Month: October 2006

IN G.ISAGULIAN’S WORDS, PASSIVE POSE OF POLITICAL FORCES DOES NOT HAVE GOOD EFFECT ON RATING OF ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. In the political sense, this autumn
does not differ from other autumns: parties do not carry out active
actions, have no enough number of structures in marzes, those existing
do not hold corresponding works with the local population. Garnik
Isagulian, the RA President’s Advisor on Security Issues, expressed
such a viewpoint at the October 28 press conference. Not mentioning,
which parties are particularly spoken about, G.Isagulian stated that
such a passive pose of political forces "does not have good effect
either on country’s rating or, in general, on whole process." In his
opinion, if there is no healthy debate or dialogue in the country’s
politicial field just from the outset, instead of it, there is rivalry
among the forces, who will rail at who more, as a result, after the
2007 parliamentary elections, some political units will not get the
number of votes they expect and will start to complain and consider
results of the elections falsified.

Touching upon the fact of arresting Vahagn Chakhalian, a member of
"United Javakhk" democratic union with accusation of "illegally
breaking the state border of Armenia," G.Isagulian mentioned that "if
there was no break, he would not be arrested" and added that, in his
turn, this is not the theme which needs "to be put into circulation so
much." Responding the question how he will comment upon the statement
made by RF State Duma deputy Konstantin Zatulin about the necessity
of clerifying Armenia’s position on the Russian-Georgian conflict,
G.Isagulian said: "If you think that each of his statements will
be commented upon by state high-ranking officials of Armenia, you
are sadly mistaken. I am not interested in statements of this type,
let alone responding."

Responding a journalist’s question if G.Isagulian’s viewpoint,
expressed months ago, according to which he considered RA Defence
Minister Serge Sargsian as the RA President’s "most prepared candidate,
remains in force, the speaker said: "In general, if Isagulian expresses
any viewpoint, he does not change it any more."

IN STEPAN ZAKARIAN’S WORDS, ARMENIA LOSES CONSIDERABLE PART OF ITS INDEPENDENCE AS A RESULT OF OCTOBER 27 TERRORISM

Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia lost the considerable
part of its independence as a result of the October 27, 1999,
terrorism. Stepan Zakarian, a member of the "Ardaroutiun" (Justice)
faction of the RA National Assembly made such a statement at the
October 27 briefing. In his words, politicians who became victims of
the terrorism classified dignity of the state very highly and were
independent people. In S.Zakarian’s opinion, the foreign policy
of Armenia would be much clearer if politicians implementing it
were also independent. And loss of that independence is seen even
relating to the Russian-Georgian cases, when, in the deputy’s words,
"patriotic Armenians are arrested as a result of back-stage agreements
and to play up to another state." He mentioned that during the Soviet
years Karen Demirchian managed to act in the way that Armenia was much
more prosperous than neighbouring republics were. "And today Armenia’s
property is given to strategic ally Russia without any compensation,"
S.Zakarian mentioned. In his words, K.Demirchian proved in 1988
that the people’s fate is more valuable for him than his post. In
S.Zakarian’s words, if he clung to the chair, the one that happened
in Czechoslovakia and Hungary, would take place in Armenia as well.

AMBASSADOR ARA AYVAZIAN AND KIND OF NORWAY DISCUSS PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT OF BILATERAL RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Armeninas Today
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Ara Ayvazian,
the Ambassador of Armenia to Norway handed his credentials on October
26 to Harald V, King of Norway. The ceremony of handing credentials
was followed by the private conversation of the King of Norway and
the Armenian Ambassador, during which the sides discussed approaches
and prospects of development of the bilateral relations. During
the private conversation numerous displays of the two peoples’
friendship preceded the Armenia-Norway interstate ties, particularly
great humanist Fridtjof Nansen’s activity beneficial for Armenias,
were specially touched upon. At the request of the King of Norway,
Ambassador Ara Ayvazian presented the political and economic state of
Armenia and mutual relations with the neighbouring countries. As Noyan
Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information
Department, the sides emphasized the necessity of development of the
dialogue of civilizations as an important mean addressed to regional
and international stability and strengthening of security.

PRESENTATION OF RA EMBASSY BUILDING TAKES PLACE IN GREECE

Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006

ATHENS, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. A reception dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of the independence of Armenia as well as the presentation
of the new Embassy building took place at the Embassy of the Republic
of Armenia to Greece on October 26. Representatives of the Greek
authorities, of the Armenian and Greek clergy, business circles,
Armenian community and mass media, diplomats accredited in Greece
participated in the event. According to the information submitted
to Noyan Tapan by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information
Department, the official opening of the Embassy building took place
in November 2005, within the framework of the RA President’s official
visit to Greece.

Then, some necessary works were done, and only during this summer
it became possible to promote the Embassy’s complete activity in the
new building.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF BOOK ENVISAGED TO BE ORGANIZED IN ARMENIA NEXT YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. Participation of Armenian publishing
houses in different international exhibitions became oftener during
the recent years. As Eduard Militonian, the Chief of the Publishing
Affair Agency of the RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Issues informed
at the October 27 press conference, besides the participation in the
Moscow and Frankfurt international exhibition-fairs, books published
with the assistance of the agency and a number of Armenian publishing
houses, were presented in the U.S., Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Turkey,
enjoying visitors’ attention and high estimation. E.Militonian
emphasized that the Armenian literature and culture are not only
presented and propagandized with the help of those exhibitions,
but practical ties are established among Armenian and foreign
publishers. In E.Militonian’s words, the number of books being
published by the state order was added during the recent years: 261
titles of historical, encyclopedic, fiction, children’s and other books
were published only in 2004-2005. It was also mentioned that the RA
Government allocated 20 mln drams (about 50 thousand U.S. dollars)
for translating Armenian literature into different languages. The
modern Armenian prose has already been published in the Russian,
English, French languages, and will be published soon in Persian and
Spain as well. The Chief of the agency stated that Armenian publishers
envisage to hold in Armenia an international exhibition of book the
next year. It was also mentioned that it was proposed to annouce a
year of young readers in Armenia in 2007.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LITERARY CRITIC EDUARD TOPCHIAN’S MEMORIAL PLAQUE OPENED IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. State-public figure, publicist,
literary critic Eduard Topchian’s memorial plaque opened on October 27
in the address of Kasian 3, Yerevan, where the literary critic lived
in 1960-1975. The author of the memorial plaque is architect Samvel
Burkhajian. In words of Levon Ananian, the Chairman of the Writers’
Union of Armenia (WUA), talent and humane merits are combined in few
people, E.Topchian was one of those few. He was the first secretary
of the WUA and headed it for 21 years. "E.Topchian headed the WUA in
a period of time when the Central Committee of the Communist Party
created problems in many issues. It was also a period when great
people like Avetik Isahakian, Derenik Demirchian, Nairi Zarian, Stepan
Zorian, Gurgen Mahari and others were in the political field, it was
not easy to work with them as each of them has his literary views,"
L.Ananian mentioned. According to prose-writer Perch Zeytuntsian’s
characteristic, E.Topchian managed to head the WUA wisely and keeping
balance. He was engaged in organization works of the WUA as much that
there was almost no time for creating. But, as P.Zeytuntsian mentioned,
E.Topchian was the first literary critic who presented analyses of
Franz Werfel’s and Levon Shant’s works to the Armenian reader.

10th ANNIVERSARY OF "YERKRAMAS" NEWSPAPER OF ARMENIANS OF RUSSIA TO BE MARKED IN KRASNODAR

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 30 2006

KRASNODAR, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 10th
anniversary of the "Yerkramas" (country) newspaper of Armenians
of Russia to be marked in Krasnodar on November 15 with a gala
concert. The concert program involves performances of Armenian
ensembles and performers from towns and regions of Kuban. Those are
winners and laureates of international and Russian competitions. The
Anelik RU commercial bank assists in organization and holding of the
concert. Presence of official guests: representatives of the Embassy
of the Republic of Armenia to the RF, of the Consulate General of
the Republic of Armenia to the NFR, administration of Krasnodar and
the region of Krasnodar, Russian and regional public organizations,
is expected at the holiday. Numerous congratulations are got on
the occasion of the jubilee at the newspaper editorial office both
from state structures and from different international, Russian and
Armenian organizations. According to the newspaper, Armen Smbatian,
the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the RA to the
RF, Levon Mkrtchian, the Minister of Education and Science, Victor
Krivopuskov, the Chairman of the Society for Friendhsip and Cooperation
with the Republic of Armenia, Levon Chakhmakhchian, the Chairman of the
"For Self-Government of the Working People" Russian public movement,
Chairman of the Association of Russian-Armenian Business Cooperation,
and others are among people sent congratulations.

Earlier, the newspaper editorial office received a gold medal "For
the Sake of Humanity" on behalf of the "Elita Mira" (World Elite)
International Charity Fund of World Humanity (the fund chairman is
count Pyotr Sheremetev). The medal is given to organizations having
had considerable contribution in the life in favour of the society
and founded public-useful affair.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UNION OF CALIFORNIA’S ARMENIAN WRITERS CONGRATULATES AGBU ON OCCASION OF ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 30 2006

LOS ANGELES, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Union of
California’s Armenian Writers sent a congratulatory message to the
Board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) on the occasion
of the 100th anniversary of Union’s creation wishing AGBU long-lasting
prosperous future. "This is a unique anniversary by national standards,
which in the course of years reflects many moral and material, devotion
and effort, loyalty and sacrifice, love and belief donations. They
colored the rainbow over AGBU’s 100-year merit for the sake of the
Armenian nation and Armenian homeland," the message read mentioning
AGBU’s great role in the last 100-year history of the Armenian people
and homeland. The message also emphasized AGBU’s complete devotion
and assistance to Diasporan Armenians with foundation of its charity,
educational and healthcare institutions.

EXHIBITION "ARMENIAN ART" OPENS IN MOSCOW

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 30 2006

MOSCOW, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Solemn opening of
exhibition "Armenian Art. XX Century" took place on October 27 at
State Tretiakov Gallery within the framework of Year of Armenia in
Russia. The exhibition consists of works kept in the collection of the
Tretiakov Gallery. As the Yerkramas newspaper informs referring to the
Press Service of the Embassy of RA in RF, painting and sculpture of
brightest representatives of Armenian art of the middle and second
half of XX century, in total, about 50 exhibits, are demonstrated
within the framework of this project. Key painting works at the
exhibition are canvases of Martiros Sarian (1880-1972), outstanding
representative of not only Armenian, but also European culture, and
one of M.Sarian’s pupils, Minas Avetisian, as well as other Armenian
painters and sculptors.

Paintings and sculptures presented at the exhibition are united by
peculiar features of Armenian painting school – recognizable color,
light, characteristic eurhythmics, many of which were determined
by the unique nature of Armenia. The exhibition will operate until
November 26, 2006.

YOUNG BALLET OF KUBAN HEADED BY BALLET-MASTER FROM ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 30 2006

KRASNODAR, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Well-known
ballet-master from Armenia, Vigen Galstian, headed a new troupe
created in Krasnodar Philharmony. According to the Yerkramas
newspaper of Armenians of Russia, the young troupe is named Young
Ballet of Kuban. The collective includes both Krasnodar dancers and
Galstian’s compatriots. By the way, Galstian is also the head of
Yerevan Choreographical School. Divertissement from various ballets,
including from "Don Quichotte" by Ludwig Minkus are in the troupe’s
repertoire today.