The eventful week of “Aurora” Forum was summed up in one of the most mysterious places in Armenia, 9th century Tatev monastery.
The events held in the monastic complex, being under restoration since 2008 by the IDeA foundation, presented the 150-year-old rich traditions of the Armenian national music school and honoring Komitas, the prominent Armenian composer, teacher, conductor and founder of the Armenian national school of composing.
An exclusive exhibition titled “Komitas: the roads of the genius” was held in Dzithan, which included photos of Komitas in the Caucasus, Europe, the Ottoman Empire and Egypt in different years and textual material about his activity in those places.
The visitors had a chance to listen to the Teacher’s works performed by the string quartet after Komitas.
“It is symbolic that this exhibition was held in Tatev monastic complex, which was home for one of the significant spiritual, educational and cultural centers of Armenia for centuries. Komitas was also a great teacher and educator who spread his knowledge and skills in different parts of the world,” says Hayk Demoyan, PhD in history, curator of the exhibition.
An exhibition of the works of artists and sculptors originally from Syunik was held in the museum section of Tatev monastic complex where restoration has recently been completed on the sidelines of IDeA foundation’s “Revival of Tatev” project. Through paintings and sculptures the artists expressed their infinite love for the homeland.
“This exhibition stands slightly aside from the theme of the day. Today we honor Komitas, who reflects our past, our roots, and is the cornerstone upon which our spiritual present is being built. Thanks to “Revival of Tatev” project the monastery regains its previous look and significance,” says sculptor Manvel Matevosyan.
The participants think the events testify that Tatev, being one of the renowned religious, cultural and educational centers of medieval Armenia regains its respective features.
Along with the exhibitions historical exhibits of the monastic complex were presented, some of which were discovered during restoration and construction work underway since 2008.
Cross- stones, plates, candlesticks, ritual ornaments, fireplace parts, 18th-century plaques with inscriptions, the ancient key of the monastery door, and the historical bell of the monastery of 1304. The exhibits also included duplicates of 4 historical manuscripts of Matenadaran.
In St. Paul-Peter church at Tatev monastic complex, “Hover” choir performed excerpts from Komitas’ “Liturgy”, considered his masterpiece.
“Komitas carried out the work of a whole institute. He listened to the peculiarity of the music of the Armenian land, compiled, studied, performed and passed down to us. Our mission is to realize the value of his legacy. Our mission is to make him heard. That mission is a reward,” says Sona Hovhannisyan, artistic director of “Hover” state chamber choir.
Slain Yerevan cop to receive posthumous state award, says PM
17:22,
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has offered condolences to the family and friends of Tigran Arakelyan, the 38-year-old Yerevan police officer who was gunned down on-duty early morning October 16.
“I offer my condolences to the family, friends and relatives of police officer Senior Tigran Arakelyan who died today. The police officers’ protection in Armenia must increase in a way so it increases not only and not as much the officers’ protection level but the citizens’ protection level.
Tigran Arakelyan will be awarded with a state award for selfless service, while the criminals will receive their deserved punishment,” the PM said on Facebook.
Arakelyan and his partner were patrolling the city when around 04:30 they saw two young men who ran away upon seeing the police cruiser. The officers eventually apprehended the suspects in the Azatutyun Avenue, but the latter resisted arrest and one of them got hold of the officer’s firearm and fired on Tigran Arakelyan. Arakelyan succumbed to his injuries. His partner was battered by the suspects but survived.
The two suspects were later apprehended. Police said the suspects had earlier committed a robbery.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
Armenia’s Security Council carefully follows ongoing developments in Syria’s north-east
09:49, 11 October, 2019
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Discussions were held in Armenia’s Security Council attended by the relevant authorities regarding the current situation in Syria’s Armenian-populated settlements caused by the October 9 military invasion by Turkey.
The Security Council said it closely follows the ongoing developments in Syria’s north-east and at the same time develops options to respond to possible developments aimed at ensuring the security of the Armenian population.
On October 9 Turkish forces launched an offensive in Syria’s north-east.
The Armenian foreign ministry released a statement noting that Armenia condemns the military invasion by Turkey in north-east Syria, which would lead to deterioration of regional security, losses among civilians, mass displacement and eventually to a new humanitarian crisis.
The United Arab Emirates also condemned the Turkish aggression in Syria.
Iran also condemned this action, urging Turkey to withdraw the troops from Syria.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Armenian defense minister hosts US Congress members
12:48, 8 October, 2019
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister of Armenia Davit Tonoyan on October 7 hosted US Congresswomen, members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus Jackie Speier and Judy Chu, the ministry told Armenpress.
During the meeting the minister highlighted the constant support of the US Congress members aimed at strengthening the Armenian-American relations and introduced the guests on the process and prospects of the bilateral cooperation in the defense field. Minister Tonoyan expressed hope that the efforts of the Congressmen will contribute to further deepening the cooperation on this direction.
The meeting participants also discussed other issues of mutual interest.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Mushegh Abovyan
Azerbaijani snipers fired on Armenia’s Tavush region fatally wounding Mushegh Abovyan, a soldier of the Armenian Armed Forces, reported the defense ministry. The incident took place on Thursday at 6:20 p.m. local time.
“These provocations by Azerbaijan not remain unanswered,” said Armenian defense ministry spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannesyan in a Facebook post. “We express our condolences to the relatives and family members of Mushegh Abovyan.”
A criminal investigation has been launched into the Thursday attack.
Another soldier who was wounded as a result of cross-border firing on Tuesday died on Thursday, according to Hovhannesyan, who specified the Abovyan’s death was not related.
ArmInfo. In today’s Armenia, only corrupt officials can found a new party using the stolen money. Any other people, even groups and communities of people cannot do this. The conditions for financing parties stipulated by the Law “On Parties” do not allow it. Director of the Armenian Center for Strategic and National Research Manvel Sargsyan expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.
The National Assembly of Armenia is actively discussing amendments to the Electoral Code and the Law on Parties. The working group on the development of amendments to the Electoral Code and the Law on Parties consists of representatives of three parliamentary factions: My Step, Prosperous Armenia and Bright Armenia. At this stage, changes are being considered that will give maximum transparency to party funding and campaigning. Changes are planned to be made and adopted before the end of this year.
“In this light, it is necessary to create such conditions that any group of people who really intend to establish a political party could do this. It is necessary to lower the financial threshold to a level so that it will not matter whether you have billions of drams or just one thousand. After this, these parties should be subjected to strict financial responsibility and control over the funds, “he said.
According to the analyst, the parliament should clearly define by law the legal, financial possibilities of creating new political parties. Identify and refuse to establish any financial thresholds for any coercion in this matter. Otherwise, according to Sargsyan’s forecasts, any thieves’ gang will be able to establish a party in Armenia.
The law “On Parties”, according to analysts, is the most important document for shaping the future political field of the republic. Meanwhile, today, society does not have conceptual approaches or even ideas about this law. There is no discussion, interest, let alone contribution to the formation of an acceptable concept of a future law. This situation, according to Sargsyan, is surprising given the importance of this law.
The analyst is convinced of the need to give responsibility to citizens who intend to establish a political party. Not everyone will be able to take such a responsibility. Thus, in his opinion, it will be possible to destroy the vicious practice of RPA times, when parties were very easily created to participate in elections, a practice in which dozens of one-person parties were created for the sole purpose of providing dirty services to any ruling regime.
“Our country, we all, found ourselves in a similar situation thanks to similar laws and similar parties. Today the situation is somewhat different, respectively, we need other laws, in particular, the law” On Party”. “However, when you pose this problem to people, it turns out that nobody’s interested in this anymore. And almost no one wants real, normal parties to appear in Armenia, “the expert summed up.
“My Step” faction convened a closed session, which is held at the Civil Contract office.
The agenda is to discuss the situation in the Constitutional Court.
Speaking to reporters, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan only mentioned that he knows at least two legal options to get out of the CC crisis.
Alen Simonyan did not respond to other questions.
Roberto Mancini has “one doubt” for his Italy starting XI and believes Armenia “have a chance of pushing for Euro 2020 qualification.”
It kicks off in Yerevan on Thursday at 17.00 UK time, then they visit Finland on Sunday, and the Azzurri are trying to maintain their 100 per cent record in the group after four straight wins.
“Our objective from the start was to qualify as soon as possible. We’ve done well so far, there can be difficulties after a four-month break and some players won’t be at 100 per cent physically, but these are two fundamental games for qualification,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“Armenia mainly play in leagues that started some time ago, have enthusiasm after their victory in Athens and will know Italy have always had problems here.
“We cannot think that we’re going into an easy game, because there is no such thing. Armenia’s greatest strength is in attack, as they have four very good strikers with different characteristics, so that is where we must be wary.
“They changed their Coach not long ago and needed a little time to adapt, so struggled in their first two matches, but are just getting stronger. That is why we need to be very careful.
“Armenia are third in the group, coming off two very good results, so they have a chance of pushing for qualification, certainly.”
Stefano Sensi has been very impressive in the first two games of the season for Inter, so could he start for Italy?
“Sensi has a possibility of starting, there are two games to be played, so we’ll see.”
Italy have had to change their squad repeatedly over the last few days as injuries piled up for the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio and Leonardo Spinazzola.
“It’s common at the start of the season, as you immediately go into important games without enough training time. Plus we’ve lost three players to some pretty serious injuries, which is a great pity, whereas the others will be back soon.
“It’s important for us to pick up where we left off, which is the second half against Bosnia. Unfortunately, that was months ago and there are inevitably going to be difficulties, but we’ll try to do our best in a moment of difficulty.
“The key is to focus on the same approach, which is very attack-minded, and that will improve as time goes on.”
Considering Torino started the season earlier to take part in the Europa League preliminary rounds, does that mean Andrea Belotti is the favourite ahead of Ciro Immobile to lead the line?
“Let’s be honest here, we have picked 10 of the starting XI and there is one doubt. I haven’t said who the doubt is or in what area and I won’t tell you now!”
Exhibition of military equipment and armament to be held in Stepanakert’s Revival Square
13:02,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. An exhibition of military equipment and armament will be held in Stepanakert’s Revival Square on September 2 from 11:30 to 14:00 on the sidelines of the celebrations dedicated to the 28th anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Artsakh, the Artsakh defense ministry told Armenpress.
During the exhibition samples of new weapons of own production will be displayed.
The local people and guests will have an opportunity to taste military dishes at the Square.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan