Author: Badalian Vardan

WE NEED PAN-ARMENIAN COUNCIL TO COORDINATE COMMON TASKS, SAYS DEPUTY MINISTER

11:26 * 24.10.14

In an interview with Tert.am, a deputy minister of diaspora shared his
impressions of the Fifth Armenia-Diaspora Conference held in Yerevan,
praising the proposed idea of creating a pan-Armenian council.

Serzh Srapionyan said he thinks that such a structure would be really
important in terms of coordinating common tasks and offering solution
to urgent and major problems of pan-national significance. He cited
the Armenian Genocide Coordination Commission (launched in 2011)
as a good precedent justifying that need.

In his speech at the pan-Armenian annual event, held in Yerevan from
20 to 25 September, President Serzh Sargsyan proposed renaming the
commission a “Pan-Armenian Council” in an effort to turn it into a
permanent platform addressing urgent issues.

“It is stated very clearly and plainly. That’s to say, the president
made a proposal, and he now expects a reaction by Armenian and Diaspora
representatives. The Armenian Genocide Coordination Commission’s
three-year work proved that a coordinated solution to major and urgent
pan-national problems does really require such a structure. So what
connection can the [plan] to create that body have with the Armenian
Ministry of Diaspora? The Ministry of Diaspora’s task has to do
with the consolidation of the Armenian disapora, the preservation of
the Armenian identity, the deepening of the Armenia-Diaspora ties,
the uncovering of diaspora’s potential and its use to the benefit of
Armenia’s economic development. The programs implemented annually are
the evidence of the Ministry’s activities of the past six years. You
can find more detailed information on that in our fifth anniversary
collection, as well as in the annual yearbooks.

But that body, which is still to come into existence, will not focus
its activities on collaboration with the Diaspora; as the president
said, ‘it will become a platform to address urgent pan-Armenian
issues’,” the deputy minister noted.

Armenian News – Tert.am

BIPOLAR POLITICAL SYSTEM IMPLIES HIGH-QUALITY MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT

12:14 * 23.10.14

The draft concept for constitutional reforms is expected to raise
the legislative’s political role, gradually developing a “classical
bi-polar political system” in Armenia.

The two main poles in the system will be the two major parliamentary
forces vying for seats in the Government (the parliamentary majority
and opposition).

Such a model will practically enable the voter to exercise a
considerable influence on political processes through parliamentary
elections, by deciding which political force is to assume the helm
of state. The second largest parliamentary force, having new and big
leverages of control, will then be able to oppose to the political
majority by expressing its criticism or proposing alternatives,
and influence the public opinion.

In case the model succeeds, the next parliamentary elections will
allow voters to decide – based on previous evaluations and conclusions
– which political force to give preference to. That in turn will
reinforce the core principle of democratic governance, enabling the
population to elect and change its own government.

The adoption of an electoral legislation as a constitutional law
is also deemed to be a key part of the reforms, which requires a
high-quality majority and hence – a wide political consent between the
ruling political force and the opposition. The concept also proposes
differentiated barriers for parties and alliances in an effort to
enlarge political forces and promote collaboration among those which
have keynote programs.

In comments to Tert.am, Head of the National Assembly’s Standing
Committee on State and Legal Affairs Hovhannes Sahakyan elaborated
on the proposal for securing a corresponding number of votes to elect
the prime minister. According to him, the procedure does not abolutely
require a high-quality majority

President of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia Avetik Ishkhanyan
says he doesn’t think that the quality majority will apply to the
procedures of electing the premier and forming the cabinet. “The draft
in question proposes appointing members of the Justice Council based
on a quality majority,” he explained.

Similar mechanisms are proposed for the procedures to elect the
Control Chamber president and the chairman of the Central Election
Commission. The proposed majority of votes is 3/5 of the total number
of ballots (as is the case with electing the human rights defender).

The introduction of organic (constitutional) laws, which also requires
a quality majority, is seen as a key factor in terms of raising the
opposition’s legislative role. It is particularly proposed to provide
an exhaustive list of the corresponding laws in the Constitution.

To increase the efficiency of the control functions, the draft
further proposes constitutionalizing the minority’s right to create
committees (Under Article 44 of Germany’s Constitution, for example,
1/4 of parliament members exercises that right).

Armenian News – Tert.am

LE PROJET DE REFORME CONSTITUTIONNELLE PRESENTE AU CHEF DE L’ETAT

ARMENIE

Comme annonce, la Commission ad hoc mise en place pour l’elaboration de
la reforme constitutionnelle a remis au Chef de l’Etat, le 15 octobre,
le projet de reforme constitutionnelle, approuve par la Commission de
Venise, qui preconise la transformation de l’Armenie en une Republique
parlementaire avec un Premier ministre jouant le rôle de > politique et un President dote plutôt d’un rôle d’arbitre et
en grande partie protocolaire. La Commission a conclu que le passage
a un système parlementaire permettra de trouver des solutions aux
problèmes de gouvernance que le système actuel semi-presidentiel n’est
pas en mesure de resoudre. La reforme devrait au premier chef assurer
la separation fonctionnelle claire des pouvoirs, rendre les tribunaux
plus independants, ameliorer le système des gouvernements locaux,
prevoir un elargissement des droits de la minorite parlementaire
etc. Le projet de reforme dit egalement que le pouvoir executif doit
etre dirige uniquement par le Premier Ministre et les membres de son
Cabinet, representant la majorite parlementaire.

Il dit que le President de la Republique doit essentiellement
agir comme un > pour suivre la conformite du
Gouvernement et du Parlement a la Constitution.

Dans un entretien avec Hayots Achkhar, Vardan Poghossian, membre de
la Commission ad hoc, relève que celle-ci n’a pas encore elabore les
amendements preconisant l’election du President de la Republique, mais
celui-ci devrait en principe etre elu au suffrage universel indirect
par un Collège electoral special, qui pourrait etre constitue de l’AN,
mais aussi d’autres acteurs, dont des representants de la Diaspora. La
reforme empecherait le President de la Republique de briguer un
second mandat, son premier mandat devant se borner a six ou sept ans
(le mandat du Chef de l’Etat devrait etre d’une plus longue duree
que celui de l’Assemblee nationale, celle-ci etant elue pour cinq ans).

Le President Sarkissian, après avoir accepte ce document, devra entamer
des consultations avec les partis politiques avant de decider si la
Commission ad hoc devra commencer a rediger des amendements concrets a
la Constitution armenienne suivant ses recommandations. La Commission
de Venise a trouve la plupart des recommandations convaincantes.

LA TURQUIE, ALLIéE DEVENUE INUTILE

Laurent Leylekian

Analyste politique

Publication: 20/10/2014 11h59 CEST Mis a jour: 20/10/2014 11h59 CEST

Dans une tribune récemment publiée par le Temps, Marie-Hélène
Miauton conclut son propos sur Kobané en écrivant “Avoir démasqué
l’ami turc sera sans doute le seul effet collatéral positif du chaos
qui règne au Proche-Orient”. Peut-être est-ce effectivement le cas
pour les observateurs les plus extérieurs longuement abusés par la
très puissante politique de communication menée depuis de nombreuses
années par Ankara. Pour ceux qui suivent les affaires turques de plus
près en revanche, l’entreprise de dévoilement a fait long feu. Au
pire, il n’est besoin que de se souvenirdes câbles de Wikileaks pour
se faire une idée de l’appréciation peu flatteuse entretenue par
Washington, et sans doute par nombre de chancelleries occidentales,
au sujet de leur “allié” turc.

Ce qui est peut-être nouveau en revanche, c’est que les
développements en cours semblent attester d’une Turquie désormais
moins indispensable a la puissance américaine comme aux acteurs
locaux de la crise proche-orientale. Non pas qu’il y ait eu une
volonté claire d’écarter Ankara mais plutôt que, par sa position
intenable, l’Etat AKP se soit exclu de lui-même.

Lire aussi:

â~@¢ Avant Daech, la Turquie doit résoudre le problème kurde au
plus vite

â~@¢ Que fait la Turquie pour empêcher les jihadistes de l’Etat
islamique de prendre la ville syrienne kurde de Kobané?

â~@¢ Daech en Syrie et en Irak : La Turquie dément avoir autorisé les
Ã~Itats-Unis a utiliser ses bases pour lutter contre l’Ã~Itat islamique

Les Kurdes, vers l’Union sacrée

Deux initiatives spectaculaires sont récemment venues illustrer
ce changement. D’une part, Le Parlement d’Erbil représentant le
Kurdistan Autonome d’Irak vient de reconnaître les trois cantons
syriens d’un “Kurdistan occidental” autoproclamé, ceux de Qamishli /
Hassakeh, de Kobane bien sÔr, et même celui d’Afrin situé au nord
d’Alep. L’article premier de la résolution adoptée le 15 octobre
stipule que “le Parlement du Kurdistan soutient la volonté de la
Nation kurde du Kurdistan occidental pour toute décision qu’elle
prendrait quant a sa souveraineté.

Le Gouvernement régional du Kurdistan devrait établir des relations
officielles et légitimes avec ces cantons”. Un message apparemment
bien recu de – sinon directement inspiré par – Massoud Barzani, le
Président du Gouvernement en question. Dans la foulée, celui-ci a
enterré la hache de guerre qu’il entretenait depuis longtemps avec
le Parti de l’unité démocratique (PYD) d’inspiration marxiste pour
déclarer avec Salih Muslim, le Président du PYD, que les Kurdes
d’Irak allaient désormais soutenir leurs frères syriens et même
qu’il enverrait “dans les 24 heures des armes a Kobané, parachutées
par avion si la Turquie refuse leur transit sur son territoire”.

Certes, en fin politique, Barzani s’est bien garder de rompre tout
lien avec le régime turc. N’a-t-il pas quelques jours auparavant
rendu un hommage ambigu a la Turquieen soulignant néanmoins la
prééminence du rôle de l’Iran ? Selon des sources turques, Ankara
aurait ainsi fourni secrètement des armes aux peshmergas débordés
par l’offensive de l’Etat islamique. Des sources qui perdent néanmoins
en crédibilité en alléguant que la Turquie soignerait des militants
des forces d’autodéfense du PYD, et même du PKK. Quoi qu’il en
soit, il est difficile de ne pas voir dans la reconnaissance des
cantons syriens un acte de défiance vis-a-vis d’Ankara dont le clan
Barzani est réputé proche et avec lequel le Gouvernement Autonome
du Kurdistan entretient un très juteux trafic d’or noir.

Washington soutient désormais ouvertement le YPG

D’autre part, Erbil n’est certainement pas le seul acteur a avoir tiré
les conclusions de la duplicité turque sur l’affaire de Kobané. Selon
une dépêche Reuters, “des diplomates américains ont eu des contacts
directs sans précédent avec le principal parti kurde de Syrie,
dans le cadre des discussions sur l’élargissement de la coalition
mise sur pied pour combattre l’Etat islamique”. Jennifer Psaki,
porte-parole du Département d’Etat a précisé que la rencontre
avait eu lieu a Paris et que “Washington n’en était “pas encore”
au stade d’envisager d’armer et de former les milices kurdes” et
qu’il s’agissait uniquement “d’une brève rencontre”.

Il n’empêche, selon des sources plus orientales, des contacts
existeraient depuis plus de deux ans entre l’administration américaine
et le PKK. Des sources qui précisent que les tractations de Paris,
ce 12 octobre, ont réuni Salih Muslim lui-même et Daniel Rubinstein,
l’envoyé spécial du Département d’Etat pour la Syrie, et qu’elles
auraient portées sur “la mise en place d’une coordination militaire
entre les unités de protection du peuple (YPG) et la coalition
internationale contre le terrorisme”.

Il faut croire que ces discussions sont allées bien plus loin que
ce que prétend Mme Psaki puisqu’on apprend ce lundi 20 octobre que
l’armée américaine a procédé dans la nuit a des largages d’armes
en provenance des Kurdes d’Irak aux résistants de Kobané. Au
grand dam d’Ankara: la veille même, Erdogan affirmait a nouveau
qu’il considérait l’YPG comme un groupe terroriste. Un retournement
d’alliance qui ne s’est certainement pas fait sans concession : Salih
Muslim jusqu’alors plutôt bienveillant vis-a-vis du régime de Damas
ne vient-il pas de déclarer que le régime d’Assad était désormais
“illégitime”?

Le crépuscule de la diplomatie turque ?

Mais l’essentiel n’est sans doute pas la. Pour la première fois
depuis longtemps, le régime turc semble n’être pas parvenu a
jouer de la position du territoire qu’il contrôle en Asie mineure
pour faire prévaloir ses options et ses vues. Une marginalisation
d’Ankara nouvelle et qui étonne de la part d’une diplomatie ayant
jusqu’a présent toujours réussi a faire passer la Turquie pour un
allié fiable et indispensable. L’avènement possible d’une Turquie
inutile n’est pas sans conséquence. Sur le plan intérieur, Il est
certain qu’un revers d’une telle ampleur affaiblit l’Etat AKP. Il y
a quelques jours, le chef du parti kémaliste, Kemal Kılıcdaroglu,
avait déja vu la l’occasion de redorer le blason de son parti défait
aux dernières présidentielle, en accusant le gouvernement de soutenir
l’Etat islamique. Il semblerait que depuis lors,la tension politique
ne fasse que s’accroître en Turquie. Sur le plan extérieur, la
Turquie inutile a été en quelques sortes actée par la communauté
internationale : En dépit d’un lobbying intensif, Ankara n’est pas
parvenu a se faire élire au Conseil de Sécurité de l’ONU, alors
que cela son élection semblait jouée quelques jours auparavant. Mis
en perspective des signes sans cesse croissants de réintégration de
l’Iran au sein de la communauté internationale, les évolutions en
cours pourraient annoncer un bouleversement géostratégique majeur
au Proche-Orient.

KARABAKH SCULPTOR’S WIKIPEDIA MONUMENT UNVEILED IN POLAND

Arts and Culture | 23.10.14 | 15:48

A monument designed by an Armenian sculptor from Karabakh and dedicated
to Wikipedia was ceremonially unveiled in Slubice, Poland, this week.

The work by Mihran Hakobyan, a 30-year-old Stepanakert-based sculptor,
is the first monument dedicated to the internet-based encyclopedia.

In the years 2010-2013, Hakobyan graduated from the Polish Studies
for International Students at Collegium Polonicum in SÃ…~Bubice and
was awarded the title of licencjat (BA). In 2012, in recognition
for his work for the university and very good grades, he received the
Kulczyk Family Fund scholarship. Since 2011, he has been working in the
field of computer animation. He is the author of several animations,
including plasticine animated films promoting Collegium Polonicum
and Polish Studies for International Students. In 2013, he received
the audience award for his animated film “Umbrella” presented at the
Short Film Fund competition in Moscow.

The fiber-and-resin sculpture, designed by Armenian Mihran Hakobyan,
depicts the Wikipedia globe held up by four people.

Consistent with the Wikipedia logo’s globe, the world is shown as
being unfinished, ready to accept more knowledge.

The information as well as the photo of the statue is published in
the Monument’s section of Wikipedia.

JAMES WARLICK: ARMENIA’S MEMBERSHIP IN EEU WILL NOT AFFECT KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

17:17, 23 Oct 2014

A resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict depends on the political
will of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and not on treaties
or alliances, US co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick told
Trend on Oct.23.

He was commenting on the possible impact of Armenia’s accession to
the Eurasian Economic Union on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The co-chair said the government of Armenia has made its decision,
which he respects.

“We hope with the recent contacts between the presidents they will
commit themselves to a settlement,” Warlick said.

“Conditions along the line of contact and Armenian-Azerbaijani border
have stabilized after the outbreak of violence this summer. But the
situation remains tense,” he added.

HONEY PRODUCTION SLASHES DRAMATICALLY IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, October 23. / ARKA /. This year honey production in Armenia
has slashed from two thousand metric tons in 2013 to about one hundred
tons, said on Thursday Telman Nazaryan, the head of the National
Association of Beekeepers Nectar.

Citing data from his own research he said the dramatic decline in
production is due to the loss of honey bees.

“Honey production this year has dropped catastrophically I personally
conducted research across the country and I can say with certainty
that the number of bees has decreased. The National Association of
Beekeepers is concerned about this situation. We believe that research
is needed to objectively assess the extent of the problem and develop
a mechanism to deal with the death of the bees, “said Nazaryan.

The first massive death of bees was described by American beekeepers
in 2006. It was called “colony collapse disorder.” Colony collapse
disorder is caused by a combination of factors – parasites,
agricultural chemicals and poor nutrition.

These all weaken the honeybees’ immune system and make them more
susceptible to viruses and infections that can kill them. Some experts
argue that frequencies use by cellular phones also affect bees which
“forget” the way to hives and die.

This is a global problem. Of the 100 crop species responsible for
providing 90% of food worldwide, 71 are dependent on bee pollination,
aaccording to UN figures. They also say the number of honey bees in
the world fell by 90%. – 0–

HRAPARAK: ELECTION OF ARMENIAN JUDGE AT ECHR MAY BE INVALIDATED

10:22 22/10/2014 >> DAILY PRESS

The controversial election of a judge representing Armenia at the
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) may be declared invalid,
Hraparak writes. Some NGOs plan to file complaints to the court. Three
candidates were announced winners of the contest: former Ombudsman
Armen Harutyunyan, lawyer Ara Ghazaryan, and Prosecutor General’s
Office employee Nelik Harutyunyan. President Serzh Sargsyan has
confirmed the results of the contest.

Source: Panorama.am

ERDOGAN SEES TURKEY AS SUPER POWER IN MIDEAST: ANALYST

Tue Oct 21, 2014 5:7PM GMT

Turkey’s president sees the country as a super power in the Middle East
facilitating the overthrow of the Syrian government, says an analyst.

“I think [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan sees Turkey as a regional super power
in which he uses the ISIS to overthrow the Bashar al-Assad government,”
James Petras, a Middle East expert from New York, told Press TV in
an interview Tuesday.

Turkey is an “aspiring hegemonic country” seeking to “establish its
version of Islamic dominance and to limit the influence of independent
governments like Syria, like Iran.”

The government in Ankara also “wants to compete with Israel and the
United States as the dominant group, and this has created an enormous
series of conflicts.”

Turkey along with the United States and others are accused of arming
and supporting the ISIL Takfiri militants operating inside Syria.

Ankara has prevented Turkish Kurds from crossing the border into
Syria to join the anti-ISIL battle for the strategic town of Kobani.

Britain’s Sky News said in a recent report that it has obtained
documents showing that the Turkish government has stamped passports
of foreign militants seeking to cross the Turkish border into Syria
to join the ISIL Takfiri terrorists.

Passports from different countries were recovered in a village near
Kobani across the Turkish border.

The ISIL militants have been engaged in operations attempting to cut
off Kobani’s access to the Turkish border.

Syrian Kurdish fighters have called on all Kurds across the region
to take up arms against the militants.

SC/HSN

FUNDAÇÃO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN
Armenian Communities Department РService des Communaut̩s Arm̩niennes
Av. de Berna, 45 A, PT-1067-001, Lisboa, Portugal
Tel: +351 21 782 3658
E-mail: [email protected]

Oscar O’Sullivan
Gestor de Projetos Junior
Serviço das Comunidades Arménias
FUNDAÇÃO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN

Thousands of People Take Part in First “Armenian Culture Week” at
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

The first ever Armenian Culture Week (12-19 October 2014) at the
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation generated much excitement and interest
in Lisbon. Sixteen events took place in eight days, including
concerts, lectures, seminars and exhibitions.

“It was an intense week,” said Razmik Panossian, the Director of the
Armenian Communities Department, “as we brought to Portugal various
aspects of Armenia culture and history. I was truly and pleasantly
surprised at the great interest the Week generated among the general
public and among my colleagues at the Foundation.”

Music

Five concerts highlighted traditional and classical Armenian music as
the sound of the duduk and other Armenian instruments filled the
packed the 1000-seat Grand Auditorium on several occasions.

Shoghaken Ensemble’s Road to Armenia concert kicked off the Week on
October 12. Founded in 1995, the Ensemble interprets songs and
melodies, playing them on traditional instruments. The results “are
stunning in their drive, beauty and mystery” according to the Boston
Herald.

On Tuesday night, the 14th of October, a free Armenian chamber music
concert was given by Gulbenkian Orchestra soloists and their guests,
performing pieces by Arno Babajanian, Tigran Mansurian and of course
Komitas. The audience was captivated by the delicate music and the
voice of soprano Manuela Moniz whose repertoire included the classic
song of longing, “Krunk.”

Thursday and Friday nights the full Orchestra, conducted by Pedro
Neves, played Armenian and Portuguese composers as part of its regular
series: Luís de Freitas Branco and Aram Khachaturian, including the
famous Suite no. 3 from Gayane. Nareh Arghamanyan, the invited piano
soloist, enchanted the audience with her spirited interpretation of
Khachaturian. Friday’s main concert was followed by another Armenian
chamber music concert, playing compositions by Harutiun Dellalian,
Karen Khachaturian and Vache Sharafyan.

The music series was closed on Sunday 19 October by the Jordi Savall’s
wonderful “Spirit of Armenia” sold-out concert. His ensemble,
including invited musicians from Armenia produced an enthralling
musical experience.

Roundtables, Lectures and Book Launch

Three public events provided much needed information about the Founder
and his culture on Wednesday 15 October.

The roundtable “More than Mr. 5%: The Early Life of Calouste
Gulbenkian” focused on the Founder’s early life and his inspiring
example still relevant to us. The President of the Foundation, Artur
Santos Silva, opened the proceedings. The Director of the Library and
Archives, Ana Paula Gordo, brought the archives to life by
highlighting some of the hidden treasures it contains, including
letters from a very young Gulbenkian to his father. Jonathan Conlin,
the biographer of Calouste Gulbenkian, presented some of the early
findings of his research, leaving the audience eager for the
publication of his book. Finally, Martin Essayan, Gulbenkian’s
great-grandson and Trustee, delivered an inspiring speech aimed
largely at the employees of the Foundation. Openness, cooperation and
effectiveness were key words throughout his discourse. The roundtable
was moderated by Razmik Panossian.

The Portuguese version of Vassili Grossman’s book, An Armenian
Sketchbook, was launched on Wednesday as well. Published by Don
Quixote, it appears under the title Bem Hajam! Apontamentos de Viagem
à Arménia. Filipe Guerra, one of the two translators of the book
explained the context of the book and Grossman’s visit to Armenia in
the early 1960s.

The formal opening of the “Networks of Circulation and Exchange:
Armenian, Portuguese, Jewish and Muslim Communities from the
Mediterranean to the South China Seas” conference took place on
Wednesday evening. Once again, the President of the Foundation
formally opened it, emphasizing the spirit of cooperation and
collaboration, as well as the parallels between Armenian and
Portuguese history. The keynote speaker, Professor Sebouh Aslanian, a
historian from UCLA, gave a fascinating account of Armenian merchants
and their international networks in the 17th and 18th centuries. The
conference continued on Thursday and Friday.

Another roundtable, attended by nearly 80 people, was on the topic of
“Armenian Music: Past and Present.” Moderated by Rui Vieira Nery, the
Director of the Portuguese Language and Culture Programme, it was not
only an informative but also an emotional event. Marina Dellayan, a
Portugal-based pianist, explained the history of Armenian music and
gave an overview of Armenian culture, while musician Gevorg Dabaghyan
introduced the “most Armenian instrument,” the duduk, and graced the
audience with a private concert of three pieces, including Komitas’s
“Dle-Yaman.”

Jordi Savall too had gracefully agreed to take part in another
roundtable on Armenian music prior to his concert. Answering questions
posed by the moderator, Risto Nieminen, the Director of the Music
Department, Savall emphasized the healing power of music and how
resilient people like the Armenians have produced culture in – and in
response too – adverse conditions, violence and exile.

At the Modern Art Centre of the Foundation, Professor Kim Theriault
delivered a fascinating lecture about the life and art of one of the
most important American artists of the 20th century, “Towards the
abstract: the imaginary and imagination of Arshile Gorky.” She
discussed Gorky’s development as an artist, his work and his impact on
modern art. Gorky created, she argued, a unique abstract art that was
a bridge between European Surrealism and American Abstract
Expressionism, and that ultimately it was a visual manifestation of
his displacement as an artist of Armenian origin.

Film Premiere

The Grand Auditorium was once again full for the premiere of the
documentary film “ARtMENIA,” directed by Ricardo Espírito Santo (Terra
Líquida Films), in collaboration with Helena Araújo. The movie
artfully introduced Armenian history, culture and traditions to the
Portuguese audience, weaving it through the music of Tigran Mansurian.

Seminars

During the week, two two-day international seminars were hosted by the
Foundation. The first, on Monday and Tuesday, brought together 35
leaders and prominent thinkers in the Armenian world to discuss
strategies for the future. Under the rubric of “Armenians at 2115,”
the invitation only seminar was a seminal step in fostering long term
planning and strategic visioning. A separate communique will soon be
issued on this event, followed by a seminar report.

The second two-day seminar, continuing from the keynote address of
Wednesday evening, was an academic gathering on the topic of “trade
networks.” Some 40 international experts focused on the use of
commodities and paper instruments in the early modern period. Some of
the top experts in the field were present, along with younger
colleagues researching the topic. Comparisons were drawn between
Armenian, Portuguese and other trade networks. The papers will be
published as a book.

Exhibitions

Two key exhibitions accompanied the Armenian Culture Week and have
received wonderful feedback from the general public.

The first is an exhibition focusing on the early life of Calouste
Gulbenkian, based on his personal papers, entitled More Than Mr.5%:
The Early Life of Calouste Gulbenkian. Among the first visitors was
the illustrious novelist Orhan Pamuk. The exhibition opened on October
2 and will run until 3 November.

The other exhibition, Arshile Gorky and the Collection is at the
Foundation’s Modern Art Centre, and runs until 31 May 2015. It
focusses on Gorky’s surrealist work “in conversation” with other
modernists of his period, including prominent Portuguese artists.

Martin Essayan, Trustee of the Foundation summed up the Week: “It was
touching to see and hear the culture of our Founder resonate in the
Foundation. The collaborative spirit in which Armenian Culture Week
was planned and executed is exemplary. The Armenian Communities
Department reached out to various other parts of the Foundation – from
the Presidency to Communications, from the Music Department to the
Museum, CAM, the Archives, and the Programme of Portuguese Language
and Culture. The success of the week was contingent upon such
collaboration. Indeed, it was a wonderful week celebrating Armenian
culture at one of the premier foundations in Europe headquartered in
Lisbon.”

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