ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE SECOND ARMENIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL ORGANIZED AT IMPROPER LEVEL, FESTIVAL PARTICIPANS SAY
Noyan Tapan
Jun 26 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN. A book exhibition was organized on
June 26 at the Moscow cinema of Yerevan within the framework of the
One Nation, One Culture second Armenian festival. About 400 titles of
fiction, scientific and educational books published in Iran, Turkey,
Bulgaria and Belarus were presented at the exhibition.
It was announced in advance that Armenian and Diasporan
publishing-houses will present their production in Charles Aznavour
square. But, the exhibition-sale under the title "Armenian Book"
did not take place. According to the organizers, the reason is lack
of funds.
Only RA Government has allocated 117 mln drams (about 275 thousand
USD) for the festival, as well as there are many sponsors. But many of
the participants complain that almost all the events held within the
framework of the festival are at the improper level. And the festival
organizers in their turn call on to "treat the issue mildly as the
festival is still at the stage of formation."
Tiran Lokmagyozian, correspondent of the "Akos" Turkish weekly,
mentioned in his interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent that the
expectations were great: "We need such events. I hope the festival
will be held at a higher level even if in the coming years."
According Levon Ananian, Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Armenia,
the Diasporan Armenians express dissatisfaction saying that they are
not familiarized with the works of modern Armenian writers and the
exhibition-sale of books would enable them to present the literary
production of the recent years.
"This is important for us, as we also get to know the literature
created in the two fields through such exhibitions."