Author: Andres-Papazian

JAN GARBAREK/HILLIARD ENSEMBLE: OFFICIUM NOVUM(ECM)
John Fordham

guardian.co.uk
Thursday 30 September 2010 21.59 BST

Buy the CD Jan Garbarek, The Hilliard Ensemble Officium Novum ECM
New Series 2010 Norwegian sax star Garbarek and the Hilliard vocal
ensemble have travelled from a largely early-music repertoire in the
early 90s to a more inclusively ancient-and-modern one today. The
story continues with this third album, launched in the UK tomorrow (2
October) at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge. As the quintet showed
in St Paul’s Cathedral last year, its freedom and flexibility have
grown over time, with Garbarek shifting from the solemnly reticent
jazz ambiance he brought to the early encounters to a relaxed mix
of early-jazz vibrato quivers (on the 19th-century Armenian hymn Ov
Zarmanali) and almost soul-sax earthiness (on Perotin’s Alleluia,
Nativitas) here. The third-century Byzantine chant Svjete Tihij,
with its deep tenor-sax hoots and churning vocal lines, sounds like
a distant relative of Scarborough Fair, Garbarek’s own Allting Finns
strikes a sharp contrast in its sliding harmonic ambiguities, and the
13-minute Litany is a fine balance of tranquil tonal contrasts and
episodes of exultant collective intensity. The Officium saga’s many
admirers will be enchanted, though jazz-improv buffs may be less so.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH DISTRIBUTION OF HIGH-QUALITY WHEAT SEEDS ON OCTOBER 1

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 30, 2010 – 19:57 AMT 14:57 GMT

16 vans (1,000 tons) of high-quality Russian wheat have already been
unloaded at Masis station.

On September 30, Armenian Minister of Agriculture Gerasim Alaverdyan
told journalists that the vans will be unsealed on October 1 with
participation of Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and the
wheat will be distributed among farms.

As per the program approved by the government for the development of
seed farming and production for 2010-2014, the cultivation areas will
not be expanded the first year. ~SWe aim to produce high-quality seeds.

Thus, preference will be given to those territories, where crops have
not been cultivated for two years.~T

Besides, the Minister noted that the farmers provided with seeds are
obliged to return it at ½ ratio. ~SOnly those farms, which deal with
seed farming, will be able to do it. Thus, preference will be given
to them,~T concluded Gerasim Alaverdyan.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIA’S JAVAKHK DIASPORA URGES GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES TO DECLARE SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI NATIONAL-CULTURAL AUTONOMY

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 30, 2010 – 17:58 AMT 12:58 GMT

The Javakheti Diaspora of Russia disseminated a statement with respect
to the upcoming visit of Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze to
Armenia. It says that the Georgian authorities transfer their country
into a mono-ethnic state, while nationalism and discrimination continue
growing in the country. President Mikheil Saakashvili aspires towards
construction of a national state. And it is well-known that there are
two ways for it – assimilation and emigration. Currently, Tbilisi is
trying to assimilate the national minorities residing in Georgia.

The statement notes that Armenians of Samtskhe-Javakheti are deprived
of the opportunity to create in Armenian language, though they make
a majority in the aforementioned region.

“Nevertheless, as per European conventions on national minorities
rights protection, which are signed, but not ratified by Georgia, a
national minority making 20% of population has the right to use its
native language as a language of court proceeding and education. It
is evident that the Georgian authorities violate the existing
international standards in this matter,” reads the statement.

Authors of the statement believe that false rumors intentionally
disseminated by some Georgian media about Javakhk are vain and
there are not any separatist moods in the region. The problem of
a cultural autonomy exists there in part. “It is ridiculous not to
have a cultural autonomy in the region, where even Georgians speak
Armenian better than their native language – Georgian. Taking this
into consideration, we, the Javakheti Diaspora of Russia, urge the
Georgian authorities to declare the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti a
national-cultural autonomy,” reads the statement.

From: A. Papazian

CD REVIEW: SERJ TANKIAN
Christina Caldwell

Serj Tankian
Imperfect Harmonies
(Reprise/Serjical Strike)
Grade: B+

When System of a Down burst onto the music scene in 1994, it was
the ethnic intensity and falsetto of frontman Serj Tankian that set
the band apart from other alt-prog bands of the time. Sixteen years
later, the Armenian singer still has a flair for the dramatic, minus
the pent up aggression of his band.

But don’t mistake it as an ethnic record. Imperfect Harmonies,
Tankian’s second solo release, is rife with Middle Eastern influences,
but also takes a full orchestra, jazz and System of a Down’s trademark
chaotic rock into account. Its layered, intricate sound mixes with
Tankian’s demanding, almost historical vocals that come from a period
before western music dominated the world.

Surprisingly, Imperfect Harmonies’ best moments come toward the end of
the album on “Left of Center,” a political cry that’s an epic Muse jam
that meets the Sahara Desert. Closer “Wings of Summer” is beautified
by Bitter:Sweet vocalist Shana Halligan’s soft backup vocals, which
add another dimension to Tankian’s old world goodness.

From: A. Papazian

RESULTS OF THE PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY OF THE DIASPORA MASS MEDIA FOR THE NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE ARMENIAN IDENTITY TO BE SUMMED UP OCTOBER 12-16

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: On the initiative of the Armenian
Diaspora Ministry “Challenges of 21st Century, Information Security and
Armenian Press” fifth all-Armenian conference will be held in Artsakh
October 12-16. As part of the event the results of the prize giving
ceremony of the Diaspora mass media for the notable contribution to
the preservation of the Armenian identity organized by the Diaspora
Ministry and World Armenian Congress will be summed up.

Public relations officer of the ministry Tevos Nersisyan told
Armenpress that 50 mass media will compete for the “Best Armenian
Mass Media” nomination.

For each nomination the ministry and the World Armenian Congress
have set up commissions which have already made final decisions as
a result of the evaluation of the submitted applications.

From: A. Papazian

SERGO YERITSYAN SAYS PROVINCES ARE IN MORE POOR STATE IN REGARD TO LINGUAL VIOLATIONS THAN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: The Language State Inspectorate
subordinated to the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science
has implemented this year 105 revisions; about 500 entrepreneurial
subjects have received warnings on lingual violations, and an act of
another company is in the court.

Sergo Yeritsyan, acting officer of the Head of State Language
Inspectorate, told today journalists that perfect legislative field
is necessary for taking proper language control. According to him,
there are some flaws in the sphere today, which hinders in full
consolidation of the language policy. To fulfill those flaws the State
Language Inspectorate has come forth with a number of initiatives,
particularly, on making amendments in the laws on advertisement,
administrative violations and on television and radio.

Mr. Yeritsyan said that provinces are in more poor state in regard
to lingual violations than Yerevan. ~SWe have studied the towns of
Ijevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Kapan and Noyemberyan: except the well
known foreign language signboards, violations in our other towns
have not been registered. The violations in Yerevan, too, were not so
apparent 3-4 years ago,~T Mr. Yeritsyan stressed, adding that foreign
language signboards comprise a great number in Yerevan, the names of
the majority of the taxies are in English.

From: A. Papazian

ARTAK SHAKARYAN: THE NAMAZ TO BE ORGANIZED BY TURKISH NATIONALISTS IN ANI MOTHER TEMPLE IS NOTHING BUT A PR ACTION

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: The namaz to be organized by Turkish
nationalists in Ani Mother Temple is nothing but a PR action, Artak
Shakaryan, specialist in Turkologist told Armenpress, adding that
on the eve of parliamentary elections in Turkey in 2011 the Turkish
nationalists are trying to get dividends.

“With this step the Nationalist party headed by Devlet Bahceli is
trying to show that they are preservers of real ideas of Turkish
nation,” he said, adding that in parallel with it they discredit the
authorities labeling them as traitors, explaining it that “see you
allow Armenians to conduct liturgy in Surb Khach thus we have right
to do namaz in Ani Temple.”

Artak Shakaryan said that this issue is not being widely discussed
in Turkey as it is being done in Armenia and it is understandable as
“they are going to do it in our Ani, in our Mother Temple.”

The Turkologyst also noted that this action may also be addressed to
a target electorate, for instance to the population of Kars, as Kars
is traditionally considered one of the centers of Turkish nationalism.

From: A. Papazian

YOUNG PEOPLE OF ARMENIA TO SUPPORT ACTIVATION OF CULTURAL LIFE IN JAVAKHQ

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: As part of the “Youth visit to
Javakhq” Armenian young people will visit the region in late October.

The program is being carried out by the “Center for organization of
youth events” state non-profit organization affiliated to the Sports
and Youth Affairs Ministry.

The director of the center Samvel Mertajyan told Armenpress that a
40-member Armenian delegation will depart for Javakhq for three days
and together with the local young people will organize joint events.

During the visit meetings with authorities of Akhalkalaki and
Ninotsminda, with representatives of Javakhq youth non-governmental
organizations will take place. The Armenian young people will also
come forth with concert.

Samvel Mertajyan said the goal of the program is to promote the
activation of cultural life in Javakhq, exchange experience.

The time of the implementation of the program coincides with the time
of the visit of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II
to Javakhq.

From: A. Papazian

THE ASSOCIATION OF SMALL FARMERS OF KAPAN SUMMED UP THE RESULTS OF “KAPAN AGRO-EXPO 2010” AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION-SALE

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
KAPAN

KAPAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: The association of small farmers of
Kapan summed up the results of “Kapan Agro-Expo 2010” agricultural
exhibition-sale. The chairman of the association Armine Hakobyan told
Armenpress that only 0,2 % of the presented agricultural products
out of 3,7 tons have not been purchased.

Overall products costing 1 million 400 000 AMD have been purchased,
mainly fruits and vegetables.

Currently the Association of Small Farmers of Kapan is getting
prepared for the second round of the exhibition-sale. It is planned
to be conducted in midst of October.

From: A. Papazian

REPAIRED MUSICAL SCHOOL OPENS IN IJEVAN WITH PARTICIPATION OF RA PRIME MINISTER

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: Repaired musical school ceremonially
opened today in Ijevan with participation of Armenian Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan. The school was built in 1978 and had never been
subject to repair since then.

Director of the school Svetlana Beglaryan noted that construction
started from November 2009. According to her, not only repair works
have been implemented, but one more floor has been added as well. The
director noted that previously the school did not have halls for
sessions and concert; they are currently placed at the third floor.

The repair has been funded by the World Bank through the Armenian
Social Investment Fund. The latter also supported the school in
updating of the property.

The musical school is intended for 320 pupils, but Mrs. Beglaryan
said that currently 325 pupils attend it, 25 of who are from children
houses. According to her, not only the children from Ijevan, but from
neighboring regions as well attend the school.

The Armenian Prime Minister has made his own contribution to
replenishment of musical instruments; he has donated a German royal.

The executive director also visited the local tourism center, where
an expo-fair of books published in the recent years was held. Tigran
Sargsyan walked around in the building, getting acquainted with
the exhibits.

From: A. Papazian