Talking Vartan Podcast

The award winning documentary film, "Motherland" is the focus of this edition of the Talking Vartan Podcast. Host, Producer, and Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 talks with the film's director, writer, and producer, Vic Gerami about the documentary which examines the 2020 genocide in Artsakh and the political, military, and financial reasons for it.

Meet our new Grand Commander as Host, Producer, and Asbed David Medzorian chats with Knights of Vartan Avak Sbarabed Hunan Arshakian. AS Hunan shares his thoughts on the continuing mission of the Knights of Vartan, our challenges and opportunities, and the role of every Knight to meet those challenges both here in the United States and in Armenia itself. Our Grand Commander reflects on the recent Grand Convocation in Glendale, California, and looks ahead to next month's Veratarts Hayrenik VI pilgrimage to Armenia. He also describes the important role of our Communications Liaison.

We say thank you to Avak Sbarabed Steven Adams for his three years of service as Grand Commander of the Knights of Vartan. Host and Asbed David Medzorian will talk to Avak Sbarabed Steve about the challenges of leading the Knights of Vartan during a worldwide pandemic. He and his wife, Nakhgin Dirouhie Salpy Adams, will also recall preparing for virtual Grand Convocations and their two Veratarts Hayrenik pilgrimages to Armenia during AS Steve's time as Grand Commander.

A preview of the upcoming Grand Convocation of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan to be held in Glendale, California from July 13th through the 16th. Our guests are Grand Convocation Committee Chairman NS Gary Kaloostian and Co-Chair ND and Former Southwest GDR Sonia Serpekian. They are both joining us from California. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Episode 30 of the Talking Vartan Podcast with Asbed David Medzorian features a conversation with Grand Commander (Avak Sbarabed) Steven Adams. He discusses the recent Knights of Vartan Avak Tahlij which was again held virtually. He also looks ahead to the upcoming Veratarts Hayrenik V which will bring Knights and Daughters of Vartan back to Armenia as a group for the first time since 2019. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Tahlij No. 1 in Boston.

In an expanded edition of the Talking Vartan podcast, we commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in words and music. We will hear remarks by Knights of Vartan Grand Commander Steven Adams and Daughters of Vartan Grand Matron Alice Kalustian. Host and Producer Asbed David Medzorian will talk to author and historian Professor Taner Akcam of Clark University, who will discuss Turkey's continuing denial of the genocide and the reasons for it. We will focus on the life and music of Komitas, including selections of his music and rare recordings of Komitas himself, made in Paris in 1912. We will say farewell to educator, scholar, and humanitarian Dr. Vartan Gregorian, who died on April 15th. We'll recall his November 2019 visit to Boston with Sarah Ignatius, Executive Director of the National Association For Armenian Studies and Research. The new NAASR headquarters in Belmont, Massachusetts is named in honor of Vartan Gregorian. Our program will conclude with a prayer for the souls of the Genocide

Episode 28 features a conversation with Sbarabed Tigran Sahakyan of Mamigonian Lodge in Brooklyn, New York, who has just returned from Armenia. Sbarabed Tigran describes his observations while in Armenia, along with the many humanitarian and education projects that he is involved in. Sbarabed Tigran will also talk about this September's Veratarts Hayrenik trip to Armenia for the Knights and Daughters of Vartan. Produced and Hosted by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

As we mark the 2nd anniversary of the Talking Vartan Podcast, we visit the Tavish Province city of Berd in Northern Armenia, where a group of dedicated women is improving the lives of women from the region who are in need. Our guest is Anahit Badalian, Founder and Director of the Berd Women's Resource Center Foundation. We'll also provide updates on scheduled Knights and Daughters of Vartan events later this year. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Episode 26 features a conversation with Former Knights of Vartan Grand Commander Steven Kradjian and Former Daughters of Vartan Grand Matron Lisa Kradjian. They join me from San Diego, California. NAS Steve and NAD Lisa update us on various projects, scholarship funds, and fundraising efforts by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan and individual Lodges and Otyags. The pair also shares information on how Lodges and Otyags can participate in these various efforts, along with the ever-increasing importance of our Communications Office in Armenia. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Our 25th podcast celebrates the Christmas season with eloquent words and holiday music. We'll visit with our Grand Commander Steven Adams and our Grand Matron Alice Kalustian, who will reflect on the events of 2020 and look forward to the year ahead. We'll also visit with Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian of St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts. Father Baljian is also Sbarabed of Arakadz Lodge No. 35 in North Andover, Massachusetts. He'll talk about the Armenian church has adapted to the changes in 2020 and will also offer a special Christmas for our Knights and Daughters of Vartan and their families. Finally, we will hear a special selection of Christmas Carols, including one performed in Armenian. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Episode 24 features a conversation with the producers of the upcoming Armenia-Artsakh Relief Concert, hosted by Arax Lodge No. 11 in Providence and featuring performances by your favorite Armenian bands and musicians from across the country. The fundraising event will be live-streamed on Saturday, December 12th at 6 PM EST on both Facebook and YouTube. Our guests include Charles Kalajian, the TED of Arax Lodge, and Professor Leon Janikian, a musician, recording engineer, and teacher at Boston's Northeastern University. Hosted by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Episode 23, "For the Love of Artsakh", paints a portrait of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) through the eyes and lens of photojournalist Ken Martin of Boston. Martin recalls his 2019 visit to Artsakh and describes his impressions of both the region and its ever-gracious people. His recollections are all the more poignant in the wake of the recent war and the exodus of so many Armenians from the land they called home. Diaspora for Frontline Families Fund: www.kovcasp.org Halo Trust: www.kofv.org/halo-trust-support Petition calling for protection of Armenian historical and cultural sites in Artsakh: https://www.change.org/p/unesco-protect-armenian-cultural-historical-sites-in-artsakh?fbclid=IwAR2eUKpQsHGfZOC94FO1YO0NxfZPi_NIlK3FZYfdhhenWKo1Uz5GB5e4iCY

Episode 22 features an exclusive interview direct from Artsakh with Father Aram Mirzoyan from Armenia's Tavush Province. Father Aram describes the situation in war-torn Artsakh from a humanitarian standpoint. KOV Liaison Gohar Palyan provides English language translation. Also featured is Ararat Lodge Asbed Aram Arkun, the Assistant Editor of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator, who discusses the challenges of covering the Artsakh War, both in the war zone at on the home front. The program concludes with a listing of the various resources from which Knights and Daughters can donate to help the victims of the Artsakh War. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Episode 21 of the Talking Vartan Podcast focuses on the Disapora for Frontline Family Fund and its effort to provide financial assistance to the families of Armenian soldiers who died defending their homeland. The work of the DFFF is all the more important given the current Azerbaijani military offensive in the Republic of Artsakh. Our guest is the Chairman of the DFFF, Nerses Zurabyan of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston. Hosted and produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Episode 20 focuses on the changing face of the Armenian Church in the time of COVID. Our guests are Archpriest Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian of Saint Stephens Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston and a Nakhgin Sbarabed of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston and Archpriest Rev. Fr. Sarkis Petoyan of Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena, a member of Ghevont Lodge No. 26 in Pasadena. They discuss the challenges the Armenian Church has faced in responding to the COVID pandemic. Among the topics are the use of technology for streaming services, the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic, as well as the role of the pastor in providing comfort and hope in this time of stress and uncertainty. Hosted and produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Episode 19 recaps the recent Grand Convocations of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan which were held entirely online for the very first time. Guests include Daughters of Vartan Grand Matron Alice Kalustian, Grand Vice-Matron Lucille Farsakian, and Knights of Vartan Grand Commander Steven Adams. Host and Producer Asbed David Medzorian also provides information on the Knights of Vartan Fundraising drive for the people of Beirut, Lebanon affected by the massive explosions that devastated the city on August 4th.

"Things to Do" focuses on how Knights and Daughters can use this time during the pandemic to broaden our knowledge and appreciation of the communities where we live, the world's greatest works of art, and our own Knights and Daughters of Vartan story. Ararat Lodge Former Treasurer Jirair Balayan provides info on the great online resources of NAASR, the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research. We'll explain just how simple it is to register to vote, and we'll end our podcast by performing a well known Armenian folk song. Hosted by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston and his son, Alexander Medzorian.

Episode 17 features an eyewitness account of the Azerbaijani offensive against the Armenian border province of Tavush and how its people are doing. Our guest is Father Aram Mirzoyan, Pastor of St. Hovhaness Armenian Church in Berd. Participating in the conversation with Father Aram as well as translating his words is Communications Liaison Gohar Palyan. Grand Commander Steven Adams recalls his visit to the Tavush Province, most recently in 2019.

In our 16th podcast, we get an update on how the Knights and Daughters of Vartan are taking care of business, both in the USA and in Armenia despite the COVID-19 restrictions now in place. Our guests are Knights of Vartan Grand Commander Steven Adams and Grand Matron Alice Kalustian, both joining us from California. From Yerevan, Armenia, we'll get a direct update on those Knights and Daughters of Vartan projects that are completed and still in progress, even as Armenia and its people deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing the update will be our Communications Liaison Gohar Palyan. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

In Episode 15, we visit with musician extraordinaire and fellow Knight Richard Hagopian at his farm in Selma, California. He talks about his life long love of music and how he learned to play the oud as a young boy and the musicians who inspired and encouraged him. Former Grand Vice-Commander Hagopian also discusses the changes in Armenian music over the years and his own efforts to use that music as a way to bring people together. Musical tracks used in the podcast are from the Richard Hagopian album, "Armenian Music Through The Ages" and are used with the artist's permission. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.