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31 Oct 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, ARMENPRESS: Armenian police have urged all citizens still carrying old Soviet-time passports to apply to their regional passports departments to receive new passports, saying the deadline is November 25. The police also said all required expenses will be covered by the government.
The move comes amid opposition' claims that the Armenian Central Election Commission is attempting to deprive up to 300,000 voters, who still have old Soviet passports, of their right to vote in the November 27 constitutional referendum in order to lower the threshold for `yes' votes required in the referendum.
28 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily #196, 29/10/2005
The Press and Information Department of RA Foreign Ministry informed that at the initiative of the Armenian Embassy to Canada, the Canadian Armenian Network and the Armenian Student Councils organized the presentation of "Like Our Mountains; The History of the Canadian Armenians" book at the Ottawa University. The author of the book is Isabel Gabrielian-Churchill, professor of the Armenian history at the Fresno University, CA, and at the Toronto University, Canada. She touched upon the history of the Armenian community of Canada since its establishment years, including the social, religious, political and cultural lives of the community.
The author has thoroughly studied the archive and folk materials and managed to depict the fates of the Armenian refugees and immigrant families. She also highlighted the educational issues and the life of the younger generation of Armenians. Mrs. Gabrielian-Churchill has also represented the history of Brandford city, where the Armenian community was formed even before 1914. The book also includes interviews with the survivors of the Armenian genocide.
By Ruzan Poghosian
28 Oct 2005
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Armenian Youth Forum opened in Marseilles October 29.
The event is organized within the framework of the 60th anniversary of the Armenian Youth of France (JAF) organization, reported the Press Service of the Armenian MFA. Delegations from 12 European countries, Argentina, Uruguay, Turkey, Russia and other invited gues countries, young people from Armenia took part in the forum.
Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian have sent congratulation messages to forum participants. Bouche du Rhone Supreme Council Chairman, Senator Jean Noel Guerini, MPs, senators, city mayors, leaders of Armenian Apostolic Church German and British Dioceses, many Armenian Diaspora representatives were present at the event.
Armenian Ambassador to France Edvard Nalbandyan made a welcoming speech at the official opening ceremony. He urged young people to be exemplary citizens of their countries and keep in touch with the Fatherland uniting around the Armenian statehood.
27 Oct 2005
ArmeniaNow.com
A vital transport link that once connected Armenia with Russia and Europe may open again in 2007, lifting the burden of Armenia’s current overland communication difficulties.
Sections of the Trans-Caucasian Railroad that run through the disputed territory of Abkhazia (Georgia) have been closed since 1994, when Abkhazia was at war for independence.
The closure severely hindered Armenian import/export, especially since borders are closed with Turkey and Azerbaijan, leaving only Georgia (and its ports of Batumi and Poti) as a rail avenue.
Over the past two years Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has often reminded Georgian leadership that the absence of railroad communication via the Abkhazian sector blocks only Armenia.
“Abkhazia is not an enclave and it is linked to Russia both by land and by sea,� Kocharyan has said. “Armenia is the only country that suffers real losses from this.�
Despite the repeated statements of official Yerevan about the importance of the restoration of cargo and passenger communication in this section, Tbilisi always viewed this issue within the context of the resolution of the whole Abkhazian problem. The Armenian side has not had reasonable grounds for optimism.
But on October 11 Armenia’s Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan issued a sensational statement: “The Georgian side has given its consent to the operation of the Abkhazian section of the Trans-Caucasian Railroad.� Furthermore, he said that in the near future Armenia, Georgia and Russia will set up a consortium to discuss each countries contributions to repairs, and to consider financial benefits for each country.
Russia’s Transport Minister Igor Levitin who arrived in Yerevan on October 12 also made an optimistic statement: “The inspection of the Abkhazian section of the Trans-Caucasian Railroad will be completed in several days. We know in which parts of the road we must carry out construction, where we will need to make restorations.�
The start of the inspection of the Abkhazian section of the railroad in the beginning of October, including participation of Georgian rail specialists gives reason to assume that Tbilisi at least tolerates the restoration of the railroad.
The restored railway “is capable of changing the geopolitical situation in the region and more actively involve Armenia in the international transport-communication projects, in particular in the North-South project,� says political analyst Raffi Zakharyan. “Besides it can somewhat make the issue of the lifting of the blockades of the Turkish-Armenian border and the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi road bypassing Armenia less urgent.
“However, there is also another aspect of the matter: the possibility of the opening of the Abkhazian sector may also play the role of a political catalyst in the process of demands set on Turkey regarding the subject of lifting blockades of the Armenian border.�
Official Yerevan has expressed to the European Union its concerns about the proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad (which would further isolate Armenia) and the funding of these works by the EU.
During a meeting with Kocharyan in Brussels on October 20, EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, said: “If the problem of the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is solved, the construction of a railroad on the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi route bypassing Armenia will cease to be a topical matter.�
27 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 27, Pravda.ru. Armenia will ban bird hunting as of next week in an effort to prevent the spread of bird flu in the country, according to the Environment Ministry.
Hunting is usually prohibited from Dec. 31, but the government moved the date forward to Tuesday to coincide with the winter migration of wild birds southward.
There have been no known cases of bird flu in Armenia, though the government is working on preventative measures, Agriculture Minister David Lokian told parliament.
In the meantime Armenia has suspended poultry imports from Russia, Romania, Turkey, Iran and Southeast Asia - where bird flu has either been found or suspected.
"The measures taken to prevent the appearance and spread of this disease in Armenia are very effective, and the population can calmly consume poultry and eggs," the AP quoted ministry adviser Anushavan Agadzhanian as saying.
27 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 28, PanArmenian.Net. Today Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with System Of A Down soloist Serge Tankian, RA MFA press center reported.
The Armenian FM highly appreciated the band's contribution to the promotion of international recognition and propaganda of Armenian issues. "You encourage the self-consciousness of the young generation of the Armenian Diaspora and maintenance of the Armenian identity," Vartan Oskanian noted. The interlocutors exchanged views on the prospects of the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation in various fields. 26 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily #194, 27/10/2005
25 years ago, the Tekeyan Cultural Association initiated the foundation of Arshak Tigranian College in Hollywood.
This educational institution includes nursery school, kindergarten and a secondary school. The college had over 300 graduates.
Recently, a new program of enlarging this college was carried out there. The program cost $5 mln. A three-storied new building of the college was successfully constructed. The students enjoyed the beginning of the academic year in the new building that has all the conditions for fruitful educational activities, including a large concert hall for 400 people.
A group of thankful people intended to pay tribute to the memory of their teacher Gerasim Aharonian, historian and outstanding national figure. They intended to call a new classroom after Gerasim Aharonian.
25 Oct 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26. ARMINFO. The South Caucasus branch of "The Caucasian Institute of Democracy" Development Fund anounced the results of the journalism competition on the topic of the Armenian-Russian relations in Yerevan, October 26.
By the decision of the jury, the first five winners of the competition will leave for Moscow, while the rest will receive money prizes. Vahagn Antonian, correspondent of "Armenpress" news agency in Lory, received the highest marks. Rouben Markarian, political observer of "Golos Armenii" newspaper, Artem Yerkanian, head of the news service of "Shant" TV, Tatevik Shahinian, correspondent of "ARMINFO" news agency, Tatoul Hakobian, political observer of "Azg" daily were included in the list of the best five journalists. Rouben Grdzelian, Editor-in-cheif of "ARMINFO," received the biggest money prize and refused to leave for Moscow.
Armenika Kivirian, head of the branch of "The Caucasian Institute of Democracy," said that the winners are going to meet with the administration of RF President, to visit RF State Duma, as well as to meet with Armen Smbatian, RA Ambassador to RF within the framework of the visit to Moscow. The competition for the best article was held on September 15- October 15, 2005. The articles were written both in Russian and in Armenian.
It's worth mentioning that the branch of "The Caucasian Institute of Democracy" carried out a number of programs, including the publication of the weekly appendix of "Golos Armenii," that is the digest of the best articles in the Russian, Armenian and foreign Press, as well as broadcasting the Russian version of the news on "Yerkir Media" TV. The organization also organized the rest of children from Nagorno Karabakh. They opened an educational computer center for the children of the Karabakh war veterans and the children from the Russian community of NKR in Stepanakert.
25 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Armenian Church Established Special Scholarship Fund October 26, /PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the initiative of one of the parishioners of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), who wished to remain unknown, the AAC Diocese of the South of Russia has established a special scholarship fund after St. Sahak and Mashtots, Yerkramas, the newspaper of Armenians of Russia reported.
The fund has the purpose to encourage the students of higher and vocational education institutions, who show active interest in the public life and maintain permanent ties with the Armenian Apostolic Church. The fund constitutors hope to raise the educational and spiritual level of the youth living within the bounds of the Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese of the South of Russia.
The first laureates of the fund will be announced on October 30, 2005 after the Saint Liturgy in the Church of St. John Evangelist in the town of Krasnodar.
24 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily #192, 25/10/2005
Everything is More Clear From Above
"Each year, 3 million people die of diseases caused by air pollution." This is one of the facts that testify to the harms the human beings make to the nature and to themselves. This is one of the facts that Jan Arthur-Bertrand, a French photographer, is concerned about. In 1991, he established "Altitude" photo agency and began taking photos of the Earth. Since 1995, he initiates a large-scale work that represents the current ecological situation of the Earth through the photos made from above.
"The Earth from the Sky" photo exhibition has been represented in 30 countries of the world with over 50 million visitors. At present, the exhibition is in Yerevan, thanks to the efforts of the French embassy in Armenia. The exhibition includes 140 photos made in the course of 13 years. Five of them are taken in Armenia, depicting Tegh village in Syunik region, Azat water reservoir in Ararat region, the Talin valley in Aragatsotn, the Temple of Garni and the Republic Square in Yerevan.
The photos were taken as a result of over 4000 hours of flight and consistent work. The photographer managed to shoot various disasters threatening the Earth, as well as the mode of life and strange phenomenon of nature, when flying over France, Argentina, Ecuador, Morocco, Venezuela, Denmark and many other countries of the world.
"Today, more than ever the current methods of utilizing the natural resources can’t last long. We should keep in line with the demands of the modern life without risking the opportunities for the coming generations," the photographer stated.
The photographer also wished to meet with blind people. Allen Mickley, head of a company producing glasses, made the relief versions of the photos, so that the blind could feel the beauty of the photos, too.
It turned out that people could use the natural resources in a fruitful way. For example, Akri region of Brazil develops thanks to its rich flora and fauna. The half of 600.000 residents of the region gets their profits from carefully using the forest resources. Meanwhile the nature made an image of a heart on the tropical lands of New Caledonia.
By Tamar Minasian
24 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily #192, 25/10/2005
Karen Aghamian, head of Artists' Union of Armenia, painters Felix Yeghiazarian and Karen Hovakimian took part in the 2nd Beijing International Art Biennale from September 20 to October 20. The Biennale drew participants from 60 countries with 500 pieces to exhibit. If the 1st Biennale in Beijing put up only the canvases of contemporary artists then the second one also exhibited the works of Matisse, Van Gogh, Renoir, Sezan, Modigliani, Picasso, Delacroix, Manet, Courbet and Utrillo. The works of Italian, Russian and Uzbek artists as well as impressionists and classic artists were displayed each in a separate hall.
The Biennale, coordinated by Vincenzo Sanfo, president of the Cultural Centre of Italy, is a wonderful chance to introduce China and the Chinese art to the world. Karen Hovakimian also took part in the previous Biennale presenting 3 of his canvases. But this time all of Armenian participants exhibited 1 painting each.
The participants of Biennale had chance to acquaint with Chinese culture. They visited UNESCO-protected Yellow Mountains in Anhui province with arch-modern hotels on the height of 2.700 meters.
"The touch to great Chinese culture is very important. The Chinese painting is very impressive; you can hardly find the same skilfulness in lines and tint in European art. China is a separate world where we still can find human relationship and national face. Taking the best from the world they keep their traditions and national identity. Beijing of 15 million population is simply shining with cleanness. And the city wonderfully combines national architecture with modern trends," Karen Hovakimian says.
By Angela Amirkhanian
24 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 25. /Arka/. A monument to the renowned Armenian writer Hrant Matevosyan is to be unveiled in Vanadzor on November 12 on the occasion of the writer's 70th birthday anniversary. The press and public relations department, RA Government, reports that a relevant decision was made by the Jubilee Commission. At the Commission's meeting the Commission members stated that all the necessary arrangements have been accomplished. The preparations for the play "Neutral Zone", which is to be premiered on November 30, are nearing completion. The preparations for the setting up of a memorial stone in the yard of the writer's house, designing of a memorial flat, publication of two volumes of his works and organization of a conference are under way as well. The major event, a jubilee evening, is scheduled for December 2, 2005. 23 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 24, The "Sayat-Nova" cultural union jointly with UNESCO will hold the first Caucasian international festival of ashugh art in Armenia dedicated to the 210th anniversary of Sayat-Nova's death and 10th anniversary of union's foundation. The festival will be held on October 24-26 with participation of 120 singers from Armenia, Georgia, the US, Russia, Spain, Iran and Turkey.
The solemn opening of the festival will take place in the "Moscow" cinema. A number of concerts will be held in different Armenian regions, exhibitions will open, conferences dedicated to ashugh art will be held within the framework of the festival. A festivity of Sayat-Nova roses will be held for the first time on October 26 in Yerevan, near the monument to Sayat-Nova.
23 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 24, 2005 - On October 25, 2005, Special Olympics Armenia will hold Games for children with intellectual disabilities. More than 150 athletes, including female athletes, will experience a taste of happiness and achievement for the first time in their lives. They will compete in athletics, table tennis and football. The event aims at providing the students with the benefits and opportunities of a quality Special Olympics program in Armenia and increasing the number of young footballers, athletes, regular children and students. Teams from special schools as well as youth affiliated with NGOs working with special needs people will participate at the event.
Special Olympics Armenia athletes will march in the Parade of Athletes at the Opening Ceremony. Honored guests will include representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, Armenian National Olympic Committee, Physical Culture and Sports Committee under the Government of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan State University, Armenian State Institute of Physical Education and the Football Federation of Armenia. There will be teachers of physical education, school principals and organizations investing in Special Education.
Since 2003, when four athletes competed in Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland; 2004, when two athletes competed in Special Olympics World Festival in Greece and 2005, when two athletes participated in Special Olympics World Winter Games in Japan and these athletes became the first Armenian special athletes to compete in an international sporting event, Special Olympics has been reaching out to people with intellectual disabilities. Despite the fact that there are several NGOs, schools, government agencies that provide support to people with intellectual disabilities in Armenia, children and adults with mental handicaps are still segregated from society and have little or no opportunities to develop physically, emotionally or socially. Special Olympics is an organization that offers hope, friendship, sports, as well as prizes and surprises to people with intellectual disabilities.
Within the framework of the Games, there will be unified events, where people with and without disabilities play on the same team together. The event will increase measurable success in new young athletes, coach recruitment, volunteers and school children. It will improve general community awareness about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
Thirty students of the Armenian State Institute of Physical Education who are majoring in Adaptive Physical Education and who have gone through Special Olympics Volunteer Trainings in spring 2005, will be volunteering during the entire event applying the skills and knowledge gained at the trainings.
The official opening ceremony will be held at 12:00 pm on October 25 in Yerevan Special School # 6 on 17 Acharyan Street and will be followed by games.
Special Olympics, founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, is the world's largest international organization that uses sports as a tool for social inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. With its focus on community-based programming, schools education, health enhancement and public attitude change is a proven vehicle for changing individual lives and communities. More than 1 million athletes in over 150 countries train and compete in 26 Olympic-style summer and winter sports at local, national and international events. Through its sports programs, Special Olympics strives to provide long-term benefits to individuals' health, self-esteem and social integration.
For more information on Special Olympics Armenia, contact: Artak Israelyan, National Director, Special Olympics Armenia, e-mail:
specialolympicsam@yahoo.com 21 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily #191, 22/10/2005
The Unites Nations Organization celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The UN Office in Armenia initiated a stamp exhibition dedicated to the UN. The exhibition was organized by the Philatelists' Union of Armenia, in the person of Jean Gyulbenkian. Representing his collection, Mr. Gyulbenkian stated: "Both me and the UN celebrated our 60th anniversaries. I thought that it would be good if I show my collection and celebrate the anniversaries together with the UN," he said.
Jean Gyulbenkian began collecting stamps not long ago, collecting them with the help of his friends, purchasing or exchanging them. The collection is dedicated to the History of the UN and is aimed to highlight the large-scale activities of the international organization. "The mass media do not cover all the activities of the UN, while the stamps dwell on the plans and activities of the organization beginning from the human rights up to the peacekeeping issues," the collector said.
The UN issued its first stamp in 1991 dedicated to communication through the post. Tigran Liloyan, head of Philatelists' Union of Armenia, said that the UN has post offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna, which issue stamps in English, French and German languages.
In 2000 the UN Post Department ordered stamps’ design to Yuri Gevorgian, an Armenian painter who had just moved to the U.S. by that time. The first stamps designed by Yuri Gevorgian were dedicated to refugee issues. In 2004, the Armenian artist was commissioned to design stamps dedicated to the human rights.
By Aghavni Harutyunian
20 Oct 2005
ArmeniaNow.com
Members of the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, other classical musicians, advocates of culture, and residents of the neighborhood near the Komitas Chamber Music Hall are angry about the construction of yet another café in Yerevan’s city center and concerned with the general disregard it represents towards the arts in Armenia.
If their fears are realized, as soon as this winter the sound of one of Armenia’s most beloved ambassadors of culture, the NCOA, might have to fight for the attention of concert audiences over the noise of a billiards hall, or, worse, be muffled by the invasion of recorded Euro-pop music.
When the orchestra returned from annual holiday in September, they found that the garden around the Komitas Hall – intended as a buffer against outside noise – had been encroached upon by construction. Trees have been cut down, and cultivated soil that was meant as natural sound-proofing has been replaced by concrete for the café’s foundation.
A month ago NCOA arts director and Principal Conductor Aram Gharabekian met with President Robert Kocharyan to express his concerns. According to Gharabekian, the President showed interest in the matter and even sent representatives to survey the construction.
Since then, however, construction continues at a rapid pace. One laborer on the site told ArmeniaNow that work crews begin at 7 a.m. and work until dark, in their efforts to have the café open by December.
On Tuesday Gharabekian led more than 60 protestors who gathered outside the hall united under the slogan “End the Cultural Genocide�.
Today (October 21) another public meeting was held, during which former Mayor of Yerevan Suren Abrahamyan said that the very fact that the cafe is being constructed is evidence that it has the President's approval.
“Classical music and open-air billiards, a beer house and café, how consonant they are!� said the angered maestro, mockingly. “We (Yerevan) have only two halls for classical music – the Chamber Music Hall and the Aram Khachatryan Concert Hall – there are no other alternatives.�
Alternatives for café attendance has become – almost literally – thicker than the trees they’ve replaced in central Yerevan parks, including the one in which the music hall is located. (As of this spring, the City Center held 427 cafes -- one cafe for every 304 residents of the center.)
In fact, noise from the nearby “9th Wave� café has already been a hindrance to Chamber Hall performances, prompting a complaint to the President’s Office from NCOA last April which remains unsatisfied.
“Last year when the Chilingarian Quartet of England was performing here, the musicians said mockingly during the break: ‘It feels like we’re playing in a marketplace’. It is a disgrace for us, for our nation,� says Gharabekian.
According to the Urban Planning Department of the Yerevan Municipality, the territory around the Music Hall – which historically had been public park – was allocated for commercial development in 1998. Earlier this year, community authorities granted building rights to Floren-Lend Ltd. According to on-site laborers, the company is owned by an Armenian businessman who lives in Moscow.
Gharabekian said he has met with a representative of the company, but was dissatisfied with any conclusions.
It is known that many of the properties in the area have “shadow� ownership, while in fact they are owned by oligarchs and high-level officials, including Government ministers and Members of Parliament. Asked who he suspects to be the “real� owner of the property, Gharabekian told ArmeniaNow:
“I don’t care if the Pope owns it; it’s still wrong.�
Permission to build the café is wrong, too, says art director of the Komitas String Quartet, Eduard Tadevosyan, because of the message it sends to other members of the arts and culture community.
“. . . We shall go away, and let the owners of the cafes enjoy themselves while devouring parks and cultural places,� said Tadevosyan.
Similarly distressed is chamber singer Anna Mayilyan, who often performs in the hall.
“While other countries make their culture bloom, Armenia has decided to exterminate it,� she said. “It is high time Armenians sober up and think not so much about their bellies and more about the spirit.�
ArmeniaNow made attempts through the Municipality and though the Kentron dristict offices to speak with a Floren-Lend representative. No one in either office could say who is the owner of the company.
The architectural design of the Chamber Music Hall is such that the concert hall itself does not have a foyer that would minimize noise entering the music hall. Furthermore, a large portion of the building is glass; and its walls are not thick enough to absorb outside noise.
“The park was initially designed by the architect to provide noise insulation,� says Gharabekian. “Beginning from 2002 the peace of the concert hall was hindered because of the ‘9th Wave’ café. If this one is also erected we can just close up the music hall.�
20 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily #190, 21/10/2005
The World Press Photo-2005 exhibition is opening today at "Moscow" cinema. Numerous photos published in world press in 2004 took part in the exhibition of World Press Photo. A jury of 13 people picked up the best 200 photos from among nearly 70.000 photos made by 4266 journalists from all over the world. The photos to be put up at "Moscow" are the winners of all ten nominations.
The mobile exhibition started in Amsterdam on April 25 and was staged in Hamburg, Milan, New York, Rome, London and Paris before arriving in Yerevan. From Yerevan it will depart to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Tel Aviv and other 70 cities. The organizers say that the exhibition includes not only the best pieces of photojournalism but also photos that became documents for the key events of the last year. The exhibition reached Armenia by the help of the Caucasus Media Institute.
By Tamar Minasian
20 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily #190, 21/10/2005
The French-Armenian Specialization Center initiated the opening ceremony of the new kitchen for "Restaurant Academy" on October 19. The kitchen is furnished with the latest equipment. The representatives of foreign diplomacy circles, as well as RA officials were present at the ceremony.
The arrangement initiated by "Rhone-Armenia Formation Exchange" and "Alliance Armenia" charity organization is the logical continuation of the activities initiated in 2002. In 2002, the French-Armenian Specialization Center was founded with the participation of the mayor offices of Lyon and Yerevan.
Henry Cuny, French ambassador to Armenia, was also present at the ceremony. He said that the center will open a restaurant in future.
By Aghavni Harutyunian
18 Oct 2005
The Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA) along with Saberatours-Sevan, Fun Tour, Avarayr, Levon Travel, Tatian’s, Armentour travel agencies for the second consecutive year represented Armenia at the JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents) World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair 2005 in Tokyo from 22- 24 September, 2005.
In partnership with private businesses the Armenian Tourism Development Agency aims at marketing and promoting Armenia as a world class tourism destination in local and international markets, and creating programs aiding in the overall development of Armenia’s tourism product.
JATA World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair 2005 in Tokyo was a brilliant opportunity to enlarge the target tourism population, particularly in the Asian market.
Boasting 770 exhibitors with over 67 297 visitors this year JATA WTF unquestionably lived up to its name as “Asia’s Largest Travel Fair� by increasing awareness among consumers and showcasing travel industry from all angles. With its comprehensive congress program, presentations, business meetings, familiarization trips, inbound symposiums and supporting events JATA WTF provided the tour operators with unrivalled opportunities to reach key targets for travel promotion, to negotiate and exchange beneficial contracts, source new products and services.
Armenia’s representation at such events is of significant importance to ensure maximal benefits and growth for its flourishing tourist trade and all its related industry interests and economic ventures.
For further information about JATA World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair 2005 or other industry exhibitions and events, please visit us at 3 Nalbandian Street in Yerevan, or call us at 54-23-03/6. We are more than happy to provide information on this and other Armenian Tourism matters.
18 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 19, Armenpress: On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2005, Armenia Fund, Inc. along with its global affiliates will again reach out to millions of viewers in the United States and around the world and ask them to participate in the 8 th Annual Armenia Fund Telethon. The live 12 hour program will originate from Los Angeles, California and will be delivered to nearly all Armenian communities across the globe via satellite and high power stations.
Over the last decade, the Armenia Fund Telethon has helped raise more than $110 million in infrastructure development assistance and humanitarian aid. Proceeds from previous Telethons have helped complete the Goris-Stepanakert Lifeline Highway, the North-South Backbone Highway in Karabakh, and other large scale infrastructure development and humanitarian programs throughout Armenia including the Gyumri earthquake zone. Every year the Telethons feature live musical performances, appeals from members of Congress, special project footages from Armenia and Karabakh, as well as guest appearances from prominent celebrities and politicians.
This year's proceeds will benefit the Redevelopment of Martakert project, the first phase of the multi-faceted, multi-level three-year program entitled Revival of Karabakh. The Martakert region is the largest province of Karabakh and has suffered the most during the 1991-1994 war with neighboring Azerbaijan. This year's project calls for the revitalization of four major sectors in the region: healthcare, drinking water distribution systems, education, and agricultural development.
18 Oct 2005
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Responding to months of protests organized by Armenian National Committee branches around the world, TIME Magazine's European edition published, in its October 17th issue, a brief apology to the Armenian community and all its readers for its dissemination earlier this year of a 70-minute DVD advertisement denying the Armenian Genocide. TIME's apology was printed alongside an extensive letter to editors of TIME-Europe by leading Armenian, Jewish and human rights organizations. This response was published under France's "right to reply" laws, which require a publication to provide editorial space to those unfairly attacked in its pages. The controversy over this issue began on June 5th, with the dissemination of a DVD, funded by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, which featured denialist propaganda as part of a print and electronic advertisement package promoting tourism in Turkey.
Following the letter, TIME-Europe printed an apology for the dissemination of the DVD, stating that they had failed to properly review the DVD to establish its full contents before distributing it to their subscribers. "TIME regrets distributing the DVD and we are very sorry for the offense it has caused. The so-called documentary portion of the DVD presents a one-sided view of history that does not meet our standards for fairness and accuracy, and we would not have distributed it had we been aware of its content. Unfortunately, the DVD was not adequately reviewed by anyone at TIME because it was believed to be a benign promotion piece. We have since changed our review process so as to guarantee more vigilance in future. We apologize to the Armenian community, and to our readers."
17 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #187, 18/10/2005
A recent international festival in Warsaw hosted participants from Armenia, Georgia, America, France, England and India. All states presented their unique national cultures.
The representatives of Armenia and Georgia performed on September 11. Duduk player Gevorg Dabaghian was the main soloist of the Armenian delegation. The Armenian ensemble was comprised of kamancha player Norayr Davtian, kanon player Shushanik Saghatelian, dap (tambourine) player Kamo Khachatrian, second duduk Emanuel Hovhannisian and singer Arus Gulanian. The concert was composed of solo duduk accompanied by kamancha, kanon and dhol.
Asked whether it is possible to awaken love for duduk and Armenian folk music among the younger generation, one of the musicians said: "The Armenian folk music is as unique and incomparable as the Armenians themselves. As to children's preferences I should say that their upbringing depends on us. Everyone should make efforts to raise children beautifully. Duduk is our national mentality, our soul. Tens of pupils and hundreds of students follow our footsteps. That's great."
By Heghine Vatinian
17 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 18. /Arka/. The First All Armenian Festival of puppet show troupes will be held in Armenia on October 19-23, 2005, RA Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Lilit Asatryan told a press-conference. The festival is dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Armenia's Puppet Theater. She reported that the festival will be simultaneously held in four regions of Armenia (Gegharkunik, Tavush, Lori and Syunik) and in NKR, and that 22 theater troupes from Armenia, Javakhk and Nagorno Karabakh will participate in this festival.
The closing ceremony will take place in Yerevan on October 23, 2005. Asatryan reported that this festival will become traditional, and contest-festival will be held in 2006, which will be specific stimulus of cultural development in Armenia.
The festival is organized by the RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs, and is sponsored by "Hayastan" All Armenian Fund and "Tigran Mets" publishing house. 17 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 18. /Arka/. World Press Photo-2005 exhibition dedicated to 50th anniversary of the organization to open on October 21 in Yerevan.
World Press Photo is an independent commercial organization, established in the Netherlands in 1955. The aim of the organization is to support professional journalists worldwide and to provide them with the opportunity to contact each other. The organization's key principles are political independence, respect for photojournalists' work and aversion of all types of censorship. To achieve its goals the organization conducts annual contests and stages seminars, discussions and master classes.
16 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 17, Armenpress: The French Embassy in Yerevan said Ambassador Henry Cuny will open the exhibition of photographs by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, one of the most well known aerial photographers, at National Art Gallery of Armenia on October 21 at 6 pm.
The exhibition, called Earth from Air is the result of a five-year airborne odyssey across five continents and more than a hundred of countries, presenting the most revealing and spectacular portrait of our world ever created. From a heart-shaped mangrove forest in New Caledonia to a flock of red ibises in Venezuela, from a caravan of camels in Mauritania to Mt. Everest and Mammoth Hot Springs, Yann Arthus-Bertrand presents tens of striking color images that put our home planet in a whole new perspective and are a unique documentary record of its fragile ecosystems at the dawn of the new millennium.
He undertook this project in 1995 that had long been close to his heart -to produce, on the eve of the 21st century, a real photographic inventory of the planet -from an altitude of between 5 and 2,000 meters. His photographs were published in many books and were printed in 24 languages. The earth from Air was shown in 30 countries and 50 million people have already enjoyed his art.
Wishing to share his photographic views with blind people Yann Arthus-Bertrand asked Alain Miklin, a French Armenian and the founder of an eye-glass factory, to prepare dactyloscopic prints of the photographs to give a chance to people with eyesight problems to communicate with his stunning pictures.
16 Oct 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17. ARMINFO. Head of the Protocol Department of the Armenian Presidential Staff, Mamikon Tonoyan (at the age of 32), was killed in a car accident, Saturday. The Emergency Situations Department told ARMINFO.
The accident took place near the Restaurant "Bellagio" approximately at 9:55 p.m. M. Tonoyan's car (Renault 30 UU 100) turned over and crashed into an oncoming car (GAZ 3102 65 LO 737). M. Tonoyan died on the spot. His wife, Asmik Galstyan, was injured. She was taken to Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center and her life is no longer in danger. The reasons of the accident are currently being studied.
16 Oct 2005
STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS: The chief of Armenia's national statistical committee, Stepan Mnatsakanian was in Nagorno- Karabakh on October 15 to discuss with its president, Arkady Ghukasian, a set of issues on holding a population census.
Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh are planning to conduct the first ever population census, since it declared independence from Azerbaijan, between October 18-27, which they believe 'will become another step towards consolidation of Karabakh's independence. According to Ghukasian, the census returns will help the government to design its projects and forecast social-economic developments.
A special government commission, headed by a deputy prime minister, was established to conduct the census. The last population census in Karabakh was held in 1989, when it had a population of 192,000. Armenians made 76% and Azeri 23%, with Russian and Kurdish minorities.
16 Oct 2005
ArmeniaNow.com
By Suren Musayelyan
Saturday’s spinning marathon drew hundreds of onlookers, curious at the site of 11 (one-wheeled) bicycles in motion for six hours in Republic Square.
About 50 cyclers went for varying times, but Marriott fitness consultants Andrzej Hentszel and Mher Grigoryan impressed their trainees by spinning the entire six hours non-stop.
Most importantly, Armenia’s first spinfest raised $3,200 that will be spent to repair the Nerses Mets Special Boarding School N4 in Yerevan.
“I was very glad with the way the marathon was held and also with the contributions made,� organizer Hentszel said. “A lot of people gathered and there were many Armenians who said positive things about the event. It gives me hope that such a marathon can be organized also next year and hopefully become an annual event in Armenia.�
16 Oct 2005
By Gayane Abrahamyan
A new project by the Urban Planning Council of Yerevan plans to put the city’s most historic buildings – or those that best represent 19th and early 20th century architecture – on one street.
If the plan is successful, some three years from now Aram Street, just off Republic Square might better become known as “Old Yerevan� Street.
Nineteen buildings that have been dismantled either because they were in bad condition, or to make way for current urban renewal, are to be rebuilt in their original form, reflecting the classical Russian style of the last century.
Though coming at a time when the city center is being rebuilt, the city’s Chief Architect Samvel Danielyan says the idea is not a new one.
“Attempts to gather these buildings in one place, to create an atmosphere typical to Yerevan, as well as discussions about the idea have been there as early as in Soviet times, but they have remained unrealized,� says Danielyan.
“But it is more important today, since as a result of large scale urban-planning processes many buildings have either been dismantled or have appeared in a totally alien environment, are not concentrated in one place and lose their true artistic value in an improper surrounding.�
Part of the project would include recreating backyards typical to the old Yerevan, with small archways leading to green yards full of light, where museums, workshops, small galleries, and old Yerevan style taverns and other such things will be created to show the routine lifestyle and traditions of previous times.
“This environment will be of interest for both tourists and the local population, who will enjoy nostalgic recollections in the backyards,� says Danielyan. “The implementation of this project also has an educational point of view, for the future generations have to see and be aware what ground Yerevan has been created on, what was its architectural appearance.�
Tourism operator Hrachik Muradyan says the need for such a project is very strong in Yerevan.
“I communicate with dozens of tourists every day and all of them ask to see the place where they could see the old Yerevan, where are our old buildings people used to live and how they used to live there,� says Muradyan.
If successful, the project will feature old design, while implementing modern construction as well. For example, an underground parking garage near the street will accommodate 1,400 cars.
The project has the approval of 27 out of 28 Urban-planning Council members. Only one, former Senior Architect Narek Sargsyan objected, and his protest was related to the location.
The former Senior Architect suggested that the territory of the “Firdousi� market be used for the implementation of the program.
“There are already 8 historical-cultural monuments at Aram Street that are not subject to moving to another place,� explains Danielyan. “Besides, it is the logical continuation of the Armenian National Gallery and the History Museum. Moreover, many of the council members suggested including the territory behind the Gallery as well and that the street would stretch on the opposite side to the tunnels leading to the Hrazdan gorge.�
President of the Armenian Union of Architects Mkrtich Minasyan believes this project is the only way to preserve the old structures today.
“In this period of total dismantlement this is the only hope we have to not lose a huge portion of our history,� says Minasyan. “Every town is unique with its cultural layers where the architectural structures are on the first place. No one is impressed by contemporary buildings and skyscrapers, but our old, narrow yards and wooden balconies with incrustations will.�
In approximately two months the full portfolio of the project will be submitted for a tender on construction rights.
According to Danielyan, this will be one joint urban-planning program and will not be divided into lots.
“The project will be implemented under strict supervision to escape change of environment; although this is one joint project and demands huge investments, the interest is already quite big and I think in five years we will wander across an Old Yerevan Street rich with old unique colors,� says Danielyan.
13 Oct 2005
ARMENPRESS
Armenian News Agency
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS: Smokers wishing to give up this pernicious habit can from now on pay $50 to doctors of a special anti-smoking center who will help by medications and psychological consultations to quit smoking.
The center was inaugurated yesterday at a Yerevan hospital. The treatment of each patient will depend on the extent of their tobacco dependence. David Petrosian, the chief manager of the center, cited some figures yesterday saying that this sort of centers have helped to reduce the number of smokers in the USA and some European countries from 70 to 25 percent. The center has a dietitian to consult people fearing they may put on weight after quitting smoking.
The World Health Organization estimates that 63.7 percent of Armenian men are smokers - the highest rate in Europe. By comparison, an estimated 60 percent of men in neighboring Georgia are smokers and 31.2 percent in Azerbaijan.
Armenia's first ever restrictions on smoking in public places came into force on March 2, 2005, prohibiting smoking in hospitals, cultural and education institutions and public transportation. There are no mechanisms in place for enforcing the measures, and to date there is little evidence of compliance with the restrictions.
13 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 14. /Arka/. Rene Reacher, Director of the Environmental Research and Protection Center, American University of Armenia (AUA), is the first woman-conqueror of Mount Ararat. She hoisted the national flag of Armenia on the top of Ararat and descended from 3,000 meters on a paraplane.
The AUA press service reports that the ascent was started from Dogubayazet, Turkey, on August 18, 2005, in association with two other US citizens, Dan Retz and John Tace. The ascent lasted for three days.
13 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Yerevan, October 14. /Arka/. About 150 Armenian students take training courses at US higher schools yearly, Head of the Public Relations Department, US Embassy in RA, Kimberly G. Hargan told ARKA at an information-educational exhibition. According to him, this opportunity is afforded to Armenian students under a number of educational exchange programs, such as Eurasian undergraduate exchange program (UGRAD), Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program. The number of students wishing to take part in the programs is constantly increasing, he said. Hargan said that the international educational experience is getting more and more valuable in the world.
The aforementioned programs are implemented by the American Councils for International Education (ACTR/ACCELS), with the sponsorship of the Bureau for Culture and Education, US Department of State. The ACTR/ACCELS Armenia office was founded in 1996 and has implemented 14 programs of retraining over 1,000 students and research workers. Similar programs are implemented in Albania, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Serbia, Kosovo, and Macedonia.
12 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #184, 13/10/2005
Russians Show Interest in Armenian Dairy Products, Dried Fruits and Juices
"The first open-air fair of Armenian goods in Pushkin Square of Moscow on September 20-25 gathered around 200.000 visitors", Vahagn Movsisian, executive director of Armenian Agency for Development, told yesterday's press conference.
The fair was organized within the frameworks of Armenian-Russian trade-economic cooperation. The Moscow authorities supported the organizers in opening the fair and did not even charge money for using the Pushkin Square for two days.
Interestingly, the Muscovite Russians and Armenians were greatly interested in Armenian cheese, dairy products, dried fruits and juices. The pavilions selling cheese run out of it in 1.5 hour after opening the fair; the remaining 20 kg was taken away to put up the next day.
Among other products on the display there were 48 sorts of Armenian wines, jewellery, gobelins, goods of ceramic, silverware and canvases of Armenian painters.
One of the major events of the fair was the sale of self-tuition manual of Armenian language, 80 percent of which was bought by Russians.
By Aghavni Harutyunian
12 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #184, 13/10/2005
Jerusalem — From 7-9 September, over 60 scholars of Armenian Studies gathered in Vitoria, Spain for the Tenth General Conference of the Association Internationale des Etudes Armeniennes (AIEA). AIEA, which was founded in 1980 by Professor Michael Stone of the Hebrew University and Professor J.J.S. Weitenberg of Leiden University in Holland, is an organization of scholars of Armenian Studies, with its centre in Europe. The suggestion to found the organization was made by Dr. Nira Stone. Professor Michael Stone is Honourary Life President of AIEA.
The meeting was attended by scholars from all over Europe, America, Armenia and the Middle East. From the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dr. Sergio La Porta, Professor Michael Stone and doctoral student Mikayel Arakelian all presented lectures, while Dr. Nira Stone also participated. They met there Hebrew University Armenian Studies PhD graduate, Professor Peter Cowe of UCLA, and former Armenian Studies student Pablo Trojiano who teaches at the Compultensian University in Madrid. Former visiting researcher Prof. Theo van Lint, Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian at Oxford University also joined in the Hebrew University reunion.
All the Armenian Studies faculty from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Armenian Studies program were there and they all brought home new and stimulating ideas. They were able to discuss matters with colleagues, and as a result new directions of cooperative work are emerging and will soon be announced. The lectures of the Hebrew University team were enthusiastically received and garnered very positive reactions.
Professor Stone devoted his lecture to his recently completed translation of the medieval Armenian epic poem about Adam and Eve, written by Arakel of Siunik at the beginning of the fifteenth century. The poem, a complex composition of quite startling beauty, contains over 5,500 lines of poetry, which Professor Stone translated into English. It is presently being considered for publication.
Quite different, but equally stimulating, Dr. Sergio La Porta presented a paper on "The Earliest Armenian Scholia on the Works Attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite." Dr. La Porta reported on his most recent progress in the preparation of an edition and translation of the Armenian commentary on this highly influential work. He proposed a new date for the composition of the comments as well as challenging their modern attributions. In addition to providing a linguistic analysis of the scholia, Dr. La Porta posited the locus of their production and the context in which they were composed.
Mikayel Arakelian described in detail the catalogue he has prepared of illuminated late medieval Armenian manuscripts in Germany. This very thorough work will make known several hundred unknown or little known manuscripts, describing their character, context and particularly their artistic character. Mikayel is writing his doctoral thesis on the Armenian art of New Julfa.
The Armenian Studies program at the Hebrew University was established in 1966. It offers BA, MA and PhD degrees. For further information contact Prof. Michael E. Stone (michael.stone@huji.ac.il) or Dr. Sergio La Porta (s_laporta@yahoo.com). The Jerusalem Armenian StudiesWeb Site is: http://micro5.mscc.huji.ac.il/~armenia 12 Oct 2005
ARKA News Agency
YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. The RA government made a decision to establish a "Book" Fund, approved its by-laws and the staff of the Council of trustees. According to the RA Government's Press Service Department, AMD 100 000 was assigned as a property investment in the fund. According to the decision, the RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs is the state administering body representing the Fund.
The goal of the activity of the Fund is to create favorable conditions for preserving, disseminating and developing written culture of literature heritage, ensuring information awareness of the population, as well as carrying out social protection of writers, editors and polygraphic workers.
The activity of the Fund will also enable the regulation of some issues connected with selling the literature published with the support of the government, and efficient use of funds gained from the sale. The Fund will be engaged in attracting additional financial resources. ($1 = AMD 446,77). 12 Oct 2005
ARMENPRESS
Armenian News Agency
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will help Armenian health ministry to implement an efficient medicines management project.
As part of the project an extensive study will be carried out to learn the real extent of medication demand, which, according to deputy health minister Tatoul Hakobian, may differ substantially from the amount of medicines imported by local companies.
The study will be carried out based on a range of peculiarities, such as life expectancy, death rate and other indices and only then a new procedure of efficient medicines management will be developed. The project will be launched in 2005 and run into 2007.
12 Oct 2005
ARMENPRESS
Armenian News Agency
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will help Armenian health ministry to implement an efficient medicines management project.
As part of the project an extensive study will be carried out to learn the real extent of medication demand, which, according to deputy health minister Tatoul Hakobian, may differ substantially from the amount of medicines imported by local companies.
The study will be carried out based on a range of peculiarities, such as life expectancy, death rate and other indices and only then a new procedure of efficient medicines management will be developed. The project will be launched in 2005 and run into 2007.
12 Oct 2005
ARMENPRESS
Armenian News Agency
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS: Smokers wishing to give up this pernicious habit can from now on pay $50 to doctors of a special anti-smoking center who will help by medications and psychological consultations to quit smoking.
The center was inaugurated yesterday at a Yerevan hospital. The treatment of each patient will depend on the extent of their tobacco dependence. David Petrosian, the chief manager of the center, cited some figures yesterday saying that this sort of centers have helped to reduce the number of smokers in the USA and some European countries from 70 to 25 percent. The center has a dietitian to consult people fearing they may put on weight after quitting smoking.
The World Health Organization estimates that 63.7 percent of Armenian men are smokers - the highest rate in Europe. By comparison, an estimated 60 percent of men in neighboring Georgia are smokers and 31.2 percent in Azerbaijan.
Armenia's first ever restrictions on smoking in public places came into force on March 2, 2005, prohibiting smoking in hospitals, cultural and education institutions and public transportation. There are no mechanisms in place for enforcing the measures, and to date there is little evidence of compliance with the restrictions.
11 Oct 2005
ARKA News Agency
YEREVAN, October 12. /ARKA/. The Armenian multimedia CD "Aram Khachatryan: Life and Work" has been recognized the best CD on culture in the world in 2005, Chairman of the Information Technologies Foundation, Executive Director of the Information Technologies in Education Company Garegin Chukaszyan told a press conference. Three other Armenian products were recognized the best at a contest held on the threshold of the Tunisian Summit of information community.
Specifically, the multimedia CD "Armenian Genocide 1915-1923" was among the ten best education projects and won a special diploma, and the www.edram.am and www.doctor.am sites were among the ten best sites in the categories e-business and e-healthcare.According to Chukaszyan it is an unprecedented result for such a small country as Armenia, especially so as it is the winner in one of the categories of the contest of the World Summit for the second time. He said that it is a special honor as Armenia is among such winners and IBM with its CD "Historical heritage of Egypt", US Smithson Museum, "Virtual Paris" of the Ministry of Culture of France and the Russian web-site on World War II. "We consider it a great success for Armenia. Although we rank last in communication systems, we can compete with the world's leaders in programming and design," Chukazszyan said.
The multimedia CD "Aram Khachatryan: Life and Work", designed by the "Bazmaweb" studio of the Information Technologies in Education Company, is dedicated to the 100th birthday anniversary of the great composer. The CD contains the composer's biography and compositions, tells about the atmosphere he lived and worked in, his letters, pictures, archives, contemporaries' memories and a film on his life.
The CD "Armenian Genocide 1915-1923" is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. It contains documents on the life in Western Armenia from 1877 to 1965. The CD contains the information that has never been published before, photo-archives, articles in the leading newspapers of the world, evidence of witnesses, the most frequently asked questions, process of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, maps and over 100 names of books and publications, recommendations, etc..
The Armenian winners are to receive their prizes and diplomas at the World Summit of information community in Tunis on November 16-18, 2005. Armenia presented eight winner-works of the national contest "Mashtots 1600". Specifically, the CD "Armenian Genocide 1915-1923", CD "Aram Khachatryan: Life and Work", www.aras.am/dfbs.html (Byurakan observatory), www.economic-court.am (RA Economic Court), (medical site) www.doctor.am, www.edram.am, (a payment system), www.armtv.com (RA public TV), www.armeniainfo.am (Armenian Tourism Development Agency).
10 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #182, 11/10/2005
"The colossal literature on Armenian Genocide has gotten enriched today by one more book. This book, written in brilliant methods of feature, targets the conscience of the world's readers", Levon Ananian, president of the Writers' Union, said at the presentation of "A Summer Without Sunrise" book by Hakob Khachikian and Jean-Yves Sussi.
"A Summer Without Sunrise" of Hakob Khachikian, author of more than 20 books, was first published in French in 1991 and then republished 3 times in French, 3 times in English as well as in Romanian, German, Spanish and Armenian. The presentation of the Armenian translation will take place in the near future; the Turkish version is waiting for publication.
The novel is about the Armenian Genocide. "Delineated against the background of complicated human relations, the novel emphasizes the national drama. Built on human relations, it preserves the historic standpoint", Yervand Azatian, vice-chairman of Tekeyan Cultural Union in the US and Canada, said. A people's tragedy is shown in the book by a family's fate. The protagonist is Vartan Palian, writer, officer of the Turkish army and a parliament member, introduces the tragedy that his people went through. The speakers of the day compared the book's power and resonance with that of "The 40 Days of Musa Dag" after Franz Werfel.
Ruben Mirzakhanian, chairman of the Tekeyan Cultural Union and sponsor of the event, underscored the importance of the books Armenian publication which, he thinks, will enable wider circles of readers to get acquainted with the book.
By Gohar Gevorgian
10 Oct 2005
ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: A small town of Nor Hajn, some 15 km northeast of Yerevan will be governed by the deputy mayor until the end of the trial of its mayor, Armen Keshishian, who was re-elected to his post in Sunday election while being in custody on murder charges.
Armen Keshishian, the mayor of Nor Hajn, has been charged in the Sept. 24 shooting death of Ashot Mkhitarian, the head of a local electric utility. The pistol that allegedly killed the utility chief had been presented to Keshishian by prime minister Andranik Margarian. A spokesman for Armenian Central Election Commission, Tsovinar Khachatrian, said Keshishian will have to ask for resignation if the court finds him guilty.
According to official results of Sunday's election, Armen Keshishian won nearly 50 percent of the vote, against 41.5 percent polled by his sole challenger for the post of Nor Hajn mayor. Nor Hajn municipality said the town is now being governed by the jailed mayor's deputy Edik Keshishian, a mayor's relative.
10 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
October 11, 2005, Karabakh2005.com. Aronian is the champion! Four draws in the A-group meant that everyone held on to their places, with Armenian GM Levon Aronian winning 1st place in the Karabakh 2005 International Tournament. Close behind were GMs Anastasian and Nakamura who with 5.5 points each shared 2-3 places (Anastasian 2nd on tibreak). Dutch GM Sokolov was 4th with 5 points. Macieja, Ivanchuk, Bologan, and Asrian shared 5-8, while Bu and Dreev brought up the rear.
In the B-group, it was GM Petrosian nosing out fellow grandmasters L'Ami and Grigoriants on tiebreak as they all tied with an impressive +4 result at 6.5 points. GM Yegiazarian captured 4th with 5.5, and compatriot IM Galstian held 5th place. GM Tischbierek followed in 6th, IM Chibukhchian in 7th and GM Sveshnikov found himself in 8th place. Tail ender IMs Lopez and Lahno finished 9th and 10th, respectively.
09 Oct 2005
ARMENPRESS
Armenian News Agency
GYUMRI, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS: The lion share of 42 million Armenian drams required for construction of a day time children care center in Armenia's second largest city of Gyumri expected to come from a UN agency and the rest from the government.
The center will be dealing with child beggars and destitute children in the town from socially vulnerable, impoverished families with diverse backgrounds. They will be entitled to the full benefits that the Center will offer: food, clothing, medical, psychological and social services, tutoring and field trips. This is part of a major project designed to take the burden from children houses. A team of experts from social affairs and labor ministry have discussed the details with local authorities.
08 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
October 9, 2005, /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Festivities marking Yerevan Day - the 2787th anniversary of the founding of the city start in the Armenian capital today. The measures will start with the opening of festivities in the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, while a concert and fireworks will take place in the Republic Square in the evening. Open doors day will be held in all medical institutions of the capital and patients will get medical consultation, humanitarian medicines for free and will be sent to hospitals if necessary.
Concerts with participation of children's bands will be held in Yerevan parks Sunday, while a gala-concert of Armenian pop stars will take place in the Republic Square in the evening. Erebuni-Yerevan holiday was first marked in 1967, when the city was 2750. Before 1988 the holiday was marked annually, however after declaration of the independence the tradition resumed only in 1998.
07 Oct 2005
LAKE SEVAN, THE JEWEL IN ARMENIA’S CROWN OF NATURE, IS ON THE RISE, TO THE DELIGHT OF ECOLOGISTS, NATURE LOVERS AND THE THOUSANDS WHOSE LIVELIHOODS ARE CONNECTED WITH FISHING.
Having suffered 70 years of artificial drainage, this year, the water level of Sevan (one of the highest fresh water lakes in the world) is higher than in decades, raised by 1 meter, 33 centimeters over the past three years.
Over the past three years, measures have been implemented to reduce drainage and get the vital lake’s capacity back to previous levels, but the past years' increase is unprecedented. It’s current level of 1,898.22 meters is the highest in more than 20 years, when 200 million cubic meters of water were annually pumped into the lake through the Arpa-Sevan tunnel.
For a decade beginning in 1991, vast drainage (for energy and agricultural purposes) took some 6.1 billion cubic meters of water out of Lake Sevan – twice as much as in the previous decade – reaching a critical point of 1,896.46 meters in 2001.
Though the tide of drainage has been turned, the lake is still the equivalent height of a seven-story building lower than in 1933 (when water from Sevan was first used for hydroelectricity).
Each centimeter’s rise means new hope for the reanimation of the lake’s ecosystem.
The change in current water lines, easily seen by even casual visitors to the lake, reflect actions taken within the “Complex Program on the Rehabilitation of the Sevan’s Ecosystem� which was developed as part of the law “On Lake Sevan� adopted by the National Assembly in 2001. Since that year, water drainage from Lake Sevan reduced at least twice – down to about 150 million cubic meters a year.
The rehabilitation program envisages raising the level of the lake by 6 meters within 30 years at the expense of minimal drainages (20 centimeters every year), thus taking it to the level of 1,904 meters above sea-level – a height it has not seen since 1957.
Scientists say it is at this level that the lake’s endangered ecosystem will finally recover.
Already “endangered�, and potentially creating a separate ecological problem, however, are some 450 hectares of shore that have been submerged by the water’s rise. Nearly half of that territory is man-made forests that, if left under water, might turn the shallows into swamp.
“In the shores of the Sevan that are situated on a plain, even in the case of a 5-centimeter rise in the lake’s level, vast territories submerge. In some places today water has covered 100-120-meter-long offshore parts,� says the head forester of Sevan National Park Suren Aghajanyan.
According to a government decision, stage-by-stage work on the cleaning of the offshore areas began on September 15. During the next two months an area of 92 hectares is to be cleaned of trees and bushes, for which the state has allocated 47.1 million drams (about $107,000).
According to Aghanjanyan, some 50 hectares have already been cleared. “In some places it seems that we pull the trees already from a swamp, the smell was so bad,� Aghajanyan told ArmeniaNow. “There are places where bushes already are submerged under water and I have no idea how to clean them.�
Chairwoman of the NGO “For Sustainable Development� and Armenia’s Minister of Nature Protection in 1993-94 Karine Danielyan claims that the rise in the lake’s level should have been accompanied by preparatory works.
“But it was not done in due time, and in fact they just begin these works,� says Danielyan. “Of course, it is good that this work is done at least today, however those territories had to be cleaned beforehand so as to prevent a single tree from submerging under water. Now it will be difficult to clean, but even in these conditions one should get down to business as quickly as possible.�
Tourist to this summer’s Lake Sevan, were surprised when they went to the lakeside and saw that the beaches they had chosen as their favorite spots in the previous summer, this year simply disappeared.
“Do you see the trees sticking up from under the water. My cottages used to stand between these trees, and farther there was a summer-house,� Razmik Mkhitaryan says. “Now these trees are 50 meters away from the shore.�
Mkhitaryan, 65, is one of the dozen entrepreneurs who is engaged in a beach business at the lakeside, letting out cottages and summer-houses. Many of the beach businessmen had to relocate their makeshift cabins several times farther from the shore as water was rising. And some of them have no room to retreat anymore.
“At first, we placed our cottages at the shore. Holiday-makers like it when they can open the window and admire the view of the lake. But who could imagine the water would rise so high? It is the third year that cottages are taken far from the rising water, while water keeps rising, overtaking the cottages,� says Mkhitaryan.
It is predicted that, eventually, nearly 30 kilometers of highway near Sevan will be retaken by Lake Sevan, along with properties built when the big body of water was in decline.
“The government will compensate those individuals or companies that have licensed capital constructions on the level below 1,908 meters,� says First Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Simon Papyan.
According to Danielyan, any capital construction that was built at a level below 1,908 meters is considered illegal, since the program on the restoration of the Sevan’s level existed still during the Soviet times.
“Perhaps there are official permissions for them, however according to all laws those structures are illegal. And it is not the state that must compensate these individuals, but those who allowed such constructions,� Danielyan says.
On September 1, the Government of Armenia approved the draining of an additional 30 million cubic meters (on top of this year’s 120 million allocation). Environmentalists charged that top officials were trying to protect their self interests as owners of private and commercial property built below the legal line.
The reply of the deputy minister is as follows: “There is a strategic decision for the purpose of raising the level of Lake Sevan which was made by the government, and we will be guided by this decision in our further activities.� (Inferring that the government needs to be able to control the level by which the lake rises each year.)
Head of the Environmental Department at the Gegharkunik Governor’s Office Hambartsum Hambartsumyan says that nothing must obstruct the rise in the lake’s level.
“Even if the government has no funds for cleaning the areas, villagers will readily and for free uproot the trees and will use them as firewood. Let them only permit it,� says Hambartsumyan.
Kim Sargsyan, 66, a resident of the village of Chkalovka, was a fisherman in the past, and now he is a cattle-breeder, sitting on a rock on the way to the village, waiting for cows to return from pastures. Looking at Lake Sevan, Kim says:
“Let it rise to become more beautiful!�
The place where Kim was waiting for his cows is said to have been under water in 1940. Today the water is 700 meters away. But getting closer . . .
06 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #180, 07/10/2005
The national program on averting AIDS is being carried out in Armenia with the assistance of "Global" foundation since 2003. The program costs $7,2 million. The first stage of the program completed in 2005 and cost $3,2 million. Recently, the foundation allocated $4 million required for the continuation of the second stage. The results of the first stage were summed up, when handing the grant.
According to the initiators of the meeting, the highest rate of growth of AIDS epidemic is in our region. In Armenia, the first patient with AIDS was registered in 1988. Since then, 360 new AIDS patients were registered in Armenia till September 30, 2005. 341 of them are Armenian citizens, including 267 men, 74 women and 6 children.
The AIDS is mainly transmitted through drug injections and sexual intercourse. Since the beginning of the epidemic 71 lethal cases were registered, while since 2004, 20 lethal cases were considering the heyday of the epidemic.
Samvel Grigorian, head of AIDS Prevention Republican Center, said 23 patients are being treated within the framework of the national program. It is envisaged that 35-40 patients will undergo antiretrovirus during the second stage of the program. As for applying "Armenikum," Norayr Davidian, RA healthcare minister, stated that it is widely used not only in Armenia but also in a number of foreign countries. The medicine is still being elaborated and is used not only for AIDS treatment but also for several other diseases. Mr. Davidian said that they had envisaged about AMD 50 million in 2005 for the treatment with Armenikum. They will allocate the same sum for the next year, as well.
By Gohar Gevorgian
06 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
In celebration of the 1600th Anniversary of the creation of the Armenian Alphabet, Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter's Cultural Division will be hosting an art exhibition displaying modern renditions of the Armenian alphabet by famous Armenian artists.
The 38 letters of the Armenian alphabet were created 1,600 years ago in 405 A.D by St. Mesrob Mashdotz. Since its creation the letters were never changed or modified, making the Armenian language one of the most precise languages. The alphabet played an enormous role in the preservation of the national cultural identity of the Armenian people.
In honor of the 1600th anniversary, Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter's Cultural Division wanted to highlight the beauty and the importance of the Armenian letters by hosting an art exhibition starting October 7-9 at Ararat Center located at 3347 N. San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065.
Thirty-eight local and out-of-state Armenian artists were invited to each sponsor and recreate one letter based on their own interpretation. On display will be the 38 renditions of each letter as well as other works of art featuring the Armenian Alphabet.
His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will mark the opening of the Art Exhibition on Thursday, October 6th at 7:00 p.m. at an invitation-only dedication ceremony. The art exhibition is endorsed by the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Armenia, Consulate General Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, City of Glendale and Homenetmen Western United States Regional Executive Committee.
Attendees can view the works of art on display and also place a bid on each piece during a silent auction. The art exhibition is open to the public on Friday 10/7 & Saturday 10/8, from 11:00 am – 10:00 p.m., and Sunday 10/9, from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. The silent auction results will be announced on Sunday 10/9, at 4:00 pm.
A commemorative art book with pictures of all the pieces will be available for purchasing. The book also contains brief biographies of all the artists who are presenting their work. The 38 artists that will display their work are: Adana, Alenoush Khachikian, Alina Mnatsakanian, Albert Djanbazian, Alexander Sadoyan, Anahid Boghosian, Armineh Havan, Dro Arzooian, Artak Atanyan, Gegam Kacherian, Gohar, Harry Vorperian, Henri Khodaverdi, J. Natasha Kostan, Lara Minassian, Liana Goroian, Martiros Adalian, Minas Gharibian, Minas Halajian, Norik Dilanchyan, Seeroon Yeretzian, Seda Baghdassarian, Sev, Sevak Petrosian, Maggie Simonian, Sophia Gasparian, Srboohie Abajian, Raffi Adalyan, Vachag, Vahram Hovakimyan,Varouzhan Hovakimyan, Vladimir Atanyan, Arpineh Shakhbandarian, Arthur Zakarian, Tamar Khachatrian, Sarkis Muradyan, Ara Tevkantz, Oshin Saginian, and Samvel Marutyan.
Banners have been posted on Brand Blvd. displaying information on the upcoming art exhibition. For further information on Armenian Alphabet Art Exhibition or our organization please call us at 323-256-2564 weekdays after 2:00 p.m. or visit our website at www.ararat.org or e-mail us at info@ararat.org. Homenetmen's Cultural Division is honored to host an art exhibition to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of the Armenian Alphabet. Homenetmen Glendale "Ararat" Chapter was founded in December of 1978 and is a non for profit organization that provides year-round athletic, scouting and cultural programs and activities to youth.
06 Oct 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7, ARMENPRESS: Local public environmental information Centers (Aarhus Centers) will soon open in the capitals of the Syunik, Tavush and Lori regions of Armenia with the help of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, which signed yesterday an agreement with the Ministry of Nature Protection and local administrations, OSCE Yerevan Office said.
The Centers will promote access to information, including through the Internet, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters-the three main pillars of the Aarhus Convention, ratified by Armenia in 2001. They will also contribute to the creation of a public climate of transparency in environmental affairs and to the general democratization and good governance in the region.
The need for local Aarhus Centers in the regions was one of the recommendations of the OSCE-supported study of the perspectives of the socio-economic development of the Syunik region, conducted last year. The Centers will also serve as a link between governmental authorities and non-governmental organizations (NGO) in the field of environmental policy-making, promote co-operation between all environmental stakeholders and their potential counterparts, such as national, foreign and international NGOs, as well as the business community, and serve as a basis for coalition-building among local environmental NGOs.
The Centers will open later this year and make use of the experience and expertise of the Yerevan Aarhus Center, established in 2002 as the first one in Southern Caucasus.
The OSCE Office in Yerevan supports the establishment of a network of Aarhus Centers in Armenia to promote the principles and values of the international Aarhus Convention, which combines both environmental issues and democratic spirit.
06 Oct 2005
ArmeniaNow.com
Issue 38(160), October 7, 2005
Who was the first foreign guest to attend an Armenian Party? What role did coffee play in Armenian marriage rituals? What are the rules for toasting at an Armenian party? What exotic herbs and fruits are sold in Yerevan markets?
Even if you think you know the answers to these and other quirky but fascinating questions concerning Armenian culinary culture, you may find some surprises in a new book that digs into the topic like David of Sassoon into . . . Well, what exactly did the “Armenian Hercules� eat? Read the book.
In “Armenian Food: Fact, Fiction & Folklore�, writers/researchers Irina Petrosian and David Underwood unwrap the dolma, so to speak, on Armenian food habits and give a context to the “why� of rituals and recipes.
Don’t go looking for the “best matsun� recipe or a chapter on how to choose a pumpkin for ghapama.
The 272-page book, presented as “Hayastan’s first modern food guide written in English,� is not a recount of “how� but a fresh look at “why�.
Why, for example, is the word for “eat� also the word for “steal� in Armenian? Find the answer on page 226.
Irina Petrosian, a native of Armenia, is a professional journalist who has written for Russian, Armenian, and US-based newspapers. She says that her interest in the food culture of Armenia was inspired by the many questions asked by her husband, David Underwood. He is from Indiana, USA, and has been a newspaper staff member at The Indianapolis Business Journal and other American publications.
“Our goal was to create an informative, easy-to-read narrative that would also be entertaining,� Underwood said. “When I first visited Hayastan six years ago, I realized that there were no books written in English that fully told the fascinating story about Armenia’s delicious foods. Most Armenia travel guides barely touch the subject. The story of Armenian food is a portal into Armenian life and culture.�
Petrosian says the book answers meaning behind the myth of cooking, while also having fun with Armenian folklore.
“The way of the creation of the book is very interesting,� Petrosian says. “However, the most interesting thing to me was the opportunity as a co-author of my husband to look at Armenian tradition and lifestyle from aside. I saw many interesting things I wouldn’t notice before.�
The book was published in Yerevan, and is the result of two years of research and writing.
“We carefully documented our sources with an extensive bibliography. In fact, we compiled so much information, we could only include a fraction of it all in this first edition,� Petrosian said shortly before returning to the States after several months with her family in Vanadzor.
What’s the story behind Winston Churchill’s purported love of Armenian cognac? How did the USSR years influence the Armenian cuisine and further development of the lifestyle?
Answers were collected by the authors during travels across Armenia to visit ethnographers, restaurateurs, historians, housewives, even cab drivers and tatiks (grandmothers) who work in bazaars. Hundreds of hours were spent in musty libraries, pouring over ancient texts and tomes.
“It is quite amazing that there is an ancient Armenian fable that warns against the concept of genetically-modified foods. It was one of many remarkable discoveries we made while researching and writing this book,� Underwood added. “In the United States, fruits like Red Delicious apples have been altered to look red and ripe, even though they’re still green inside. As we explained in our book, Armenian fruits and vegetables are natural and delicious, untainted by such artificial, flavor-destroying processes. We think that one of the most interesting sections is the descriptions of vegetables, fruits and herbs that are virtually unknown to Westerners, like avelook, a dried green that is sold in beautiful long braids.�
The first edition printing was aimed mostly for English-speaking tourists to Armeina, but Petrosian says they hope to do a second, more colorful, version in the USA.
For information on how to purchase a copy of “Armenian Food: Fact, Fiction & Folklore�, write to hyefood@yahoo.com.
05 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #179, 06/10/2005
The French Insurance Company Axa agreed to pay $17 million to descendants of life insurance policyholders who perished during the Armenian Genocide.
This announcement was made by Mark Geragos, a prominent Los Angeles attorney, during the Oct. 2 banquet of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies honoring Federal Judge Dickran Tevrizian.
Geragos, along with attorneys Vartkes Yeghiayan and Brian Kabateck, had filed a class action lawsuit in a California federal court against Axa for failing to pay death benefits for the insurance policies purchased by Armenians in Turkey prior to the Armenian Genocide. Judge Tevrizian mediated the $17 million settlement which will be disbursed as follows: Up to $11 million for the heirs of close to 11,000 life insurance policyholders; $3 million for various Armenian charities; and $3 million for attorneys’ fees. A French-Armenian charitable group will process and pay the claims. Any funds leftover after all claimants are paid would be turned over to the French-Armenian charity.
The Axa settlement follows a similar agreement with New York Life Insurance Company in early 2004. New York Life agreed to pay $20 million which was to be disbursed as follows: Up to $11 million for the heirs of 2,400 life insurance policyholders who perished during the Armenian Genocide; $3 million for nine Armenian-American charitable and religious organizations; $2 million for administrative expenses; and $4 million for attorney’s fees.
In a lengthy interview with the French Armenian magazine, Nouvelles d’Armenie (September 2005 issue), Yeghiayan provided several intriguing details regarding the activities and irresponsible conduct of L’Union insurance company which was purchased by Axa in 1996.
L’Union started selling insurance policies in the Ottoman Empire in the 1870 ’s and continued to do so until 1931. Simon Kayserlyan was the Director of the 51 offices of the firm in Turkey. According to a letter sent by L’Union to the French Foreign Ministry in 1922, the company had sold 10,899 life insurance policies by the time of the Armenian Genocide.
In that 1922 letter, L’Union disclosed that it risked losing 42 million French Francs or $8 million as a result of the deaths of its Armenian policyholders. The letter also said that not meeting its obligations to the perished Armenians would tarnish the company’s reputation and prestige.
While New York Life made some attempts in the aftermath of the Genocide to locate and pay those entitled to receive death benefits, L’Union categorically refused to make any payments. In the early 1920’s when French-Armenian refugee centers in Paris wrote to L’Union asking to see the list of Armenian policyholders, the company reportedly refused, saying that such private information could not be divulged to outside parties.
In 1928, the High Commissioner for Refugees of the League of Nations asked several insurance companies to disclose the list of their Armenian clients, explaining that the heirs of some insurance policyholders were children living in extremely destitute conditions in refugee camps and that funds from the insurance benefits would considerably ameliorate their situation. L ’Union reportedly responded by saying that it could not comply with the request, as it was unable to tell which of its clients were Armenians.
Furthermore, the company made impossible demands from the families of perished individuals in order to avoid paying them. For example, in a June 18, 1925 letter, L’Union told an Armenian claimant to provide a death certificate and a notarized document from the Turkish Consulate in Athens proving his relationship to the deceased policyholder. Whereas New York Life accepted the documents provided by the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, L’ Union refused to accept such documents, demanding that the survivors of the Genocide return to Turkey to obtain the necessary certificates from Turkish courts. As a result, not a single Armenian policyholder got a penny from this company. After 1945, the company came up with a new argument for refusing all requests for payment. It said that due to the 30-year statute of limitations, it was no longer obligated to make any payments for policies written prior to 1915.
The Axa settlement has a significant advantage over the one with New York Life. Thanks to the efforts of the three Armenian attorneys, Judge Tevrizian and Axa executives, there is a clear reference to the Armenian Genocide in the text of the Axa settlement, whereas in the New York Life agreement, the Armenian Genocide is merely referred to as "the tragic events of 1915."
The October issue of the French magazine, L’Expansion, reported that the next insurance company to be sued by the Armenian lawyers for non-payment of Genocide era insurance claims would be the German firm, Victoria. There is also talk of a lawsuit being filed against the British insurance company, Gresham, and various German banks that operated in Turkey and had taken deposits from Armenians in that country prior to the Genocide.
The next legal step would be to sue the Turkish government for its illegal confiscation of the personal and real properties of Armenians in Turkey after the Genocide.
By Harut Sassounian; Publisher, The California Courier
05 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #179, 06/10/2005
"Armenians in Italy. Armenian Community of Italy" discussion will open the Days of the Armenian-Italian Friendship. Vartan Oskanian, RA foreign minister, will receive Adolfo Urso, Italy's trade minister. They will officially open the Days of the Armenian-Italian friendship and "Armenian Venice. Treasures of St. Lazarus." Gala concert of classical concert at Aram Khachatrian Philharmonic Concert Hall will complete the day.
By Gohar Gevorgian
05 Oct 2005
www.armeniadiaspora.com
Stepanakert, October 6. Two international chess tournaments continue in Stepanakert. They were organized and are being held by the Nagorno Karabakh government and Armenian Chess Academy. The games of the 3rd tour were held in both series of competitions.
Bu Ksianji (China) defeated Alexei Dreev (Russia), Vasiliy Ivanchuk (Ukraine) Levon Aronian (Armenia) in the "A" tournament. Games between Viktor Bologan (Moldova) and Ashot Anastasian (Armenia), Ivan Sokolov (Holland) and Karen Asrian (Armenia), Hikaru Nakamura (US) and Bartolomey Macheya (Poland) ended in a draw. There are two top chess-players, Anastasian and Ksianji who gained 2.5 points each.
Moscow champion Sergei Grigoriants (Russia) defeated champion of Europe Katerina Lahno (Ukraine), Beniamin Galstian (Armenia) defeated Lopes Martines (Spain) in the "B" tournament. The other 3 games ended in a draw. The only top chess-player is Sergei Grigoriants who has 2.5 points out of possible 3. 3 chess-players lag behind them by 0.5 points. They are Yevgeni Sveshnikov (Latvia), Ervin Lami (Holland) abd Tigran L.Petrosian (Armenia).
04 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #178, 05/10/2005
"Nuclear and Radio Active Security and Struggle against International Terrorism" international scientific conference is held within the framework of "Science for Peace" NATO project in Yerevan. The conference will last four days. Representatives of 16 countries, including the US, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, CIS and other countries participate in the conference. The conference is organized by the American "Brookhaven" National Laboratory and the Center for Leading Sciences and Technologies.
Samvel Apikian, head of the regional office of the Center for Leading Sciences and Technologies, said that lately, the issue of nuclear terrorism bothers the whole world and it’s very urgent to hold such conferences. All the countries struggle against the nuclear terrorism in three directions, i.e. political, by force and the scientific approach. He believes that at present the activities of the scientists involved in nuclear power engineering becomes more and more important. "The scientists really greatly contribute to this struggle, as all their achievements belong to the state that uses the science to struggle against terrorism.
Science develops thanks to unanimous discussions and this is a very important term for its development," he said during the interview to "Azg."
Anita Nilsson, MAGATE representative, touched upon the 2006-2009 plan for nuclear security. The scientists represented their latest researches, as well as the commitments and the projects of their countries. It is envisaged that the conference will help the Armenian scientists, too. They have the opportunity to communicate with the leading specialists from other countries.
Vahan Hovhannisian, vice-chairman of RA National Assembly, our state should care about the scientists dealing with the nuclear power engineering, taking into account the fact that we have a nuclear power plant. He added that our neighbors are very concerned about this fact. "There are such terrorist groups that are ready to carry out terrorist acts using nuclear weapon, " he said.
The aim of the conference is to unite the scientists of the world, the international and state structures in the struggle against nuclear terrorism.
By Ruzan Poghosian
03 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #177, 04/10/2005
Armenian architects, who by mediation of Armenia's national committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites were in Turkey to watch reconstruction works of Surp Khach church on Akhtamar Island, shared with their impressions at a press conference on 1 October.
Architect Ashot Hovsepian said that they failed to meet the author of the church's layout, a Turkish architect. The latter did not come to the meeting for uncertain reasons. The layout fitting required criteria in general, still has a number of inadequacies that can be corrected before the end of the reconstruction. "Those deficiencies are perhaps not a deterioration but the layout would be more perfect if they were not there. We told 3 Turkish architects working there about our observations asking to correct visible deficiencies", he said. The Turks turned down Armenian specialists' offer to mix cement with lime batch. The Armenian architects think that the quality of the Turks' work is not satisfying but the overall impression is not despairing.
Gagik Gyurjian, minister of culture of Armenia, said that Armenian and Turkish specialists will make visits in the near future. The Turk architects will have a chance to study Armenian architecture scrupulously. Van-born academician Varazdat Harutyunian expressed wish to celebrate his 97th anniversary in Van, hoping that Turkey will open borders and improve relations with Armenia before his birthday.
By Ruzan Poghosian
03 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #177, 04/10/2005
"Song is more precious than bred", people say in Italy, the country of civilizations and arts. So there was a point in opening the Days of Armenian-Italian friendship with Giuseppe Verdi's famous "La Traviata" at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre on 2 October.
RA deputy foreign minister Gegham Gharibjanian and Italian ambassador to Armenia Marco Clemente opened the Armenia-Italian friendship days that are officially to start on 5 October.
Mr. Gharibjanian presented in outline the role of the Italian culture and Italy for Armenia, pointing out that Armenian-Italian relations originate from ancient times.
One month of celebrations, initiated by the Armenian and Italian governments and supported by the presidents of the states, is an unprecedented event, Marco Clemente said, "as a foreign state makes such efforts to present and to promote its culture to another state. 'La Traviata' is the best start of these days".
The applications for 36 arrangements of these days promise heaps of surprises and wonderful moments as well as a unique atmosphere of music, painting, theatre, architecture and cinema in Yerevan. For the first time the National Gallery of Armenia will display the best exhibits of the 300-year-long legacy of the Mkhitarist Congregation of the St. Lazarus Island (valuable canvases, historic items, old publications).
By Melania Badalian
03 Oct 2005
AZG Armenian Daily, #177, 10/04/2005
The Union of Theatre Workers of Armenia is holding Tavush-2005 Theatre Festival with the participation of the actors from Yerevan's theatres.
On October 1, Gabriel Sundukian Academic Theatre staged Muratsan's "Ruzan" in Ijevan. That very day the singers of Yerevan Opera and Ballet Theatre performed in Dilijan. Hovhannes Tumanian Puppet Theatre presented "The Three Piglets" in Touz.
The meeting in Khashtarak village of Ijevan was extremely interesting. Haykaz Yeranosian introduced the life of honored artist of Armenia, Armen Gulakian. Gulakian's students, actor Vladimir Abajian and reciter Svetlana Khanumian, presented a wonderful bouquet from the Armenian poetry.
This action by the Theatre Workers' Union was received with special warmth in this village neighboring with Azerbaijan, as the last 10-15 years were a period of cultural stagnation for the village.
By S. Melkonian
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