass windows were white stickers which outlined buildings and other structures in the background and gave a short description, and closer to the top were names of cities around the world which were in the direction you were looking. I saw London, Paris, New York, and so on, and as I continued, almost unexpectedly, jumped out "Istanbul", by whose name I had read a book by Orhan Pamuk on the flight. As I continued walking several steps, I again looked up, but naturally saw no "Yerevan". While these things never surprise me, they somehow always disappoint me. It did however, compel me to wonder what was literally over the horizon, waiting for my arrival in only a few hours.<br /><br />I dream always about the bright future I believe our Armenia has for itself, and often daydream about what developments are taking place between my visits. I was exhausted and was literally fighting to keep my eyes open. We soon left and headed back to the airport (in places at a swift 160km/h) in Paul's VW. I slept for about an hour before the flight, when I woke up an old Armenian woman who had been sitting across and several seats down from where I was laying next to Gate H46 was standing over me saying "Vergats tgha jan, gnalu zhamanakn e" (Get up dear boy, its time to go). A bit confused I turned to the gate and saw that the last 5 or so people were boarding. I dragged myself on, thankful to that dear soul who saved me from missing my flight <em>home</em>.<br /><br />As our plane was preparing to take off the pilot informed us that the air conditioning system had problems, by the time we switched planes we were obviously about 2 hours behind schedule, while others were angry I couldn't help but smile inside, thinking this means I'll arrive around 6:30 am, in time to see Mt. Ararat as the sun peaks over the horizon, with this happy thought I again slept...When I woke up the captain was announcing our descent to Yerevan and arrival in about 30 minutes. I watched the lights of villages below, and soon could make out the lights of a larger town. At first I thought Gyumri, but as I gathered my bearings I realized that at our height there was no way Gyumri was that close to Yerevan. Then in the distance I could see those haunting lights. For anyone whose been in Yerevan at night they know that on both sides of Masis (the larger or the two Ararat Mountains) there are 4-6 bright lights shining towards Yerevan. From what I had been told in 2004 when in Yerevan, these were shining from a U.S. Military base on the mountain, a veritable slap-in-the-face (one of many) from her thieves. I now realized the town in the foreground was Etchmiadzin, where later that day both my daughter and my brother would be baptized. It had been a long journey and my emotions swelled, but as the wheels smoked and squealed I was again at peace... it felt good to be back in Armenia.Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3803766955827552276.post-62657610037042768332007-05-15T22:51:00.000-07:002012-02-13T23:12:34.749-08:00Otarakan is Born<strong>The Perpetual Foreigner</strong><br /><br />Welcome to my blog. You will soon see that I enjoy writing about my personal struggle with my Armenian identity and my American upbringing and environment. I was born into a Diaspora which was created by the Armenian Genocide, yet was not raised as an Armenian. Growing up I always felt that something was missing. Reconciling my identity as an Armenian has been a major help in filling that void. Going from an American mutt (I also have German, Irish, Norwegian and Native American ancestry) from the cornfields of Michigan to marrying a girl from Yerevan, having two kids whose first language is Armenian and spending every spare vacation day in the Republic of Armenia has been a wild ride for me and I love it. Life is an adventure, you meet people along the way, some good, some bad, some who help you and some you can help, but learning along the way never ends. <br /><br />What does the future hold for me? I don't know but I feel a strong magnetic pull towards Armenia. I know there is some very good work being done there, and I want to help continue that work, so it's a matter of time but I will get there as long as the desire continues to burn. Regardless of all this, I will remain in a perpetual struggle as a foreigner (Otar) no matter where I am. The reason being that in the Diaspora don't identify and feel myself to be a foreigner and in the Motherland I do identify but natives view me as a foreigner, even I myself feel the same with regards to mentality. This is a struggle that will evolve over time, but will probably never cease to exist, so my experiences will be chronicled here and I hope my readers enjoy.<br />Now - to the posting...Otarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368990485877553197noreply@blogger.com0