On Friday, April 6th His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church of America hosted a presentation of CINF President Siobhan Nash-Marshall’s new book at St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral in New York City. Beginning at 7pm, the event opened with an introduction by Vartan Matiossian, Director of the Armenian Prelacy and author of several articles, including a book review of Dr. Nash-Marshall’s The Sins of the Fathers published only a few days prior. After congratulating Dr. Nash-Marshall for her work, Director Matiossian welcomed Herand Markarian, a playwright and professor. Dr. Markarian presented the book and its central arguments with high praise for the book’s consistent accuracy, clarity, and brilliance.
Following Dr. Markarian was a short introduction to the Christians In Need Foundation (CINF) and their current educational initiative in Artsakh by CINF Executive Director, Stephanie Havens. Ms. Havens provided a brief history of CINF’s Artsakh Project and shared several personal stories about her own experience with the program as a volunteer English teacher in Stepanakert the previous summer.
Dr. Nash-Marshall was then welcomed to take questions from the audience about her book, expanding upon the overview of her book already presented by Dr. Markarian. She spoke extensively about the success of Armenian communities, in business, education, and culture, immediately before the genocide, as well as the extent to which the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) would go to fabricate a “Turkish culture” to replace Armenian culture. Dr. Nash-Marshall shared at great length the destruction or a of Armenian culture to make room for a “Turkish culture.”
In conclusion to the presentation, His Excellency Zohrab Mnatsakanian, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the UN, spoke fondly of Dr. Nash-Marshall’s publication and work abroad in Artsakh and Armenia.
At the end of the evening, the event’s host, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, announced an anonymous donation of $1,000 to CINF’s Artsakh Project. Sold copies of the book at the event also directly contributed to the program. Dr. Nash-Marshall remained after the presentation to inscribe sold copies, converse with and thank attendees.