Armenian Forum Features Eclectic Mix of Articles

Armenian Forum Features Eclectic Mix of Articles

Princeton, NJ (28 February 2003)--A new issue of Armenian Forum: A Journal of Contemporary Affairs was released on 14 February by the Gomidas Institute. The issue, volume 2, number 4, features in-depth articles, an interview, and reviews of books and music:

Sebouh Aslanian, an advanced graduate student at Columbia University, looks at a controversy raging in Armenia about the proper role of historians. (See story.)
Anthropologist Harutyun Marutyan (Armenian Academy of Sciences) looks at the posters and placards that people displayed in the streets of Armenia during the Gharabagh movement in 1988–90. He hones in on an interesting pattern: a plurality of the icons referred not to Gharabagh but to genocide. Moreover, the messages of the icons changed over time. Marutyan argues that the changing messages indicate a transformation in the self-image of Armenians in Armenia from that of “grieving and pleading victims” to that of “warriors, to the idea of achieving one’s goals through struggle.” Numerous illustrations accompany the article.
Social scientists Anny Bakalian (CUNY Graduate Center) and Aghop Der-Karabetian (University of La Verne) argue that Armenian organizations ought to commission formal outcome evaluations of their programs so that they might improve the programs and allocate resources to those that work. They report on an uncommissioned evaluation that they performed: a study of summer internship programs sponsored by two Armenian organizations in the United States, the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian General Benevolent Union. The article features numerous quotes from interns and alumni.
According to Yerevan-based attorney Tom Samuelian (Arlex), the Internet can help improve the rule of law in Armenia and thereby facilitate Armenia’s economic development. Samuelian offers a set of practical suggestions. These include developing an authoritative online guide to common transactions (such as clearing a package through customs and obtaining a building permit) in order to cut down on frustrations and runarounds; making judicial opinions available online to increase judicial accountability and consistency. The author discusses also who would fund and carry out the projects. (Click here for the full text of the article.)
Armenian Forum editor Vincent Lima has a provocative conversation with onetime political prisoner Hrant Markarian, the new leader of the Dashnak party. Markarian answers tough questions about the party’s vision for Armenia’s economy and the future of Western Armenia. Other topics include Gharabagh and changes in the party. (Click here for the full text of the article.)
Knarik Avakian (Armenian Academy of Sciences) reviews three new books on Armenian-American history. The books trace the origins and development of Armenian communities in Worcester, Fresno, and Syracuse.
Khachig Tölölyan (Wesleyan University) reviews Vicken Berberian’s The Cyclist: A Novel.
Rita Soulahian Kuyumjian (McGill University) reviews Karina Epperlein’s documentary, I Will Not Be Sad in this World. Drawings by children who watched the documentary accompany the review.

Armenian Forum, vol. 2, no 4 is available by calling toll-free 1-888-927-6369 (or 1-609-883-6333 outside the USA and Canada) or writing forum@gomidas.org, or by writing Armenian Forum, PO Box 208, Princeton, NJ 08542-0208.

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