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31 Aug 2006
Press release
AZG Armenian Daily #166, 01/09/2006
On Sunday June 11, 2006 in Watertown, MA, the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA), a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to projecting the Armenian voice on a world stage sponsored a reading of one of William Saroyan’s lesser known plays, "Hello Out There" at the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA). The reading was presented in ALMA’s contemporary art gallery on the 3rd floor of their museum building and coincided with the exhibit "My name is Bill: Remembering William Saroyan" in the Terjenian Hall. The play was directed by Zoya Kachadurian of NYC and starred Paul Shafer, Danielle Bauman, Jason Taylor, Michele Markarian.
Jacqueline Papasian Kazarian from San Francisco gave an interesting talk about her "Uncle Bill" after the reading and a reception followed for the guests.
Saroyan is better known for his story "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze" and his play "The Time of Your Life". Written in 1941, "Hello Out There," tells the story of a wandering gambler who finds himself arrested and jailed in a small Texas town after a false claim of rape. A young girl who serves as the jail’s cook is the only person to believe in the gambler. The gambler ultimately gives all of his money to the girl before a mob, headed by the husband of the alleged victim, breaks into the jail to kill the gambler. This play was first produced for the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. On the 10th of September, 1941, "Hello Out There" served as the curtain-raiser to George Bernard Shaw's "The Devil's Disciple."
Sponsoring and supporting readings and productions of Armenian plays and scripts is at the heart of the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance’s mission to share the Armenian voice.
For more information, please go to www.armeniandrama.org.
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
22 Concord Lane
Cambridge, MA 02138
Contact: Bianca Bagatourian
Tel: 617-871-6764
E-mail: adaa@techfusion.com
Web: http://www.armeniandrama.org
31 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: A famous American musical group called Three Mo' Tenors is giving two concerts in Yerevan, one today and the other on September 2 and will give a concert for residents of Armenia's second largest town of Gyumri on September 3.
Music experts say more people are becoming interested in classical music because it is being presented in new ways by new groups. One such group is Three Mo' Tenors. Three Mo' Tenors present concerts that celebrate many kinds of music. Their first concert was presented in New York City in the summer of 2000. Since then, they have performed in many cities in the United States and the world.
A tenor is the highest natural adult male singing voice. Three African-American singers perform as Three Mo' Tenors. They are Victor Trent Cook, Rodrick Dixon and Thomas Young. They sing seven different kinds of music - opera, songs from Broadway shows, jazz, blues, soul, spiritual and gospel.
Three Mo' Tenors are trained in classical as well as other kinds of music. Victor Trent Cook received a Tony Award nomination in 1995 for his performance in the Broadway musical "Smokey Joe's Cafe." He has also performed in other Broadway shows.
Rodrick Dixon has sung in concerts in the United States, France and Italy. He has appeared on Broadway in the musical "Ragtime". Thomas Young has performed in major concert halls and opera houses in twenty countries. He has also performed in theater and as a jazz singer. By the way admission to concerts, organized by the US embassy in Armenia is free.
31 Aug 2006
Yerevan, September 1. /Arka/. Armenian government gave CNN TV Company consent on Thursday to present the country and show Armenian commercials on the channel, governmental press office reports.
The contract is expected to be signed with CNN soon.
Under the government's decision, all the expenses connected with broadcasting commercials will be made at the account of the state budget.
30 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS: Armenian wine-makers will have to drastically improve the quality of their produces in order to win a place in European markets, Romano Tiogo, the secretary general of the Venice Trade Chamber, said to a news conference in Yerevan on August 30.
One of the ways to do so, he said, is to introduce in Armenian wineries state-of-the-art technology. He said chief managers of 15 Armenian wineries had visited Italy in July to see modern technology used by wineries there.
Tiogo said installment of Italian technology in Armenia would not cost much. He said the demand for wines in Europe grows 5-6 percent annually and more young people prefer to pay 10-20 US Dollars for a bottle of a good wine than to buy cheap beer.
He called for more efforts to develop trade between Armenia and Venice which now stands at only $13.8 million.
30 Aug 2006
August 31, 2006, Azg Today, an Indian delegation of the board of jewelry export promotion will present jewelry production of India at the Armenia-Marriott Hotel. The board uniting 7.000 jewelers was founded in 1966 and aims at encouraging the export of diamond, precious stones, synthetic stones, jewelry and pearls from India.
During the stay the Indian delegation will meet businessmen and customers as well as will discuss creation of joint companies in this sphere.
29 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, August 30. /ARKA/. Armenia is to start producing Mozzarella and Mozzarella-pizza Italian cheese in September 2006.
Ashot Tamrazyan, director of Dili farm, told journalists on Wednesday that the farm also intends to start producing some kinds of Armenian cheese.
In his words, the farm’s key aim is to produce a pure cheese up to bio-standards through.
Tamrazyan also said that the farm is going to produce up-to-European-standards milk. Milk output is planned to reach 3 thousand liters a day.
120 German pedigree cows and German and Italian milk-processing equipment will make it possible to retain the same output throughout entire year and will ensure high quality of the milk and dairy.
Tamrazyan also added that 42 million invested in the farm by founders with assistance of some European banks, laid necessary financial ground for creating 50 jobs with average salary of AMD 50 thousand ($128).
Dili farm is set up in Dilijan, Armenia, in mid-2005. 29 Aug 2006
Sochi, August 30, Noyan-Tapan. "Song of Year of Armenia" traditional music festval took place in the health resort-city of Sochi the last week-end.
According to the "Yerkramas" (country) newspaper of Armenians of Russia, besides young participants of the competition, recognized grands of the Armenian pop music Nune Yesayan, Ashot Ghazarian and Andre, the participants of the "Eurovision 2006" festival, participated in the festival.
Money, gathered as a result of selling the tickets will be given to the fund of assistance to families of the people died as a result of the crash of the plane fulfilling the May 3 Yerevan-Sochi flight.
The festival of Armenian song is held in Moscow since 2003, but in 2006 it was decided to hold it in Sochi.
29 Aug 2006
Gyumri, August 30, Armenpress: The first high-rise block of so-called 'elite' apartments, mushrooming in the capital city of Yerevan, will be built in Armenia's second largest town of Gyumri soon. The building will be in downtown Gyumri and every square meter of space in it will cost around $400, almost twice cheaper than in Yerevan.
Hrayr Karapetian, head of urban construction department of Gyumri, said there is a line of locals ready to buy apartments in the first 'elite' bock.
He said there is an unprecedented private construction boom in the town. He said the bulk of private mansions are being built by former residents of the town doing businesses in Russia.
29 Aug 2006
www.armeniadiaspora.com
From August 30 to September 16, an International Conference Archaeology and Monuments' Restoration is being held in Armenia with the help of the Italian government.
As a REGNUM correspondent reports, Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente has said in his opening address that the Italian government attaches much significance to the Armenian-Italian cooperation. "Italy is interested in restoring and preserving Armenian monuments, first, because Armenia is rich with architectural hits, second, the vast experience of Italian specialists will help Armenian colleagues in preserving architectural monuments. The Italian government is sure that architecture is one of priority spheres of Armenian-Italian cooperation," the ambassador announced adding that Armenia's oil is human resources - professionals, experts in culture.
In his turn, Armenia's Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Gagik Gyurjyan noted that for Armenian colleagues, experience of Italy in methods of restoring wall painting is very important. "Italy is rich in monumental heritage, and its specialists in architecture have no match," he said.The Archaeology and Monuments' Restoration panel is organized by Armenia's Ministry for Culture and Youth Affairs, Italian Embassy to Armenia, the Center for Studying and Ratifying the Armenian Culture, historical department of Yerevan State University. Leading archaeologists, restores, architects, designers, experts in restoring wall paintings participate in it. The Italian government granted 30,000 euro to hold the event. 28 Aug 2006
Yerevan, August 29, Armenpress: Armenian light athletes have received an invitation to participate in the "Caucasian Cup" championship which will take place from September 12th to 13th in the Russian resort town of Sochi.
State coach of light athletics Narine Shahbazian told Armenpress that the Armenian Light Athletics Federation has accepted the invitation and is selecting the athletes which will participate in the championship.
28 Aug 2006
29/08/06 Jan Porterfield, the chief coach of the Armenian national football team, has launched a training course for the Armenian national team. The team is getting ready for a game with Belgium, which will take place on September 6, at 9 p.m. at the Republican stadium. The Armenia national team undergoes trainings twice a day – in the morning and evening, at Piunik and Banants stadiums. Before the actual match, the team will get training at the Republican stadium. Porterfield explains that he wants the team to get used to playing in different stadiums. The chief coach has invited players from both local and foreign teams./Panorama.am/ 27 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan Weekly, August 28
A group of Krasnodar mountain-climbers, headed by Vardan Vardanian, started the subjugation of the sacred object of the Christianity, Mount Ararat. According to the “Yerkramas” (country) newspaper of Armenians in Russia, there are representatives of creative professions and business, heads of big companies and entrepreneurs, photographers and painters, among mountain climbers from Krasnodar, who went to Iran by plane, from where they will go to Turkey and start the ascent. Mountain-climbers from other countries will join those from Krasnodar on the way. The international group dedicates the ascent of Ararat to Year of Armenia in Russia being held in 2006. In Vardan Vardanian’s words, the mountain-climbers from Krasnodar will hoist on the top of Ararat the flag of the capital of Kuban as well. 27 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan Weekly, August 28
The closing ceremony of the court-yard camp that functioned for about one month took place in the territory near the Akhalkalak Surb Khach (Saint Cross) church.
According to A-Info news agency, about 170 children from Akhalkalak, aged 7-15 participated in the camp. In the words of Liana Kholyan, the court-yard head, the direcor of the Yerevan “Puprik” children’s theater-studio, the camp aims to promote historical cultural and spiritual education. The camp detachment leaders were representatives of the youth union of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
To recap, one of Armenian Sunday school pupils of New York sponsored the camp. The “Javakhk Call” fund and the Akhalkalak Mayor’s Office also assisted the camp.
27 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan Weekly, August 28
The second fair of Armenian production “Golden Pomegranate” will be held in Revolution Square (Moscow) on September 9-10. 35-40 enterprises have applied to the Armenian Development Agency (ADA) to receive its assistance for participation in the fair. MT correspondent was informed about it by Mushegh Sargisyan, ADA’s Director for Exports. In his words about 90 enterprises took part in the first Golden Pomegranate in 2005. The fair will take place within the framework of the agreement on trade and economic cooperation between the Armenian and Moscow government. Production of various Armenian enterprises, particularly, products of food industry, jewelry-making, souvenirs, works of Armenian painters will be on display. The visitors will have a chance to taste some Armenian national food stuffs. During the two days of the event, Russian and Armenian pop stars song and dance ensembles, famous singers will perform in Revolution Square.
The event’s organizer is Neva-Expo Company authorized by the RA government. Golden Pomegranate-2006 will be held with the assistance of the Armenian and Moscow governments, the Armenian embassy in Russia, Yerevan Mayor’s Office, the Representative Mission of Yerevan Mayor’s Office in Moscow, the Armenian Development Agency, Moscow Departments of Consumer Market and Food Resources, and the Department of Moscow’s Central Administrative Okrug.
27 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan Weekly, August 28
During the August 25 working meeting with the Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, Mayor of Yerevan Yervand Zakharyan presented the implementation of programs related to various sectors of the city economy for 2006. Particularly, the matter concerned urban development programs and measures on construction work in Yerevan.
The Armenian President paid special attention to the programs of measures related to Yerevan’s Master Plan. These measures must ensure the implementation of Main Avenue Project by 2020.
Problems of house construction, street improvement and transport regulation were also discussed at the meeting.
According to the RA President’s press service, R. Kocharyan gave instructions concerning the problems discussed.
27 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan Weekly, August 28
Atilla Goc, the Minister of Culture of Turkey spoke on the previous day in Ankara about those cultural surprises that the Government of Turkey has prepared for this autumn. The main one among them is considered to be re-opening of the Armenian Aghtamar church on Aghtamar Island in Lake Van, after the long and expensive reconstruction work.
As “Marmara” states quoting the Turkish “Radical” newspaper, the minister of Culture of Armenia will also be invited to the opening ceremony of this Armenian historic church. Prime Minister Recep T. Erdogan will fulfill the solemn opening. Representatives from countries like France, which has adopted the law concerning the Armenian Genocide, will also, be invited to the event.
“The Aghtamar church will be opened in front of the whole world, we invite tourists from all over the world to come and see that we spent 4 billions on reconstruction of Aghtamar”, the Minister of Culture of Turkey said.
27 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan Weekly, August 28
The 5th Gyumri Biennial of Modern Art held on August 2-16, according to the organizers, is the first of all important for the fact that the cultural life centralized in Yerevan moved to Gyumri for some time. The biennial organizers mad such a statement at the August 24 press conference.
“Gyumri, having great cultural traditions, seems to remain out of the cultural life, to be out of margin. In his sense, the biennial is an important and great cultural event in the city life”, Arpine Tokmajyan the orgaizer of the biennial mentioned.
The 5th biennial entitled “Sea Dreams and Illusions” started on the Sevan Lakeside where participants had a chance to create in a corresponding enviroment. As result of contact of Armenian and foreign artists, a series of joint exhibited in 6 exhibition halls of Gyumri with works brought to Armenia beforehand.
Mkrtich Tonoyan, for the “From Sea to Sea Armenian Theory” performance, got during the pass conference the monetary prize fixed for Armenian artists by the Swiss “Gonche” orgaization.
“The performance is about discrepancy of Armenia, from sea to sea, of which I have dreamed and our life.” the author of the work consisting of two parts (a video and installation) says.
27 Aug 2006
ETCHMIADZIN, AUGUST 28, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Apostolic Church for the first time participates in a three-day “Religions for Peace” world summit which kicked off in Japanese town of Kyoto.
Catholicosate press service said that more than 500 religious leaders, including the leader of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese of Armenian Church Archbishop Aghan Paliozian, as well as public and political figures are participating in the summit.
“Religions for Peace” organization consists of inter-religious councils and groups which are aimed at promoting cooperation among all the religious communities of the world as well as at the elimination of all the existing conflicts.
The first summit of the organization was held 35 years ago in Japanese town of Kyoto.
27 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, ARMENPRESS: The conference of the World Basketball Federation kicked off today in the capital of Japan Tokyo with the participation of the head of the Armenian Basketball Federation Hrachya Rostomian.
Rostomian told Armenpress that on the first day of the conference they are going to discuss issues on the activity of the World Basketball Federation, its prospects.
Rostomian said that he has already reached agreement on the meeting with the heads of basketball federations of a number of countries and is going to discuss with them a number of issues of the Armenian Basketball Federation. The conference will end August 31.
27 Aug 2006
Armenian Volunteer Corps
YEREVAN August 28, 2006. This Saturday, September 2nd, the children of Zatik Orphanage will learn that their friends in the Armenian Diaspora do not forget about them. For the third year running, Richard (Ric) Gazarian from Chicago, and the Armenian Volunteer Corps, is hosting a full day Festival, complete with face painting, popcorn, cotton-candy and a pony ride, for the 136 children at the orphanage!
Numerous businesses have made promises to make generous donations which will make this day successful. Tumanian Shaurma will provide food and Grand Candy will provide ice cream, for the third year running Luna Park has donated it’s Moon Bounce for the day, and Cheers Disco Pub is supplying speakers and a DJ to kick off the fun!
Additionally, many other friends will participate to make the day as eventful and memorable as possible. Roughly 20 volunteers from the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC), and also the Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk Foundation, will be in attendance to help run the carnival games and do face-painting. The Zeytun dance group will put on a small performance, professional clowns will provide amusement, and a special guest appearance by Miss Armenia Lusine Tovmasyan has been planned.
And why does Richard return every summer to host and sponsor this event for the children of Zatik? He simply says, “They are like my extended family.”
This relationship began in 2004 when Ric volunteered as an English teacher and mentor at Zatik Orphanage through the Armenian Volunteer Corps, an organization devoted to facilitating Diasporan Armenians with the opportunity to live and work in Armenia for long and short term volunteer service in hopes that those Diasporans will establish a life-long relationship with their countrymen and women in Armenia so that they can together build a stronger future.
Ric developed a strong attachment to his new found friends at Zatik, and they with him. Upon the end of his AVC service term in the summer of 2004, Ric decided he wanted to organize something special, something to bring happiness to the children in a memorable way. He organized the first “Zatik Festival” and like a true friend, Ric and the AVC volunteers try to play a continuing role in the lives of the children, and so are once again organizing the Festival fun this year.
25 Aug 2006
AZG Armenian Daily #162, 26/08/2006
The office of "Miss Caucasus" beauty contest in Armenia is 6 years old. As a result of its activities in all Caucasian cities, beauty contests were held in Nalchik (2003), Vladikavkaz (2004) and Yerevan (2005). The upcoming contest will be held in Armenia and Artsakh. The main "Miss Caucasus" event will be held at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre on September 2. 20 Caucasian beauties will take part in the contest displaying not only their attractive bodies but also their national culture, song and dance.
The Azerbaijani beauties are unlikely to take part in the contest as Mayis Safarli, deputy at the Azerbaijani parliament has already condemned the participation of Nagorno Karabakh in the contest, Ekho newspaper reports. Moreover, he threatened that this "illegal" act of the Armenian authorities will be punished soon.
The aim of "Miss Caucasus" beauty contest is to "unite around "Peace in the Caucasus" slogan and to preach beauty and national values," Arman Antonian, chairman of the preparatory committee of the contest, told daily Azg.
24 Aug 2006
Yerevan, August 25, Armenress: The third Armenia-Diaspora conference is going to take place September 18-20 in the Karen Demirchian sport complex. Around 800 people from 47 countries and Pan-Diaspora organizations have already presented applications for participation. Overall, 1,500 people are expected to participate in the conference.
Jivan Movsisian, secretary of the preparation commission of the third Pan-Armenian conference and the head of the Diaspora ties department at the Armenian Foreign Ministry, told Armenpress that they will be receiving applications for participation until September 1.
At the plenary session which is going to take place September 18 with the participation of representatives of Armenian and Karabakh presidents, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Cilician Catholicos Aram I issues on the Armenia-Diaspora partnership and development prospects will be discussed.
The second half of the session will be devoted to the discussion of the main issue included in the agenda - the program on the development of Armenian rural areas. From September 19 to 20 a conference on "New Answers to Old Questions: Armenians in the 21st Century" is going to be held.
On September 20 second Armenia-Diaspora Pan-Armenian economic conference is going to take place, on September 22 second international conference "Armagroforum" will be organized. From September 22 to 24 exhibition of Armenian products will be held and on September 21 the participants of the conference will take part in the events dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Armenian independence.
The first Pan-Armenian conference was held in September 1999 and the second one in May 2002. Jivan Movsisian said that the third conference provides the best opportunity to discuss, analyze and sum up together with Diaspora Armenians the 15-year long way Armenia has passed and to earmark the further activities.
"The main aim of the conference is to unite and do everything by centralizing our opportunities for creating conditions and opportunities for safe development of the people," Movsisian said.
Armenia-Diaspora Conference III
24 Aug 2006
Yerevan, August 25, ArmRadio.am. Eight Armenian wrestlers will participate in the World Youth Greek-Roman and Free-Style Wrestling Championships to be held August 29 - September 5 in Guatemala.
RA youth team of Grrek-Roman style wrestlers comprises Khosrov Melikyan, Hrachya Hovhannisyan, Arsen Julfalakyan and Arthur Shahinyan. The chief trainer of the team is Armen Babalaryan, the trainer is Sokrat Petrosyan.
The team of free-style wrestlers includes Suren Adyan, Khachik Amroyan, Edgar Yenokyan and Arthur Arakelyan. The chief trainer is Araik Baghdasaryan.
24 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS: The new CD of world-famous soprano Hasmik Papian dedicated to Komitas has been released. Hasmik Papian told Armenpress that the CD includes 35 Lieder of Komitas nine of which are Lieder to texts by German poets including Goethe, Lenau and Uhland set by Komitas during his period of study in Berlin. The booklet includes the complete Lied texts, printed in Armenian, German, English and French, as well as a detailed text on the life and work of Komitas. The world famous soprano sings to the accompaniment of young Armenian pianist Vardan Mamikonian. 24 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS: Armenian poetess, orator, academician Silva Kaputikian passed away today at the age of 87. She was born in Yerevan, January 20, 1919. She graduated from the YSU’s Philological Department and then from Moscow’s Gorki Literature Institute.
The first collection of her poems was published in 1945. Overall, she published 60 collections in Armenian, Russian and other languages.
Silva Kaputikian was laureate of a number of literary awards. In 1998 Cambridge International Geographic Institute awarded her the title of “Woman of the Year”.
23 Aug 2006
AZG Daily #160, 08/24/2006
The name of Ara Paiaya, martial arts filmmaker of Armenian origin from Aberdeen, Scotland, was made known to us by The Armenian Mirror Spectator’s July 29 issue.
Having extracted the news from The Aberdeen Evening News, the weekly informs that Ara’s "Death List" will be shown at the city’s Belmont Picturehouse cinema this month. Starring are such legendary Kung Fu masters as Robert Tai and Jackie Chan’s producer Bey Logan.
The 28 years old filmmaker who has been living in Aberdeen for 25 years now graduated from Gordon University and is an IT manager. He also stars in the movie that was shot in London, Spain, Honk Kong and Taiwan.
23 Aug 2006
AZG Daily #160, 08/24/2006
A group of climbers from, Russia, headed by Vardan Vardanian has made its way to the biblical Mount Ararat, the shrine of the Armenian people. According to Yerkramas newspaper, the members of the group, climbers from "Everest" club in Krasnodar – businessmen, CEOs, artists, photographers – have already arrived in Iran from where they will cross the Turkish border and begin climbing. On the halfway the Russian climbers will meet foreign climbers to conquer the mount together. The group dedicates the climb to the Days of Armenia in Russia. In Vardanian’s words, they will erect the flag of Krasnodar on the Mount Ararat.
23 Aug 2006
24/08/06/Panorama.am/
Arpine Tokmajyan, coordinator of the 5th international event (Bienalle) in Gyumri, says people from Gyumri have enjoyed several days of culture from August 2 to 16. The event ceremonially opened in Gyumri on August 12. This festival is traditionally held in Gyumri once in two years and aims to raise the psychological state of people from Gyumri who have suffered the devastating earthquake of 1988. The organizers of the event also say that cultural programs are concentrated also in Yerevan, so it is a good chance to decentralize cultural efforts. The event is organized by private support with no government assistance.
23 Aug 2006
AZG Daily #160, 08/24/2006
How does a song become a national anthem? As we listen to the anthems of many great nations, we seldom find behind them prominent composers or major poets. A song, sometimes even of a folk nature, captures the imagination of the people and inspires patriotic feelings, thereby carving its place in history.
On the eve of its 15th anniversary of independence, the Republic of Armenia is at a crossroad, trying to adopt a new national anthem, which reflects today's realities and expresses the nation's hopes for the future.
Today, Armenia is at the threshold of adopting a new national anthem. Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosian has already held a competition and a select committee has screened 85 entries. The commission, which has screened the submissions, includes Vigen Sargsian, Karen Avagian, respectively aides to the president and the prime minister; poetess Silva Kaputikian, composer Edward Mirzoyan and the artistic director of the Armenian Chamber Orchestra, Aram Gharebekian. All are respected authorities. Except for Gharabegian, the diaspora is not represented in a meaningful way in that commission. It is true that the selection of a national anthem is mostly an affair to be conducted by the state, but we are a divided nation and only by mobilizing all our forces can we achieve success. For example, during the election of the catholicos of all Armenians, the diaspora has an imposing presence. Similarly when telethons are organized to rebuild Karabagh and Armenia, the diaspora is not excluded. Besides, when an anthem is selected, those of us in the diaspora will sing along with Armenia. Children from Sydney to Syria, from Buenos Aires to Los Angeles, will sing the anthem in unison.
It is also reported that all 85 entries to be considered were from Armenia - that does not sound very credible. Some diaspora participation must have been included, although no attempt was made to invite diaspora participation.
The first round of the selection process has already been announced. The results are out and the majority of votes went to the composition of Tigran Mansourian, based on the Yeghishe Charentz lyrics (Yes eem anoush Hayastani). He is followed by Yervand Yerznkian's work based on a poem by Ararat II; Edgar Hovhannissian's work based on the poem by Vahagn Davtian and finally the composition of Robert Amirkhanian based on a poem by Ludwig Nourian. Given Amirkhanian's popularity as a composer of many patriotic songs, his fifth-place showing does not seem to be believable.
We concur with the minister of culture who has stated: "It is very difficult to make the right choice." No matter what the outcome, there will always be detractors and critics.
It looks like Mansourian's and Amirkhanian's works stand the best chance, possessing all the attributes of a proper anthem. Perhaps Mansourian's international stature may weigh heavier.
But yet, we don't know where the political currents may lead our national anthem.
22 Aug 2006
Yerevan, Armenia, August 23th, 2006 – The Competitive Armenian Private Sector Project (CAPS), a USAID-Armenia funded initiative is organizing the first Trans-Caucasus Tourism Business to Business Forum in Tbilisi on October 7th at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel. The event is being organized in close association with the Madrid-based UN World Tourism Organization, the Armenian Tourism Development Agency /ATDA/, the Georgian State Department of Tourism and other partners throughout the region.
The Forum will bring together tour operators from the region to meet, make new business contacts and learn about tourism development and marketing opportunities. It is being organized as a complement to the UN World Tourism Organization Regional Conference on Tourism Communications (TOURCOM) for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which is being held just before the B2B on October 5-6.
“By organizing a tourism B2B focused on the Trans-Caucasus region,” explained Alan Saffery, Senior Competitiveness Expert for CAPS, “we are aiming to help create and market more Caucasus region tour itineraries and cooperation. We see this as a key way to increase the international competitiveness of all destinations in the region.”
22 Aug 2006
August 23, Armradio.am. Grand Master of Armenia Elina Danielyan gained 5.5 points out of 9 possible in the "Acropolis Cup" held in Athens, Greece, thus taking the second place. Georgian chess player Salome Melia won the tournament with 6.5 points.
In the men's contest of the same tournament Grand Master of Armenia Tigran Kotanjyan gained 6 points out of the 9 possible and ranked 9th among 68 participants. Georgian Tamaz Gelashvili won the tournament with 7 points.
22 Aug 2006
Panorama.am/ August 23
On April 20, 2006 a Memoraundum of Understanding was signed between Habitat for Humanity and Armenian Holy Apostolic church.
The first “His Holiness Karekin II work Project: Armenian Building on faith” starting upon the agreement to house 37 needy Armenian families in their safe and decent homes. The 37 homes symbolize 36 Armenian Dioceses and the Holy Chair.
From September 4 to 9 volunteers from different countries (USA, Europe and Canada), different backgrounds (church dignitaries and high ranking officials) churches (Armenian Apostolic and NCCCA) ages and occupations will come together to finish construction of a 24-unit condominium building in Gavar, region of Gegharkunik in the frame of the Armenian Building on Faith 2006.
In the number of International volunteers will be coming to Armenia a team of National Council of Churches led by the General Secretary Dr. Bob Edgar, Chair of the International Board of Director Dr. Nic Retsinas and the Chair of the Board of Directors for Europe and Central Asia Area Paul Eckelshot and of course the Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II.
The beginning of the volunteer works will be announced by His Holiness Karekin II on September 4th in Armenia Marriott Hotel at the official ceremony of blessing and opening of the event.
The construction works will begin on the next day September the 5th in Gavar where the army of international and local volunteers will join HFH Armenia homeowners to help them accomplish construction of their homes.
On September the 6th His Holiness Karekin II will be joining the volunteers in the volunteers at the Building Site in Gavar.
On September 9th the official ceremony of house blessing and dedication will take a place with participation of all the volunteers and high ranking officials.
22 Aug 2006
Tuapse, August 23, Noyan Tapan. "Days of Armenian Culture" will take place in Kuban on August 26 and 27, within the framework of the "Year of Armenia in Russia." According to the "Yerkramas" (country) newspaper of Armenians of Russia, the celebration will open on August 26 in the village of Tenginka, the region of Tuapse, and will continue on the next day in the House of Culture of the city of Tuapse.
Armenian amateur groups of folk and pop music and performers of the Krasnodar region will participate in the event organized by the "Hamshen" Armenian cultural-educational union of the city of Tuapse.
21 Aug 2006
Azg Daily, August 22
"Parajanov: The Last Spring" documentary opened retrospective screening of the famous filmmaker’s movies and a photo exhibition within the framework of Era New Horizons film festival in Warsaw, The Armenian Mirror Spectator reports. Chechnya-born Armenian director of the documentary, Mikhail Vardanov, arrived in Warsaw on July 21 for the premiere. 20 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenian grand master, the winner of the 2005 World Cup and champion of the 2006 World Chess Olympiad Levon Aronian has become the champion of the “Chess 960” world championship by beating Russian Pyoter Swidler at the last 7th and 8th rounds of the championship which was held in the German town of Mainz.
Chess 960 (originally called Fischer Random Chess) is a chess variant created by grandmaster Bobby Fischer (who was world chess champion from 1972 until 1975). It was originally announced on June 19, 1996, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fischer's goal was to create a chess variant in which chess creativity and talent would be more important than memorization and analysis of opening moves. His approach was to create a randomized initial chess position, which would thus make memorizing chess opening move sequences far less helpful.
20 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan Weekly, August 21
An events dedicated to 45th anniversary of the U.S. Peace Corps (PC) and the wearing-in ceremony of the PC 46-member group that arrived in Armenia, took place in Yerevan on August 14th. According to PC Director Patrick Hart, the volunteers’ group that will serve in Armenia in the next two years participated in the preparatory courses organized in Vanadzor. He mentioned that more that 500 volunteers have served in Armenia since 1992. Today their goal is to present the American values and culture to the Armenian society as well as get acquainted with the Armenian culture and to study the Armenian language.
According to John Evans, the U.S. Ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to RA, the cooperation in any sphere between Armenia and the U.S. assists the development and strengthening of prosperity and democracy in Armenia. In his words, that cooperation is based on the human and ideological generality in the two countries relations.
RA Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan RA Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Hakob Matilian and RA Deputy Minister of Health Care Tatul Hakobyan appreciated the role and activities of the U.S Peace Corps in Armenia. They said that the PC activities are based on the best traditions of the U.S. constitution and democratic ideology. In the words of Salpi Ghazaryan, the RA Foreign Ministers’ Special Assistant, the main mission of the PC Armenian Volunteers is “ to bring America to Armenia and to take Armenia to America”
20 Aug 2006
Yerevan, August 21, /Panorama.am/. Earlier reports said that German Marburg-Bidenkopf Red Cross representatives paid a visit to Tsitsernakaberd memorial to the victims of Armenian Genocide. They planted a tree in the nearby park to pay they respect to the memory of the victims. The guests also visited the nearby museum to the Armenian genocide. Lavrenti Barseghyan, head of the museum, informed the guests that 96 trees have been planted since 1996. However, the groups planted the first tree from the side of Germans.
German Red Cross paid its first visit to Armenia in 1989 to provide medical aid to the victims of the devastating earthquake of the year. Since then, the organization has built more than 500 houses as well as a nursary school and a hospital in Stepanavan. The group also renders humanitarian aid to Zatik orphanage. The German Red Cross is in close cooperation with their Armenian counterparts.
18 Aug 2006
AZG Armenian Daily #157, 19/08/2006
For the first time in more than a century, the ranks of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin have swelled to more than 90 members. In order to increase their fraternal ties to one another and reinforce their oath of service to God, the Armenian Church and the Mother See of All Armenians, regular clergy conferences have been convened in Holy Etchmiadzin for the past decade.
The second day of the 2006 conference, gathering the members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, continued its activities on August 17. The two sessions of the day took place at the Vaskenian Theological Seminary of Lake Sevan. Nearly 70 young monks and archimandrites (vardapets) from throughout the world have gathered in Holy Etchmiadzin on this occasion.
During the sessions, the priests participated in the lectures of Very Rev. Fr. Mkrtich Proshian, Dean of the Vaskenian Theological Seminary, and Very Rev. Fr. Komitas Hovnanian, (Marseille, France). Fr. Proshian’s lecture was entitled "The Priest as Teacher of the Faith", and Fr. Hovnanian’s was entitled "The Priest as Preacher". Discussion sessions, as well as question and answer periods, followed both lectures.
At the conclusion of the two sessions, the clergymen participated in Evening Services at the historic monastery of Sevan, in the Church of the Holy Apostles. The conference continues on Friday and Saturday, concluding with Divine Liturgy in Holy Etchmiadzin on Sunday, August 20.
17 Aug 2006
Yerevan, August 18, Armenpress: Armenian grand master Levon Aronian beat his Russian rival Pyoter Swidler in two rounds of the "Chess 960" World Championship conducted in German town of Mainz.
Chess 960 (originally called Fischer Random Chess) is a chess variant created by grandmaster Bobby Fischer (who was world chess champion from 1972 until 1975). It was originally announced on June 19, 1996, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fischer's goal was to create a chess variant in which chess creativity and talent would be more important than memorization and analysis of opening moves.
His approach was to create a randomized initial chess position, which would thus make memorizing chess opening move sequences far less helpful. The championship consists of 8 rounds, the next two ones will be conducted today.
16 Aug 2006
The Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA) is happy to announce about the successful completion of the familiarization trip to Mountainous Karabagh.
The familiarization trip lasted from August 4th till August 6th, during which we visited Sisian, Goris, Karahunj, Tatev Monastery, Stepanakert, Shushi, Ghazanchetsots and Kanach Zham Monasteries as well as the famous “Menk enk Mer Sarery” monument – the symbol of Mountainous Karabagh.
Tourism Advisers of the ARMENIAInformation Visitor Infomation Center of the ATDA also visited the hotels in Shushi and Stepanakert, got acquainted with services and hotel facilities. Hotels Shushi, Australia - Nairi, Heghnar and Eklektika welcomed us. The hotels are in very good conditions and are quite comparable with hotels in Yerevan or other marzes.
This trip gave us a wonderful opportunity to see the historical monuments of Southern part of Armenia as well as Mountainous Karabagh and learn more about the tourism infrastructure of the region.
16 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, August 17. /ARKA/. "Golden Pomegranate" annual trade fair of Armenian products will be held in Moscow Revolution square on September 9-10. The representation of Yerevan in Moscow informed ARKA News Agency that Armenian producers of industrial products and foodstuffs had been informed to take part in the fair. Jewelries and souvenirs, different products of national and art will be exhibited at the fair. By tradition Armenian producers will present to the visitors of the fair products of the Armenian national cuisine, which will be available for tasting for everybody.
In the scope of the program citizens and guests of Moscow will be able to enjoy a rich cultural-entertainment program: performances of stars of Armenian and Russian stages, children's and adults' folk collectives, dance and instrumental groups.
"Golden Pomegranate" trade fair is held within the framework of implementation of the agreement on trade-economic cooperation between the governments of Moscow and Republic of Armenia. "NEVA-EXPO" JSC authorized by the RA government is the organizer of the fair.
The fair will be held with the support of the RA government, Armenian Embassy in Russia, Moscow city government, Yerevan municipality, representation of Yerevan municipality in Moscow, consumer market department of Moscow, department of food resources in Moscow and Moscow prefecture.
16 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, August 17. /ARKA/. The second all-Armenian Educational Conferences kicked off in Armenia. In Yerevan on Thursday during the opening ceremony, the RA Minister of Science and Education Levon Mkrtchyan said that the conference would be of great practical importance, especially taking into consideration the fact that it's immediately before the Armenia-Diaspora forum.
He said that the conference was mainly aimed consistent elaboration and introduction of necessary principles and criteria in the all-Armenian educational system.
"We do not strive to work out common standards for schools of all Armenian communities of the world, however the fact that we have a common goal, which we can embody in tasks and graphics is evident", Mkrtchyan finds.
He emphasized that during the conference participants will discuss main issues, which worry representatives of Armenian schools of Armenia and Diaspora.
"The agenda of the event includes, particularly the issue of teaching Armenian Studies at school, problems of language policy in the system of secondary education, the necessity of creating a department of West-Armenian Language in the Yerevan State University and Armenian on-line school", he explained.
In his turn head of the Diaspora relations department of RA Ministry of Science and Education Hrach Tadevosyan emphasized that 150 directors of schools, educational centers from 23 countries of the world, mainly from Russia, Georgia, Karabakh, USA, Argentina, Canada and France take part in the event.
The second All-Armenian Educational Conference is being held in Tsakhkadzor Armenian resort city from August 18 to 20.
The first such conference was held in Armenia in 2004. Such event's are aimed at unifying the potential in the sphere of education in the scope of the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, specifying dominant directions of the educational sphere, joint and systemized elaboration of programs on timely issues and search for solutions, as well as rendering practical assistance.
The third Armenia-Diaspora Forum is scheduled for September 18-20, 2006.
16 Aug 2006
Yerevan, August 17. ArmInfo. A ceremony of awarding a title "Miss Caucasus-2006" will be held on September 2 in Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre.
As Aram Antonyan, the chairman of the Contest Organizational Committee, told ArmInfo, this year the Contest will be held under a slogan "Peace in the Caucasus". The shooting of beauties will be carried out in the territory of Nagorno Karabakh. According to the source, the Contest winner will receive a permit ticket to Czech Republic to participate in the Contest "Miss Tourism-2006". The main prize of the winner will become a silver crown with semiprecious stones, as well as money award.
The ceremony of "Miss Caucasus-2006" title awarding will be broadcasted by all TV channels of the Caucasus, as well as by the "Mir" Interstate TV Company channels.
16 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS: Around 31 students and university graduates have left for the USA by the programs of International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) to study at the American universities. About 15 first and second year students left for USA by “UGRAD” program and 16 university graduates left by “MASKIE” program.
The places intended for the students and graduates of universities of the CIS countries are being decreased annually as a result of reduction of the financing of the USA State Department.
Zhanetta Khachatrian, an official from the IREX, said that annually they receive about 300 applications mainly from students and graduates of Brusov State Linguistic University, Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University and Yerevan State University. The Armenian students who leave to study at USA universities mainly prefer the departments of economy, business management and international relations.
16 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS: The newly appointed chief coach of the Armenian national football team Yan Porterfield got acquainted today with the infrastructures of the Armenian leading clubs.
He also visited the sport base of “Pyunik”, got acquainted with the training opportunities of the football players and followed the place of the training. Afterwards the new coach discussed with the staff the issue of the preparedness of the football players.
Armenian Football Federation press service informed Armenpress that Yan Porterfield also got acquainted with the infrastructures of “Banants” and “Mika” clubs.
The coach underscored the conduction of trainings in different stadiums and on different grass-covers because it will help the football players to display their technical abilities in all kinds of stadiums.
Yan Porterfield also visited Vazgen Sargsian stadium and got acquainted with its infrastructure.
15 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS: The shootings of a feature film about what happened in 1915 in Western Armenia will launch in spring 2007. The film will tell about Alma Johansson who worked in one of the children’s houses in Western Armenia.
The director of the film Areg Nazarian said it is not about the genocide but about the personal tragedy of a woman. At the same time, through it the authors of the film want to thank the foreigners who supported the Armenians during that difficult period.
The film is based on the biographic notes of Alma Johansson which are being translated at present from Swedish as well as on the recollections of her granddaughter who is at present a human rights’ defender at the Council of Europe.
The film will be shot in Armenia, Sweden and Austria and will most probably be in Swedish.
By the way, according to reliable sources, during the shootings the film directors will cooperate with professor of Turkish descent from USA Arizona University Elif Shafak. The film will be presented to the public in 2008.
14 Aug 2006
August 15. The heroic struggle and victory of the Forty Days of Musa Dagh will be celebrated Labor Day weekend, marking the 91st year of remembrance for the people from the small Armenian villages, once located in the Cilician region, now in Turkey.
During the years of the Armenian genocide, the people of Musa Dagh were being forced by the Turks to change their ways and religion. The townspeople courageously refused to fall into the hands of the Turks and climbed atop their mountain called Musa Ler.
They fought the Turkish soldiers off for 40 long days and were miraculously saved by a French ship passing by on the Mediterranean Sea,The California Courier reported.
For the past 30 years, the Musa Dagh Commemoration Committee in Fresno has put together a weekend memorial. The tradition began with just a few families trying to keep their heritage alive and now attracts around 800-1000 people a year.
This year's festivities will begin with a family picnic on September 2, at the Fresno Police Association's Training Grounds from 7 pm to midnight. The cooking of the Herissa, a lamb and whole wheat stew, will begin and traditional Davoul, Zourna music brought in especially from Ainjar will be performed, followed by a DJ and dancing. Chicken and beef kebab dinners will also be sold.
Father Vahan Gostanian, Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Fresno, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy Sunday morning at 10:30 am. Guest speaker Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian, Senior Pastor of the First Armenian Presbyterian Church, Fresno, will also be giving a sermon.
Following the service will be the blessing and serving of the Herissa accompanied by a Kef-time with Davoul, Zourna music until 3 pm. "We invite everybody to come celebrate this victory of the Forty Days of Musa Dagh," George Karkazian said, "to remember the great battle of Mousa Ler and the heroes who fell fighting for our religious freedom."
By Nyrie Karkazian
The California Courier
14 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, August 15. /ARKA/. Starting from September 1, 2006, a number of scientific educational and cultural activities, dedicated to the 15th anniversary of Armenia's independence will be held in the country.
Narine Hovhannisyan, head of the department of general education at the Ministry of Education and Science told journalists that the beginning of these activities also coincides with the International Day of Knowledge.
She said that the Ministry Of Education And Science plans to implement these activities in keeping the strategic policy.
"One of the most important tasks today is to develop the patriotic spirit in the young generation, inculcate the national cultural values among the people, and get introduced to Armenia's achievements in the years of its independence and the urgent needs of the people," she said.
"The activities will involve exhibitions, conferences, competitions, marches, artistic and patriotic meetings.
Besides this, Hovhannisyan reported that from August 20 to September 20, a traditional contest of essays on the topic "My Free Land" will be held among school students.
"Best works of school graphic and artistic contests under the common slogan 'My Republic Is 15 Years Old' will be exposed at the National Art Gallery of Armenia," she said.
September 1 is the International Day of Knowledge.
On March 23, 2006, the Armenian government approved the program of these activities.
On September 21, 1991, a national referendum on quitting the USSR was held in Armenia. On September 23, the Supreme Council of Armenia approved the referendum results and proclaimed the independence of Armenia.
14 Aug 2006
August 15. The Armenian Community of Las Vegas has formed the Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee which is tasked with the erection of an Armenian Genocide Memorial in Las Vegas. After several meetings with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian, the city has committed to dedicate land for the Memorial in Centennial Plaza in downtown Las Vegas.
Mayor Goodman announced the city's commitment and the location of the site during the annual April 24 commemoration, which was also attended by all three Nevada congressmen, Rep. Jon Porter, Rep. Shelley Berkley, and Rep. Jim Gibbons, as well as a representative from Sen. John Ensign's office.
The site selected for the new Armenian Genocide Memorial is a busy area in the business and legal district near the famous Fremont Street Experience. It will be seen by thousands of people daily. The budget for the historical monument has been set a $150,000. The Committee is accepting designs for the new Memorial. Interest applicants should contact Abe Kassamanian at (702) 260-0899 for further information. Tax-deductible donations are also being accepted. Checks should be made payable to "Las Vegas Genocide Memorial Fund, Bank West of Nevada, 2890 N. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, NV 89014. California Courier 14 Aug 2006
ArmeniaLiberty.com, August 15, By Emil Danielyan - Armenia's tourism industry continued its steady growth in the first half of this year, with the number of foreign visitors rising by 11.6 percent to over 122,500, a senior government official said on Tuesday.
Mekhak Apresyan, head of the tourism department at the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, told the Regnum news agency that the figure is expected to total at least 350,000 by the end of the year. The peak period of travel to Armenia usually starts in August and ends in October.
According to official statistics, the country already had a record-high 318,000 tourists last year. Most of them are believed to be ethnic Armenians from Europe and the United States. Government officials and industry executives in Yerevan say the share of non-Armenian visitors has been steadily growing in recent years.
The reported further growth of the tourism sector is supported by anecdotal evidence, with virtually all hotels in central Yerevan fully booked at the moment. Flying there is also not an easy task despite the increased frequency of flights to the Armenian capital carried out by several major European airlines.
President Robert Kocharian reiterated last week that the sector's development is a top economic priority for the Armenian government. Kocharian said the country should be able to attract 500,000 tourists a year in the near future. He also promised more government investments in the still underdeveloped tourism infrastructure in regions outside Yerevan. Local travel agencies say the sector's more rapid expansion is also hampered by the relatively high cost of travel and accommodation in Armenia. Ara Petrosian, deputy minister of trade and economic development, estimated earlier this year that the average foreigner has to spend approximately $1,000 on a one-week stay in the country.
13 Aug 2006
Yerevan , August 14, Noayn Tapan. By the RA Government's decision, 70 places for free education were allocated this year at institutions of higher education of Armenia for Diasporan Armenian entrants. Amalya Kocharian, the senior specialist of the Department on Ties with Diaspora of the Department on International Cooperation and Diaspora of the RA Ministry of Education and Science informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent about it. She mentioned that those places will be given to higher educational institutions having Armenological professions and art ones: mainly to the Yerevan Kh. Abovian Pedagogical University, YSU, Yerevan State Academy of Art, Komitas Conservatory, Yerevan Istitute of Theater and Cinematogtaphy. 13 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenian boxer Ara Puluzian (60 kg.) became the winner of the International Youth Boxing Championship held in the Ukrainian town of Berdichev. Another three Armenian boxers Arthur Grigorian, Azat Hovhannissian and Samvel Barseghian won silver and Robert Petrosian and Tsolak Ananikian won bronze medals.
Overall 8 Armenian boxers were participating in the championship. Chief coach of the Armenian youth boxing team Derenik Voskanian said that the championship was a good experience for the Armenian boxers.
13 Aug 2006
NOYAN TAPAN Weekla, August 14 A regular sitting of the information-consulting coordination council of the Armenian communities of the Stavropol region, which is more famous as the “Round Table” took place in Mineral Vody on July 29.
According to “Yerkramas” the Armenian newspaper of Russia, three principal decisions were made in the sitting. The holding of the scientific conference is scheduled for December, 2006; it is supposed to be in Pyatigorsk, at one of institutions of higher education. The theme recommended by the “Round Table” is: “Armenians and Stavropol.” It is envisaged to publish a book based on the materials of the conference. It is planned to cooperate with scientists not only from regions of Russia but from Armenia as well. The book which will become a result that activity, will be given to libraries and educational institutions of the region. Famous Russian scientist Victor Hakobian is instructed to be engaged in organization of the given project from the scientific point of view.
The second issue was the plan of holding the events dedicated to the Year of Armenia being held in the Russian Federation, proposed for discussion by the “Round Table.”
The third project discussed at the sitting was the concert of Armenian artists of the sitting, the concert of Armenian artists of the Stavropvol region- the Second Art Festival of Armenian communities of the Stavropol region which already become a traditional. It will be held late in 2006 in Min-Vodi.
13 Aug 2006
NOYAN TAPAN Weekla, August 14 70 representatives of the scout detachment of the Armenian “Raffi” spots and cultural complex of Tehran arrived in NKR to participate in the “Hayordiner” (Armenian sons) children and youth gathering which will take place in Shoushi on August 8-14. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the “Hayki Serund” (Hayk’s Generation) youth public organization, 60 children and young people from Yerevan, Kapan, Stepanakert and Shoushi are participating in the gathering.
The “Raffi” complex, jointly with the “Hayki Serund” youth public organization, organizes a scout gathering in Artsakh for the second time. According to the preliminary agreement, the Iranian Armenian group is going to build a children and youth camp in Shoushi. It is envisaged to start a scout movement in Artsakh as well.
13 Aug 2006
NOYAN TAPAN Weekla, August 14 From July 27 to August 9, the first International informatics school for secondary school students was held in the mountain camp named Ughtasar, not far from the town of Hrazdan, Kotayk marz. The initiator of the event was Quantum, a well-known Yerevan college which is specialiesed in high-quality teaching of natural scinces. Enterprise Incubator Foundation, the government of IT in Armenia, sponsored the project. Among the 40 participants of the school (all had to pass initial tests organized by Quantum to be allowed to attend) were not only schoolchildren (aged 13-16) from different regions of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, but also six children from Georgia, and four ethnic Armenian children from Lebanon. Another group of foreign participants, children from Ukraine, failed to arrive to Armenia due to technical reasons.
The event was also organized for university students. It was organized by the Russian (Slavonic) University of Armenia and took place nearby, in Tsakhkadzor. Bagrat Yengibarian. The director of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation stressed that the best way of implementation of the information technologies in the country is starting the process at schools. A Quantum’s initiative is a good form of doing so.
It remains to hope that government’s support of Quantum’s initiative will continue and the Summer school will become a regular event.
11 Aug 2006
Azg Daily, August 12 On 17 December 1999, in its resolution 54/120 I, the UN General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the 1st World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.
"Young people everywhere are key agents for social change, economic development, and technological innovetion. Young people everywhere should live under conditions that encourage their imagination, ideals, energy and vision to the benefit of their societies", it was written in the documents of the conference.
The theme of the International Day for 2006 is "Tackling Poverty Together: Young People and the Eradication of Poverty".
10 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS: Delegation from the European Basketball Federation is planning to visit Armenia this year to get acquainted with the current state of basketball in Armenia and its prospects. Armenian Basketball Federation official informed that the visit will take place within the framework of the agreement between the European and Armenian Federations. 10 Aug 2006
At the initiative of "Mitq" union of Armenian youth in Moscow, on August 11 at 5 pm graduate of literature classes at Gorki Institute, Gevorg Gilants, will present his "Fly My Beast" poetry collection. Yerkramas newspaper of Russian-Armenians reports that the book comprises the latest works of the author in Armenian and Russian as well as his translations of modern Russian poets. 09 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS: As part of “Kiev Initiative” program
representatives of cultural sphere of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Moldova and Ukraine will gather August 31 in Strasbourg and discuss
issues on cultural problems of their countries. Robert Palmer, the
director of the fourth Chief Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and
Sports Directorate of Council of Europe, who is in Armenia on a
five-day visit said yesterday that “Kiev Initiative” is a program
directed towards the development of democracy through culture and it is
carried out in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The
program kicked off in September, 2005.
During his visit Palmer met with the representatives of the Armenian
Culture and Youth Affairs Ministry. During the meeting with Hasmik
Poghosian, Armenian culture minister, the latter presented to the guest
the structure of the ministry, its system, achievements of the sphere,
issues and priorities.
According to Palmer, Armenia has firm grounds on the basis of which
it is possible to start effective activity. He said from the point of
view of cultural values Yerevan is a town with European standards. He
also added that within the framework of the program an importance will
be given to the protection and restoration of historic-cultural values.
Bojana Urumova, special representative of the Secretary General of
the Council of Europe in Armenia, said that she is very much pleased
with the results of the visit of Palmer and expressed hope that in
future the initiatives will turn to the regional cooperation.
09 Aug 2006
VANADZOR, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS: A crisis management state academy
will be established in Vanadzor from the beginning of the new academic
year. It will not be the branch of the Yerevan academy but will
function as an independent higher educational establishment.
Rector of the Yerevan crisis management state academy Hamlet
Matevosian said that it will be established in Stepanavan because
“Lore” rescue squad, of republican importance, is operating there.
According to Matevosian, the development of the squad is very important.
The rector of the Stepanavan crisis academy will be the head of the
rescue squad Armen Arakelian. The study in the academy requires payment
but it is more available as compared with the Yerevan academy. The best
graduates of the academy will have jobs.
09 Aug 2006
August 10, ArmeniaDiaspora.Com. The expedition "Tigranakert" of the institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Academy of Sciences of Republic of Armenia with the initiative and financing of the "Yerkir" Union of NGO-s for Repatriation and Settlement has made astounding discoveries. The expedition, led by the Doctor of Historical Sciences Hamlet Petrosyan, managed to find the citadel constructed by Tigran The Great. The structure was built by huge plain stone blocks tied to each other with the so called "swallow-tail bounds" - an advanced Hellenic technique. Such a complicated and advanced technique is used here for the first time and serves as evidence for the hypothesis of the research group, in particular that Tigranakert of Artsakh is located at the same place as the current archaeological excavation. 09 Aug 2006
AZG Armenian Daily #155, 17/08/2006
August 10, The expedition "Tigranakert" of the institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Academy of Sciences of Republic of Armenia with the initiative and financing of "France-Karabagh" and "Yerkir" Union of NGOs for Repatriation and Settlement has made astounding discoveries. The expedition, led by the Doctor of Historical Sciences Hamlet Petrosian, managed to find the citadel constructed by Tigran The Great. The structure was built by huge plain stone blocks tied to each other with the so-called "swallow-tail bounds" - an advanced Hellenic technique. Such a complicated and advanced technique is used here for the first time and serves as evidence for the hypothesis of the research group, in particular that Tigranakert of Artsakh is located at the same place as the current archaeological excavation. One of the fenced terraces of the city, which is also constructed from plain blocks, is also under excavation. The excavations of the urban district and adjacent burial mounds have also been initiated.
These excavations have come to prove that Armenian identity has been present in the lower stream of Khachenaget (former region of Aghdam) at least since the first century B.C.
08 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: The government of Armenia approved the 2007-2009 program on protection and study of the species of animals and plants included in the Armenian Red Book. For the implementation of the program the government has released 31 million drams from the state budget.
As part of the program specialists from the relevant establishments of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences will study the flora and fauna of the whole country. On the bases of their study new Red Books will be published.
Tatyana Danielian, the head of the department at the Armenian Environment Protection Ministry, told Armenpress that in the books the conditions necessary for preserving the species which are on the edge of disappearance and steps which are necessary to undertake for their preservation will be described. Besides, the books will include the new species of animals and plants which have also been endangered during the recent years.
The present Red Books existing in Armenia were published in 1989-1990. Danielian said that it is mainly the human factor which causes the disappearance of species of animals and plants.
At present 3,500 species of plants, 500 vertebrate and 17,000 invertebrate animals are registered in Armenia. In the Red Books 387 species of plants and 99 species of animals are included.
08 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: “Miss Caucasus 2006” annual beauty contest will be conducted this year in Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia.
The main event of the contest will take place September 2 in Yerevan Opera and Ballet national academic theatre after Spendiarian under the “Peace in Caucasus” slogan.
Arman Antonian, the head of the “Miss Caucasus 2006” organizational committee, told Armenpress that the sole goal of the contest is to gather the peoples of Caucasus “under one general roof and propagate the beauty and present the culture and coloring of each nation”.
Beauties of South Caucasian and other countries will participate in the contest. In 2003 the contest was held in Nalchik, in 2004 in Vladikavkaz, and in 2005 in Yerevan.
08 Aug 2006
/PanARMENIAN.Net/, July 9 The temperature in Yerevan and throughout Armenia will not change within next 3 days, senior specialist of the Armenian Hydrometeorological Center Gagik Surenyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, the temperature will not exceed +40C in Yerevan and the Ararat valley. In Surenyan’s words, there is no broadcast received for the second half of August.
08 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: First Pan-Armenian photo-festival entitled “Under the Open Sky” kicked off today in the Moskovian garden in Yerevan, with the participation of 40 professional photographers and beginners from Armenia and Diaspora.
The open air photo-festival has been organized by the National Association of Armenian Photographers in cooperation with “Vega” company. The festival will last for three days. It presents 200 works related to different themes, including the crash of the Armenian airplane A-320, on May 3.
The head of the National Association of Armenian Photographers Sergey Hakobian said that the festival has been organized during one month and a half and is aimed at the development of photography in Armenia. “Armenian photographers have great potential and our association will do everything possible to make the festival Pan-Armenian and annual,” he said, adding that in future they will try to establish relations with a number of international organizations dealing with photography and participate in international festivals presenting Armenia with the eyes of Armenian photographers.
The head of the association also noted that photographers from Turkey and Iran also presented their works, though because of short time many of the representatives of Diaspora could not participate in the initiative. 08 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: The commission set up to select the works for the new Armenian anthem has selected the best five works from the 85.
Armenian Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Hasmik Poghosian said that by the majority of the voices the work of Tigran Mansurian based on the poem of Yeghishe Charents took the first place, then comes Yervand Yerznkian’s work based on the poem of Ararat II, Edgar Hovhannissian’s work based on the poem of Vahagn Davtian, Aram Khachaturian’s work based on the poem of Arsen Soghomonian and finally comes the work of Robert Amirkhanian based on the poem of Ludwig Durian.
The first round of the competition was summed up by three hearings. Poghosian said that the above mentioned works will be presented to the public, until that they will develop the system by which people will express their opinion about the works. They are also going to work out mechanisms on how they will take into consideration the opinions of the people.
The minister assessed the work of the commission as unbiased and effective and noted that all the discussions were conducted in a working atmosphere. The public hearings of the second round will be organized by the end of the month. 08 Aug 2006
August 09, 2006, Azg, By Ani Baghdasarian - The village of Garni is undergoing renovation that will be over by the visit of President Jacques Chirac of France in September.
In the words of Ashot Vardanian, a community leader in the village, the renovation is being carried out by local budget. Central streets of the village are being paved and old litterbins are being replaced by new ones. The pagan temple is also being reconstructed. The roads will have new illumination, new green zones spring up. The community leader says that they are endeavoring to finish all works by the visit of the French president.
07 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan, Yerevan, 8 August
An exhibition of children's paintings "Stop the War" opened in the Children's Creative Museum of Armenia on August 4.
Paintings of 7-15 years old children concerning wars proceeding
in different countries of the world were presented at the
exhibition. Diplomates representing different countries were present
at the opening ceremony. Ambassador of Lebanon Gabriel Geara thanked children for touching upon the war of Lebanon as well and said:
"We are not people of war and pray the God that there is peace in
Lebanon."
Henrik Igitian, the Director of the Children's Creative
Museum of Armenia informed that the exhibition is the idea of pupils
of the National Center of Aesthetic Education. "Nobody led them, and
this is their attitude against war," he said. "Our children give a
drop of sense to grown-ups. This is their contribution in the affair
of stopping the war," H.Igitian said. Mr.
Igitian also informed that it is possible that the exhibition will
soon be presented in other countries as well. Paintings of Lebanese
Armenian children moved to Armenia because of the war are also
presented at the exhibition.
07 Aug 2006
PanArmenian.net, United States, 8 August
As the Republic of Armenia prepares to celebrate
15 years of independence next month, the Assembly today welcomed a
decision by California State Senators Charles Poochigian (R-Fresno)
and Joseph Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to introduce a resolution in the
State Senate designating September 21, 2006 as "Armenian Independence Day." A similar resolution will also be introduced in the State Assembly by Majority Leader Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) and Assembly Member Greg Aghazarian (R-Stockton), making California the first state to mark the anniversary of Armenia's independence, reported
the Armenian Assembly of America.
Both resolutions recognize September 21, as "A Day of Celebration
of the California-Armenia Relationship," and encourage the people
of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and
contributions that Californians of Armenian heritage make. The
resolutions also note that California is home to the largest population
of Armenians in the U.S., and state, "those citizens have enriched
California through leadership in the fields of academia, medicine,
business, agriculture, government, and the arts, and are proud
patriotic practitioners of the American citizenship."
06 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan, Weekly August 7
Orran, a non-governmental organization which aims to alleviate poverty in Armenia, has declared August to be a month of charitable fundraising. Founded in 2000 by Raffi and Armine Hovanissian, Orran has currently helped 1500 families by donating food, education, and clothes. Last year’s “Month of Orran” raised nearly four thousand dollars, and the organization hopes to recreate that success. Co-sponsored with the Marriot Hotel, every Wednesday of August, at 5 PM, Orran beneficiaries will perform traditional Armenian song and dance in front of the Marriot. Children’s arts and crafts are also being sold. In addition, patrons of the Marriot have the option of adding a donation onto their dining bill. 06 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan Weekly, August 7
A new exhibition titled “Art without Borders” recently opened on August 4 at the Innovatory Experimental Art Center. Twenty-five artists from Armenia, Iran, Turkey and Georgia contributed to the exhibition, hoping to overcome political barriers by finding common ground in art. Artists from Azerbaijan were also invited to participate but declined. The works of experimental art, spanning many mediums, have social and political implications. Ranging from the death of prostitutes in Mashad, Iran’s religious capital, to a Turkish video tragicomedy about oppression, the exhibit will remain in Armenia until August 25, and then travel to Georgia, Russia and Iran 06 Aug 2006
Noyan Tapan Weekly, August 7
With the aim of bringing artists from multiple countries together to transcend political differences, particularly between Turkey and Armenia, the Center of Modern Art of Gyumri is hosting the 5th International Biennale of Modern Art from August 2nd through the 16th. Entitled “Sea, Dreams and Illusions,” the exhibit includes work from more than 80 artists and 20 countries. The main exhibitions will be displayed in Gyumri, the Ethnographical Theater, the Style exhibition hall, the Museum of Aslamazian Sisters, the Zigzag shop, and in the street. 03 Aug 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS:
“Hayastan” Pan-Armenian Foundation has announced competitions for the implementation of a number of programs in Armenia and Artsakh. Particularly, the reconstruction of the Sisian town hospital will be carried out by “Surham” organization. The reconstruction works are expected to be finished at the beginning of the 2007. The program which is financed by the foundation’s French local body will give an opportunity to ensure relevant conditions for providing good medical services to the population of the town of Sisian as well as to the people of the nearby villages.
In the coming days the results of the competition announced for the reconstruction of Artik hospital will be summed up. The program is financed by the foundation’s Great Britain’s local body.
Public relations service of the foundation told Armenpress that as part of Martakert regional development program, the construction works in Artsakh have already launched. In the town of Martakert the construction of water pipe line as well as the “North-South” highway’s Drmbon-Martakert road’s 4,865 km-long sector has already launched.
In August the foundation is going to announce a competition for carrying out programs on connecting Childran and Arajadzor villages of the Martakert region to the gas network. Soon a competition will be conducted for the construction of North-South highway’s Kichan-Drmbon sector’s bridge.
03 Aug 2006
Paris, August 4, Noyan Tapan. Prominent French Armenian painter Zhansem's (Hovhannes Semerjian) 40 canvases were exhibited in June-July at the famous "Matignon" gallery of Paris. According to the Istanbul "Marmara" daily, the canvases are mainly new works.
On the occasion of opening of the new exhibition the Paris "World" newspaper wrote that the time goes, but the charm of Zhansem's art does not fade away. Dance and nature of Armenia became a source for the painter's inspiration.
Three landscape paintings on the Armenian theme were a pleasant surprise for visitors of the exhibition. Those are a tribute of respect by the painter to his native country, its nature. The "Walls" series of paintings also took some place at the exhibition.
During the exhibition days the visitors were also able to watch an interesting video film dedicated to Zhansem's life and art. This last exhibition of Zhansem's works finished on July 29.
03 Aug 2006
AZG Armenian Daily #146, 04/08/2006
Sayat-Nova opera of renowned composer Alexander Harutyunian has been on the shelf for years now. All of the composer’s efforts to find sponsors sank into an oblivion. Despaired Alexander Harutyunian ventures to write his last letter to Prime Minister Andranik Harutyunian. Now, to the delight of the musical audience, on August 3 the Ministry of Culture allocated 14 million 942.5 thousand drams from reserved budget for staging "Sayat-Nova" opera. Hopefully, the music lovers will soon see the première staged. 03 Aug 2006
AZG Armenian Daily #146, 04/08/2006
Once every six years the Mkhitarist Congregation holds elections for the high priest and the 4 advisers. Prior to the election, the Congregation presents reports on the six years of activity of the candidates. An ad hoc commission studies all suggestions, projects and reports. Every member of the congregation from 40 to 70 years old can be elected as a high priest.
For 306 years, since Mkhitar Sebastatsi introduced this tradition in 1700, elections are held in accordance with a legislature adopted by the Mkhitarists. 21 members of the Congregation cast their ballots these days in the Cathedral on the St. Lazarus Island. Former high priest Yeghia Kilaghbian will continue his pontific service for another six years.
02 Aug 2006
August 3, ArmRadio.am. In commencing May 2007, it is planned to tear down a nine-stored hotel in Shoushy. According to MEDIAMAX' own correspondent from Stepanakert, American businessmen and the Papayants family and Apo Poghikian sponsors have announced about this during a meeting with Arkadi Ghoukassian, the NKR President.
Papayants family and Apo Poghikian are the owners of Shoushi Ex-Central Hotel. The guests informed NKR President about the current construction activities and about their future plans. In particular, it is supposed to the Park at the Central Square will be in the framework of the same programme.
Accentuating on the importance of preserving the Shoushi architectural appearance during reconstruction, Arkady Ghoukassian highly evaluated the Papayants' family, especially Serj Papayant's and Apo Poghikiant's active participation in the benevolent and contribution programmes in NKR.
01 Aug 2006
AZG Armenian Daily #144, 02/08/2006
In 2008-2009, the construction of the new "Achapniak" underground station will be completed in Yerevan. Yervand Zakharian, Mayor of Yerevan City, said this at today's press conference. He said that the construction of "Achapniak" underground station began few years ago, but wasn't completed because of the lack of financial sources. According to the plans of the previous years, about $22 million were required for the construction works. In 2007, new project account documents will be elaborated for the construction works. As for the transport issues, Zakharian said that in September 2006, new 76 "Bogdan" mini busses will be brought to Yerevan. Besides, 25 new Russian trolley busses will be purchased for the capital. The Mayor's Office also envisages to complete the renovation works of the bus stations, 100 of which will be exploited already in September. In total, AMD 1,6 billion of work was carried out in the sphere of the capital's transport. 01 Aug 2006
Yerevan, August 2. ArmInfo. Legendary football player Michel Platini, Vice-President of the French Football Federation, member of the FIFA and UEFA Executive Committees, will arrive today in Yerevan on an official visit.
The visit will take place by the invitation of Ruben Hayrapetian, President of the Football Federation of Armenia. In the frameworks of the visit, Mr. Platitni will take part in a number of festive opening ceremonies of two football fields in Avan and Kanaker-Zeytun communities of Yerevan. Armenia is also taking part in a UEFA development program and is to receive 1 million Swiss franks. A condition for receiving the grant is opening a minimum of 40 minor football fields with artificial grass. Michel Platini also is scheduled to meet with representatives of state institutions and social organizations of Armenia.
01 Aug 2006
Yerevan, August 2. ArmInfo. "Cilicia" Armenian vessel ship continues its navigation down the rivers of Russia. Armen Nazarian, participant of the voyage, informed ArmInfo that the vessel-ship sails down the numerous sluices of the Volga-Baltic channel and will head for the Upper Sheksana river through the Black Sea. |
