FRESNO—The latest issue of the Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies, Volume 18, Number 2, December 2009, has just been published and includes five original articles covering a wide range of subjects. Gregory Aftandilian’s “World War II as an Enhancer of Armenian-American Second Generation Identity,” was first delivered at the SAS 35th Los Angeles Anniversary Conference in March 2009 and sheds new light on a seldom broached topic.
Daniel Douglas and Anny Bakalian, tackle an equally pertinent topic in their “Sub-ethnic Diversity: Armenians in the United States,” which builds on previously published papers within the “Century of Armenians in America: New Social Science Research” dossier, that was published in a previous volume. Hazel Antaramian Hofman’s “An Art History Commentary on Queen Goranduxt in the Royal Family Portrait Miniature Painting of King Gagik-Abas and His Family,” and Katherine A. P. Iselin’s “Bardzreli Khach‘: The Connection Between the East and West in Armenian Architecture,” shed light on current critical on-going research in art history. Finally, Konrad Siekierski’s “Nation and Faith, Past and Present: the Contemporary Discourse of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Armenia,” presents another interpretation on Church developments.
This issue of the Journal also contains obituaries for Garbis Kortian and Jivan Tabibian. Kortian’s “In Memoriam” is followed by a moving eulogy delivered by the French philosopher Professor Vincent Descombes [in French], and Tabibian’s with three excerpts from his Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe contributions.
A review essay by Professor Dickran Kouymjian titled “An Interpretation of Bagratid and Artsruni Art and Ceremony,” provides an in-depth analysis of the 2007 Lynn Jones book, Between Islam and Byzantium. Aght’amar and the Visual Construction of Medieval Armenian Rulership.
Two provocative commentaries by George Bournoutian on “Historical research and writing,” and by Ara Sanjian and Vartan Matiossian, on “Armenian Studies in the United States under Renewed Assault,” raise pertinent questions for us to ponder, assess, and act upon as required. Our “Commentary” section is a unique forum to raise critical issues faced by our nation and we welcome reader reactions to the ongoing debates.
Six book reviews by Richard G. Hovannisian, Gregory Areshian, George Bournoutian, Garabet Moumdjian, John A.C. Greppin, and Roubina Peroomian, provide various assessments on the latest deliveries. This is followed by a research note by Garabet Moumdjian on an intriguing Turkish document, titled “Tracing Ottoman Documents: A Letter Delivered 95 Years Late… ,” which opens up a new avenue for similar endeavors by other investigators. Finally, a slew of documents pertaining to the Armenia-Turkey Protocols were assembled under a single cover, to facilitate future research efforts.
The Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies is now the only multi-disciplinary publication in the field that appears on a semi-annual calendar to better serve the scholarly community and inform our growing list of lay supporters with the latest contributions. This second issue of the Journal dated 2009 was made possible through the generous financial contribution of the Los Angeles, California-based George Ignatius Foundation. The Society for Armenian Studies is gratified by this support to facilitate the dissemination of its work, and encourages other institutions that truly believe its research acts as a harbinger for the nation, would emulate the Ignatius Foundation initiative.
Edited by Dr. Joseph A. Kéchichian, the Journal follows a straightforward policy with respect to submitted essays, as each is read anonymously by three referees: two outside experts, as well as the editor. Interested readers who wish to join the SAS and receive its refereed Journal can contact Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Society for Armenian Studies, c/o Armenian Studies Program, 5245 N. Backer Ave, PB4, Fresno, California 93740-8001, telephone 559-278-2669, or email barlowd@csufresno.edu.
