Author: Antonian Lara

SUPERSTAR CHARLES AZNAVOUR AND A NIGHT OF 100 ARMENIAN MUSIC STARS

Asbarez
Nov 24th, 2009

December 13 double-wow in the Nokia at LA LIVE

LOS ANGELES, CA-Legendary French-Armenian superstar Charles Aznavour
will be among the more than 100 Armenian music stars being honored
on Sunday, December 13, during the star-studded "M Club Music Video
Awards" and "Armenian Music Awards" show.

For the first time in Armenian entertainment history, the 7,100-seat
Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE will be ground zero for the joint Armenian
music and video awards show-a spectacular event that will raise the
bar for all future Armenian award and entertainment shows.

Resources from two US-based production companies and three
international, local, and Armenian television networks are being
synergized to present to attendees the most fascinating nominees
from various genres and categories including the most popular and
most critically-acclaimed Armenian singers, musicians, albums, and
music videos.

Producers Sevak Petrossian and Arthut Kokozian will be bringing the
3rd Annual "M Club Music Video Awards" and 10 Annual "Armenian Music
Awards" together this year to one stage on the same time.

This is a first combination of both these popular awards shows,
which have previously been held at such venues as the Kodak Theatre
in the heart of Hollywood and the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal
City. The successes from the flawless first and second M Club Music
Video Awards and the decade-long networking of the Armenian Music
Video awards is making it possible for Petrosyan and Kokozian to
create the most-professional and blockbuster show ever produced in
Armenian entertainment history.

In addition to Aznavour being given awards for a lifetime of
achievements, daughter Seta Aznavour is scheduled to perform along
with other popular acts like VISA, Element Band, and Reincarnation.

Global rock star Serj Tankian’s father will also perform, and he
is said to be bringing with him a special guest. The special guest,
perhaps Tankian himself, wants to keep his appearance a mystery until
the night of the show on December 13.

Armenian divas Nune Yesayan and Shushan Petrosyan, local favorites
Karnig Sarkissian and Harut Pamboukjian, and global sensations Arto
Tuncboyaciyan from the Armenian Navy Band will come together as well.

A huge and unexpected treat will be a special performance by Russian
superstar Irina Allegrova, who also has a surprise for the Nokia
audience. BBC Award recipient, newcomer from Armenia Silva Hakobian,
Canadian Mariam Matossian, and other top names from South America,
Europe, and the Homeland will also join the festivities.

Also appearing will be former EuroVision top ten contestants Andre and
Hayko, along with international sensation Armenchik, rappers Misho
and Apeh Jan, Jazz singer Arthur Ispirian, and pop star Hovhaness
Shahbazian.

International mainstream music sensations Armen Movsisyan, Victor
Espinola, and Alexander Zhiroff – who have collaborated with top
artists like Yanni, Ray Charles, and Tonny Bennett – will also
participate during the December 13th show. The trio were most recently
part of the sold out Yanni show last June at the Nokia.

"We are going share our music, because we are sharing it with our
people," says Movsisyan. "Armenian music is my culture. It is my
heritage. It’s my music, and we want to dedicate our art to my people."

Many surprises are also planned throughout the four-hour program
including special appearances by a few Hollywood legends like TV star
Mike Connors, top Armenian sportsman like Ultimate Fighting Champion
Vanes Martirosyan, and a few Armenian global superstars, reality show
stars, who want to keep their appearance a last-minute surprise.

"This show promises to be the biggest event of the year, because
coming together are the most popular, the most talented, and the
most legendary Armenian artists from around the world," says Sevag
Petrosyan of Meridian Studios, the producer of the annual M Club
Video Awards. "There is so much excitement in the community, and we
hope the event will sell-out at least a week before."

Tickets for the star-studded night of music and glamour range
from $50 to $200, and they are available through Ticketmaster
or ARTNticket.com. Phone orders are also available by calling
800-533-3386.

"What is even more unique for this big awards show is that three
Armenian television channels are joining forces so that every face
on stage and every performance is captured with the best clarity on
the big screens at the Nokia," says Armenian Music Awards producer
Arthur Kokozian. "Dozens of cameras will be covering the awards and
performances, so that everyone seated anywhere in the Nokia can see
every expression on the faces of the performers."

Among the dozen categories of nominations are best soloists, best
album, best electronic, jazz, newcomer, best video, as well as best
music video director. Hosts include the M Club’s Tatevik Ekizian
and ARNT-Shant TV’s Grisha Aghajanian. Those living across the US,
in Europe, the Middle East, and in Armenia will be able to watch the
broadcast via H1, the Armenian Public Television station, Armenian
Russian Television, Shant, and Horizon Armenian TV.

09112475725127176.html

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
16:46 Mecca time, 13:46 GMT

THE ROAD TO HAJJ
An Islamic revival in Azerbaijan

At the crossroads of Europe and Central Asia, Islam took root in Azerbaijan
in the seventh century

In a series of programmes, Al Jazeera follows Muslim pilgrims from around
the world as they prepare to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage.

It is an ancient land at the crossroads of Europe and Central Asia and is
said to have been the location of the Garden of Eden.

Different cultures and civilisations have met in Azerbaijan for thousands of
years and the country was one of the first to embrace Islam when Arabian
invaders imposed their religion on the region in the seventh century.

But when Azerbaijan fell under the control of the former Soviet Union in
1920, atheism became state policy; many Muslim leaders were exiled or killed
and mosques were closed down or destroyed.

When the country regained its independence in 1991, many embarked on a
journey to rediscover their faith and heritage and to fill the religious
vacuum left by Communist rule.

Painful journey

Thirty-one-year-old Salamova Samira is a mother of two and part of the 95
per cent of Azerbaijanis who consider themselves Muslims. But, more
significantly, she is one of only five per cent who actually practice their
faith and is about to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage.

"I started praying when I was around 12 years old. There was only grandma
[Samira’s great-grandmother] who prayed in our family. She was 115 years
old. She read the Quran," Samira says.

Salamova Samira thought she would have to save for years to go on Hajj
"When I was a schoolgirl, I also took lessons to learn the Quran. This was
difficult then as many people viewed Islam in a bad light, unlike today."

The older generation, like Samira’s mother, lived their lives without
observing the central tenets of their religion and, more often than not, do
not feel any need to start doing it now.

Samira will travel from Baku, the country’s capital where she lives, to
Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. But, for her, the road to Hajj has been
a long one marked by pain and hardship.

"I had been praying until I turned 17. Then I got married and stopped
praying. Having a family with children, I just could not find the time.

"My husband was a Muslim too. He was not against the fact that I prayed
regularly. But I just could not do it. I have two daughters, aged 11 and 13
years old," she explains.

Her relationship with her husband soured and after five years of marriage
they divorced.

"As the saying goes, when the world knocks you down on your knees, you are
in the perfect position to pray," she says.

Performing the pilgrimage seemed like an impossible dream for Samira.

Although she earns a decent living as a house-keeping manager at a hotel,
she knew it would take her years to save enough money to go on Hajj.

"Going to the Hajj was my dream. But with my salary, it was not possible. I
always thought it would take a miracle for me to go," she says.

But fate was to intervene for Samira when a friend of her mother offered to
sponsor her pilgrimage.

Islamic revival

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan has witnessed something
of an Islamic revival; hundreds of new mosques have been built, old ones
have been restored and new religious schools have been opened.

For many young Azerbaijanis, like Samira, an interest in Islam is
re-emerging and stronger than ever.

"I can not describe my feelings, the first was fear. At the same time, I
feel happy too," Samira says.

"After the Hajj, you would expect more of yourself. Before the Hajj, you can
make some mistakes, but after the Hajj, you should be more careful in making
your decisions.

"Everyone makes mistakes, commits sin, and lies. After the Hajj, you should
not go back to your old ways. It is easy to go to the Hajj, but after that,
it is as if you are born again, you become clean and innocent."

"And you should keep yourself that way. That is very hard. That is why I am
afraid. But I will go and when I come back, I hope I can manage to do so."

Road to Hajj: Azerbaijan can be seen on Wednesday, November 25, at the
following times GMT: 1030, 1630, 2330.
Source: Al Jazeera

ICRC REPRESENTATIVES VISIT SIX ARMENIAN PRISONERS OF WAR

ArmInfo
2009-11-24 12:08:00

ArmInfo-TURAN. Last week representatives of the International Red
Cross Committee (ICRC) visited six Armenian prisoners of war captured
in February 2009 in the Agjabedi region. The representatives observed
their conditions and spoke with each POW. Nothing is reported about
the content of their conversation, Turan reports.

According to the same source, the ICRC representatives are visiting
Armenian POWs Grant Markosian, Alik Tevosioan, and Arthur Sarkisian
for the fourth time. Other named POWs include Ogan Arutunian, who was
taken prisoner in May in the Geranboy region, and Karen Arutunian, who
was taken prisoner in June 2009 in the Gedabek region of Azerbaijan.

In all cases, the Armenians crossed the front line voluntarily and
surrendered, the Azerbaijani side stated.

ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN IN TALKS ON KARABAKH DISPUTE: REPORT

Agence France Presse
November 22, 2009 Sunday 5:27 PM GMT
France

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Armenian counterpart Serzh
Sarkisian met in Germany on Sunday for sensitive talks on the disputed
Nagorny Karabakh region, state media reported.

Azerbaijani state news agency Azertaj reported that the two had met
at the French consulate in the German city of Munich.

"The meeting focused on the current state and prospects of the talks
to solve the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny
Karabakh," the agency reported.

It said the meeting was also attended by the two countries’ foreign
ministers and the French, Russian and US co-chairs of the Minsk Group,
which is mediating peace talks under the auspices of the Organization
for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The French foreign ministry, which announced the meeting last week,
said earlier that it was to be the sixth meeting between the two
presidents this year for talks on the dispute.

Backed by Yerevan, ethnic Armenian forces seized control of Nagorny
Karabakh and seven surrounding districts from Azerbaijan in the early
1990s, in a war that claimed an estimated 30,000 lives.

The two former Soviet republics have cut direct economic and transport
links and failed to negotiate a settlement on the region’s status.

Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are spread across a ceasefire line in
and around Nagorny Karabakh, often facing each other at close range,
and shootings are common.

Analysts say the Karabakh peace talks have been given a new impetus by
historic efforts at reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan’s
close ally Turkey, who have signed accords to establish diplomatic
relations and open their border after decades of hostility.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN AND U.S. AMBASSADOR DISCUSS ARMENIA-AMERICA RELATIONS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.11.2009 15:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On November 23, Secretary of the National Security
Council of Armenia Arthur Bagdasaryan received the U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia Marie Jovanovich. During the meeting the sides discussed
issues of Armenian-American cooperation.

At the request of U.S. Ambassador Arthur Baghdasaryan presented the
functions of the NSC, as well as reforms implemented in Armenia’s
various spheres. The two sides touched upon regional issues, including
normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations, NSC press service reports.

At the request of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Secretary of the National
Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan presented functions of the NSC,
as well as reforms implemented in Armenia’s various spheres.

ARMENIAN FIRST LADY RITA SARGSYAN RECEIVES THE ARMENIAN PARTICIPANTS OF "EUROVISION 2009" JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 23, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenian first lady Rita Sargsyan
received today Laura Hayrapetyan who represented Armenia at "Eurovision
2009" junior international song contest and the dance group performing
with her. Armenian Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan was present at
the meeting. R. Sargsyan, congratulating the children noted that they
came forward at the contest very well highly honoring Armenia. "After
the contest I received a lot of calls from different countries,
all presented their admiration for the children’s performance. They
presented our country in Europe with honor, whole Armenia is proud
of them. I can say surely that the "football ball" of this song has
appeared in the goal of the 12 participant-countries", R. Sargsyan
said. She donated computers to the children and wished them new
successes.

H. Poghosyan congratulating the children, too, noted they have
presented quite a confident and a good performance. "I want the
children never lose the confidence they have achieved. I wish them
great successes", H. Poghosyan said. She donated musical literature
to the children and promised that next year they will leave for
summer camp.

Twelve year-old L. Hayrapetyan living in Russia is very glad for
her participation in junior "Eurovision 2009". She said that it is a
great success for her to occupy the second place in a similar contest.

"Of course, it was difficult, there was a great competitiveness there,
but we were well-prepared, we were in high spirits and we did our best
for good performance", L. Hayrapetyan said. She has started singing
when she was four; besides "Barcelona" she has composed other songs
as well.

Iran launches large -scale military training
22.11.2009 16:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today, Iran has launched large -scale military
training, aiming at supervision of combat readiness in case of
American or Zionist missile attack.

"Even if one American or Zionist missile hits our land, before the
dust has settled, Iranian missiles will blow up the heart of Israel,"
Mojtaba Zolnur, Khamenehi’s representative to the Pasdaran, said
earlier, commenting on Israel’s possible attack on Iran, Echo of
Moscow reported.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE NEWLY APPOINTED NUNCIO TO LEBANON

On Friday 20 November 2009, His Excellency Mgr. Gabriel Gassi paid his first
visit to His Holiness Aram I and the Catholicosate. Mgr Gassi was
accompanied by his assistant, Mgr. Thomas.

The Catholicos and his guests discussed relations between the Armenian
Church and the Roman Catholic Church, concerns arising from Councils of
Churches internationally and regionally and the situation in Lebanon.

After thanking His Holiness for the visit, the Nunzio assured the Catholicos
of their future cooperation.

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View the photos here:
tos/Photos417.htm#5
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

Iran rejects proposals of IAEA and G8
21.11.2009 11:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran rejected IAEA’s proposal on sending enriched
uranium abroad for further procession.

Deputy Foreign Ministers of Russia, US, Great Britain, China, Germany
and France met Friday in Burssels to discuss Iran’s Nuclear Program.
Diplomats expressed disappointment with the absence of any visible
progress towards resolving the problem.

«Iran turned down IAEA’s proposals on exporting 70% of low-enriched
uranium to other states where it would be turned into fuel for a
Tehran medical research reactor,» said Robert Cooper, Assistant to
High Representative of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy
Javier Solana.

This was followed by IAEA Chair Mohammed El-Baradei’s proposal on
delivering uranium to a third country, particularly Turkey, with which
Iran maintains friendly ties.

Later, however, Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki confirmed
Tehran’s positive attitude to IAEA’s initiative on fueling Tehran’s
reactor, on condition of exchanging uranium on Iranian territory, AFP
reports.

EDWARD NALBANDIAN: "NO AGREEMENT ON MEETING OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS"

APA
Nov 20 2009
Azerbaijan

Yerevan – APA. "No agreement on meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
Foreign Ministers", said Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian,
APA reports.

"Now, the main issue is the Munich meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents", he said. Touching upon the working meeting of the foreign
ministers as well as the OSCE Ministerial Council in Athens, Nalbandian
noted that such meetings were also held in the past and it would be
continued. However, there is no concrete agreement on this issue,
he added.

Noted that the next meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will
be held in Munich on November 22. According to Kazakhstan’s press,
Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Constantine Jigalov stated
that the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers would
take place in Luxemburg in February next year. Foreign Ministry of
Azerbaijan told APA that the Ministry had no information about the
ministers’ meeting in February.