Month: February 2012

YEREVAN’S CHIEF ARCHITECT CLAIMS “IGNORANCE” REGARDING MASHTOTS PARK STOREOWNERS
Janna Sargsyan

hetq
22:05, February 23, 2012

Today, the RA Public Council discussed the ongoing debate regarding
the construction of storefronts in Mashtots Park.

While Yerevan Chief Architect Narek Sargsyan assured those concerned
that the structures were of a temporary nature (2-3 years), he
confessed that the identity of the storeowners wasn’t known and that
no contracts had been signed by the Yerevan Municipality.

An amazing confession indeed but not all that credible.

There isn’t one square meter of space in Yerevan, especially downtown,
that is being developed where the owners haven’t provided the Chief
Architect with their building plans.

In fact, Hetq has learnt that the Yerevan Municipality has granted the
Eastern Oasis Ltd with a building permit for the Mashtots Park. The
permit has an expiration date of 2028.

GOOGLE EXPLAINS TRANSLATION GLITCH

Armenian Weekly
February 22, 2012

BOSTON, Mass. (A.W.)–Concerned internet users this week initiated
an online campaign after one activist, Lebanese-Armenian Serouj
Baghdassarian, noticed that Google’s online translation service
(translate.google.com) was mistakenly translating “ÔµÕ½ Õ½Õ”O~@Õ¸O~BÕ´
Õ¥Õ´ Õ°Õ¡ÕµÕ¥O~@Õ”Õ¶” (“I love Armenians”) to “I love Turkey.”

A screenshot of Google’s translation of ‘I love Armenians,’ which
has since been corrected.

“Google Translate is an automated system. It makes guesses based on
patterns gleaned from large bodies of human-translated text. It doesn’t
do word-by-word dictionary-style translation,” Jason Freidenfelds,
from Google’s global communications and public affairs department,
told the Armenian Weekly.

“So sometimes [the service] makes mistakes which seem obvious to a
human translator, but aren’t to our machine-learning system,” he added.

The translation was corrected by late afternoon on Feb. 19, following
a widespread report of the problem that first appeared in the Armenian
Weekly.

VIZA RETURNS TO EAST COAST FOR SPECIAL TOUR

Armenian Weekly
February 22, 2012

Shows in New York City at Terminal 5 and Boston at the House of Blues

Viza, the international rock band with Middle Eastern and classical
music influences, returns to the East Coast for two special acoustic
performances on Fri., March 2 and Sun., March 4, at Terminal 5 in
New York and the House of Blues in Boston, respectively. Viza will
be sharing the stage with critically acclaimed Greek Rock sensation
Pyx Lax.

Viza in Berlin “We just returned from our European tour and we’re
psyched to perform at such amazing venues in Boston and New York
City for the first time,” said oud player and songwriter Andrew
Kzirian. “Boston is kind of a second home for me, so I’m excited to
take the stage amongst so many friends and music fans.”

“It’s not every day that Viza can share the stage with a band from my
heritage that has packed stadiums throughout Greece,” said vocalist
and songwriter Knoup. “And I’m looking forward to performing in my
hometown of New York City.”

Viza continues to captivate the global music scene with an erratically
amusing blend of international rock. Unique in its musical arsenal
is the inclusion of oud and percussion blended with more traditional
rock elements such as guitar, bass, and drums. This fascinating fusion
has garnered Viza significant success all over the world. In 2010,
Viza supported famed System of a Down front man Serj Tankian’s solo
tour in Europe in the cities of Hamburg, Cologne, Paris, Zurich,
Bologna, Athens, and Yerevan. Viza has also performed at Sweden’s
Malmofestivalen and Greece’s Rockwave Festival, and has been invited
to perform at Norway’s Kartfestivalen and Hungary’s Sziget festival
this summer.

The band’s recent release of its fifth album “Carnivalia” mesmerized
audiences throughout Europe with its blend of instruments, various
styles, and continued evolution of sound. Fresh off the return from
its nearly month-long “Strangest Show on Earth” European Tour, Viza
is preparing for an exciting year filled with more touring in Europe
and North America.

“Loving the new record,” says Tankian. “I love hearing the new
influences and the fun-loving spirit and musical wizardry… Viza is
one of the most unique and interesting bands I have ever encountered.

Their live shows are energetic and fun,” he added.

Tankian also served as executive producer of Viza’s previous album
titled “Made in Chernobyl.” Recorded by Jared Gosselin (D12, Macy
Gray) at Frank Zappa’s UMRK Studios, Viza’s “Carnivalia” is inspired
from Gogol Bordello’s multicultural rhapsodies and System of a Down’s
notorious screams and riffs.

Viza’s March 2 show begins at 8 p.m. at Terminal 5, 610 W. 56th St.

(at 11th Ave) in New York. General admission tickets
are $70, with VIP seats for $90. To purchase, visit

The March 4 show begins at 8 p.m. at the House of Blues, 15
Lansdowne St. in Boston. Standing room tickets are $55, and general
admission tickets are $70, with VIP seats for $90. To purchase,
visit

From: A. Papazian

PARIS TO COMMEMORATE 24TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN POGROMS IN SUMGAIT

news.am
February 23, 2012 | 00:16

PARIS. – Coordination Council of the Armenian Organizations in France
in partnership with Nagorno-Karabakh representation will commemorate
the 24th anniversary of the Armenian Pogroms in Sumgait by organizing
events on Feb. 26-29, Nouvelles d`Armenie reports.

Liturgy will be served at the Armenian Apostolic St. Jean-Baptiste
Church in memory of the Sumgait victims on Sunday. A rally will
be held with the participation of the Karabakh Minister of Culture
Narine Aghabalyan on Feb. 27, and a meeting-discussion will be held
on the theme ‘Truth and Falsification’ in the framework of Peace in
Karabakh at the National Assembly of France on Feb. 29.

IRAN MAY TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES IF ITS INTERESTS ARE AT RISK

news.am
February 23, 2012 | 01:33

The recent announcement of Iran’s representative of the General Staff
may be considered as a warning to all those countries that secretly
or openly support anti-Iranian actions, orientalist Vardan Voskanyan
told the reporter of Armenian News-NEWS.am.

To note, earlier Deputy Head of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed
Forces for Logistic and Industrial Research Mohammad Hejazi announced
that if threats against Iran’s national interests were to arise Iran
might take preventive measures.

The expert announced that it is not probable that the announcement
will cause provocations.

According to him, Iran conducts a well-planned policy.

TURKISH BUSINESSMEN PLAN TO EXPORT CHEESE TO ARMENIA

news.am
February 23, 2012 | 00:04

Turkish VOTAS company, meat and dairy producer, which is located in
Van, has decided to export its products to neighbor countries.

As the Turkish Zaman informs, the president of VOTAS Munur Karam
mentioned that currently they have 546 cattle but they are planning
to increase that number up to 2,500.

The president of the company also mentioned that they are planning
to export cheese to Iraq and Armenia.

From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN ZOO NOT TO PURCHASE MANY ELEPHANTS

news.am
February 22, 2012 | 22:29

YEREVAN. – The exaggerated information published in the media stating
that Yerevan zoo is allegedly going to purchase several elephants
is not true, the press service of Yerevan zoo informs Armenian
News-NEWS.am adding that works are done towards improving the living
conditions of the only elephant, Grand.

Besides that, it is planned to acquire only one elephant, a girlfriend
for Grand.

To remind, according to the information that had appeared in the
media, Yerevan zoo is planning to purchase not one, but a whole group
of elephants.

THREE OF A KIND – MUHAMMARA
STEPHANIE CLIFFORD-SMITH

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
February 21, 2012 Tuesday
First Edition

Anyone who’s visited a Middle Eastern restaurant, or indeed an
Australian supermarket, will be familiar with hummus and babaghanoush.

But there’s another dish with a lower profile that’s an absolute
corker: muhammara. The main ingredient is grilled red capsicum, so it
trumps the others in the glamour stakes with its luscious deep-red hue.

Walnuts, chilli, olive oil and pomegranate molasses are part of the
mix. It’s originally from Aleppo, in Syria’s north, and the Armenian
influences on that city’s food mean it’s blindingly hot with chilli.

No fear, Sydney restaurants tone it down, so proceed with gusto rather
than caution. 1. Almond Bar Carved timber wall panels, chunky wooden
tables and tea lights set an intimate mood. It’s almonds a-go-go as you
would expect in a bar with this name, a variety in different coatings
there for the grazing on each table. The muhammara ($7.50), while
slightly adjusted for Aussie palates, is as close to the gutsy Syrian
type as any we tried. It’s a coarse mix of grilled red capsicums,
chilli flakes, olive oil, pomegranate molasses and spices with a few
breadcrumbs for body. 2. Arax The mural depicting cypresses along a
winding mountain road fits with the predominantly Italian pizza menu
here but they also serve Middle Eastern favourites. Enter muhammara
($12), a gentle, family-friendly mix of grilled red capsicums,
house-made pomegranate molasses and olive oil. The owners say it’s
important the breadcrumbs and walnuts are chopped to a uniform
texture. The overall result is pleasingly chunky and very light on
chilli, a surprise, given the owners’ Armenian heritage. The dish
is popular with kids, we’re told, so it has to be mild. 3. Safi This
bright, compact space broken artfully by Middle Eastern textiles and
ceramics was one of the first places in Sydney to serve muhammara
($11.50). It’s an appealing mix with subtle warmth from paprika and
walnuts adding richness and texture. Cumin is pronounced and lemon
juice adds tang. The subtle sweetness, normally from pomegranate
molasses, comes from … sugar! But don’t hold that against it. Almond
Bar, 379 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, 9380 5318 Arax, 670 Willoughby
Road, Willoughby, 9958 1518 Safi, 55 Ridge Street, North Sydney,
9954 6146

RUSSIAN, AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS MEET IN MOSCOW

Vestnik Kavkaza
Feb 22 2012
Russia

Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals met today at the
Russian Public Chamber in the framework of a conference devoted to
the role of cultural cooperation in conflict resolution.

Former Russian minister of culture Mikhail Shvydkoy was among the
organizers of the event.

“Compromise is not a symbol of weakness, but a symbol of strength
and intellect,” Shvydkoy said.

The conference was attended by Azerbaijani Ambassador Polad Bulbulogly.

KUWAIT CONGRATULATES ARMENIA FOR SELECTION OF YEREVAN AS WORLD BOOK CAPITAL

Kuwait News Agency

Feb 22 2012

BRUSSELS, Feb 22 (KUNA) — Kuwait’s Ambassador to Armenia Bassam
Mohammed Al-Qabandi met here Wednesday Armenian Minister of Culture
Hasmik Poghosyan and congratulated her the selection of Yerevan as
the World Book Capital by UNESCO.

Al-Qabandi conveyed the greetings of Kuwait Minister of Information
Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Mubarak Al-Sabah to Poghosyan.

During the meeting both sides stressed the need to promote cultural
relations between the two countries, according to a statement released
by the Kuwait embassy.

The two sides also discussed cooperation frameworks in participating
in the celebration to be held during the period 20-23 of April in
Armenia under the auspices of President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to
bring the dialogue of cultures and civilizations closer.

The first book in Armenia was printed in the year 1512, a fact that
contributed to the selection of Yerevan as the world book capital.

Ambassador Al-Qabandi presented a commemorative gift to the minister
and wished her all success.

The meeting was also attended by the third secretary at the Kuwait
embassy in Armenia Khalid Walid Al-Zeer. (end) nk.ajs KUNA 221835
Feb 12NNNN

From: Baghdasarian