Month: October 2008

ASO, WILSON GENERATE SPARKS WITH CONCERTO
Michael Huebner, [email protected]

The Birmingham News – al.com
Saturday, October 04, 2008
AL

After wowing a Birmingham audience in 2004, the brilliant, kinetic
pianist Terrence Wilson returned to an Alabama Symphony MasterWorks
program to do it again. Then it was Ravel.

This time it was Aram Khachaturian, of "Sabre Dance" fame. But that
famous tune couldn’t hold a candle to the electricity Wilson brought
to the Piano Concerto Friday at the Alys Stephens Center.

This is a complex score, embellished with Armenian folk tunes and
never more than a stone’s throw from Prokofiev (the composer’s mentor)
and Tchaikovsky. Wilson played it like he has lived with it all his
life. Muscular and focused, he could overwhelm one minute, and charm
with infectious passion the next. As the broad lyricism of the Andante
movement unfolded and the volume swelled, Wilson’s face beamed with
delight. He reined in the boisterous, all-over-the-keyboard finale
with commanding control.

Conductor Christopher Confessore and the ASO let Wilson take charge,
at times slightly behind the beat, but never out of reach.

The concert began with a tepid, slightly ragged, reading of
Shostakovich’s "Tahiti-Trot," a takeoff on the Broadway tune, "Tea
for Two." One of the composer’s most humorous pieces (yes, he wrote
several despite his struggles with Soviet censors), it begs for
exaggerated and schmaltzy playing but stayed in a safe middle ground.

Stellar `Sheherazade’:

Not so with the closer, Rimsky-Korsakov’s "Sheherazade." Little
interpretation is needed with this familiar work, so Confessore
allowed the orchestra’s solo players their freedom.

They were masterful. Concertmaster Daniel Szasz set the pace, his
opening solo unfurling with slow deliberation. Cellist Warren Samples
took the cue, and handed it off to the principal woodwinds and horn,
each playing with fluidity, precision and warmth.

The wall of sound that engulfed Jemison Concert Hall in the opening
movement subsided to gentle duets between Szasz and harpist Judith
Sullivan Hicks, only to morph to sweeping grandeur in the final
movement.

ITALY: IRANIAN PUPPETS DANCE TO MUSIC OF ITALIAN MASTER

Adnkronos International Italia
Oct 3, 2008
Italy

Rome, 3 Oct. (AKI) – Forty Iranian puppets are to dance on stage to
the music of Italian composer, Giuseppe Verdi, in a rare production
being staged in the northern city of Turin on Saturday.

The puppet show, directed by Iranian Behrooz Gharibpour, brings to
the stage William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ presented with the music
of Verdi at the Incanti Festival.

Twenty-five girls control the puppets in the theatre production. The
company previously staged an Iranian tragedy by poet Abolghassem
Ferdowsi at Rome’s Argentina Theatre using the music of Armenian,
Lori Tjeknavorian.

But it is rare for puppets to be seen interpreting a
tragedy. Gharibpour, who studied theatre in Rome at the end of
the 1970s, said there was a mistaken view that puppets were only
"superficial" distraction for children.

"Often when you think of puppets, you immediately think of children,
and when you speak about children, you think of everything that is
stupid or superficial," Gharibpour told Adnkronos International (AKI).

"Puppets and children are serious things, above all I consider children
philosophers with limited experience."

The director said unlike Europe where the tradition of puppetry was
disappearing, in Iran, China and Japan puppet theatre was a serious
act, directed at adults and to present tragedies.

Former consul for cultural affairs at the Italian Embassy in Tehran,
Felicetta Ferraro, is very enthusiastic about the Iranian puppetry
and its interpretation of Macbeth. " A true masterpiece," said the
former diplomat.

The company’s Macbeth ran for three months in Tehran to a full house.

"Macbeth is a double masterpiece," said the director. "Because it
combines a master work by a great writer like Shakespeare and a great
musician like Verdi."

CONFERENCE DE GAIDZ MINASSIAN A LA JAF MARSEILLE CE SOIR

Nouvelles d’Arméni
samedi4 octobre 2008, par Ara/armenews
France

Marseille

‘La guerre au Caucase, les nouveaux enjeux’par Gaïdz Minassian.

Samedi 04 octobre a 20 h, La Jeunesse Arménienne de France accueillera
une conférence sur la guerre au Caucase, et les nouveaux enjeux
de ce contexte géopolitique. Cette conférence sera menée par Mr
Gaidz Minassian.

Caucase du Sud, la nouvelle guerre froide Situé stratégiquement
entre la Russie, l’Europe, le Proche-Orient et l’Asie centrale,
le Caucase du Sud est soumis, après seize années d’indépendance,
a une pression géopolitique si forte que l’on parle d’une guerre
froide d’un nouveau genre.

Les tensions entre la Géorgie et la Russie, les crises non résolues
dans le Haut-Karabakh (Azerbaïdjan), en Abkhazie et en Ossétie du
Sud (Géorgie), la guerre du gaz, les rivalités pétrolières entre
les Ã~Itats-Unis et la Russie, le processus d’intégration de la
Turquie a l’Union européenne et maintenant la crise du nucléaire
entre l’Iran et les Etats-Unis perturbent fortement les projets
de redressement ̩conomique ambitieux Рabsence de circulation et
blocage des ̩changes culturels, ̩conomiques et financiers Рet de
démocratisation lancés a la sortie du totalitarisme soviétique.

Malgré les révolutions Â" colorées Â" inaugurées en Géorgie
en 2003, l’absence de perspective de paix incite les régimes a
se replier dans l’autoritarisme et la course aux armements. Gaidz
Minassian décrypte les particularismes des sud-caucasiens.

Politologue, spécialiste de l’Arménie, Gaïdz Minassian a soutenu sa
thèse de doctorat en sciences politiques, intitulée La Fédération
Révolu tionnaire Arménienne, éthique et politique, 1959-1998, en
2000 a l’université Paris X Nanterre. Il est chercheur au Groupe
d’analyse politique (GAP) a l’université de Paris X Nanterre et
chercheur au Centre d’études et de recherches de l’enseignement
supérieur militaire (CEREMS) a l’Ã~Icole militaire de Paris. Gaïdz
Minassian collabore a plusieurs revues comme Politique étrangère
de l’IFRI, Questions internationales de la Documentation francaise
et l’Annuaire francais des relations internationales du Centre
Thucydide de l’université de Paris II Assas. Il est l’auteur de
plusieurs ouvrages tels Géopolitique de l’Arménie ou encore Guerre
et terrorisme arméniens.

Centre Culture Varoujan BOZADJIAN de la Jeunesse Arménienne de France
47, avenue de Toulon – 13006 Marseille.

–Boundary_(ID_xcjohPHF7YwZea0iJROxYg) —

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

Partnership between the United Nations Development Program and the
Ministry of Diaspora Has Been Formalized

United Nations, Yerevan – Today Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident
Coordinator/ UNDP Resident Representative and Ms. Hranush Hakobyan,
Minister of Diaspora have signed a Memorandum of Understanding – a
framework document that envisages collaboration in development of
conceptual outline of Armenia-Diaspora relations and its implementation.

In line with the provisions of the document, UNDP in Armenia will
support the Ministry of Diaspora in development of the Ministry’
website, implementation of specially designed for Diaspora TOKTEN
(Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals) program, raising
awareness on the activities of the Ministry, establishment of Civic
Educational Center and Summer Camp for local and Diaspora youth, and
coordination of and information sharing on activities with and for Diaspora.

Underscoring the vital importance of institutionalization of relations
with the Diaspora, Ms. Consuelo Vidal said, `My personal interaction
with Diaspora representatives, aimed at facilitating their engagement in
Armenia’s development projects and partnering with them as UN has
testified the necessity to considerably intensify the volume of
cooperation with engagement of innovative mechanisms.’

Although the MoU is being formalized only now, she stressed that the
United Nations in Armenia has already shaped a successful cooperation
with former MFA State Committee on Diaspora Affairs. At the beginning of
this week the United Nations in Armenia has launched in the framework of
its `Global Armenia’ initiative a website (
<;) and TOKTEN program, enabling Diaspora
Armenians through the UN methodology to apply their skills and knowledge
for the benefit of Armenia. As part of that scheme, Diaspora experts can
bring their valuable input also into the Ministry of Diaspora’s work.

PRESS RELEASE
The Civilitas Foundation
One Northern Ave. Suite 30
Yerevan, Armenia
Telephones: +37494.800754; +37410.500119
email: [email protected]
web:

OCTOBER 3, 2008

OSKANIAN GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE AT CIVILITAS FOUNDATION OPENING

The newly-established Yerevan-based Civilitas Foundation was officially
launched on Wednesday, October 1.

Founded by former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, the Foundation¹s offices
in central Yerevan hosted several hundred guests from the educational,
business and government spheres.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Oskanian held a press conference and spoke about the
Foundation¹s goals and activities, as well as about recent political
developments in Armenia.

Mr. Oskanian explained that the name =8Ccivilitas¹ comes from the Latin word
that contains references to many things – civilization, civil society and
civility. He said that the foundation has adopted the meaning that focuses
on =8Ccitizen¹s responsibility to society.¹

He explained that the Civilitas Foundation will work in two directions. The
first, the Council on Foreign Relations will advocate peace and stability
in the Caucasus through multifaceted dialogue and open discourse. It will
offer a forum for Armenia¹s opinion and policy makers, and will help inform
the international academic, political and media communities about Armenia¹s
foreign policy choices, options and actions, in the context of Armenia’s
national security challenges. Through public and private discussions as well
as research and publications, the Council will promote the Armenian
perspective internationally and domestically. The Council will work to
promote the proper mechanisms and the necessary environment for further
European integration.

The second direction – the Democracy and Development Initiative – will focus
on education – through a scholarship program that encourages study in
strategically important sectors. The Civilitas Foundation Media program will
produce content in English and Armenian, for Armenia and the Diaspora, to
contribute to the elimination of the current social, political, economic and
cultural information gap. By introducing a new kind of open, objective,
responsible public discourse, media will be strengthened and can become
relevant to people’s lives. To promote uniform development, the Civilitas
Foundation will also highlight and concentrate on economic facilitation in
rural areas and on environmental awareness.

Mr. Oskanian¹s introduction was followed by questions from the journalists.

In response to questions about Turkish President Gul¹s recent visit to
Armenia, Mr. Oskanian called the Turkish President visit an unprecedented
event, but added that its real value can only be measured if there is
movement on opening the Armenian-Turkish border.

"For me the only criterion of evaluating the Turkish-Armenian relations, is
the border opening, or at least, beginning to operate the Kars-Gyumri
railroad. If this happens in the coming months, then I will say that the
invitation was the right thing to do. If not, then we will have to recognize
that Turkey has maximally used this event for its own political purposes,"
Mr. Oskanian stated.

Speaking about Turkey’s possible involvement in the Karabakh talks, Vartan
Oskanian stated that Turkey has no place in those talks so long as it hasn’t
opened the border, hasn’t reactivated the railroad, and still takes
Azerbaijan¹s side in this conflict. Thus, Mr. Oskanian made clear that
Armenian diplomacy should not only do everything possible not to let Turkey
get involved in the talks, but also should prevent Turkey from leaving such
an impression on the world.

He commented that as of today, Turkey is reaping ten times greater dividends
than the Armenian side from this visit, and added that he hopes and assumes
that the Armenian leadership must have sufficient assurances of forward
movement, otherwise it¹s difficult to understand the willingness of the
Armenian side to make statements which Turkey wants to hear while Turkey
does not act on the border, and worse, continues to link Armenia-Turkey
relations to the Karabakh confict.

Mr. Oskanian also responded to questions about the domestic political
situation. He spoke about those still being detained following the events of
March 1, and expressed concern that the longer they are held without
charges, the more difficult it will be for Armenia to escape the label of a
country with =8Cpolitical prisoners.¹ He said that these days, with the
world¹s eyes on the Caucasus, Armenia can make forward strides only if there
is domestic understanding about the need to consolidate our society, face
the difficult questions associated with March 1, which he called a black day
in our history, and arrive at an objective assessment that will allow us to
move on.

Regarding questions about his immediate engagement in Armenia¹s domestic
political processes, he acknowledged his inability to remain indifferent to
the many social and political challenges facing the country, but said it¹s
much too early to discuss the timing and nature of such involvement.
Instead, he said, he would focus on building the Civilitas Foundation into
a relevant, engaged, effective organization that would contribute to bringing
necessary change.

Mr. Oskanian promised that the public would be regularly informed of the
activities and finances of the Civilitas Foundation.

PRESS RELEASE
Research on Armenian Architecture RAA/USA
Contact Person: Jora Manoucherian
Telephone: (818) 469-1186
Email: [email protected]

RAA NGO RECEIVES RECOGNITION FROM THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIA

On June 10, 2008, the National Assembly of Armenia recognized Research on
Armenian Architecture (RAA) NGO, as well as its founder and chairman, Dr.
Armen Haghnazarian, and Samvel Karapetyan, the president and managing
director of the Yerevan Office, for their tireless contribution towards the
research, documentation, archiving, preservation and publication of Armenian
historical monuments and architectural heritage currently located in the
neighboring countries of our homeland.

To that effect, the National Assembly of Armenia awarded RAA and its
managers with Certificates of Recognition, as well as gold medals, in
appreciation for their work and efforts made in the last three and a half
decades. The importance of their work is unquestionable, as a large number
of monuments surveyed and documented by RAA are now either destroyed or in
total ruin and can only be remembered through archival information.

Additionally, the numerous documentary books published in the last few
years, which record thousands of Armenian historical monuments located in
the countries neighboring Armenia, are being used in the current political
negotiations with these countries. These books are enduring proof of the
Armenian roots and of the fact that Armenians flourished in these lands for
centuries – indeed, millennia – before the lines were drawn on today’s maps
allegedly ceding these lands to their present `owners.’

Although the publication costs are being secured by RAA/USA, in the last 2
years the National Assembly of Armenia, which has recognized the value of
these archives and importance of these publications, has begun supporting
the activities of RAA by providing special grants to accelerate the
publication of new books and the translation of existing ones into English
and Russian.

The latest volume (No. 11) published under the patronage of Tufenkian and
Galust Gulbenkian Foundations is ‘Akhaltskha’, which treats the history, and
cultural monuments of Akhaltskha District situated on the northern
borderline of Historical Armenia.

On July 15, 2008, RAA Organization held the presentation of Sirak Sarhadian’
s ‘Memoirs’ book published in Armenian, at the `Yerevan Museum of the
Armenian Genocide’. In this ceremony the author’s younger son Arthur
Sarhadian was present.

Between July 21 and 27, 2008, RAA participated in a weeklong scientific
conference in Yerevan on the topic of `Hamshen Armenians’ by presenting an
exhibition related to Hamshen. Narekatsy Art Centre organized this event,
in cooperation with the Yerkir Union of Non-Governmental Organizations and
Bagaran NGO.

The year 2008 is also marked with two 30-day research trips to Western
Armenia. Overall, RAA has now made 7 scientific expeditions to the lost
Armenian homeland.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE: TURKEY IS OSCE MG MEMBER AND CAN OFFER SUGGESTIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2008 15:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s bid for mediation in the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement process is under consideration in the
U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia told a news
conference today.

"Being a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, Turkey is entitled to offer
suggestions," Ms. Marie Yovanovitch said, adding that her country
wants peace and stability in the Caucasus.

As to the meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan,
she said the U.S. did not initiate the event. "The decision was
taken by Presidents Sargsyan and Gul and we welcome their courage,"
Ambassador Yovanovitch said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KARABAKH TALKS TO REVIVE AFTER AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2008 15:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The U.S. eyes the June meeting between the Armenian
and Azerbaijani Presidents in Saint Petersburg as constructive and
effective, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch told a
news conference Thursday.

Karabakh talks will revive after the presidential election in
Azerbaijan, according to her.

"Each conflict is unique and each should have its solution. Besides the
principle of territorial integrity, there are other principles, such
as non-use of force and the right of nations to self-determination. The
U.S. considers the principles of resolution of conflicts dependently on
geographical position and circumstances," Ambassador Yovanovitch said.

U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION REJECTED ARMENIAN ATTORNEY’S REQUEST FOR GENOCIDE DOCUMENTATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2008 16:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A civil action against the National Archives and
Records Administration of the United States was filed seeking documents
as they relate to the Armenian Genocide of 1914 to 1925. (Vartkes
Yeghiayan v. National Archives and Records Administration of the
United States of America, Case No. CV08-16248, U.S. District Court,
Central District of Calif., Sept. 23, 2008).

"Repeated efforts have been made to procure these documents,
but the National Archives has been non-responsive," said Mark
MacCarley, partner with Glendale, Calif.-based MacCarley & Rosen
who is representing plaintiff Vartkes Yeghiayan. "Its actions are in
violation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)."

The initial request by Yeghiayan occurred in April 2006. "The
National Archives acknowledged receipt of the request, but has not
provided the information despite repeated inquiries from my client,"
said MacCarley. "The National Archives, without explanation, has
exceeded the generally applicable 20-day deadline for processing FOIA
requests. We simply want the requested documentation."

Yeghiayan is an attorney who has successfully litigated lawsuits
in State and Federal courts against U.S. and foreign businesses for
Armenian Genocide asset restitution. More than 1.5 million Armenians
were killed during the genocide with millions more deported from the
Ottoman Empire. Yeghiayan filed the FOIA request because he believes
documents being held by the U.S. government that would identify
countries having either direct complicity in the Armenian Genocide
or profited by the Ottoman Turks’ actions against Armenians.

"This lawsuit is on behalf of Armenian-Americans who are seeking
documentation and information that could shed light on what happened
to their loved ones during the Armenian Genocide," said Yeghiayan,
Gibrahayer.com reports.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S AGENDA DOESN’T INCLUDE VISIT TO TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2008 17:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is not scheduled
to visit Turkey.

"Mr Sargsyan’s agenda doesn’t include such visits," President’s
spokesman Samvel Farmanyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter when
commenting on Turkish media reports about "Armenian President’s plans
to pay a visit to Ankara for a meeting with his Turkish counterpart
Abdullah Gul on October 16.