Author: Arsine Chaltikian

WHAT AND HOW WILL BE SHOWN

Lragir.am
04/02/10

Today the National Committee on TV and radio began an open debate on
a bill to establish the parameters set out in article 24 of the Law
on television and radio.

In accordance with the bill, films of erotic character or erotic
fragments have to be shown from far without showing sexual organs,
intercourse and sound. Exceptions are cases where fragments contribute
to the manifestation of artistic intent and ensure the integrity of
the content.

Horror films should be shown without scenes causing fear, alarm and
distress. Also prohibited are scenes of masochism, sadism, cruelty
on animals, bad pictures of dismembered body parts.

As to minors, scenes of lower a spiritual and cultural values, ,
the distortion of historical events and national heroes, denying the
morality that lower human dignity, promoting immorality, humiliation
of people with disabilities, criminals, drug addicts and alcoholics,
promoting vulgarity are forbidden to show.

"We were guided by one principle: what scenes we, as parents, as
Armenians, would not like our children to see on television", said
the committee chairman Gregory Amalyan. He noted that the project
was developed in working groups.

FAREWELL CEREMONY OF LATVIAN PRESIDENT TOOK PLACE IN RESIDENCE OF THE ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

ARMENPRESS
Dec 11, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: The farewell ceremony of the Latvian
President Valdis Zatlers and his spouse Lilita Zatlere took place
today in the residence of the Armenian President. Presidential Press
Office told Armenpress that during the meeting the presidents of the
two countries wrapped up the results of the visit.

ARMENIA FM TO VISIT JAPAN

armradio.am
25.11.2009 11:35

At the invitation of the Government of Japan, the Foreign Minister
of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, will pay an official visit to Japan
November 25-27.

Minister Nalbandian is expected to meet Crown Prince Naruhito and
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.

Edward Nalbandian will make a speech at the Foreign Relations Institute
of Japan. In Tokyo the Armenian Foreign Minister will have meetings
in the Parliament and the Foreign Trade Organization of Japan.

CHARLES AZNAVOUR SPEAKS ABOUT ARMENIAN LANDS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 4, 2009

PARIS, NOVEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. World-famous French
Armenian singer Charles Aznavour in a TV program of RAI 3 Italian
TV company spoke about the Armenian-Turkish protocols, his origin,
and Armenian lands. Azg reported this. "In 1924 when I was born
they had promised to return the lands to the Armenians. I cannot
wait for another 85 years. In 1924 Stalin promised to return to the
Armenians Erzrum, Yerznka, Aghr, Svas, Elazegh (Kharberd), Diarbekir
(Tigranakert), Bitlis, Siirt, Mush, Van, and Hakkari. By the Treaty
of Sevres Wilson Armenia was to include the provinces of Trapizon,
Erzrum, Van, and Bitlis," C. Aznavour said.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN HOSTED THE WORLD-FAMOUS POLISH COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR OF ARMENIAN DECENT, KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI

president.am
Oct 29 2009
Armenia

Today, the President of Armenia hosted the world-famous Polish
composer and conductor of Armenian decent, Krzysztof Penderecki. He has
arrived to our country with the "Krzysztof Penderecki Days in Armenia"
program, in the framework of the Tenth International musical festival
Perspectives of the 21st.

The President of Armenia cordially welcomed the great composer to
Armenia and said, "We are ever honored to welcome you to Armenia. Our
people greatly appreciate you art, your compositions, as well as
you dedication and Armenian roots." Serzh Sargsyan also said that
taking into consideration people’s opinion and desire expressed by
the musical community of Armenia, on October 28 he sighed a decree
to award Krzysztof Penderecki with the Order of Honor.

Accepting the high state award with gratitude, Krzysztof Penderecki
said that he was greatly honored to receive such high distinction,
which he owes in part to his Armenian grandmother. He said that he
was participating in the Perspectives of the 21st for the second
time and was absolutely amazed. "I am especially happy to see many
young people in the audience, which means that my art has future,"
the celebrated artist stressed.

The President of Armenia and Krzysztof Penderecki spoke also about
the Armenian-Polish cultural ties and new perspectives for their
development.

ARMENIA ON THE WAY OF RENEWING THE ENERGY

Aysor
Oct 23 2009
Armenia

Armenia as a country without its own fuel resources is completely
dependent on imported fuel and has to make the best use of energy
resources. To this end, Armenia’s Government pays special attention
to strategy of renewing and saving the energy. Aysor’s correspondent
asked the head of Energy Renewing Fund, Ara Mardjanyan, what is the
situation in the field of energy in Armenia.

"In comparison with neighbors’ background, the situation in the field
of energy in Armenia is not bad. Armenia is the only state in the
Caucasus which makes use of a wind power station – Lori-1 station
at Pushkin Pass. In addition, in Armenia’s Lusakert we operate power
plant based on biomass which is the first one in the Caucasus. 55-56
little hydro-electric power stations were built in Armenia over past
4 years and now successfully operate," said Ara Mardjanyan.

The introduction of tariffs explains the development of little
hydro-electric power stations, says the expert, while tariffs for
solar energy do not exist and private companies have no interest in it.

The table of rates is determined by the State Commission on regulation
of public services, and it hasn’t been set a tariff upon solar energy
as it too expansive at this stage.

"The solar electricity costs twice as much as hydro- or wind power
energy. However, the point is that the solar energy is one of the
most falling in price field all over the world. Our table of rates
must take into account some stimulating elements, seeing that field
of renewing energy has strategic importance."

"SEASONS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE" IN RUSSIAN CITIES

Aysor
Oct 22 2009
Armenia

In Russian St Petersburg and Kaliningrad cities on October 24 –
28 will be held the project called "Seasons of Armenian culture", –
informed Gayane Durgaryan, the head of the public relations department
of the RA Culture Ministry, to Aysor.am.

In the frameworks of the "Seasons of Armenian culture" will take place
evenings of classic music. On the concerts to be held on October 25 in
St Petersburg and on October 27 in Kaliningrad will give a performance
the winners of the republic competition after Gohar Gasparyan.

During the concert the works of Tchaikovsky, Komitas, Spendiarov,
Abrahamyan, Kotoyani, Rakhmaninov, Rossini will sound.

G. Durgaryan informed also that there are planned some meetings with
the local culture activists and heads of cultural centers as well as
the representatives of the Armenian community. The details will be
published when the Armenian delegation will return from the tour.

NUMBER OF AIRLINES OPERATING TRANSIT FLIGHTS VIA BELARUS RISES FIVE TIMES

National Legal Internet Portal
13/08/2009 06:01 PM
Minsk

MINSK, 13 August (BelTA) – In the recent years the number of air
companies operating transit flights via Belarus has soared five times,
BelTA learnt from director of the aviation department of the Ministry
of Transport and Communications of Belarus Vadim Melnik.

"The transit flow in Belarus is not as heavy as in the major
international airports. The transit flights via Belarus were launched
in large part due to Belavia. There are transit flights from Baku,
Yerevan, Tbilisi via Minsk to Prague and Frankfurt. Apart from that,
Belavia operates joint flights with other air carriers which number
has grown from four to over 20," Vadim Melnik said.

"Of course, it is hard to compete with such companies as Lufthansa,
Czech Airlines and Austrian Airlines, but this competition encourages
us to improve our technologies and services (by introducing more
convenient schedules and connecting flights), Belavia Director General
Anatoly Gusarov said. "Some flights are operated by Belavia alone,
but there are destinations where Belavia faces a tough competition
with other air companies. However, we are seeking partnership with
them. This cooperation helps pull the prices down and save time for
passengers," he said. The cooperation with such companies as LOT,
Aeroflot and Israeli EL-Al enables Belavia to provide an excellent
level of customer service.

Talking about the transit zone in the National Airport Minsk, Vadim
Melnik said that it requires modernization and expansion. "We are
considering it. This issue has been taken to the Council of Ministers
and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. We want to expand
transit lounges as there is a real need for that. However before we
start, we have to make sure that we can afford it as it will require
considerable resources," he added.

GLITTERATI: JACK VARTANIAN

FabSugar.com
89906
July 14 2009

Name a celebrity that hasn’t worn the gorgeous creations of Brazilian
Armenian jewelry designer Jack Vartanian. Gisele Bundchen,Taylor Swift,
and Selma Blair have donned his bling to recent events. Ciara stepped
onto the MET Gala red carpet wearing Vartanian’s 2.8-carat black
diamond stud earrings, while Cameron Diaz wore this 18-carat coral
and diamond cocktail ring to the Tonight Show With Jay Leno in May.

Gisele has described his goods as "cool and sophisticated at the
same time."

Vartanian comes from a family of jewelers who specialize in precious
stones. He grew up recognizing the best stones and diamonds throughout
the world, and as a teenager started working in the family business. In
1999, he branched out on his own and currently has four stores in
Brazil and a US boutique on Madison Avenue in NYC. His pieces don’t
come cheap, but they’re a feast for the eyes nonetheless.

ARMENIAN WRITERS OF CALIFORNIA TO DISCUSS VARSIK HAKOBIAN’S BOOK "ROADS OF ANGUISH"

Noyan Tapan
June 25, 2009

GLENDALE, JUNE 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Poetess Varsik
Hakobian’s book "roads of Anguish" will be discussed at the coming
literary event of the Armenian Writers Association of California
(AWAOC) on July 2 at the Glendale Public Library.

According to the AWAOC, poet Garush Haryantz will present a literary
report, which will be followed by an exchange of opinions. Literature
lovers can be present at the discussion.