Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT BECAME THE GODFATHER OF GRANDMASTER GABRIEL SARGISSIAN

18:34, 28 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS: On June 28 took place the wedding
ceremony of famous Armenian chess player Gabriel Sargsyan. The
godfather was the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan. “Armenpress” was informed from facebook account of Ararat
Patriarchal Diocese that the wedding ceremony was held by the Vicar
of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan who
blessed the ches player and his wife.

At the wedding ceremony were present famous Armenian chess players,
including Levon Aronyan with his girlfriend from Philippines.

President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan is also the head
of Armenian chess federation.

Gabriel Sargissian is an Armenian chess player and International
Grandmaster of Chess (2002). He was a member of the gold-medal winning
Armenian team at the chess Olympiads in 2006, 2008 and 2012 and at
the World Team Chess Championship in 2011.

Sargissian was born in Yerevan on 3 September 1983 and was taught
to play chess by his grandfather when he was 6. He won the World
Youth Chess Championship (under 14) in 1996 and the European Youth
Chess Championship (under 16) in 1998. In the same year he become an
International Master.

Sargissian played for Armenia in the Chess Olympiads of 2000, 2002,
2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He took team bronze medal in 2002 and
2004 and team gold medal in 2006, 2008 and 2012. In the 2008 Chess
Olympiad he won the gold medal for his individual performance on
board three (+7 -0 =4 with an Elo performance rating of 2869). He
was a member of the gold-medal winning Armenian team at the World
Team Chess Championship in Ningbo 2011. He also played for Armenia
in the European Team Chess Championships of 2007, 2009 and 2011,
winning team silver medal in 2007 and individual gold in 2009.

Sargissian played for “MIKA Yerevan” in the European Chess Club Cup
in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and played for “CA Linex Magic Merida”
(Spain) in the 23rd European Chess Club Cup in Kemer 2007, winning
team gold medal.

From: A. Papazian

CAPITAL DESERT: ECOLOGISTS WARN OF NATURE IMBALANCE DUE TO OVER DEVELOPMENT

ENVIRONMENT | 28.06.13 | 15:33

Photolure

Silva Adamyan and Aram Aghasyan
By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

The altered bio-diversity of Yerevan, caused by urban development,
has forced reptiles to move to populated human settlements.

“Look at Yerevan as a live organism, and if you look at the specifics
of its biodiversity you will see that we have bad indicators. If a
certain area with its typical biodiversity is cut by 25-50 percent,
it approaches a critical state, if the reduction gets passed 50
percent then it is a disaster. Yerevan is in a disastrous state,
over the recent years its biodiversity has undergone huge changes,”
says president of EcoLur Informational NGO Inga Zarafyan.

Scorpions, lizards and snakes make most of the fauna in Yerevan
located in the junction of semi-desert and mountainous-steppe climatic
zones. The greening and increase of water areas allowed changing
Yerevan’s ecosystem during the Soviet years. But, ecologists say,
the recent city plans of the capital ignore its natural specifics.

Multi-storey buildings, asphalt and concrete have come to replace
large green areas, which is taking the city back to its initial –
desert – condition.

“If before snakes used to live in their natural environment,
today, if there is construction and their locale is taken over,
they start searching for new places and move away from their places
of population,” says expert Aram Aghasyan, Head of Protected Areas
Management Department of Bioresources Management Agency at the
Ministry of Nature Protection. He says there are 15 snake species
populating Yerevan, the poisonous among them is gyurza, which can be
seen in Hrazdan gorge, in the vicinity of the TV tower, Dalma gardens,
in the area from Erebuni to Nubarashen.

“For two-three more years such changes will be happening until
the natural ecosystems finally lose their initial shape. Hrazdan
gorge stretches through Yerevan and is of certain value with its
biodiversity; it once used to have rich ecosystem. Yerevan is
expanding, and obviously has to undergo certain shifts,” says Aghasyan.

Hrazdan gorge which used to stand out for its abundant flora is now
overtaken by restaurant and hotel complexes belonging to oligarchs.

The elimination of Dalma gardens – “lungs of Yerevan” – started in
2004 by the government decree providing for the division of the
gardens to zones, which in turn implied using parts of that land
for urban development. Today the Yerevan municipality website has a
post inviting investors to take part in ‘Noyland’ large-scale urban
development project in the area adjoining the Dalma gardens.

Silva Adamyan, scientific worker at the National Academy of Sciences’
Center for Zoology and Hydroecology, says all this is likely to turn
Yerevan into a semi-desert.

“Another consequence of urban development is that there are more midges
in Yerevan. The newly-built dwellings do not have delves fit for common
swifts’ nesting and egg-laying, whereas swifts are absolutely needed
in cities, because they, like swallows, catch midges in the air as
well as other flying insects. Instead there are more garbage-eating
bird species now, such as, crows, magpies,” says Adamyan.

According to her, before the 1980s around 158 bird species populated
Yerevan, and there only 135 left now.

From: A. Papazian

First-ever prosecution for insulting Armenians in Turkey

16:10 ¢ 29.06.13

The Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office is prosecuting two Turks for
`insulting, humiliating and threatening.’

If found guilty, Yusuf Polat, who called Armenians Levon
BalcıoÄ?lu and his son Artun BalcıoÄ?lu
`Armenian Giaours’, will be imprisoned as the first Turk legally
punished for using the word `Armenian’ in an offensive sense.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia
Contact: Rouzanne Sakanyan
Tel: (+374 10) 27 14 99
Baghramyan 3rd Lane, House 10A
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Email: fcarmenia@fullercenterarmeniaorg
Web:

FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING ARMENIA CELEBRATED ITS 5TH ANNIVERSARY, JUNE 28, 2013

YEREVAN, ARMENIA – On June 28, 2013, the Fuller Center for
Housing Armenia (FCHA) celebrated its 5th anniversary at the Armenia
Marriott Hotel Yerevan, which was the generous sponsor of the event.
This event marked an important milestone not only for the Fuller Center
for Housing, but also for the Republic of Armenia. Since its inception
in 2008, FCHA has built or renovated hundreds of safe and decent homes
for needy families in remote regions of Armenia.

Commenting on the core values of Marriott International, J.W. Marriott,
Jr. stated, `We believe our long-time commitment to a
sustainable business sets us apart and our global reach gives us a
unique opportunity to make a real difference in communities around the
world.’

David Snell, the founder member and the president of the Fuller Center
for Housing, inc. shared in his remarks: `I had the great
privilege of visiting Armenia in 2008 when The Fuller Center Armenia was
still a dream. Now, five years later, this program has risen to become
the most productive organization in the world-wide Fuller Center family
of covenant partners.

This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of those who
share of their time and their financial resources. Special recognition
is due to local donors/supporters for their gifts. Thanks are also due
to the amazing Armenian diaspora community in the United States whose
generosity is unbounded.

Thank you for coming out to celebrate this great event. May the good
Lord continue to shower His blessings on The Fuller Center for Housing
Armenia and on our work around the world. Every child deserves to have
a decent home to grow up in, and together we can make that happen. No
more shacks! No more domiks’!

Discussing the significance of the Fuller Center’s 5th
anniversary, Ashot Yeghiazaryan, president of the Fuller Center for
Housing Armenia, stated:

`Since 2000, our team has been working in Armenia to eliminate
poverty housing, and so far we have reached out to over 650 families.
Over 70% of these families were homeless, while some just needed home
improvements. Every home we have built has been made possible thanks to
the dedication of our supporters and volunteers as well as organizations
both from Armenia and overseas.

`However the housing need in Armenia is still high. There are
over 64,000 families (about 8% of population) who need to either build
or renovate their homes. We have seen that helping one family at a time
is making a difference for a lifetime, and impacting more than one
generation. Our mission motivates us to share our love and dedication
with these families.

`As we look to the future, we would like to reach out to new
communities. We encourage all Armenians and interested people to join
this vital humanitarian work and help us change the lives of Armenian
families in our homeland.’

The 5th anniversary celebration will follow joint builds with longtime
and new partners: Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan, KPMG, U.S. Embassy,
Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX), AGBU, International Research &
Exchanges Board (IREX), Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC), and others.
FCHA will also commemorate the anniversary with the completion of its
250th home. In summer 2013, this home, now the residence of the
Margaryan family in the village of Ujan, will be dedicated and blessed
by local clergy. Members of St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church
in White Plains, New York sponsored the construction of this house.

FCHA also partners with Heifer International to provide many of the new
homeowners with gifts of livestock and bees; this has allowed the
homeowners to generate a stable income and enhance the economy of their
local regions. This winning approach of building homes and gifting
livestock means that FCHA’s beneficiary families do not feel the
need to seek a better standard of living outside of Armenia. FCHA
provides safe shelter and a source of income that gives families
everything they need to stay in Armenia.

The anniversary coincided with the kick-off of FCHA’s 6th summer
volunteer season, called Global Builders. Currently two volunteer teams
are in Armenia led by Cynthia Erickson (10 members) and Leo Manuelian
(15 members). Both team leaders are from USA and both have joined this
home building mission since 2003.

`Congratulations to Fuller Center Armenia on this 5th
anniversary. Of course I was present at your birth, so I feel like you
are my child also. Best wishes for your continued success in the future
and for the hard work to create this organization’ shared
Cynthia Erickson.

`I want to congratulate Fuller Center on its 5th anniversary. In
its short but wise term of existence the organization has helped over
250 families giving families in need like us a shelter, warmth and faith
for living. The words can’t express the feelings that I have in
my soul.’ shared Zorik Avetisyan from Aragatsotn region, the
village of Ujan, whose house was built through FCHA program last year.

The Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is a non-government, charitable
organization that supports community development in the Republic of
Armenia by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and
affordable homes, as well as advocating the right to 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 a sustainable community development effort.

For more information, please visit

From: A. Papazian

20th anniversary of Martakert liberation marked in Artsakh

18:18 28/06/2013 » SOCIETY

On June 28, Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan visited Martakert
regional center and attended events dedicated to the 20th anniversary
of the town’s liberation.

In his speech, President Sahakyan noted that the liberation of
Martakert is a big holiday for the entire nation, and it became a
reality due to the best sons of the Armenian people, whose feat will
serve as an example for the generations to come.

According to the President, the best way of keeping alive the memory
of the perished heroes is the implementation of their aims, the
prosperity and development of the native country. Within this context
the President stressed that the state will do everything possible to
make Martakert prosperous, improve the living standards of its
residents and strengthen the independent statehood.

The President then awarded Medal for Service in Battle to a group of
freedom fighters for personal bravery shown in battles defending the
Fatherland.

NKR officials, guests from Armenia and abroad attended the event,
reported the Central Information Department at the Artsakh President’s
Office.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

Karabakh issue discussed in Paris

13:58 29.06.2013

In Paris, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a meeting
with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, Igor Popov, Jaqcues Faure and Ian
Kelly, and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

Issues related to the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict
were discussed.

The Armenian Foreign Minister reiterated Armenia’s willingness to
continue to the joint efforts targeted at the peaceful resolution of
the Karabakh conflict on the basis of the principles and elements
presented by the mediators.

From: A. Papazian

New approaches to new phase

June 28 2013

The political phase (cycle) completed, the political season of this
year ends too, and it is likely that any major event will not take
place until September. It’s the time to summarize the results, and now
let’s try to just list the main political players. There is no need to
speak more about the party in power, for more than 20 years, the group
of corrupted officials is ruling in Armenia, which regularly changes
its name. Of all subjects of the opposition party let us first of all
mention the ANC as a team of supporters who implicitly accepts Levon
Ter-Petrosyan’s authority and considers all his words absolutely true
both now and in the past. In addition to being a unified team, the ANC
also has the advantage that it is cooperating with the PAP and uses
the its material and information resources. There are also figures in
the same opposition that have left ANC for various reasons who as
individuals are often more interesting than the ANC party, but in all
cases they are manifested as individuals, so far there is no platform
on which they can be united. It’s hard to imagine that, for example,
Grant Bagratyan, Nichol Pashinyan and David Shahnazaryan can again
appear in one political structure. Each will prefer its to be the
first in everything from being the last from anything. In addition to
that, although the ANC officially announces that the government is its
only target, however, the campaigning resources of this party (and
PAP) do not spare efforts and energy to `spoil’ the former ANC
members. Despite everything, acting in a united, though, not so bright
team in the politics is more preferable and prospective than as an
individual, even making a speech with adroitness and brilliant tricks.
The ANC (Dashnak), due to its developed ideology of more than a
century, has and, I hope, will always have its special place in our
political life and in the consciousness of our society. However, by
the power of inertia or due to inadequate efforts of Dashnak, the
agenda of given Party is perceived as a pure national liberation
struggle, and is not connected with the challenges of contemporary
Armenia. To abandon the values of the Party’s `brand’ would be stupid.
Adding the new `brands’ to them is very difficult. This political
cycle was a starry hour for the `Heritage’ Party. I do not think that
in the near future the `favorable parade of planets’ will be repeated
for this party. Did the `Heritage’ `squeeze’ the maximum from given
situation? Probably not. But Raffi Hovannisian’s non-standard behavior
as an opposition might be a milestone for the next oppositions, and
they rejecting the party’s mistakes will use a state, restrained and
respectful towards the opponent `tonality’, which was heard by the
`Heritage’ party. In all cases, the new political phase requires new
approaches.

ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
Read more at:
© 1998 – 2013 Aravot – News from Armenia

From: A. Papazian

COMMUNIQUÉ DE RENAISSANCE ARMENIENNE
A l’occasion du 1er anniversaire du décès de Vahé Avédian

`011

L’officier de l’armée arménienne, le chef médecin Vahé Avédian, n’est
pas décédé sur le front d’une balle de soldat Turc ou Azéri, ni à la
suite d’une maladie incurable ou d’un accident banal. Il a été
assassiné le 29 juin 2012 dans le restaurant « Harsnakar » par les
gardes du corps ou » les valets » d’un dénommé Roupen Hayrabedian, un
féodal proche du régime. La victime ayant reçu de violents coups sur
place, est décédé après avoir été transportée à l’hôpital.

Aujourd’hui, nous commémorons, en Arménie et en Diaspora la 1e année
de son assassinat.

Malgré des indices palpables, les auteurs du crime et son possible
commanditaire Roupen Hayrabedian restent impunis. De plus, le système
judiciaire en Arménie ne se prive pas de dresser des barrières afin de
saboter les efforts des avocats de la défense.

Ce « procès » n’est pas achevé, mais en se basant sur le fait que les
instances judiciaires sont intimement liées au pouvoir politique,
ainsi que des précédents de triste réputation, il est évident que
l’issue de ce procès soit également injuste et scandaleux. Sauf si la
pression populaire et internationale impose le contraire.

Il est impossible de relater en une seule page les procès illégaux des
événements passés et présents que ce soit à l’encontre des éléments
non corrompus de l’armée ou des opposants politiques ou bien de ceux
qui refusent de se soumettre à une mafia féodale. La liste est
tellement longue…

Certes, des associations internationales protectrices des droits de
l’homme, de même que des organisations locales ou étrangères non
gouvernementales classent le régime en Arménie dans une position non
enviable, sur la liste des pays qui violent les droits de l’homme.

La branche parisienne de Renaissance Arménienne condamne sévèrement
ces crimes et notamment leur impunité. Notre mouvement en diaspora et
en Arménie va lutter aux côtés des organisations pour la protection
des droits de l’homme au profit de l’instauration d’un système juste
et civilisé.

Renaissance Arménienne-Paris 27/06/2013

[email protected] Page Facebook +33-7-81-25-45-98

Renaissance Arménienne Paris

A l’initiative de Renaissance Arménienne Paris, une messe de requiem
aura lieu ce dimanche 30 juin en l’église apostolique St Jean Baptiste
de Paris 15 rue Jean Goujon Paris 8me, à la mémoire de Vahé Avetian le
médecin-soldat de l’armée arménienne, sauvagement assassiné il y a
juste un an.

Ceux qui souhaitent honorer sa mémoire sont invités à participer à la cérémonie.

JPEG – 84.9 ko
samedi 29 juin 2013,
Ara ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

ART-PEINTURE
Noah’s Ark Art Gallery diffuse les `uvres d’artistes Arméniens à
travers le monde

La galerie d’art Noah’s Ark Art Gallery fut fondée en 1996 par Mosses
Herkelian, critique d’art, collectionneur d’`uvres antiques et
journaliste. La galerie située à Zalka (Liban) organisa entre 1996 et
200 de très nombreuses expositions. En 2000 Noah’s Ark Art Gallery
participa) l’exposition Europ’Art 2000 à Genève qui connut un vif
succès. Depuis début 2000 jusqu’à aujourd’hui Noah’s Ark Art Gallery
dirigée par Mosses Herkelian et son épouse Elo Saradjian également
spécialiste de l’art, participent à de nombreuses expositions
internationales à Genève, Barcelone, Madrid, Venise, New Yor, Las
Vegas, Philadelphie, Montréal, Buenos Aires, Pékin, Monaco et Paris.
La galerie est spécialisée dans la restauration et la publication de
livres d’art d’artistes connus. La galerie Noah’s Ark Art dispose
d’`uvres d’artistes célèbres tels que Franz Kruger, Theophille Barnet,
F. Marius, Isachev, Yuri Tsvetaev, Carzou ou Paul Guiragossian.

(JPEG)
Mosses Herkelian et son épouse Elo Saradjian
Mosses Herkelian collabore également à de nombreux magazines d’art
tels que Monday Morning, Fine Arts Magazine ou Luxe Immo. L’occasion
pour lui de faire connaitre au passage de ses écrits, des artistes
Arméniens. Noah’s Ark Art Gallery est également spécialisée dans la
promotion des `uvres post-soviétiques d’artistes Arméniens tels que
Vahram, Suren, David, Vahan Roumelian, Ruben, Abovian, Edik Pertian,
Yuroz, Svetlana Hakobian, Mazmanian, Arthur K. « Nous mettons en
valeur l’`uvre de ces artistes par les expositions, l’édition de
catalogues et les articles dans la presse d’art internationale »
affirment de concert Mosses Herkelian et Elo Saradjian. Le couple
contribue ainsi à faire connaitre les artistes d’Arménie, de Russie et
d’ailleurs, auprès des collectionneurs internationaux. « Car les
acheteurs Arméniens ne représentent qu’une partie minime de nos
clients » dit Mosses Herkelian.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 29 juin 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

MONNAIES ARMENIENNES
Une monnaie commémorative du 20ième anniversaire du dram, la monnaie arménienne

La Banque Centrale d’Arménie vient d’émettre une pièce de monnaie
commémorative à l’occasion du 20ième anniversaire de la naissance de
la monnaie nationale le dram. La monnaie d’une valeur faciale de 1000
drams représente les armoiries de la République d’Arménie ainsi que
les hologrammes utilisés sur les billets. Son designer est Vartan
Vartanian. Frappée dans les ateliers de la Monnaie Royale des Pays-Bas
en seulement 500 exemplaires, cette monnaie commémorative d’un poids
de 31,1 grammes est en argent.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 29 juin 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian