Month: November 2009

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PRESS RELEASE

Friday, November 13, 2009

Writers’ Union of Armenia Opens a Printing House with AGBU’s Help

Continuing its strong support of cultural programs, particularly its
contribution to the development of Armenian literature and book
publishing both in Armenia and the diaspora, the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) has expanded its cooperation with the Writers’
Union of Armenia. With the financial support of AGBU, WUA has published
works of Armenian writers and organized pan-Armenian conferences.

With a new initiative to promote book publishing, Armenian General
Benevolent Union has sponsored the establishment of a printing house at
the Writers’ Union of Armenia, which will carry the name of prominent
Armenian-American writer Levon Zaven Surmelian. Funds have been provided
by the "AGBU Levon Zaven Surmelian Fund" for the purchase of the
necessary printing equipment. Months ago, the same fund had also
sponsored the publication of Levon Zaven Surmelian’s textbook,
Techniques of Prose: Measure and Madness, in Eastern Armenian as part of
the "History of Literature: XX Century" series.

The official opening ceremony of the "AGBU Levon Zaven Surmelian
Printing House" took place at the Writers’ Union of Armenia on November
3 with the participation of AGBU President Berge Setrakian and WUA
Chairman Levon Ananian.

"Having our own printing house has been the dream of our writers for
decades. Even in Soviet times we could not realize this dream. And
today, despite all the hardships, despite the global economic crisis,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union extended a helping hand and so we
have our modern printing house. Surmelian is one of our prominent
writers and his name will be on every book published here," said Ananian
during his speech.

"Levon Zaven Surmelian was a great writer and a great philanthropist.
This is our tribute of respect to keep his memory alive in his
homeland," said Setrakian. He highlighted the efforts of Torkom
Postajian, Surmelian’s executor, towards the creation of the newly
opened printing house.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

AMBASSADOR OF BULGARIA TO RA CONVEYS TO RA NA SPEAKER INVITATION TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO SOFIA

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On November 12, Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to RA Todor Staykov
conveyed to RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamian the letter of President
of Bulgarian National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva, in which the latter
invites her Armenian counterpart to pay an official visit to Sofia.

According to the RA NA Public Relations Department, H. Abrahamian
accepted the invitation. Visit’s time will be clarified through
diplomatic channels.

Then H. Abrahamian and T. Staykov discussed a wide range of issues
related to development of bilateral relations. They, in particular,
attached importance to the work of the Intergovernmental Commission,
as well as paid special attention to expansion of trade and economic
contacts. In that context the sides agreed on the necessity of
organizing an Armenian-Bulgarian business forum in the near future.

During the meeting the interlocutors also touched upon the impact
of the global financial-economic crisis on Armenia’s and Bulgaria’s
economies and normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations without
preconditions.

KONSUELO VIDAL LEAVES ARMENIA WITH FINE MEMORIES

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Serzh Sargsyan,
on November 12, receiving UN Permanent Coordinator, UNDP Permanent
Representative Konsuelo Vidal completing her diplomatic mission in
Armenia, expressed gratitude to her for the work done in the four
years and for assisting Armenia’s development programs. Attaching much
importance to programs implemented by various UN agencies S. Sargsyan
said: "We mean not only financial resources. Experience, involvement
and possibility of being compared are much more important."

K. Vidal, in her turn, thanked for UNDP-Armenia excellent cooperation.

She said that she leaves Armenia with fine memories and will always
stay Armenia’s friend.

According to RA President’s Press Office, the interlocutors
also exchanged thoughts over RA equal territorial development,
organization of census scheduled for next year. The UN Permanent
Coordinator considered noteworthy Armenia’s example: though the
global financial-economic crisis had much impact on economy, the
social programs have been kept completely.

AMBASSADOR OF RA TO ITALY MEETS ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF MILAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

MILAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Ambassador of
Armenia to Italy Rouben Karapetian visited Milan lately and met the
Armenian community. The Ambassador spoke about the new policy of the
Republic of Armenia during the meeting held at the Armenian House,
in the center of the city. As Pietro Kuciukian informed Hayern Aysor,
the Ambassador met another time the community at the Armenian church.

LA CUCINA D’ARMENIA BOOK IN ITALIAN PUBLISHED IN MILAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

MILAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The launching of
Sonya Orfalian’s book LA CUCINA D’ARMENIA (Armenian kitchen) took
place in the Italian city of Milan in October. The book was published
by Ponte delle Grazie Editor. An interview with the author took place
after the launching ceremony. S. Orfalian spoke not only about the
Armenian cuisine but also about Armenian life and politics.

CEREMONY IN HONOR OF RIGHTEOUS FOR ARMENIANS GIACOMO GORRINI TAKES PLACE IN ITALY

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

VOGERA, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the 8th of
November 2009 a ceremony in honor of Giacomo Gorrini, a righteous for
the Armenians during the 1915 genocide, was held in the city of Vogera.

As Pietro Kuciukian reports from Italy, the Major of Vogera, the
President of the province of Pavia and the honorary consul of Armenia
took their speeches during the event.

The Armenian chorus of Milan directed by the maestro Nicola Ferra
sang the Armenian and the Italian hymnes. A party closed the ceremony
attended by more then 100 people.

MARAL DANCING ENSEMBLE OF ISTANBUL PREPARES TO MARK ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

ISTANBUL, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Maral
dancing ensemble of Yesayan union of Istanbul turns 30 this year.

According to Marmara, the dancing ensemble is preparing for jubilee
concerts and 130 Maral dancers of different ages will take part in
them. 3 of 12 members of the orchestra are Istanbul Armenians and 9
have been invited from Armenia. They will stay in Istanbul for three
months and will take part in dancing ensemble’s rehearsals.

New dances are mainly staged for the concerts with the directorship of
dancing-master Iris Chapkan. The Maral dancing ensemble will perform
on December 16 at the Lutfu Grtar concert hall and on January 17 at
the Jevahir concert hall.

WORLD-FAMOUS GUITAR PLAYER AND SINGER GEORGE BENSON TO PERFORM CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 12 IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. World-famous guitar player and
singer George Benson will perform a concert on November 12 in Yerevan
Karen Demirchian sports and concert complex. According to Ameriabank’s
report, the concert is a unique present to music lovers in connection
with the official opening of bank’s head office to take place the same
day. G. Benson’s Yerevan concert will be held within the framework
of the Prospects 21st 10th music festival.

According to the website of the 66-year-old singer, Yerevan concert
will be followed by singer’s performances in the Kremlin Palace on
November 14 and in Baku on November 16.

LEVON ARONIAN SHARES 5-6TH PLACES AFTER 6TH ROUND IN MIKHAIL TAL COMMEMORATIVE TOURNAMENT

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

MOSCOW, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Mikhail Tal International Chess
Commemorative Tournament continues in Moscow. 6th round’s games took
place on November 11. Levon Aronian (Armenia) was defeated by Boris
Gelfand (Israel) and shares the 5-6th places with Magnus Karlsen
(Norway) with 3 points each. Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) is in the lead
with 4.5 points.

ARTSAKH LIBERATION FIGHT HERO VACHIK MKRTCHIAN’S COMMEMORATIVE TOURNAMENT STARTS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 12, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The 4th Republican Youth
Commemorative Tournament of Artsakh liberation fight Hero,
International Sports Master, USSR Vice-Champion Vachik Mkrtchian
started on November 12 at the Dinamo gymnasium, Yerevan. 122 boxers
from RA regions took part in the competitions. Winners will become
known on November 15.