Author: Babken Chilingarian

Pumpkin Preserves for the Cheese Plate

Babken Chilingarian
The New York Times
Friday 19:00 EST
Pumpkin Preserves for the Cheese Plate
Front Burner
FLORENCE FABRICANT
 
 Made in Armenia, these mellow preserves combine a somewhat crisp texture with earthy richness.
 
The pumpkin preserves from Murray’s Cheese will give quince paste (membrillo) some mellow competition on the cheese plate. The preserves are made in Armenia and combine a somewhat crisp texture with earthy richness: Murray’s Preserved Pumpkin, $7.99 for 10.9 ounces, Murray’s Cheese, 888-692-4339, .

L’Arménie et l’Espagne animent la scène du12e FestivAlgérie

Babken Chilingarian
Algérie Presse Service–Algérie
22 déc. 2017
L’Arménie et l’Espagne animent la scène du12e FestivAlgérie
Publié le : vendredi, 22 décembre 2017 

<img src=”//qvbotdu.x.incapdns.net/media/k2/items/cache/4a26f05b0c42d36265cbb5ebbda19c5f_M.jpg alt=”L'Arménie et l'Espagne animent la scène du12e FestivAlgérie” st1yle=”width:580px; height:auto;” width=580 height=350 />

ALGER – Le 12e Festival international de musique andalouse et des musiques anciennes (FestivAlgérie) s’est poursuivi jeudi à Alger, avec trois prestations de qualité, qui ont mis en valeur les patrimoines culturels de l’Algérie, l’Arménie et l’Espagne, devant un public relativement nombreux.

Durant trois heures de temps, la scène de l’Opéra d’Alger Boualem-Bessaïh a été animée, au 2e soir du 12e FestivAlgérie, par trois programmes judicieux, brillamment rendus par la chanteuse andalouse Manal Gherbi avec l’Arménienne Ana Arzumanyan, soutenues par Khalil Baba Ahmed et son ensemble, le “Trio Templier’ d’Espagne et Hasna Hini et son orchestre.

Les artistes à l’affiche ont proposé, une fusion palpitante des genres, algérien et arménien, suivie d’un brassage culturel franco-cubain qui a servi la tradition espagnole et un répertoire de chansons andalouses qui a mis en valeur le patrimoine culturel algérien.

“Mystique muse au fil du temps”, une immersion au plus profond de soi pleine de créativité, conçue par le maestro Khalil Baba Ahmed, a réuni les voix cristallines de Manal Gherbi et Ana Arzumanyan, dans des partitions qui ont permis la rencontre entre le chant classique andalou, servi par les cadences du “Mouwachah” oriental, et les airs du terroir arménien.

Soutenues par un orchestre-fusion, aux sonorités classiques et traditionnelles de 18 musiciens, les deux chanteuses, au charisme imposant, se sont succédé, sous le rythme des applaudissements, interprétant chacune, un bouquet de pièces renvoyant à ses origines culturelles, sur un fond musical qui a permis la transition.

Eurovision Song Contest: Armenia: Twenty new songs take part in Depi Evratesil

Babken Chilingarian
ESC Today
Dec 27 2017

Posted on .

The Armenian preselection Depi Evratesil will feature 20 participants. Head of Press David Tserunyan released their names today in an official press release. Unlike last year, participants will perform their potential Eurovision song during the preselection shows.

Last year, Armenia used Depi Evratesil as their Eurovision preselection format for the first time. The format was relatively similar to the international talent show format “The Voice”, where participants sing cover songs. Winner Artsvik received a ticket to Eurovision, and her song was written at a later stage.

This year, however, Armenia changes its strategy, making their preselection even more interesting. Armenian jurors and televoters will not only be looking for the best artist – but also for the best Eurovision song.

  • Robert Koloyan,
  • Sevak Khanaghyan,
  • Suren Poghosyan,
  • Mger Armenia,
  • Tyom,
  • Zhanna Davtyan,
  • Hayk Kasparov,
  • Gevorg Harutyunyan,
  • Maria’s Secret,
  • Hasmik Shiroyan,
  • Angel,
  • Amaliya Margaryan,
  • Tamar Kaprelian,
  • Lusine Mardanyan,
  • Arman Mesropyan,
  • Mariam,
  • Kamil,
  • “Nemra”,
  • “Alternative”
  • “Gata”

The last three participants are bands, the other 17 are solo artists.

In the press release, Tserunyan reveals more about the format:

“This year, the contest will feature 3 stages of selection: the live shows, the semi-final and the grand finale. The artists will present their original songs during the shows, where the international jury and the viewers at home will decide the result. The competing songs will be available on our official YouTube channel in January. The first live show will air on February 3.”

 

In UN, Armenia Votes to Reject Trump’s Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

Babken Chilingarian
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14 hours ago

How each country voted in the United Nations

UNITED NATIONS—Armenia joined 127 countries on Thursday to vote in favor of a resolution rejecting President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The world diplomats rejected threats and objections and voted for a measure that discouraged nations from moving their embassies to Jerusalem. The United States’ traditional allies, the United Kingdom and France were among the countries joining the chorus of objections to Trump’s decision last month to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Siding with the U.S. on the vote were Israel as well as Togo, Honduras, Marshall Island, Guatemala, Palau, Micronesia, and Nauru, with 35 countries abstaining.

On Wednesday, in a Twitter post, Trump threatened to cut off assistance to any country that votes against the U.S. position.

“We’re watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We’ll save a lot. We don’t care,” Trump said in his Twitter post on Wednesday.

Ahead of the vote on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley expressed her resistance in no uncertain terms.

“The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation,” Haley said Thursday.

“We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world’s largest contribution to the United Nations. And we will remember it when so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit,” she added.

Immediately following Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Armenian religious leaders condemned the decision, warning about consequences that can impact the region for a long time. His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia unequivocally rejected Trump’s decision during a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun. The Jerusalem Patriarch joined other Christian leaders in Israel to warn of severe consequences.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry, at the time announced that it was monitoring developments surrounding Trump’s decision. Thursday’s vote to reject the U.S.’s approach was a clear indication on where Yerevan stands on the matter.

Sports: Armenian lifter to receive bronze after Georgian athlete fails drugs test

Babken Chilingarian
Pan Armenian, Armenia
Dec 19 2017
– 18:41 AMT
Armenian lifter to receive bronze after Georgian athlete fails drugs test

Armenian athlete Mkrtich Mkrtchyan will be awarded the bronze medal of the European Junior & U23 Weightlifting Championships after Georgia’s representative failed a drugs test.

Mkrtchyan competed in the 105 kg weight category in the championships, held on October 15-21 in Durres, Albania, Secretary General of the Armenian Weightlifting Federation Pashik Alaverdyan told reporters on Tuesday, December 19.

According to Alaverdyan, the federations of nine countries suspended from weightlifting amid a doping scandal are still serving the one-year ban and must pay a $50,000 penalty.

Alaverdyan expressed regret that athletes who have done nothing wrong are punished too.

Countries with at least three doping offences from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics were suspended. The IWF started pursuing the suspensions before last year’s Olympics, but the process was held up by legal challenges.

Also suspended were Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Armenia-Iran trade turnover, tourism grow

Babken Chilingarian
| 14:50 | December 15 2017
Category
BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Trade turnover volumes between Armenia and Iran grew in the 10 months of the current year.

The national statistical service of Armenia reported that the turnover amounted 211,4 million dollars – against 2016’s 199,4 million dollars.

In terms of exports and imports, 66,9 million dollars worth products have been exported to Iran from Armenia in the reporting period, which is a 2,3% growth compared to last year.

Products made in third countries worth 138,9 million dollars were imported from Iran to Armenia, while imports of Iranian made products comprised 144,4 million dollars. Both indicators have grown by 12,2% and 7,8% respectively.

The first quarter data of 2017 shows that over 90% of the amount volume in exports is energy. In addition, meat, paper, steal, mechanic equipment, medical equipment, coffee and mineral water is exported to Iran from Armenia.

Natural gas, bitumen, oil, petroleum products, household products, fertilizers, glass, fruits and vegetables are imported from Iran.

The number of Iranian tourists also grew by 27%. 15,7% of overall tourists who visit Armenia were Iranians.

In terms of bilateral economic relations, the talks, which were initiated by Armenia with the EEU and the creation of a FEZ with Iran are also important.

The Meghri FEZ will be opened on December 15.

Cooperation is expected with the Iranian Aras FEZ.

Music: Watch: Tigran Hamasyan Shares "Leninagone" Video on Anniversary of Armenian Earthquake

Babken Chilingarian
Nonesuch Records
Dec 7 2017

Watch: Tigran Hamasyan Shares “Leninagone” Video on Anniversary of Armenian Earthquake

Tigran Hamasyan has shared the music video for “Leninagone,” a song from his album An Ancient Observer, which was release in March on Nonesuch Records. Hamasyan dedicates the song and video to the children who survived the devastating Armenian earthquake that hit his home town of Gyumri (its Soviet name was Leninakan) on December 7, 1988, twenty-nine years ago today.

“I come from the generation of children whose lives were directly affected by this tragic event, followed by the collapse of the Soviet Union three years later,” says Hamasyan.

The video, directed and edited by Melanya Hamasyan, features video footage from the pianist’s second-grade end-of-the-year performance in 1995, capture on VHS tape by a member of the audience.

“This is school N. 10, which at the time was a temporary school that the children attended while the real building was being constructed,” Hamasyan recalls. “When I found this tape in my parents’ video archives, I felt that this footage was the visual reflection of what I felt when I wrote the song ‘Leninagone.’ The video portrays the struggle and the hope of all the generations that lived through this apocalyptic time.”

An Ancient Observer is available on iTunes, Amazon, and the Nonesuch Store, where CD and vinyl orders include an instant download of the album, and on Apple Music and Spotify.


Armenian government approves bill on ratifying 100 million dollar military loan agreement with Russia

Babken Chilingarian
| 16:55 | November 16 2017
Category
Politics

The Armenian government approved bill on ratifying the agreement between Armenia and Russia which was signed on October 24, 2017 on providing a state exports loan to Armenia.

Deputy defense minister of Armenia Artak Zakaryan said during the Cabinet meeting that under the agreement Russia is providing a new loan of state exports worth 100 million dollars to Armenia for acquisition of Russian made modern military equipment, armaments and its supplies.

Under the agreement, separate contracts will be signed between the Armenian defense ministry and Rosoboronexport regarding remaining issues, including maintenance, deadlines and others.

Back in 2015 Armenia signed another loan agreement with Russia for 200 million dollars, which is currently in force.

Armenian diplomat: International scale should be given to human conscience regarding Artsakh

Babken Chilingarian 
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
November 13, 2017 Monday
Armenian diplomat: International scale should be given to human
conscience regarding Artsakh
 Yerevan November 13
David Stepanyan. Considering the absence of the need for a radical
change in the Armenian policy regarding the settlement of the Artsakh
problem, in my opinion, the meetings of the Armenian and Azeri
Presidents and Foreign Ministers are certainly necessary. The ex-
Foreign Minister, former Armenian Ambassador to the United States,
Professor of the Fletcher School of Tufts University, Ambassador Ruben
Shugaryan expressed opinion to ArmInfo.
On October 16, following the results of the Geneva meeting with Azeri
President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan announced
the absence of specific agreements on the resolution of the conflict,
underscoring the agreement on measures to reduce tension, in order to
avoid victims at the front line. Two days after the meeting, an
Armenian serviceman was killed on the front line.
"In other words, the continuation of the negotiation process within
the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group is a must, since it continues to
be an unchallenged institution that allows to keep problems under some
kind of control. The Minsk Group of Co-Chairmen from the countries of
the permanent members of the UN Security Council attaches to the
negotiations in the direction of resolving the conflict the
international level", the diplomat considers.
In the light of changes in the international perception of the problem
of Artsakh, Armenian policy, according to his estimates, needs
additions, but not radical changes. In this context, the diplomat sees
the need to adopt a new approach, which Shugaryan sees in the
humanitarian sphere, the sphere of human rights, and not only the
comparison of the principles of the right of peoples to
self-determination and territorial integrity.
"This international norm - accompanied by recognition and sovereignty,
the secession for the sake of salvation was first applied in Kosovo."
International scale should be given to human conscience regarding
Artsakh, especially after the atrocities against Artsakh Armenians in
April 2016. This is exactly what the foreign policy of Armenia should
be directed to," the diplomat summed up.

Artsakh’s existence and status within Azerbaijan in any option is impossible, says Speaker Babloyan

Babken Chilingarian
| 12:56 | November 10 2017
Categories
Artsakh
Politics
Region

The people of Artsakh continue to unconditionally be in charge of their destiny, by purposefully leading their chosen path, Armenian Parliament Speaker Ara Babloyan said in his remarks during the 12th session of the inter-parliamentary committee of cooperation between the parliaments of Armenia and Artsakh.

“It has been numerously said that Armenia is the security guarantor of Artsakh, however the people of Artsakh are in charge of their destiny on their own. There can never be in any format a decision which will be unacceptable for the people of Artsakh or will threaten their security”, Babloyan said.

According to him, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict doesn’t have an alternative to peaceful settlement.

“The right of the people of Artsakh to freely decide its future must be recognized and respected and its security must be guaranteed. Artsakh’s existence and status within Azerbaijan in any option is impossible and unacceptable”, he said.

Babloyan said in order to achieve true progress in the talks, Azerbaijan must first of all refuse from the idea of even theoretically picturing Artsakh as its part.