Author: Andres-Papazian

EVGENY KISSIN: I’VE DONE WHAT I’VE WANTED TO DO, AND MOST OF ALL I’VE WANTED TO PLAY

“Radiolur”
18:47 25.09.2012

World-known pianist Evgeny Kissin will perform inYerevanwithin the
framework of the Yerevan Perspectives Festival. The concert will take
place at Aram Khachatryan Concert Hall on September 27 and will mark
the start of the 2012 fall season. Works by Hayden, Beethoven, Chopin,
Schubert and List will be performed.

This is not the fist visit of the pianist to Armenia. He arrived
inArmeniaat the age of 13 with a choir.

“I’m very glad to be in Armenia after an interval of 28 years,”
Evgeny Kissin told reporters inYerevan. He said he was deeply touched
by the destructive earthquake that hitArmeniain 1988. The pianist was
inItaly, when he heard the news, and he has been allocating proceeds
from his concerts to the casualties of the earthquake ever since. The
forthcoming concert is not an exception. He will donate his $25,000
honorarium to the city of Spitak.

Asked whether he’s glad to visit Armenia, Kissin said he would never
pay a second visit to a country, if he didn’t like it. According to
him, there are countries, which he never visits because of political
reasons, this is the principled stance of the great musician.Turkeyis
one of those countries.

“I refuse to go toTurkey, because of its failure to recognize the
Armenian genocide, although there have been a number of invitations.

Another country I never visit isChina. I was born under red flags,
and I simply don’t want to go there,” the pianist said.

During a World Jewish Congress in Jerusalem in 2009 titled
“European-Jewish Dialogue” reminded the participants aboutTurkey’s
genocidal policy at the turn of the century, and comparing it to the
Holocaust, said thatGermanywould not be accepted into any international
organization had it failed to recognize the holocaust of Jews.

One of the most famous pianists, Evgeny Kissin was born in Moscow
to a Russian Jewish family. Kissin started playing at the age of
two. At the age of ten, Kissin made his debut performing Mozart’s
Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor with the Ulyanovsk Symphony Orchestra.

Does he regret for the having spent most of his childhood playing a
piano? “I had friends and I played with them,” the pianist said. “No
one has made me do anything. I’ve done what I have wanted to do,
and most of al I’ve wanted to play a piano.”

Asked what he likes most, Kissing said “collecting emotions.” He will
convey his emotions to the Armenian audience on September 27.

The Yerevan Perspectives is ranked among the leading European
festivals. For 13 years now it has been hosting renowned soloists and
orchestras of the world. The festival is supported by the Armenian
Ministry of Culture and theYerevanCity Halland is held under the high
auspices of President Serzh Sargsyan.

From: A. Papazian

“TER-PETROSSIAN MOCKED IN THE FIRST PLACE; KOCHARYAN AND SERZH SARGSYAN ARE HIS STUDENTS,” ZARUHI POSTANJYAN SAYS

September 25, 2012 16:53

On Independence Day, Levon Ter-Petrossian, the leader of the Armenian
National Congress (ANC) and the first president, said about President
Serzh Sargsyan’s consultation that Serzh Sargsyan had mocked the
people.

Zaruhi Postanjyan, a Heritage Party MP, responded to Levon
Ter-Petrossian’s observation during a conversation with ,
“I am very sorry, but Levon Ter-Petrossian mocked the people in the
first place. In 1995, the Constitution, which wasn’t able to play
its role, which it should have done, was imposed on us illegally,
without a referendum. No checks and balances were created. The author
of today’s institution of president, the concentration of executive
power in the hands of one person, basically the author of gang rule
is he himself. He mocked in the first place and Robert Kocharyan and
Serzh Sargsyan are his students.”

In response to our question whether she meant that he had no moral
right to say that Serzh Sargsyan mocked, Ms. Postanjyan said, “He
would have had a moral right, if he had left his house on March 1
and been with the people. He should have been the first victim.”

As for Serzh Sargsyan’s consultation and its results, dismissals,
Zaruhi Postanjyan stated, “Should the President make a speech and say
that there are abuses to get a response? It is clear for everyone that
there are abuses. Law-enforcement bodies must give an adequate response
in time, the courts must respond. Whereas every one of you saw hundreds
of counselors of the Supreme Court go on strike protesting against
the court, which testifies to the fact that the Supreme Court, which
should play its role, doesn’t do that. So there is no legal system.”

Hripsime JEBEJYAN

From: A. Papazian

New York Daily News
Sept 25 2012

Theater reviews: ‘Red Dog Howls,’ ‘Children of Killers’

One play tackles the topic of genocide in Armenia, the other one in Rwanda

“RED DOG HOWLS” (2 STARS)

Mysteries dangle like baited fishhooks right from the get-go in the
spotty “Red Dog Howls.”

As the drama begins Michael, a writer, gazes into the audience
and gravely declares: “There are sins, from which we can never be
absolved. I know this … because I have committed one.”

Is he confessing? Repeating another’s words? And what’s this terrible
sin? All eventually becomes clear in Alexander Dinelaris’ 90-minute
play set in 1986 New York about a family haunted by the Armenian
genocide.

That traumatized past bleeds into the present and the future
when Michael (Alfredo Narciso) discovers that his reportedly dead
grandmother, Rose (Kathleen Chalfant), is actually alive. At the
urging of his wife, Gabriela (Florencia Lozano, in a thankless role),
Michael goes to Rose for the real story.

To keep the story in motion that truth emerges bit-by-bit. “You must
go slow,” prickly Rose tells her grandson. “Give both of our eyes
time to adjust.”

As that happens, the script falls into three nagging modes: banalities
between Michael and Gabby; ornate addresses by him to the audience,
and elliptical volleying between Michael and Rose.

Ken Rus Schmoll’s staging moves smoothly from the couple’s home to
Rose’s apartment to a hospital as hints are dropped that the old
woman experienced unspeakable horrors.

The reliable Chalfant summons the rancid memory in a long, late,
inevitable monologue. When all is said and done, however, it’s like
Dinelaris dared himself to conjure the worst possible nightmare.

Harrowing? Sure. But ultimately hollow.

Through Oct. 14 at New York Theatre Workshop, 74 E. Fourth St.

Tickets, $65; (212) 460-5475.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN “INVESTIGATES” THE NEW YORK TIMES FOR KARABAKH STORY

EurasiaNet.org
Sept 25 2012
NY

Azerbaijan recently became a no-fly zone for moon-walking American
astronaut Charles Duke and Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier after
they had the indiscretion to set foot in separatist Nagorno Karabakh
without permission from Baku.

Last week, The New York Times’ travel section offered a tip to other
explorers about how to visit Karabakh and still be able to hop over
to Azerbaijani-controlled territory later — namely, just “ask for
the visa to be put on a separate piece of paper that can be removed
from your passport.”

The trick is hardly a secret. And one that prudent visitors quickly
learn, with or without a how-to in the American “newspaper of record.”

But the Azerbaijani government, its temper taut from jousting with
Karabakh’s protector, Armenia, over President Ilham Aliyev’s pardon
of axe-murderer Ramil Safarov, charged that sharing this advice was
illegal and has tasked its US embassy to investigate the case.

It is unclear what means are at Baku’s disposal to punish The New
York Times should the government decide that its “investigation”
so warrants it.

This time, the well-tested domestic method of arresting troublesome
journalists will not work.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY REMAINS RESILIENT THROUGH AUGUST
by: Venla Sipila

Global Insight
September 24, 2012

The latest indicator of economic activity published by the country’s
National Statistical Office testify to expansion of 8.3% year-on-year
(y/y) in January-August, according toBlack Sea Press. Coming after
growth of 7.7% y/y reported for January-July, this result points to
persistently robust performance in August. In particular, agricultural
output rose by 10.8% y/y, while the volume of domestic trade increased
by 2.8% y/y. The industrial sector achieved an expansion rate of
over 13% y/y. On the other hand, the construction sector output
declined by 4.1% y/y. In addition, it was reported that the value
of exports in the first eight months of the year rose by 11.4% y/y,
while imports gained 3.6% y/y. The latest quarterly national accounts
data from the National Statistical Office put economic growth in the
second quarter of the year to 6.6% year-on-year (y/y), while seasonal
expansion of agricultural output helped quarter-on-quarter (q/q)
growth reach around 37%. As suggested already by the trend indictor
of output, the industrial and trade sectors have also performed well,
as opposed to construction activity.

Significance:Although the indicator of economic activity typically
shows higher expansion rates than the actual national accounts data,
it now seems likely that the third-quarter GDP growth rate may provide
for some upside surprises. On the other hand, it still remains likely
that the second half of the year will testify to a slowing growth
trend. Earlier reports have indicated that the fairly good showing
of the industrial sector this year to a great extent has relied on
food production. This is good news from the point view of external
balances too, given that Armenia is reliant on imports for some
basic food items, and the good output result may help in suppressing
this. Then again, the trade deficit remains deep, and presents a
source of external financial risks. Both overall economic performance
and the external balance remain vulnerable to external developments,
given that Armenia still greatly depends on inflows of investments
and remittances, in particular.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIA TO OPEN MILITARY RESEARCH AGENCY IN LATE 2012

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 25, 2012 – 20:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russia’s advanced military research agency may become
operational as early as the end of 2012, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry
Rogozin said, according to RIA Novosti.

The Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects in the Defense
Industry will be similar in its purpose to the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the United States.

The new body is expected to boost the development of advanced weaponry
and help streamline the arms procurement process in Russia.

“I think that we will wrap up all legal procedures by the end of this
year and the foundation will start operating,” Rogozin, who oversees
Russia’s defense industry, said in an interview with Rossiiskaya
Gazeta to be published on Wednesday.

“The agency will provide support for both fundamental research and
high-risk projects,” Rogozin said.

He expressed hope that by bringing the fundamental and applied
research closer together and implementing the results of this research
in concrete weapons development projects, the new agency will help
Russia achieve technological breakthroughs in key defense areas as
early as in three years.

“We have so many breakthrough projects gathering dust that if we
implement only a small part of them we will see a revolutionary leap
in Russia’s development,” Rogozin said.

The new agency, which would initially employ 100-150 experts, will
be funded under the state arms procurement program until 2020.

Russia’s Vedomosti business daily speculated in July that up to 4.7
trillion rubles ($145 billion), or almost a fifth of the rearmament
program’s budget, could be spent for “unidentified” purposes, including
“secret weapons development.”

From: A. Papazian

OPPOSITION MP LASHES OUT AT ARMENIAN GOVERNOR

tert.am
25.09.12

Kotayk Governor Kovalenko Shahgeldyan refused to present a 2011 budget
report to Armenia’s parliament on Tuesday.

The reason is that Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Finance Atom
Janjugazyan presented a more detailed report.

Shahgeldyan advised the MPs to visit the region.am website for
information.

In response, Nikol Pashinyan, an MP of the opposition bloc Armenian
National Congress (ANC), said: “So we must thank you for coming here
instead of Skyping your report. I want you to know that the state
budget is people’s money, and now the people want to know what they
have for this money. But we have the impression you have come to say
you have spent the money.” “Do not show us any websites. You have
come to parliament and be so kind as to answer questions. I cannot
understand how a governor does not know about the number of school
students in his region, migration and ways of resolving the problems,”
Pashinyan said.

Atom Janjugazyan helped Governor Shahgeldyan, saying: “This is not
the people’s money we are spending, but the money we are spending
for them.”

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S PROSECUTOR GENERAL NOT YET SUBMITTED PETITION TO STRIP FORMER FM OF PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY

news.am
September 25, 2012 | 15:55

YEREVAN. – At present, Armenian Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan’s
spokesperson Sona Truzyan has no information on whether or not
Hovsepyan has submitted to the National Assembly (NA) a petition
to strip former FM and currently Prosperous Armenia Party MP Vartan
Oskanian of his parliamentary immunity.

She told Armenian News-NEWS.am that she has no such information and
cannot say when and if she will have such information.

Also, our sources close to NA informed that Aghvan Hovsepyan has not
submitted any petition as of yet.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, according to sources close
to NA headship, NA could discuss at its next session Prosecutor
General Aghvan Hovsepyan’s solicitation to strip Vartan Oskanian
of his parliamentary immunity, to include him as a defendant in the
money laundering lawsuit which the National Security Service (NSS)
has filed, Hraparak daily reported.

“[But] This does not mean Oskanian will be arrested. At this phase they
just want to strip him of his immunity so that he may go to NSS as a
‘defendant’ [but] remaining an MP. In actual fact, the authorities
are attempting to resolve this and remaining matters in phases,
[and] without burning all bridges.

If the Prosecutor General’s petition is brought [to the NA floor], it
will be examined next Monday, once the NA session gets underway. The
Prosecutor General and Oskanian will make twenty-minute speeches
apiece, there will be questions, [and, subsequently,] a voting,”
Hraparak wrote.

From: A. Papazian

“EREBUNI” MUSEUM LAUNCHES SEMINARS FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN

news.am
September 25, 2012 | 17:46

YEREVAN.- Starting from 25 September 2012 “Erebuni” Historical &
Archaeological Museum-Reserve launches seminars for school children
titled “Cultural heritage: preserve the past for the future” and
“Archeological heritage. Erebuni”. The seminars are held within the
framework of EU-funded project.

Gagik Gyurjyan, the president of ICOMOS/Armenia and Director of
Museum-Reserve, greeted the group of 16 schoolchildren. As the school
education is important for the future citizen, he especially emphasized
the significance of awareness and preservation of Armenian heritage.

The seminars are held in the framework of the “Regional Cooperation for
Culture Heritage Development” project, implemented within the European
Commission Eastern Partnership Culture Programme, in cooperation with
“ICOMOS/Armenia” NGO and the project implementing partner “Erebuni”
Historical & Archaeological Museum-Reserve in cooperation with the
Ministry of Education and Science.

The project is implemented in Georgia (ICOMOS, Georgia, Leading
Partner), Armenia (ICOMOS/Armenia, partner) and Ukraine (“Architectura
I Prestizh”, partner). The project was launched in Armenia on 15 June
2012 at “Erebuni” Historical & Archaeological Museum-

From: A. Papazian

AKSEL BAKUNTS HOUSE-MUSEUM TO BE REPAIRED BY THE INSTRUCTION OF PM

ARMENPRESS
25 September, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: A consultation was held at Armenia’s
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan office where Minister of Culture Hasmik
Poghosyan made a report on the urgent need of launching relevant
work in Aksel Bakunts house-museum located in Goris, and libraries
of Ararat and Gyumry provinces.

Getting a detailed description of the situation Sargsyan commissioned
Armenian Social Investment Find director immediately allocate 5
million dollars for Aksel Bakunts museum-house and reportedly 7
million for Ararat province library and 5 million for Gyumry for
cultural institutions rehabilitation, heating systems, installation
and other work, information and public relations department of Armenian
Government informed Armenpress.

The house-museum of the 20th-century great Armenian prose writer Aksel
Bakunts (1899-1937) is located in Goris, the main city of Syunik
region. The writer’s paternal house was turned into a house-museum
in 1968.The main exhibits (nearly 500) and thousands of auxiliary
materials, personal possessions and photographs present Aksel Bakunts’
military life, his education and his prolific literary activities.Aksel
Bakunts Day is held annually at this house-museum.

From: A. Papazian