2005_10 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper October 2005

              October 2005
Hye Sharzhoom
3
1600th Anniversary of the Invention of the Armenian Alphabet
Staff Report
A conference dedicated to the
1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian Alphabet was
held on Saturday, September 24,
on the campus ofthe University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Seven scholars from throughout California participated in the
conference, which was sponsored
by the Hamazkayin Educational and
Cultural Society, Western Regional
Executive Committee, in conjunction withDr.Peter Cowe,Naregatsi
Chair of Armenian Studies at
UCLA.
B arlo w Der Mugrdechian ofthe
Armenian Studies Program at
Fresno State participated with a
paper on "The Political Situation in
Armenia on the Eve ofthe Discovery of the Armenian Alphabet."
The paper examined the political
situation in Armenia after the first
partition of Armenia between the
Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire and the Sasanid Persian Empire in 387AD. The partition presented Armenia with some important challenges, not the least of
which was the danger of integration and assimilation into the respective Empires. Der
Mugrdechian outlined how the
adoption of Christianity in the first
quarter of the fourth century affected Armenia's historic ties to
Persia and led to closer relations
with the Byzantine Empire.
Dr. Peter Cowe of UCLA gave
Left to Right: Conference participants Hagop Gulludjian, Dr.
Peter Cowe, Dr. John Ahramanian, Dr. Marzbed Margossian,
Barlow Der Mugrdechian, and Dr. David Bundy.
several presentations, beginning
with "Armenian Oral Culture Before the Creation of the Armenian
Alphabet," "Aesthetics of Armenian Letter Forms," and "Armenian Accounts of the Invention of
the Armenian Alphabet."
Other scholars presenting papers included, Dr. David Bundy
(FullerTheological Seminary) who
spoke on "Armenian Letters as
Numbers and the Development of
Science,"Rev. Dr. Krikor Haleblian
(FullerTheological Seminary), who
spoke on "The Inauguration of a
Written Culture in Armenian," Dr.
Marzbed Margossian (Los Angeles), who spoke on "Universal Literacy and the Modern Armenian
School," and "Dissemination ofthe
Armenian Alphabet in the Print
Medium," Dr. John Ahmaranian
(Berlitz International School for
Languages), who spoke on "The
Armenian Script and the Expansion of Armenian Intellectual Horizons in the Medieval Monastic
Academies," and Hagop Gulludj ian
(UCLA), who spoke on "The Armenian Alphabet in Cyberspace."
Roger Khadarian opened the
conference with brief remarks and
Hrayr Sherikian and Khadarian
concluded the conference by presenting the participants with beautifully engraved bronze plaques as
a memento from the conference.
CD Review: Isabel Bayrakdarian-Raising
the Bar for Operatic Excellence
Isabel
Bayrakdarian
■>/'/////// >•
James Parker
t/j/f r/i'  /'ft*Yfti
,-/%,
(M
Svetlana Bagdasarov
Staff Writer
Charismatic, professional, strikingly radiant, captivating, and simply irresistible are just a few ofthe
words that come to mind when
thinking about the talented Armenian-Canadian lyric soprano Isabel
Bayrakdarian.
Not only is she well known and
praised for her operatic career, but
she also manages to find time for
numerous recitals, vibrant concerts,
and special surprises for her fans.
Although Bayrakdarian is said to
be mesmerizing on stage, her recordings are just as magical as her
live performances. Capturing the
same essence of her angelic yet
powerful voice is an easy task, since
her musicality is almost flawless
whether in
front of a live
audience or on
a disc.
After the
overwhelming
success of her
first album,
"Joyous
Light," the
young soprano
stepped away
from her Armenian roots
and recorded
something
completely different. It
turned out that
her venture into
new territory was a wonderful idea
because her second album,
"Azulao," received just as much, if
not more honor than her previous
album. For this CD, Bayrakdarian
went in a whole new direction. To
broaden her musical horizons, she
decided to give her listeners a taste
of the exotic, sultry, and multidimensional sounds of Spain, Brazil, and Argentina.
"Azulao," which means bluebird, is a superlative album. Azulao
proves that Bayrakdarian is an international star capable of capturing the dazzling exuberance of Latin
America. It is extremely rare to
come across an artist who sings
with such a passion that her listeners wonder how a non-native Spaniard managed to absorb and exude
the genuine artistry of a foreign
land though her unique vocals.
There is truly something for every one on this album. Whether a
piercing ballad, a somber lullaby,
or a vivacious melody intriguesyou,
each song conveys a heartfelt story.
No matter what mood you are in,
every track on this disc is sure to
please. Also, the orchestra adds
definition to the already sublime
creation. This album is worthy of
nothing less than five stars.
As a reward for her enormous
efforts, Bayrakdarian became the
recipient of the 2004 Juno Award
for Best Classical Album (vocal).
This was an indescribable honor,
since this award is basically a Canadian Grammy. She definitely deserved this award. She has honed
her musical abilities and has reached
star status. Those who have not yet
discovered this jewel should purchase her recordings as soon as
possible. "Azulao" as well as her
other CD's are worth every penny.
There is no doubt that Bayrakdarian
will continue to shine for many
years to come. Many admire her
work, especially the Armenian
community.
On behalf of the Hye Sharzhoom,
we would like to wish Isabel
Bayrakdarian nothing but the best
in her future endeavors and aspirations.
For more information, please
visit www.bayrakdarian.com.
Read Hye Sharzhoom!
Let us know what you
think-please contact us.
Barlow Der Mugrdechian
Advisor
This year marks the auspicious
celebration ofthe 1600th anniversary of the discovery of the God-
pleasing Armenian alphabet. When
the pious and virtuous Mesrob
Mashtots made this discovery,
through the guidance of the spirit
of God, the Armenian people received a wonderful gift, an alphabet of thirty-six letters that would
completely and permanently alter
the nature ofthe Armenian people.
The first book translated into the
Armenian language was the Bible,
the sacred "Breath of God," which
became the inspiration for generations of Armenian artists and writers.
Armenia's adoption of Christianity in the fourth century set the
course for Armenian history, putting the Armenian people on God's
path, through the centuries of challenges to be faced. And so the Armenians had become Christian,
sharing fully in God's bounty, and
prospering as a people and a nation.
Yet the lack of an Armenian alphabet hindered the complete evangelization ofthe people, making the
development of the Armenian alphabet a necessity.
The wise St. Sahak, together
with the God-fearing King
Vramshapouh, supported Mesrob
Mashtots in his quest to develop an
Armenian alphabet. After much
struggle and frequent failure,
Mashtots was successful,ushering
in a new age of creativity, when the
fifth century writers and historians,
began to create the original works
which would set the foundation for
Armenian literature. Koriun,
Agatangelos, Buzantatsi, Parpetsi,
Yeghishe, Yeznik, and Khorenatsi
became the writers of the age of
discovery, providing an influence
for generations of Armenian writers.
The lyrical, unique, and perfect
thirty-six letters of the Armenian
alphabet gave the Armenian people
an identity that would keep Armenians as Armenian until today. For
1600 years, this alphabet, has been
\k&& n*
P 1* ITU
*U 3*1
tlu'bS
litre p
S.M n 5
t;n
t a *n o>
fa-ifi*
The Armenian Alphabet created by the monk Mesrop
Mashtots in 405 A.D.
the bulwark against all challenges.
It is what makes an Armenian Armenian.
The Armenians have written
poems to this language, and sung to
this alphabet. In the first words of
Siamanto's poem, "The Glory of
Invention," we see the love and
respect accorded to Mashtots.
"Mesrob! You stand an
unshatterable diamond rock against
time. Against the Armenian centuries."
We exist today, an Armenian
people, living in Armenia, or in the
Diaspora, because of Mesrop
Mashtots, because of St. Sahak,
and King Vramshapouh, whose
love and dedication give us a life
sustaining spirit. That spirit exists
in all those today who speak and
write Armenian.
In Yeghishe Charents' words,
"I love the sun-baked taste of Armenian words."
In the Armenian alphabet God
granted the Armenian people the
instrument of its survival and its
prosperity. May we continue in that
spirit for generations to come.
2006-2007 Academic Year Scholarships
in Armenian Studies
Fill out an application on-line! Applications available now.
https://scholarship .csufresno .edu/
Make sure to mark one of the areas pertaining
to Armenian studies
1) Will enroll in Armenian Studies
or
2) Armenian-Supplemental application required
You must also complete a supple mental form
when you are applying for Armenian Studies scholarships.
Come by the ASP office in the Peters Business Building,
Room 384, Tuesday through Thursday
to pick up the supplemental form.
or you can get a supplemental form
on the Armenian Studies Program Home Page
http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu
Application deadline: November 30,2005
Call the Armenian Studies Program
at 278-2669 with any questions.