Month: February 2020

Culture: Yerevan to host festive procession dedicated to Great Barekendan

Khondkarian Raffi
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 22 2020
Society 17:53 22/02/2020 Armenia

The Armenian Apostolic Church will mark the eve of Great Barekendan with a festive programme, the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese reported in a press statement. On February 23, at 13:30 the festive procession dedicated to Great Barekendan – Armenian religious holiday – will start from St. Sargis church of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese of AAC. The participants will walk along Mashtots avenue to Freedom square where a festive programme is planned.

The programme features national dances and songs, thematic and theatrical performances, demonstration of games and contests among them.

As the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese reports the Great Barekendan celebration has turned into one of beloved holidays in capital Yerevan that brings together children and adults. The event is organized with the support of Yerevan Municipality.

This year the period of Great Lent starts on February 24. It lasts 48 days beginning from the Eve of Great Lent (Barekendan) to the Eve of the Feast of the Easter. The word Barekendan means “good living” or “good life”, as we are called to live cheerfully, joyfully, and to be happy on these days preceding fasting periods.

For Immediate Release: VivaCell-MTS and FCHA Partnership. Housewarming after 10 Years of Living in a Half-built House

Jhanna Virabian
Fuller Center for Housing Armenia
53 Armen Tigranyan St., Apt. 26, Yerevan,0037,  RA
Tel: +374 10 24 23 48
E-mail: [email protected] 
Web: 
Contact: Alla Asatryan

21st
February 2020, Yerevan, Armenia

 

 A family gets a home
of their own 32 years after the earthquake

 

The heads
and teams of Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia continue visits
to beneficiary families. This time the partners left for Gyumri to visit one of
the families assisted through the 2019 housing program; the family, living in a
metal container house, has now finished the construction of their semi-built house.
The teams had already visited the family last fall for a volunteering
initiative to participate in the construction of the house. Six months later,
everyone is back together, this time to celebrate a housewarming.

 

The
Tadevosyan family living in Gyumri had to live in a metal container for years
after the 1988 earthquake. 32 years later the hard memories are left behind.

 

“After so many years, finally, my family feels this
happiness. Having a home of our own is a big and awaited event in our life.
After the earthquake, we had to live in a metal container. And now we have a
home of our own with all necessities. Our happiness can’t be put into words. We
are grateful beyond words,” said Kristina.

 

Owing to the housing project, 5 houses were built,
renovated or purchased in 2019; in the course of years overall 12 houses have
been built as a result of the partnership in Shirak region.

 

Viva-MTS
and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia consider all aspects of the positive
impact of the project important. Heads of partner organizations reported that
families who already live in decent home strive to get rid of not only the
memories of the metal containers, but also by physically dismantling those structures.

 

“When a family who has spent years in a
metal container house, gets up on its feet to open a new page of life, it means
that it has the power to dream, and that is a good sign. And when that family
seeks to remove the iron shelter from the view, we can say that we have all
succeeded. I am glad to state that we have been particularly successful
recently. Gyumri should not remain a city of metal container houses whether in
memory or in terms of architecture,” Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian
said.

 

“Families
living in metal containers are in the center of our attention. Since the
earthquake, this family has lived in a metal container. The childhood of three
children in this family passed inside the walls of the metal container.
Together with Viva-MTS we stretched a helping hand to the Tadevosyan family.
Now that they have finished the construction of their home, I am sure the new
home will bring joy and good memories,” said Fuller Center for Housing Armenia
President Ashot Yeghiazaryan.

 

###

 

Viva-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications
operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice
and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people
interest at heart since its launch on the 1st of July Y2005, and in
a short period of time, Viva-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and
a considerable customer base. Viva-MTS drives innovation and aims at always
being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile
communications market.  The company follows the guidance provided by ISO
26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility) and ISO/IEC 27001:2013
(Information Security Management System). For more information, visit www.mts.am

 

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC (“MTS”) is the leading
telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed
voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one
of the world’s fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group
services over 86.8 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Armenia and
Belarus. Since June Y2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York
Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group
can be found at: www.mtsgsm.com

 

 

Fuller Center for
Housing Armenia is a non-governmental, charitable organization that supports
community
development in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh by
assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and affordable
homes, as well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter of
conscience and action. FCHA provides long-term,
interest-free loans to low-income families. The monthly repayments flow into a
Revolving Fund,

which is used to help
more families, thereby providing a financial foundation for sustainable
development. Since
2008 the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has assisted
over 800 families. For more information, please visit or
email us at [email protected]

Azerbaijani press: Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada refuses to discuss bill on fictional "Armenian genocide"

Eduard Nalbandian
POLITICS 16:48 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 21

Trend:

The Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine refused to discuss the bill on the fictional “Armenian genocide”, Trend reports on Feb. 21 referring to the Azerbaijani embassy in Ukraine.

The bill “On the commemoration in the memory of victims of the Armenian genocide”, presented by Ukrainian MP Daria Volodina from the “Servant of the People” ruling party, was sent back.

The discussion of the bill, which was registered on February 14, was postponed at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee thanks to the joint efforts of the Azerbaijani and Turkish embassies in Ukraine.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that the predecessor of Turkey, the Ottoman Empire, committed the so-called “genocide” in 1915 against Armenians living in Anatolia.

Armenpress: President signs decree on awarding Greco-Roman wrestler Armen Nazaryan with medal

Hambik Zargarian

President signs decree on awarding Greco-Roman wrestler Armen Nazaryan with medal

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 13:19,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed a decree on awarding Greco-Roman wrestler, Europe, World and Olympic champion Armen Nazaryan with the 1st Degree Medal for the Services to the Fatherland, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The President signed the respective decree based on the Prime Minister’s petition.

Armen Nazaryan is a Greco-Roman wrestler who later represented Bulgaria. Nazaryan is a two-time Olympic Champion, a three-time World Champion, and a six-time European Champion. After Armenia regained independence in 1991, Nazaryan became the first Olympic gold medalist for the country.




Armenpress: Process manufacturing became leader of growth in Armenia, says economy minister

Kalantarian Kevo

Process manufacturing became leader of growth in Armenia, says economy minister

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 13:47,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. The 7,6% economic growth indicator meets the government’s expectations, Economy Minister Tigran Khachatryan told ARMENPRESS.

In 2019, Armenia recorded 7,6% growth – the highest growth in Europe and among Eurasian Economic Union countries.

ARMENPRESS: What measures made this indicator possible?

Khachatryan:  A few important notes in this regard. First of all, I am very happy that the manufacturing branch, which was always in the center of our discussions and attentions during the year, greatly contributed to the GDP growth, with 10,2%. More importantly, the process manufacturing grew this year and recorded the highest share in the GDP structure since 2008 – 12,1%. This is a very important achievement: the process manufacturing became the main leader of Armenia’s economic growth. The government’s economic policy priorities include for the process manufacturing to be competitive, in line with the modern world demands and to create quality workplaces. I believe we are heading in the right direction in this context. Another indicator testifying this is the 10,3% growth of goods and services exports, which too became one of the main leaders securing growth.

He said the 7,6% growth meets the expectations that the government had for the year.

Khachatryan also pointed out the hospitality and public food services with the more than 27% growth.

“Another noteworthy chance in relation to the economic growth peculiarities is the indicator of the financial sector and insurance service: the economic brokerage role is increasing, and we believe this is the foundation which must be strengthened and contribute to the sustainability of further growth”, he said.

Khachatryan said they have been clearly instructed by the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to make all efforts in order for 2020 to be “no less effective than 2019”, with at least 8% growth.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Champions should become role models for youth – PM Pashinyan

Emil Lazarian

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 14:55,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. The development of sports has a strategic meaning for Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the awarding ceremony of the top 10 athletes of the year at the Presidential Palace, adding that the practical works on this direction are launched.

“Currently we are developing Armenia’s development strategy by 2050. Our state goal is to have at least 25 Olympic gold medals before 2050. This bar seems very high to many, but this is not disappointing us, but quite the contrary, is encouraging because in order to be a champion there is a very important precondition, that is to be inclined to do not what is possible, but what is impossible”, Pashinyan said, highlighting the development of great sport in this respect. He stated that they should be able to raise the trust of every citizen of Armenia and Artsakh towards their own powers.

“We have a political decision to firmly stand by the sport, the athletes, to do the maximum for the development of sport in Armenia. The role of sports is important for changing the value system of generations. Unfortunately, the criminal culture leaves major impact within the youth, I see the role of our champions to serve as exemplary figures for the youth, inspire trust towards their own strengths and show how diligence, the ability to work with the team can help to achieve highest results”, the PM said.

In this context Pashinyan highlighted the development of sport infrastructures, promotion of coaches. He said the government has purchased a huge amount of equipment for sport schools.

“We expect that Armenia’s sports community and government will become allies, partners in implementing the country’s development strategic vision. The government will do everything within its powers for you to feel the state support. Thank you for your dedication and achievements”, he said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Armenia heightens border screenings as neighboring Iran reports more novel coronavirus cases

Badalian Vardan

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 15:36,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia hasn’t recorded any novel coronavirus (Covid-2019) cases so far, Healthcare Minister Arsen Torosyan said on social media as cases of the disease appear to be increasing in neighboring Iran.

He said the Armenian healthcare ministry is following the global situation of the outbreak. “We are also aware of the specificities of the passenger flow from Iran to our country, including the upcoming Nowruz. As additional counter-measures the screening of arriving passengers at the Meghri Border Crossing Point and of those arriving by air from Iran has been increased. In the event of suspected cases monitoring is carried out across Armenia. I am informing that so far no novel coronavirus cases have been recorded in Armenia,” Torosyan said.

According to latest data there are 18 confirmed cases of Covid-2019 in Iran. 4 people have died.

 

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Tbilisi days to be held in Yerevan

Boris Nahapetian

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 15:44,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan received Ambassador of Georgia to Armenia George Saganelidze.

The Yerevan City Hall told Armenpress that the officials highly valued the cooperation between Yerevan and Tbilisi in different areas, stating that, however, the partnership between the two cities has a great potential to expand and deepen.

The Yerevan Mayor and the Georgian Ambassador also discussed issues relating to holding Tbilisi days in Armenia’s capital this year in summer.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Official opening of Slovak Embassy in Armenia to be held on February 24

Karagyozian Lena

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 16:18,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of Slovakia in Armenia will open on February 24 at the Sayat-Nova Avenue in Yerevan, the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress.

The official opening ceremony of the Embassy will be attended also by Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia Miroslav Lajčák. FM Lajčák will arrive in Armenia on February 24 on an official visit.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Lebanon reports first confirmed novel coronavirus case

Emil Lazarian

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 17:56,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Lebanon has reported its first confirmed novel coronavirus case.

The country’s healthcare minister Hamad Hassan told al-Mayadeen TV that the patient is a Lebanese woman who arrived to Beirut from Iran on an airplane Friday morning.

The patient was hospitalized in the Rafik Hariri Hospital.

On February 21, Iranian authorities said they have 18 confirmed cases of the covid-2019 in 4 cities. 4 people have died in Iran from the disease.

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan