What the AYF Means to Me

In the past three years, my life has been substantially influenced through my membership in the AYF. Prior to joining the AYF, my involvement in the Armenian community was very limited, and basically consisted of attending the annual April 24th protest on Wilshire Blvd and reading about other annual events.

AYF Attends IUSY World Congress 2012

The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) recently participated in the three-day World Congress of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) in Asunción, Paraguay. IUSY is the biggest political youth organization in the world, representing about 150 member organizations from more than 100 countries.

The .2%

The 24th of April has come and gone for the 97th time since the Turkish government’s failed attempts to eradicate the Armenian race. That’s 1,164 months since the systematic murder, rape, and deportation of over a million and half Armenians began in the city of Constantinople.

St. Vartan and the Battle of Avarayr

Many of us are beginning to think that February is an empty month in the Armenian calendar. Or that Saint Valentine’s Day is the only significant holiday. However, the idea that this is traditionally an Armenian festival is incorrect. In fact, for those unaware, the Armenian equivalent for celebrating love and affection between companions takes place on February 4th, under the Saint Sarkis (Սուրբ Սարգիս) name. More to the focus of this article though, is the commemoration of the Battle of Avarayr (Ավարայրի ճակատամարտը) on February 16th

Perjuring the Past: On Criminalization of Armenian Genocide Denial

Last week, the French Senate approved a bill that, in effect, makes it a criminal offense to deny the genocide committed by Ottoman Turks against Armenians. While the law should be applauded as a milestone in punishing an ongoing genocide, some are misrepresenting it as a violation of a universal right.

Armenia’s Independence Belongs to YOU

This day belongs to Armenian heroes. To the farmer who feeds our nation. To the mother who cares for our young. To the teacher who educates our students. To the baby who represents our future. To the worker who builds our roads. To the freedom fighter who gave us our Independence. And yes – this day also belongs to you.

Met as a “Yeghbair”; Reunited as an “Unger”

I don’t think people always fully appreciate and understand the greatness of Armenian youth organizations. It’s been almost a full year since I participated in the Homenetmen scouts jamboree where I met new people and formed friendships that would have otherwise never have been formed. The bonds made would last a lifetime, but I sadly left Armenia believing that I would probably never see most of these people again.

From Las Vegas to AYF Tri-Regional Seminar

The AYF Tri-Regional Seminar: Most see it as an opportunity to attend a series of lectures and debates, to improve our understanding of current events in Armenia, and to learn the details of our organization’s history. This was exactly what my expectations were. Being from Las Vegas, the “Sosse Mayrig” AYF Chapter sits at a distance from the rest of the Western Region. Hearing of the AYF Tri-Regional Seminar, taking place at Camp Haiastan from June 3-8 in little Franklin, Mass., I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black, Glendale Edition

Euphemisms have always played a part in racism. For those disposed toward cowardice, subtle overtures of a perceived enemy have allowed segregationists to convey their message to the like minded without saying what the masses think. This has been happening in Glendale, and throughout the Los Angeles area, for at least a decade, and now it has come to a silent fever pitch.

Economic Underpinnings of Emigration

We all know that emigration from Armenia is a major ongoing problem. In order to address this challenge, you have to look at its causes.

In the below clip, economist and ARF Parliamentarian, Ara Nranyan, discusses the disastrous neoliberal economic prescriptions of successive governments in Yerevan

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