Talking Vartan Podcast

Episode 52 of "Talking Vartan: The Knights and Daughters of Vartan Podcast profiles award-winning actress Nora Armani, whose one-woman play is about an Armenian woman who, in 1948, repatriates to what was then Soviet Armenia. It is also a play about family and the passage of time. Nora Armani, who Asbed David Medzorian interviewed, will perform the play in Providence, Rhode Island, on Friday, April 26th, and in Arlington, Massachusetts, on Sunday, April 28th. Details are below.

Episode 51 of the Talking Vartan Podcast looks ahead to this summer's Grand Convocation in Fresno, California. Host and Producer Asbed David Medzorian speaks with Grand Convocation Co-Chairs NS Alan Farsakian, Avak Tbrouhie ND Yeretzgin Roberta Hairabedian, and NAS Steven Adams, who serves as Registration Chairman and Convocation Advisor. The trio will update us on plans for the Grand Convocation and how you can join your fellow Knights and Daughters in Fresno this summer.

Talking Vartan's 50th Podcast Episode, "A Helping Hand," features a conversation with Der Vasken Kouzouian, an Asbed of Ararat Lodge in Boston and Pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Cambridge, MA. His wife, Yeretzgin Arpi Kouzouian, joins Der Vasken for the interview recorded at the Talking Vartan Studio. The pair have just returned from Armenia, where they helped deliver and distribute clothing and boots to refugees from Artsakh. In an interview that will warm your heart, Der Vasken and Yeretzgin Arpi talk to the host and Asbed David Medzorian about the inspiration for the clothing drive and the challenges and rewards of their effort in bringing needed clothing and boots to the Artsakh refugees.

Episode 49 of the Talking Vartan Podcast features Part Two of our series, "Visiting Armenia." Host and Asbed David Medzorian continues his conversation with Patil Toutounjian, the Founder and Host of "The Armenian Traveler." Her video series on YouTube focuses on travel information for those considering a visit to Armenia or who are already in our motherland and want to enjoy their trip to the fullest. Topics include dining, transportation, sightseeing, entertainment, and much more. For additional travel information, check out Part One of our series on Talking Vartan Episode 48.

Episode 48 of The Talking Vartan Podcast is the first of two programs focusing on what travelers need to know when visiting Armenia, whether for the first time or as a seasoned traveler. Host and Asbed David Medzorian speaks with Patil Toutounjian, the Founder and Host of the YouTube Channel "The Armenian Traveler." Part One focuses on planning your trip, where to stay, the best ways to exchange money, dining, and transportation options.

This special Christmas edition of the Talking Vartan Podcast features holiday greetings and messages from Avak Sbarabed Hunan Arshakian and Avak Dirouhie Nancy Berberian Thompson. Christmas prayers are offered in English by NS Der Antranig Baljian of Saint Stephen's Armenian Church in Watertown, Massachusetts, and in Armenian by Der Aram Mirzoyan of Saint Hovhaness Armenian Church in Berd, Armenia. The program concludes with a special Christmas musical offering. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston, Massachusetts.

In this special episode of Talking Vartan, Asbed David Medzorian remembers "Four Dark Days" as the word marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Recollections of that tragic weekend come from Former Grand Commander Steven Adams and Former Grand Chairwoman Gloria Korkoian. Also included are rare recordings, including announcing the president's death to a Boston Symphony Orchestra audience and original radio news coverage from Dallas and Fort Worth. Finally, Asbed David Medzorian includes segments from broadcast interviews he conducted in 1988 and 1993 with President Kennedy's best friend and aide, Dave Powers. Mr. Powers was also an eyewitness to the assassination in Dallas.

Part 2 of "They Came From Artsakh" features an interview with the Balayan Family from Askeran Province in Artsakh. They had to flee their homes and relocate to the Tavush Province village of Chinari in Armenia following the Azeri military action on September 19th. Also included are Father Aram Mirzoyan from Berd and the Village leader in Chinari, Samvel Saghoyan. The English translation is provided by Anahit Badalian, Founder and Director of the Berd Women's Resource Center in Berd City. Hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Episode 44 focuses on the recent deportation of some 120 thousand Armenians from their homeland in Artsakh following a September 19th military attack by Azerbaijan. Interviewed are Aram Khatchaturian, his wife, Elena Farajanian, Yuri Khatchaturian, and his wife Smela Sarukhanian. Anahit Badalian, a relative and Director of the Berd Women's Resource Center in Tavush provides the English translation. Hosted by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Tahlij No. 1 in Boston, MA

Episode 43 of the Talking Vartan Podcast looks back at the recent Grand Convocation of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan held in Boston, Massachusetts. Also, it looks ahead to this September's Veratarts Hayrenik pilgrimage to Armenia. It is hosted and Produced by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston.

Talking Vartan Episode 42 begins with the ongoing blockade in Artsakh. Asbed and Armenian Mirror-Spectator Managing Editor Aram Arkun discusses the crisis, which is now in its third month. He examines the political, military, and humanitarian factors and what are the possible outcomes. Host David Medzorian then looks ahead to this July's Grand Convocation in Boston. His guests will be the Former Commander of Ararat Lodge and Former New England Grand District Representative Nelson Stepanian, Dirouhie Armine Manoukian of Arpie Otyag No. 9, and Sister Ruth Medzorian Falletti, also of Arpie Otyag.

Our Christmas episode begins with the ongoing crisis in Artsakh. Host and Asbed David Medzorian talks to Father Aram Mirzoyan and Anahit Badalian, both of whom are in Tavush Province. They focus on the impact of the crisis and the frustrations in providing help to those in Artsakh who are in need. Father Aram concludes with a Christmas prayer in Armenian. NS Father Antranig Baljian from Watertown, Massachusetts, discusses the meaning of the holiday season given the difficulties in Artsakh and elsewhere. He also offers a holiday prayer in English. Daughters of Vartan Grand Chairwoman Gloria Korkoian offers words of inspiration on the occasion of the Institution of Tzouig Otyag # 33 in Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts. The program concludes with a musical Christmas offering.

Episode 40 of the Talking Vartan Podcast highlights Host, Producer, and Asbed David Medzorian's recent 3-week visit to Armenia. Grand Commander Hunan Arshakian speaks about the recent Veratarts Hayrenik pilgrimage of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan. Asbed David Medzorian visits The Knights of Vartan School 106 in Yerevan and talks with Principal Marine Vardanyan and Teacher Anna Antonyan. At the Berd Multifunctional State College in Tavush Province, Asbed David chats with Director Anna Avalyan, Father Aram Mirzoyan, and Teacher Tamara Margaryan.

In her first Talking Vartan Podcast interview, our Daughters of Vartan Grand Chairperson, Avak Dirouhie Gloria Korkoian talks with Host and Asbed David Medzorian about her experiences with The Daughters of Vartan. She is joined by Susan Hazavartian to look ahead to October's Institution Ceremony for the new Daughters of Vartan Otyag in North Andover, Massachusetts.

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