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30 May 2006
YEREVAN, May 30. /ARKA/.
Armenia will take part in the international exhibition dedicated to the 15th anniversary of CIS. According to the organizational committee of the exhibition, it will be held under motto "15 years to CIS: cooperation and integration" in Moscow on October 25-28.
The exhibition will present export potential, latest achievements of states of the Commonwealth in the sphere of economy, science, techniques, healthcare, education and culture.
The exposition will contribute to creation of conditions for future development of trade-economic cooperation, increase of technological level and compatibility of the industry, development of partnership equal in rights within the frames of the Commonwealth.
Organizers of the exhibition are CIS Executive Committee, governments of CIS-participant countries, CIS Intergovernmental Council on fair-exposition activities, "GAO VVC" (JSC) with the assistance of the Council of Heads of Chambers of Commerce of Industry of CIS countries.
According to the assignment of the Government, Armenian Development Agency will be the organizer of the Armenian exposition.
30 May 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS
"KOHAR" Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir of Gyumri with artistic director and conductor Sebouh Apkarian will be participating in "One Nation, One Culture" All-Armenian Festival which will take place in Armenia on June 23 - June 30.
The official closing of the festival, which will take place at the Republic Square of Yerevan, is entrusted to "KOHAR".
At the end of April, Kremlin State Theatre witnessed KOHAR's latest accomplishment during two consecutive concert days. Almost 12,000 audiences were present during these concerts, whereby KOHAR presented its trademark "All Time Armenian Favorites" program with 150 performing artists, musicians, choir members, soloists, dancers and a pantomime. The two-day event was labeled as an unprecedented Armenian festivity of genuine music and performance.
KOHAR Symphony Orchestra and Choir has performed in Nicosia, Beirut and Istanbul. Its "All Time Armenian Favorites" DVD is the first Armenian music DVD through its rendition and recording of Armenian music with interactive and state-of-the-art features including subtitles of the songs, which has won the International Intermedia Silver Award in Hamburg, Germany and the "Anoush" Achievement Award during the 7th Armenian International Awards in Hollywood, USA.
The second DVD of KOHAR's "All Time Armenian Favorites" new program will be released by the end of this year, and will include live recordings from Istanbul and Moscow concerts.
26 May 2006
ETCHMIADZIN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN
Garegin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received on May 25 a group of French Armenian pilgrims accompanied by Armenian Apostolic Surb Church benefactor Sargis Petrosian.
His Holiness welcomed the pilgrims' visit to the Fatherland and the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, the cherished spiritual center of Armenian people. His Holiness presented the pilgrims challenges arisen before the Church.
Patriarch of All Armenians expressed appreciation and his blessing to Sargis Petrosian by charity of who the first church will be built in the city of Sevan.
26 May 2006
TALIN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN.
The delegation of the sister city of Talin, Bourg les Valence (France) is in Armenia. The delegation members and the Talin local authorities had a meeting on May 25 during which they planned future programs and defined new spheres of cooperation.
As Mnatsakan Mnatsakanian, the Talin Mayor informed they implemented numerous programs in Bourg les Valence. A monument to the Armenian Genocide victims was opened in that city by financial resources of the Talin Mayor's Office; an exhibition-sale of Art school pupils' works was organized. And Bourg les Valence presented the Armenian sister city buses, showed methodical and material assistance to those educational institutions where French is taught.
26 May 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN
"It's a great honor for me to be in your country. Here people are warm and hospitable. I am glad that I'm in a far and hospitable Armenia," Ken Duncan, the "Yellow Bird" apache tribe dance group head stated at the May 25 press-conference taken place in Yerevan.
According to Ken Duncan, the "Yellow Bird" dance group may be considered a family group as well, as his wife, daughter and seven sons are involved in it. And the group's name is his wife's maiden tribe name. Besides the family members, apaches of other tribes are also involved in this apache group having creative history of more than 20 years.
According to Ken Duncan, the primary mission of the dance group is to preserve and pass to generations American Indians' traditions. He mentioned that besides dancing performances, their group also performs ancient stories and shows on those themes.
According to Duncan, as a dance group of American aborigines, they present different phenomena of nature by music and dancing performances. And according to him, culture is important for everybody understands "where he comes from and where he goes to." Besides the concert mission, according to their ancestors' traditions, the group builds apache villages and settlements in different countries of the world.
The "Yellow Bird" group has had concert tours during these years in different countries of the world. They must leave for England immediately after the Armenian tours. 26 May 2006
BERD, MAY 26, NOYAN TAPAN.
The city of Berd of the Tavush marz will again have a church: after destroying the only church of the city in 1930s, a new church has not been build yet. As Andranik Sharian, the Berd Mayor informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent, construction of the new church in the city will start this year and end, perhaps, in 2008. According to the Mayor, the place where the church will be built has already been decided and the necessary geological works have already been done. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, with benefactors' assistance, will care expenses for construction of the new church. 25 May 2006
Yerevan, May 25, Armenpress
From September, 2006 Armenia will be advertised on CNN channel which is accessible to 70% of the world's populations. The contest of shooting trailers presenting Armenia has already ended.
Ara Petrosian, deputy minister of trade and economic development, told that after the trailers are ready they will be shown on CNN seven days a week for 30 and 60 seconds. The broadcasting of a 30-second trailer by CNN costs from 800 to 1,000 USD, which according to the deputy minister is quite cheap if we take into consideration its effectiveness and that each tourist visiting Armenia spends around 1,000 USD here.
The negotiations over the price are still going on and as a country which is being advertised for the first time Armenia may get some privilege.
23 May 2006
Yerevan, May23, AZG Armenian Daily
"Golden Apricot 2006" international film festival will launch in Yerevan on July 10-15. Moris de Hadeln, Godfrey Regio and Arsine Khanjian will lead the competitions for the fiction films, documentary and "Armenian Panorama" competitions respectively. The organizers of the festival informed that 257 films from 56 countries will participate in the festival. Besides the competition program, the festival also had 4 out of contest programs. Best 10 European films shot in 2005-2006 will be represented within the framework of "One Day in Europe" program. While "The Summer Euphoria" program will include 10 films picked up by Andrey Plakhov. The new films by the festival guests will be included in "Yerevan Premier" program, while "The Documentary World" program will represent the films chosen by the organizers. On July 12-13, "Directors without Borders" international seminar will be held in Yerevan by the financial assistance of the European Cultural Parliament.
The organizers of the festival informed that Artavazd Peleshian, one of the most contemporary prominent directors, will attend the festival as an honored guest. He will receive the prize of "Golden Apricot 2006" for the greatest contribution to the world cinema.
Harutyun Khachatrian stated that they have settled many issues and the festival can compete with other festivals that cost $4-5 million. It’s worth mentioning that the festival is being held within the framework of budget of $300 thousand.
Mikeal Stanboltsian stated that they try to be strict when chosing the Armenian films, trying to represent the most interesting ones, so that the foreigners get familiarized with Armenian cinema.
22 May 2006
Athens, May 22. ArmInfo
Armenian singer Andre took the 8th position among 24 in the final of Eurovision 2006 Song Contest in Athens, Greece.
Music critics say Andre more than successfully made his debut getting over 100 points and securing Armenia a direct participation in the final of Eurovision 2007. Belgium, the Netherlands and Russia gave Andre the first position, Sweden, Israel and Turkey - the second.
20 May 2006
Yerevan, May 20, Aravot Daily
On the eve of the Republic's Day, May 27, Zoravar Andranik's museum will re-open in a private residence near the Komitas Pantheon in Yerevan. It will operate on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the private house. The museum re-opening is initiated by "Electromekar" OJSC Chairman Ilyich Beglarian who, by the way, is a poet and author of 17 books as well.
Beglarian founded Andranik's museum in this building back in 1995. But then the building was privatized and the museum was closed. I. Beglarian bought the building from the owner by his financial resources and reconstructed it. He also completed the museum collection with new interesting exhibits in the course of time.
19 May 2006
Athens, May 19. ArmInfo
Armenian singer Andre has won in the semi final of the Eurovision 2006 Song Contest in Athens.
In the result of voting, 37 countries selected 10 singers for the final contest. The list of ten finalists comprises Armenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Finland, Ukraine, Ireland, Sweden, Turkey and Russia. Andre will be the last to perform at the final contest scheduled for May 20 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
The head of the voting project of the Armenian Public Television Ruben Muradyan told that the residents of Armenia had the possibility to vote for the singer they liked via SMS or a phone call. The phone number was announced just at the beginning of the contest. Voting service was available within ten minutes. Several calls from the same number were allowed. Mr. Muradyan remarked that Armenia would benefit from the big number of votes since it would prove the interest of the Armenian audience. Armenian Diaspora can view the contest via local channels. For example, Armenians in France will watch the French channel, since the information on the screen and the phone numbers vary depending on the state. It should also be noted that the contest rule prohibits residents of any state from voting in favor of its
representative.
19 May 2006
Yerevan, May 10, Armenpress
The crew of a ship replicated from a medieval vessel of Armenian merchants from Cilicia Kingdom is flying later this month to London to continue the third leg of its voyage.
In the course of the first and second stages of their voyage the crew visited Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Italy, France and Great Britain. On May 28 the Armenian ship will head for French Calais and from there towards the Baltic Sea and to Saint Petersburg. Then it will sail to the Black Sea and from there will be transported to Armenia, Lake Sevan.
The idea of constructing this ship was conceived by members of the Ayas Nautical Research Club. It is an exact replication of a 13-th century merchant ship, and was built in accordance with medieval shipbuilding technologies.
The members of the screw are a musician, an engineer, a doctor, a signaler, a film director and a cameraman.
19 May 2006
Yerevan, May 19, ArmeniaNow
The small first-floor room in Yerevan is full of people who describe themselves as “just a little crazy” because they prefer to float through the air like birds instead of sitting firmly grounded at the café or home watching television.
Nearly every weekend, the men and women of Armenia’s Paragliding Club trudge up mountainsides with 16-kilograms of equipment on their backs—then glide gently back to earth. “It’s just not possible to put in words,” says 25-year-old Harutiun Achemyan, who was asked to describe what it is like to fly like a bird on a wing of colorful nylon fabric.
“There are people who drink, there are people who smoke, there are people who play backgammon and there are people who fly on the week-ends,” says paraglider Alik Galstyan.
So every weekend when the weather is good they come to this room, pack their things, buy some food and go to the mountains to fly.
There are about 30 members of Armenia’s Paragliding Club, including seven women.
Pilots have to climb up to 300 meters or more carrying a large backpack containing the wing, body harness, helmet and a radio to communicate with other pilots. The kit can weigh 16 kilograms.
It is a tiring hike, but the exhaustion doesn’t show on their faces as they unfurl their wings and prepare to take flight with their big, colorful and almost noiseless gliders.
Paragliding is a recreational and competitive flying sport. In Armenia it is mostly recreational because only a small number of people are interested in it. But the sport is popular in France (with an estimated 25,000 paragliders) as well as Germany, Austria, South Korea, Japan and Switzerland.
Paragliding is viewed as a higher risk sport than it actually is. Accidents happen mainly because of pilots flying beyond the limits of the training or experience.
“It is not an extreme sport at all,” said Harutiun, whose sunburned face shows his devotion to the sport. “Just the opposite, the flight in a paraglide is a very calm process.”
Paragliders must be carefully trained in how to set up their equipment and to fly. But Rafik Sokhoyan, president of the Paragliding Club, adds that even qualified gliders should be careful but enjoy the flight.
Even well-trained and responsible pilots suffer from minor injuries like twisted ankles, back injuries and occasional pounding heart.
On a recent Sunday, paraglider Cedric Roussel of Belgium said that the most attractive thing about the flight is being able to escape from all other thoughts than flying.
“In everyday life your mind always works,” said Roussel, 37, who works for an international medical organization. “When you drive you can notice the signs, the shops, people … But when you fly you can’t think about anything else.”
The first paraglide lifted aloft in Armenia in 1997. One of the first pilots was Sokhoyan, now the president of the Paragliding Club. Officially the club started in 2004 but it has functioned from 1998 with different names like Aero Club or Technical Sports Section.
A paraglide is free flying, foot-launched aircraft with wings of rip-resistant, impermeable nylon. The pilot sits in a harness attached to the lip-shaped wing by spaghetti-like strings. Rising air is needed in paragliding to keep a glider aloft.
Rising air comes from two sources: when the sun heats the ground, columns of rising air are generated, and when wind encounters a mountain ridge the air is forced upwards, providing dynamic lift.
Paragliding enthusiasts say the landscape and weather of Armenia are ideal for the sport. The most favorite place for Armenian paragliding pilots is Mount Hatis near Akunk village in Kotayk region. Other places convenient for paragliding are Mount Ara, the foothills of Mount Aragats and other mountains around Lake Sevan.
The club offers courses for new pilots. Anyone who is over 18 and has normal health and also his/her parents’ agreement to fly can become a member of the club.
“It took me a month to make my parents to sign that paper,” said Nata Turovceva, 21.
Safety is of paramount concern. Pilots wear heavy helmets to protect their heads in the event of a fall. They are not allowed to drink even a sip of alcohol before a flight because it can cause impairment of the senses, movement and thinking.
It can be an expensive sport. A full kit—including the wing, harness and helmet—can cost 2,500 dollars. In addition, a month of training costs 4,000 drams (9 dollars), but students pay half that. And one flying day costs 2,500 drams (6 dollars) with all expenses such as food and transport.
19 May 2006
Yerevan, May 19, AZG Daily
"Van" - news group of French Armenians informed that from June 28 Robert Getikian’s last film will be shown at the movie theatres of France. The film is entitled "A Journey in Armenia." It depicts contemporary Armenia, as well as the hard striving of the Armenian Diaspora representatives to find their national identity. Arian Ascarid, Gerard Melian, Shoghik Grigorian, Roman Avinian, Simon Abgarian, Serge Avetikian, Christine Hovakimian and Madlen Getikian are starring in the film.
The film is quite realistic and its very exciting plot will not leave the spectators indifferent. The film is shot in one of the villages of Vayots Dzor with the participation of the village residents.
19 May 2006
Yerevan, May 19, ArmRadio
"Patrida" organization of the Greeks of Armenia will lay a wreath of flowers at the memorial to the victims of the 1915-922 genocide of Armenians.
A rally will be organized as well.
07 May 2006
http://www.armenpress.am
YEREVAN, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS: The administration of the U.S. president George W. Bush offered their condolences to the families and friends of the Armavia plane crash and also to the peoples of Armenia and Russia.
"We express our sincere condolences to the peoples of Armenia and Russia, and to the families of those who were killed in Armavia's Airbus-320 crash," a statement disseminated in Washington says. Pope Benedict has sent his personal condolences, by way of Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, for the victims of the Armenian plane crash. In the telegram, sent to the Apostolic Nuncio in Armenia, Cardinal Sodano wrote that "the Holy Father bows before the many victims and calls on them the Mercy of Our Lord, asking Him to welcome them in His kingdom of Peace."
President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a message to his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian on Wednesday expressed his condolences over the Armenian plane crash. Ahmadinejad asked in his message for God's mercy and blessing for victims and patience for the bereaved families.
A message of condolences was also sent by Iranian Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel to the Armenian National Assembly Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian Hirair Hovnanian, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), sent a message of condolences to the families and friends of the Armavia plane crash. It reads as follows:
"On behalf of the Armenian Assembly of America's leadership, members and staff, I extend my heartfelt condolences to all the families and friends of the victims of the Armavia plane crash in Sochi. This tragedy, in which our fellow compatriots perished, is a great loss for the entire Armenian nation. You are in our thoughts and prayers.' Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent on Wednesday a cable of condolences to his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian over crash of an Armenian airplane and the killing of all passengers.
"On behalf of the Syrian people and me I express to you and to the Armenian friendly people my heartfelt condolences wishing God would avert the friendly people of Armenian any trouble,' the President said in his cable, as reported by SANA news agency. French foreign minister Philippe Doust-Blazy extended his condolences to the relatives and friends of the crashed Armenian pane, France's embassy in Yerevan said.
"I learned with deep sorrow about the crash of the Armenian plane when it was trying to land in Russian Sochi. I express my support to Armenian and Russian authorities at this moment of grief and my condolences to the families and friends of the killed passengers," his message says. Condolence messages came also from the Turkmen President Saparmurad Niyazov and Georgia's Foreign ministry.
Also Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul sent a message to his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian and expressed sincere condolences to relatives of Armenian citizens killed in the crash, The New Anatolian reported. 05 May 2006
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
All 113 passengers and crew on board an Armenian airliner which crashed into the Black Sea off the Russian coast are believed to have been killed, the Russian emergencies ministry said.
Investigators blamed bad weather for bringing down the Airbus A320, which was trying to land at Sochi, a popular holiday spot in southern Russia.
A spokesman for the Russian emergencies ministry said rescue workers had found baggage, life jackets, body parts, pieces of the shattered plane and a patch of oil floating on the surface of the sea at the crash site.
At least 25 bodies have also been recovered.
The plane, operated by Armavia, had been making a short flight of about an hour from the Armenian capital Yerevan. Most of the passengers were Armenian nationals, although 26 had Russian passports.
The airline organised a special flight to take relatives from Yerevan to the site of the tragedy.
"I was waiting for a call from my mother that she had arrived okay. But she did not phone, so I phoned myself and heard that this accident had happened," Khapet Tadevosyan, 32, said as he stood in the Yerevan airport building.
"She flew to Sochi to see her sisters, whom she hadn't seen for 15 years," he said.
The emergencies ministry said the torrential rain had probably caused the crash after the plane failed to land on its first attempt. It crashed when it prepared for a second approach.
"At the moment, we have absolutely no evidence pointing to the possibility of a terrorist act on the plane," Deputy General Prosecutor Nikolai Shepel told Interfax news agency.
An Armavia official said the aircraft had initially been refused permission to land because of the storm, but the airport officials changed their minds. He ruled out a technical failure. 02 May 2006
Yerevan, May 2, 2006
With great success Yerevan was the host to the 2006 International Tourism Exhibition CTS. The event took place on May 25 - 27 in the Moscow Cinema and was organized by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Tourism Development Agency and the Armenian branch of the American Society of Travel Agents.
The official opening ceremony took place at 1.30 PM, May 25 on the second floor of Moscow Cinema.
The Yerevan Brandy Factory was the main sponsor of the tourism trade fair. Other sponsors included the Golden Tulip Hotel Yerevan, Congress Hotel and Czech Airlines. The information support was provided by Spyur information agency, Ardzagank radio station and Tourinfo magazine.
Over 33 companies from Georgia, Adzharia, Belarus and different regions of Armenia presented their products and services at the exhibition.
Many branches of the tourism industry were represented including airlines, hotel complexes, insurance companies, travel and car rental agencies, social organizations, publishing houses and information centers. The travel industry of Shirak and Vayots Dzor regions were represented in special booths.
The exhibition has proudly become an annual event in the Armenian tourism industry and will once again represent the most reputable companies to the general public next year. |
