Witnessing The Armenian Genocide, Now

Returning to the show, this time together, are: Dr. Ara Apkarian, UCI Distinguished Professor of Chemistry; and Dr. Kev Abazajian, Professor of Physics & Astronomy and the Director of the Center for Cosmology at UCI. Ara and Kev have a lot on their minds with the geopolitics taking place, from the campus to the Caucasus. They speak truth to power – a tale of two University of California chancellors weighing in on international catastrophes. Then on to the remarkable gesture of the recent visit of former member of the Turkish Parliament, Garo Paylan, whose laps around Southern California this month, included one right here in Irvine. Mr. Paylan, among one the few Armenians elected to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, has been speaking about levers within the grasp of Armenians around the world. This program considers his points as well as his broader audience, amidst the staggering incidences of genocide, globally. Listeners are directed to additional sources for information and action: https://anca.org/ and https://www.armenian-assembly.org/ (nationally); and https://www.instagram.com/uciasa/?hl=en (locally).

Note: the host erred in not including the title emblazoned on the encased partially burned tapers taken from various churches being overtaken in Artsakh in the fall of 2020. The title is “Piece of My Heart.”

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Vahagn Hayrapetyan Trio, “Yes Kez Siretsi,” – live at the Tsitsernakabert.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/ApkarianAbazajian10-24-23.mp3

Raising Not Erasing the Lachine Corridor Toward Artsakh

Returning to the show is Vic Gerami, editor and publisher of the Blunt Post, host and producer of the “Blunt Post with Vic” on Radio KPFK, and documentary filmmaker of the feature film “Motherland.” Given that the Republic of Artsakh is in greater tatters than when he last was on “Ask A Leader,” given that the media is watching a little bit more closely the mud show at Burning Man, or Barbie – that media appears to be missing some salient points about the disputed territories in the Armenian and Azerbaijani area. It is useful to return to sources who attend to existentially threatened nations. Vic explains about the 8 month long blockade in the Lachine Corridor, breakdowns what analysts are getting wrong, and offers a template about how to achieve and understanding of other fronts without feeling exhausted or helpless. For a moment that exercise took place in Irvine’s City Council chambers last winter.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Armen Martirosyan with Armenian Jazz Band – “Eastern Blues.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Gerami9-5-23.mp3