Entertainment

A Trip to Armenia Inspired Watertown Native’s First Novel

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Cris Patvakanian wrote “In the Shadow of Mount Khustup” after visiting Armenia in 2023. A trip to his homeland of Armenian in 2023 changed Cris Patvakanian’s life, and the experience became the inspiration for his first novel. Growing up in Watertown, Patvakanian was an active member of the Armenian community but a visit to the area where his family came from, Syunik — the southernmost region of Armenia — was eyeopening. He visited the cities of Goris and Kapan. “I had never been there before, and it was a transformative experience meeting the resilient people there, especially after the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan war and all the hardships the veterans and families face now as they now live on the border with Azerbaijan since the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh,” Patvakanian said.

Around Town

Watch Party & Fundraiser for Armenia’s Euro 2024 Qualifier at Donohue’s

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Supporters of the Armenian soccer team can join other fans at a watch party for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Turkey at Watertown’s Donohue’s Bar & Grill. The event is hosted by Armenian Sports News and proceeds benefit the Armenian Para-Athletic Federation. Armenian Sports News sent out the following announcement on its Instagram page:

Come to Donohue’s in Watertown to watch the Armenian national team in action in the 2024 European Championship qualifiers as they take on rival Turkey on March 25 at 12:00 PM. Come for food, drinks and a raffle for prizes. Tickets are $30 (click here for tickets) and proceeds go to the Armenian Para-Athletic Federation, who is training wounded veterans from the Artsakh War in different sporting disciplines in order to give them a new outlook on life.

Around Town

Mass. Politicians, Armenian Leaders Condemn Attacks by Azerbaijan

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This week, Armenia celebrated 31 years of independence, but it also faced renewed attacks from neighboring Azerbaijan in a contested region. Armenians in the United States and politicians condemned the attacks, and called for steps to be taken against Azerbaijan. The Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church wrote an editorial condemning both Azerbaijan and Turkey for their roles in the current conflict, and historic ones, including the Armenian Genocide. The Watertown-based Armenian Weekly ran a column about the geopolitics of the conflict, saying that it goes beyond Armenia and Azerbaijan, and how it relates to the situation in Ukraine and the Russian invasion. Massachusetts Sen. Edward J. Markey, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today joined several Senate colleagues in calling to prevent any U.S. security assistance from going to Azerbaijan until Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a permanent, lasting resolution to ensure peace and stability in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Entertainment

Junior Eurovison Winner from Armenia Giving Free Concert

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Berklee College of MusicArmenian singer Maléna, the winner of the Junior Eurovision competition, will perform free in Boston. The following information was provided by Berklee College of Music:

Internationally recognized singer-songwriter Arpine Martoyan, known by her professional stage name Maléna, will perform in Boston this summer after receiving the Armenian Scholarship to attend a coveted Berklee summer program. The 15-year-old emerging star will sing her hit “Qami Qami,” the song that won her the 2021 Junior Eurvision competition, at the Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose Kennedy Greenway on Sunday, July 31 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Through the scholarship, Maléna gained sponsorship to this year’s Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive, a prestigious program whose alumni include Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor, and offers one-on-one instruction with leading Berklee professors as well as college credit to up-and-coming artists. “It’s only been two weeks, but I’ve already learned so much,” said Maléna about the Aspire program.

Armenia

Watertown Teacher Traveling to Armenia With Genocide Education Project

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Watertown High School English teacher Jess DePamphilis will travel to Armenia this summer to learn about the Armenian Genocide. A Watertown High School English teacher will travel to Armenia this summer as part of a program sponsored by The Genocide Education Project. Jess DePamphilis was chosen as one of 17 secondary level teachers from 14 states chosen to be GenEd Teacher Fellows. The group will spend 10 days in Armenia in July to take part in a professional development program based at the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute. While in Armenia the group will be based in Yerevan, the capital city.

Armenia

Local Premier of Armenian Film “Songs of Solomon” at Mosesian Center

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The Boston premiere of Songs of Solomon will be held at the Mosesian Center of the Arts on Tuesday, April 26. Songs of Solomon is produced by two-time Academy Award winner Nick Vallelonga of Vallelonga Productions and Hollywood-based producer Asko Akopyan of Oscar Gold Productions. The film is Armenia’s official selection for the 93rd Academy Awards for Best International Film. The following information was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

Golden State Productions presents the official Boston regional premiere of SONGS OF SOLOMON, a powerful drama based on the true story of an orphaned Armenian boy who grows up to be the influential composer known as Komitas. Inspired by true events, the film follows a childhood friendship, torn apart by the horrific Hamidian massacres infiltrated by the Ottoman Empire.

Armenia

Watertown Museum Hosting Free Concert to Honor Armenia

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The Armenian Museum of America will host a free online concert honoring Armenia. The following announcement came from the Armenian Museum of America:

The Armenian Museum of America recently announced the third in its bi-monthly Online Concert Series. The performance is being recorded live in New York by three Armenian sopranos, Hasmik Meikhanedjian, Alvard Mayilyan, and Anahit Zakaryan. They will be accompanied by pianist and composer Hayk Arsenyan. The concert, “Kez het Hayastan” (With You, Armenia!), is dedicated to Armenia. 

The event will be aired online on Sunday, February 14 at 2:00 pm EST (11:00 am PST and 11:00 pm in Armenia).

Around Town

Watertown Church Holding Candlelight Vigil for Armenian, Artsakh Soldiers

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Flag of Artsakh

An Armenian church in Watertown will hold a candlelight vigil on Sunday for the fallen soldiers. The outdoor vigil will take place at the St. Stephen’s Armenian Church, 38 Elton Ave., on Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m.

An Instagram post from St. Stephen’s said:

“Join the Greater Boston Armenian Community in unity and solidarity for a Candle Light Vigil to honor our fallen soldiers.