Author: Andres-Papazian

SAMVEL KARAPETYAN: KHACHKAR – PURELY ARMENIAN CULTURAL VALUE

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Khachkars (cross-stones) are purely
Armenian cultural value, and the contrary assertions of Azerbaijan
are groundless, expert on monuments Samvel Karapetyan told today
journalists. According to him, Udis are the only nation, except
Armenians, that created khachkars. They are nation which imbibed
Armenian culture.

He said that they are the followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
recognized themselves Armenians, went to Armenian schools and spoke
Armenian language. Udis, according to the expert, have been often
identified with Armenians, and for that very reason have been exiled.

The center of Udis was Nish village. “There was time when Armenia did
not give place Udis for some reasons: that is why they have settled
in Georgia. “And though the new generation does not know Armenian,
the second mother language of the old generation is the Armenian,”
the expert said, adding that Udis have considered Armenia’s sorrow
their own, and the best proof of this are our brave fighters – Movses
Silikyan and Sargis Kukunyan, who are Udis.

From: A. Papazian

HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN HANDS PRIZES TO WINNERS OF REPUBLICAN CONTEST OF RECITATION

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: RA National Assembly Chairman Hovik
Abrahamyan awarded prizes today to the best 18 participants of the 2nd
Republican Junior Recitation Competition-Festival, held in all the
provinces of the Republic, in Artsakh and Javakhk. Hovik Abrahamyan
was the chairman of the jury.

‘I am proud that such a competition, in which 21 000 juniors and
young people from Armenia, Javakhk and Artsakh partook, is held. We
can state that the festival evoked a warm response. Last year 6000
juniors and young people partook in it, and this year the number of
participants increased up to 21 000. This is our achievement,’ he said.

Hovik Abrahamyan says every effort will be exerted for restoring
the love towards poetry. He added that the competition-festival will
be continuous.

Gagik Yekmalyan from the province of Shirak was recognized as the
winner among junior, and Meri Harutyunyan from the province of Ararat
– among the young participants. Each of the winners was awarded a
diploma and computer. The NA Chairman’s special prize – laptop –
was granted to Serine Lazarian from the province of Kotayk.

This year the competition-festival was dedicated to the 125th
anniversary of Vahan Teryan. The poet’s works were recited during
the gala concert.

From: A. Papazian

ABOUT 50 LIBRARIES OF PROVINCES REPLENISHED

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
YEREVAN

The National Library of Armenia has provided 5 thousand 329 unit
literature to 50 libraries of Armenian provinces. Alisa Adamyan,
head of the Book Exchange and Development Department of the National
Library, told Armenpress that literature has been provided to the
province, urban and community libraries of Lori, Armavir, Aragatsotn,
Tavush and Gegharkunik provinces.

~SThe libraries of all provinces need literature, as they are not
replenished at all,~T Mrs. Adamyan said. Literature, historical,
educative and other literature has been provided to the libraries.

This year the National Library of Armenia has also displayed support
to the libraries of Artsakh by providing 300 unit literature.

From: A. Papazian

NEXT SESSION OF CIS INFORMATION COUNCIL TO BE CONDUCTED IN TAJIKISTAN

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
YEREVAN

Today in Yerevan continued its works the 12th session of the CIS
Council of Heads of State News Agencies, the participants of which
delivered conclusive speeches. A protocol was confirmed at the session,
in which the directions of the upcoming activity of the Information
Council and its programs are indicated.

In particular, it was decided to pay high attention within the
anniversary events dedicated to 20th anniversary of CIS to uncovering
of the 50th anniversary of the flight implemented by Yuri Gagarin to
open universe, of the 70th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, of
the 25th anniversary of the catastrophe of Chernobyl atomic station
and of other noteworthy events. On this occasion the parties were
proposed to come forth with proposals.

Photo exhibition entitled “The Commonwealth is 20 Years Old” is
intended to conduct in 2011, where photos provided by CIS state news
agencies symbolizing the development of the given country will be
exhibited. The works implemented for the exhibition will be brought
to an end till the May of the next year. CIS state news agencies will
also organize space bridges in 2011. By the way, for the first time
in the history of Information Council at Yerevan a space bridge was
organized, thanks to which the heads of news agencies, which were
not present at the session for some reasons expressed their opinion.

The year of 2011 has been proclaimed a year dedicated to cultural
heritage, within the framework of which a collection of photos is
intended to prepare, dedicated to CIS outstanding figures of culture
and science. All state news agencies will have their part in designing
of the internet portal of CIS. After the session the heads of the
state news agencies visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,
where they met with Head of the Publishing Department, Bishop Nathan
Hovhannisyan. They walked around in the treasury, got acquainted
with exhibits.

The next – 13th session of the Information Council will be held
in the spring of 2011 in the capital of Tajikistan -Dushanbe. CIS
Information Council has been established in 1996 on the basis of the
agreement on setting up a council of heads of CIS state news agencies
signed in 1995 November 3 by heads of CIS member states. The council,
the first session of which was held in 1996, is called to contribute
to activation of the potential of CIS news agencies, to increase of
exchange level, circulation of objective news on CIS member states,
and to information support to programs implemented within the framework
of cooperation.

Director General of ITAR-TASS news agency Vitaly Ignatenko is the
chairman of the CIS Information Council. The heads of CIS state news
agencies are considered to be the members of the Information Council.

Director of “Armenpress” news agency Hrayr Zoryan represents Armenia
at CIS Information Council.

From: A. Papazian

SERZH SARGSYAN VISITS NEWLY-CONSTRUCTED SUB-BUILDING OF BUSINESS CENTER OF “SYNERGY INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS” COMPANY

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
accompanied by Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan, visited today
the newly constructed sub-building of the business center of
“Synergy International Systems” company. The construction of the
new building started in 2006. The head of the republic walked around
in the newly-constructed building, got acquainted with the working
conditions, which corresponded to up-to-date standards.

The company, established in 1997 in Vienna, has extended activity in
a number of countries of the Central America, Europe, Asia, Near East
and Africa. The Armenian branch of Synergy has been working in our
country from 1999. Synergy International Systems brings innovation
to public and private sector organizations worldwide by helping them
streamline business processes, improve strategic decision-making,
and achieve higher results through groundbreaking software technology.

From: A. Papazian

ALIK SARGSYAN: IN NEAR FUTURE OUR COUNTRY WILL HAVE A POLICE SYSTEM CORRESPONDING TO UP-TO-DATE STANDARDS

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 17, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS: Chief of RA Police, Lieutenant
General of RA Police Alik Sargsyan received today U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia Marie Jovanovich. Press service of the RA Police told
Armenpress that welcoming the guest and officials accompanying her,
Alik Sargsyan expressed gratification on the high-level cooperation
between the RA Police and U.S. Embassy and expressed hope that in
future the cooperation will be expanded and deepened.

The interlocutors also referred to the reforms, and issues on fighting
against trafficking and family violence. Expressing gratitude to
the American party for active support displayed to implementation of
different programs, the RA Police Chief expressed confidence that as
a result of reforms, in near future our country will have a police
system corresponding to up-to-date standards.

From: A. Papazian

BAKO SAHAKYAN SIGNS LAW ON MAKING AMENDMENTS AND ADDENDA TO LAW ‘ON MINIMAL MONTHLY SALARY’

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: President of Artsakh Republic Bako
Sahakyan signed today the law ‘On General Agricultural Census’. An
official from the Central Information Department of the Artsakh
Republic President’s Office told Armenpress that the Head of the
State also signed a law on making amendments and addenda to the law
‘On State Registration of Legal Persons’ and a law on making amendments
and addenda to the law ‘On Minimal Monthly Salary’.

From: A. Papazian

EDWARD TOPCHIAN: ‘ONE DAY THE YOUNG OF ARMENIA WILL NOT GO ‘TO WATCH’ CONCERTS ANY MORE’

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Though a year for the orchestra
lasts from September to August, Edward Topchian, chief conductor and
artistic director of the Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra, tried
to conclude the passing year at today’s meeting with journalists. As to
the 4th International Music Festival of Yerevan, Edward Topchian said
all the 22 participants of the festival were great musicians. He said
another significant music event was the concert of Placido Domingo.

He informed that Domingo’s opinion about the orchestra was good.

Edward Topchian also underscored the ‘Eugene Onegin’ opera, staged by
Vigen Chaldranyan and said it was quite successful. Edward Topchian
says the main problem the orchestra faces is the lack of financial
means; that is why migration of musicians started again. He says
4 musicians have already left Armenia for abroad, but ‘the number
of emigrants will increase in case corresponding measures are not
undertaken’.

Though the orchestra operates under the auspices of the RA President,
the offers of foreign countries attract the musicians much more and
make them leave for other states. ‘In fact, our state is investing
money for forming personnel, which will perform for foreign stages. In
case we lose our musicians, 50 years will be necessary for filling
the gap,’ he said.

The conductor added that the best musicians of famous orchestras of
the world are Armenians the Armenian stage lost. As to the issue of
‘bringing spectators to concert halls somehow’, the conductor said he
prefers performing in front of a small auditorium, which understands
the value of the classical music.

The maestro says musical schools do not justify their existence, as
they do not set an object to educate real musicians any more. Edward
Topchian says he is still optimistic about the future and said
he sure that ‘one day the young of Armenia will not go ‘to watch’
concerts any more and the tickets for Placido Domingo’s concert in
Armenia will be sold fully’.

From: A. Papazian

HEADS OF CIS NEWS AGENCIES VISIT YSU

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: The CIS state news agencies’ heads,
who are on a visit to Yerevan within the framework of the 12th session
of the Information Council of the CIS States, visited today Yerevan
State University and met with Aram Simonyan, rector of YSU, and staff
of YSU lecturers and professors.

Aram Simonyan presented the activities of the university and spoke
about the path the university passed and its future plans. He
underscored that the interest of YSU’s students in international
projects is increasing year by year and the scope of YSU’s cooperation
with foreign universities is being extended gradually. Afterwards,
the heads of the CIS state news agencies met with students of YSU
faculty of journalism.

They presented the main functions and goals of the CIS Information
Council and the principles of the activity of their news agencies. In
answer to the question by one of the students about the news agencies’
standards for granting job to young and inexperienced journalists,
Mikhail Kalmikov, first deputy head of ITAR-TASS news agency of
Russia, said he emphasizes two features – love towards literature
and sports. ‘The journalist must have Á copious vocabulary, which
can be enriched due to reading as much as possible. Have a passion
for sports: it will increase your desire for victory.

It is due to efficiency that a news agency must win in the struggle
against time, isn’t it?’ he stated. Mikhail Soroka, director of
‘Ukrinform’, added that he thinks not age, but the ability to write
properly is the most important thing when granting a job. As to the
issue of competition in the modern world, Vladimir Darie, chief
executive of ‘MoldPress’, said the product of news agencies will
remain reliable and demanded in any period.

Hrayr Zoryan, chief executive director of Armenpress, presented the
‘Armenpress-90’ state-funded book on the history of the Armenian State
News Agency (since 1918). Mikhail Kalmikov expressed gratitude on
behalf of his counterparts for ‘the three wonderful days in Armenia’.

The guests also attended the YSU Museum and got acquainted with the
exhibits, presenting the history of the university.

From: A. Papazian

HEADS OF CIS STATE NEWS AGENCIES VISIT BRANDY FACTORY OF YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: The heads of the CIS state news
agencies visited today Brandy Factory of Yerevan. In the ripening
shop of the factory the guests were presented the history of ‘Ararat’
cognacs and the process of production. The participants of the 12th
session of the CIS Information Council stopped in front of the ‘Peace
Vessel’, in which cognac of 1994 – years of ceasefire of the Artsakh
War – is being ripened. They were informed that the ‘Peace Vessel’
will be open when the NK conflict is settled. The guests toured in
the Charles Aznavour Foyer of the factory, where they visited nominal
vessels of presidents of various states.

From: A. Papazian