Author: Badalian Vardan

COLLECTIF VAN : L’EPHEMERIDE DU 28 JANVIER

Publie le : 28-01-2014

Info Collectif VAN – – Info Collectif VAN –
– La rubrique Ephemeride est a retrouver
quotidiennement sur le site du Collectif VAN. Elle recense la liste
d’evenements survenus a une date donnee, a differentes epoques de
l’Histoire, sur les thematiques que l’association suit au quotidien.

L’ephemeride du Collectif VAN repose sur des informations en ligne
sur de nombreux sites (les sources sont specifiees sous chaque entree).

Les ephemerides du Collectif VAN (1ère partie)

Les ephemerides du Collectif VAN (2ème partie)

Legende photo : 28 janvier 2007 — Turquie : Des groupes
ultra-nationalistes turcs (Loups Gris) a Trabzon, manifestent dans
le stade et a ses abords, contre le slogan (repris par la foule a
Istanbul lors des funerailles du journaliste armenien assassine le 19
janvier 2007) : “Nous sommes tous des Armeniens, nous sommes tous des
Hrant Dink”. Les fans de Trabzonspor ont pris place dans les gradins
du stade Kamil Ocak avec des drapeaux et des bannières proclamant
“Nous sommes tous Turcs, Nous sommes tous Mustafa Kemal,” “Je suis
turc, je suis de Trabzon” et ils ont crie des slogans tels que “Les
martyrs ne meurent jamais, l’unite du pays restera toujours en place.

Ca s’est passe un 28 janvier (les evenements sont classes du plus
ancien au plus recent) :

28 janvier 1915 — Première offensive de Suez. La IVe armee ottomane
a pour objectif la prise du canal de Suez. Dès l’hiver 1914-1915
s’instaure un front d’Egypte. Les troupes britanniques, massees
derrières le canal, parviennent a repousser les assauts ottomans.

Wikipedia : 1915

28 janvier 1916 — Turquie : Telegramme adresse par Talaat a la
prefecture d’Alep le 28 janvier 1916. .

En outre, le Secretariat general signifia, le 28 janvier 1920,
au President de la Delegation de la Republique armenienne, qu’une
resolution identique avait ete prise par les chefs des gouvernements de
France, de Grande-Bretagne et d’Italie : communication qui fut suivie
d’une autre, datee du 7 mars 1920, faisant connaître la declaration
de l’ambassadeur du Japon

CONSOLIDER LES COMMUNES : UN PROJET PILOTE FUSIONNE LES PETITS VILLAGES

ARMENIE

Le Ministère armenien de l’Administration regionale va mener
des projets pilotes d’un programme communautaire de fusion de 14
communautes dans Tsakhkadzor, Dilijan, Jermuk et Tatev.

Le vice-ministre de l’administration regionale Vache Terteryan a dit
que tout d’abord la question de la subvention de l”Etat aux petites
communautes (avec 30, 40 ou 50 residents) doit etre resolue. Par la
loi sur la >, les communautes recoivent
des subventions de l’Etat pour maintenir le personnel et la prise en
charge d’autres depenses communautaires.

> a dit Terteryan.

La porte sud de l’Armenie, de la region de Meghri devrait fusionnee
en une seule grande communaute pour inclure la ville de Meghri,
Agarak et les communautes rurales voisines. Les residents la-bas ne
sont pas satisfaits avec cette idee et ont l’intention de protester
contre elle. Le vice-ministre a donne l’assurance que rien ne sera
fait sans discussion prealable avec la population.

>,
a declare l’ancien candidat a la presidentielle Sarkissian en course
pour un deuxième mandat.

Parmi les membres des cinq familles Valya Balayan 60 ans est le plus
tetu. Ses filles sont parties suite a des mariages mais souhaite
vivre ici avec son mari et ses trois fils. Balayan a des exigences
differentes du President.

> dit-elle avec fierte et frustration.

Par Gayane Lazarian

ArmeniaNow

mardi 28 janvier 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

January 27, 2014
___________________

Jazz Star Datevik Dazzles in Concert at Diocesan Center

By Florence Avakian

It was a performance to remember and relish, as renowned jazz artist Datevik
Hovanesian thrilled the audience gathered for her concert sponsored by St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral. More than 400 people filled Haik and Alice
Kavookjian Auditorium to listen to Armenia’s “First Lady of Jazz” on Friday
evening, January 17.

Welcoming the crowd, Angela Kazarian briefly detailed the background of the
singer, who also is a well-known educator, recording artist, and arranger
specializing in ethnic and folk music. As the band members-master musicians
Bob Albanese on piano, Joe Fitzgerald on bass, and David Meade on
drums-started the evening with a catchy Brazilian Bossa Nova number, the
large audience was already moving to the beat.

Pianist Bob Albanese, in his introduction, paid tribute to the universal
language of music, and called Datevik, “a profound, inimitable artist who
changes you,” as she entered the stage to thunderous applause. Acknowledging
the warm reception, she emotionally announced: “I’m going to share my heart
to the very last drop”-which brought on another ovation.

Unique interpreter of Armenian folk songs

Renowned for her unique way of melding Armenian folk songs with jazz,
Datevik offered a group of memorable ethno-jazz numbers, including Sayat
Nova’s reflective “Oosdi goo kas,” the caressing “Hovarek,” and the lilting
“Es aroon” (“The Creek”). In a duet with drummer David Meade, she sang a
rousing Armenian dance song that Meade called “Afro-Armenian,” which had the
audience moving in time to the distinctive rhythms.

In addition to the ethno-jazz numbers, Datevik sang Bossa Nova compositions
by the great Antonio Carlos Jobim, and the popular standard “It Don’t Mean a
Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” In a duet with the pianist, she
performed one of her signature songs, the pensive and romantic “You Must
Believe in Spring,” which brought down the house. For her last number,
“Arevelyan bar,” her body movements flowed to the nuances of the music, and
the audience clapped in unison to the beat.

With the audience cheering and clapping rhythmically for several minutes,
she presented an encore, “Chem gernah khaghah,” to a standing ovation
lasting several minutes.

At times during her performance, her tonal inflections resembled orchestral
instruments. Datevik showed herself to be a seasoned professional in every
sense, with seamless phrasing and timing, singing in perfect harmony with
her masterful band.

Bernard and Claudia Perreto, two of many non-Armenians in the audience,
commented: “It was an unforgettable musical experience. Datevik’s persona
exudes vibrant, intoxicatingly rhythmic energy. Her vocal acuity and scat
singing are sublime, and lend perfectly to her ethnic jazz style. Above all,
it’s Datevik’s love of music that sent us home feeling that she gave us a
memorable musical gift.”

Another attendee gushed: “A recording of the show would be worth having for
the ages.”

A musical family

Born in Yerevan, Datevik comes from a family of musicians. Her mother
Ophelia Hambartsumian is a legendary master of folk songs. Her father Norair
Hovanesian is a renowned kemancha player. And her elder brother Hovanes is a
classical violinist and devotee of jazz.

“He was always listening to Brazilian jazz tunes, which were hits at the
time,” she said in a conversation with this writer. “Bossa Nova moved me. It
was a big challenge for me since I like dealing with difficulties. In fact,
Armenia has always been big on jazz, with Armenia’s first jazz band
performing in 1930,” she said.

Making her first recording at age 11 with Harold Arlen’s “It’s Only a Paper
Moon,” Datevik continued her musical education in conducting, and at age 19
went on performance tours in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S.-always
making sure that she was recognized as an Armenian.

“It didn’t take long for me to feel and understand that jazz music would
become my lifelong companion,” she said.

“First Lady of Jazz”

By 1979, she had earned the title of “First Lady of Jazz in the Soviet
Union,” a title she kept for nine years. Coming to America to expand her
knowledge of jazz, and to work on creating her unique style of Armenian
ethnic jazz, Datevik forged an illustrious career, becoming a celebrated
jazz performer.

Collaborating with Larry Willis, she made her first U.S. recording, “Ballads
from the Black Sea.” In the liner notes Datevik remarked: “The group of
songs on this CD are an eruption of my soul, caused by my cup filling up
drop by drop, and finally running over. Although I am a jazz singer, I have
not forgotten or become detached from my Armenian roots for one minute. The
Armenian folk song has always been a major influence on me.” In fact, it was
Datevik who introduced Armenian folk music to the great jazz pianist Armen
Donelian, with whom she often performs.

Datevik’s impressive background includes five solo albums, performances in
the most celebrated concert halls in more than 30 countries on every
continent, with accolades pouring forth in the most prestigious American and
international newspapers and magazines.

Pierre Sprey, president of Mapleshade Record Productions, has called Datevik
“a rich new jazz voice of superb musicianship-earthy and passionate and
swinging-which proves that soul and jazz know no boundaries.”

The legendary jazz producer to the world’s jazz greats, who produced
Datevik’s “Listen to My Heart” compact disc, has called her the “finest
voice I’ve heard in a quarter of a century.” And famed French-Armenian
composer and pianist Michel Le Grande has said: “Listen to the heart of
Armenia. Listen to Datevik.”

###

Photos attached: Datevik Hovanesian performs at the Diocesan Center.

ARMENIA: SHOULD WORKERS BE FORCED TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT?

EurasiaNet.org
Jan 27 2014

January 27, 2014 – 2:03pm, by Gayane Abrahamyan

A US-supported pension-reform project has ground to a halt in Armenia
amid a popular outcry over whether the state can compel taxpayers to
plan for retirement.

Pensioners account for roughly 18 percent of Armenia’s population of
2.8 million, according to the National Statistical Service. Currently,
retirees receive monthly state pensions of 25,000-40,000 drams
($61-$100) — amounts generally not deemed adequate to meet basic
living expenses. Already struggling with a relatively weak economy,
many Armenian families don’t have enough income to help out elderly
relatives.

Citing the current economic environment, officials in Yerevan are
arguing, with backing from the US Agency for International Development
(USAID), that working Armenians should start saving for their own
retirement. Under a plan the government hopes to launch later this
year, wage earners born after January 1, 1974, would have 5 percent of
their monthly salaries withheld by the government. The withholdings
would be placed in an interest-earning pension fund that could be
tapped by individuals only after they turned 63. The state would
guarantee 80 percent of the deposited monies.

Many taxpayers are objecting to the forced-savings plan. In response
to a motion from civil-society activists and the country’s four main
opposition parties (the Heritage Party, Armenian National Congress,
Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Prosperous Armenia Party),
the Constitutional Court, Armenia’s highest judicial body, ruled on
January 24 to postpone the reform’s introduction pending a March 28
review of its constitutionality.

Memories of lost savings in the state-run Sberbank after the 1991
collapse of the Soviet Union drive much of the current misgivings
about the pension plan initiative. “They deceived us back then!”

shouted 85-year-old pensioner Greta Shahumian, holding high two
Soviet-era bank account books at a well-attended January 18 rally in
Yerevan against the reform. “Now again they are trying to pocket your
money — don’t trust them!”

Meanwhile, economist Artsvik Minasian, an MP for the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF), contended the reform would be
“economically disastrous” by “increasing both taxes and the shadow
economy, reducing the number of jobs, decreasing GDP . . . [and]
triggering another wave of migration.”

President Serzh Sargsyan’s administration remains committed to the
reform. On January 24, Sargsyan predicted that the pension plan would
“later be called historic,” the president’s office reported. The
Central Bank has licensed C-QUADRAT Ampega Asset Management Armenia,
a joint-venture involving an Austrian and a German investment
firm (C-QUADRAT Investment AG and Talanx Asset Management GmbH
respectively), to manage the fund. USAID has pledged to help “ensure
the successful roll-out of the new pension system.”

A determinedly upbeat Labor and Social Welfare Minister Artem Asatrian,
whose ministry would oversee the program, asserted on January 21 that
the change would bring “tangible results.”

That’s just what worries some critics.

Armenians now pay an income tax amounting to 24.4 percent of their
monthly salaries over 45,000 drams ($110) and 26 percent for salaries
over 120,000 drams ($300).

Under the social-security plan, they would have another 5 percent
of their salaries withheld. Deductions would be taken out of the
individual worker’s gross salary, compounding the shrinkage of
take-home pay, said accountant Maneh Tandilian, a member of the
“I Object” anti-pension-reform movement.

Concerns about shrinking take-home pay resonate in the country’s
relatively well-paid IT sector, an emerging economic field that the
government is eager to develop. “Many among my friends are discussing
options for leaving the country,” commented programmer Gevorg
Gorgisian. “Why do we have to lose 40 to 45 percent of our salaries,
which hardly suffice for covering our family expenses [and] looking
after our parents, because the state does not provide decent pensions?”

Harutiun Mesrobian, a professor of economics at Slavonic University
in Yerevan, said the idea has merit that the social security plan may
stimulate emigration. The size of Armenia’s shadow-economy, widely
believed to account for a large share of the Armenian job market,
could expand as well. Taxpayers “cannot pay such big taxes . . . and
survive at the same time,” said Mesrobian.

Given the prevalence of corruption, some opposition politicians
are suspicious about Sargsyan administration’s motives. One, Naira
Zohrabian, secretary for the Prosperous Armenia Party’s parliamentary
faction, went so far as to call the withholding plan a “state racket.”

Minasian, the ARF MP, questioned whether taxpayers would see any
benefits from the fund. He asserted that the government, by law,
cannot guanatee 80-percent of its deposits since budgetary regulations
require that such guarantees do “not exceed 10 percent of each
year’s tax revenues.” If the pension fund, as forecast, increases by
100-billion drams ($245 million) each year, that amount would outstrip
the government’s guarantee by the second year of the fund’s existence,
he claimed.

Galust Sahakian, leader of the governing Republican Party of Armenia’s
parliamentary faction, brushed off speculation about the government’s
ability fulfill its pledges. “If the law says that the government
will guarantee [deposited pension funds], so it will,” he said.

Representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare declined to
respond to questions about the reform, referring EurasiaNet.org instead
to Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian’s remarks. In his end-of-the-year
news conference, the prime minister on December 27 called opposition to
the reform “understandable” since “any reform meets resistance.” But
ultimately, he underlined, “there is no alternative to the compulsory
accumulative pension system.”

Editor’s note: ane Abrahamyan is a freelance reporter and editor
in Yerevan.

HUNDREDS ATTEND MEMORIAL FOR KARABAKH SOLDIER IN GLENDALE

Monday, January 27th, 2014

The Armenian community gathered at St. Mary’s Armenian Church in
Glendale to to honor slain Artsakh soldier, Armen Hovhannisyan

GLENDALE-Hundreds of community members attended a requiem Mass
and rally at St. Mary’s Armenian Church to pay their respects to
the Artsakh Junior Sergeant Armen Hovhannesyan, who died last week
heroically defending his homeland. The event was organized by the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee.

During the Mass, the Very Rev. Father Muron Aznikian praised the
courage of Armenian heroes.

The rally, which was held in front of the Cross Stone at St. Mary’s
Church courtyard, was initiated by ARF Western US Central Committee’s
public relations director Saro Nazarian.

The message from the ARF youth was presented by David Arakelyan.

Lamenting that he could not talk about peace, Arakelyan expressed
his anger at Azerbaijan’s barbaric aggression.

Arakelyan also expressed his frustration at the Minsk Group co-chairmen
who call for restraint from both sides, but ignore the reality that
Azerbaijan is the only entity that does not exercise restraint.

The current reality, said Arakelyan, “is forcing our nation,
especially our youth, to work with renewed dedication in order to
defend our homeland.”

“For all of us, Armen Hovhannesyan must become an example of
selflessness, courage and love for the homeland,” said Arakelyan
calling on the entire Armenian nation to sacrifice in the name of
justice and in the name of a free, united and independent Armenia.

Armenian Veterans’ Association chairmen Vigen Ghazaryan read an
announcement on behalf of the organization, while Salpi Mailian
performed a rendition of the ARF Anthem, “Meshak Panvor.”

Speaking on behalf of the Central Committee, Avedik Izmirlian said
that sacrificing oneself for the freedom of the nation is one of the
tenets of the ARF, adding that Armen Hovhannesyan was the bearer of
that distinction for his heroism in combat.

Izmirlian also promoted the contributions of the Western US to
Artsakh’s liberation struggle and the commitment of the community to
advance justice and support the people of Artsakh.

The ARF leader also emphasized the importance of unity within the
community on the road to strengthening Artsakh’s statehood and the
international recognition for the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

SARF TO HOST LECTURE ON SYRIAN ARMENIAN CRISIS

Monday, January 27th, 2014

Syrian Armenian Relief Fund

GLENDALE-“The Syrian Armenian Crisis” is the title of a lecture
organized by the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) Executive
Committee, which will be held on Monday, February 10, 2014, at 7:00
p.m., at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall of the Western Diocese,
3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91504.

The Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Damascus, Bishop Armash
Nalbandian, and Dr. Krikor Adanalian from Aleppo, Syria, will be the
two lecturers.

“This is a great opportunity for our concerned community to hear
first hand the status quo on the ground and renew our commitment
to reach out and help the Syrian Armenians survive this crisis,”
remarked Zaven Khanjian, SARF Executive Committee Chairperson.

Admission is free.

The following churches, charities and organizations came together
to form the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund in August 2012: Armenian
Catholic Eparchy in North America; Armenian Evangelical Union of North
America; Western Diocese of the Armenian Church; Western Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America; Armenian General Benevolent
Union; Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian Relief
Society of Western U.S.A.; Armenian Democratic Liberal Party; Armenian
Revolutionary Federation-Western U.S.A.; and Social Democrat Hunchakian
Party-Western U.S.A.

The SARF mailing address is P.O. Box 1948, Glendale, CA 91209-1948;
the web address is

ANOTHER KARABAKH WAR DISABLED COMMITS SELF-IMMOLATION IN AZERBAIJAN IN A MONTH

20:35 27/01/2014 ” SOCIETY

On Monday morning in Yevlakh district, a local resident, disabled of
Karabakh war Nizami Kerimov committed self-immolation in front of the
District Department of Social Protection Fund, reports Azerbaijani
information agency “Turan.”

The Yevlakh police confirmed the fact and informed that the disabled
man is admitted to the local hospital. The investigation is underway.

According to preliminary information, the invalid organized a
self-immolation in protest against the violation of his rights and
bureaucratic red tape.

As “Turan” notes, this is the second case of self-immolation of
Karabakh war veterans during the last month. Earlier on December 25,
Zaur Hasanov who had become disabled at the Karabakh war committed
a self-immolation in front of the Confederation of Trade Unions in
protest against the violation of his rights. He died on December 28.

Source: Panorama.am

NEW CENTER TO OFFER AID TO SECT VICTIMS IN ARMENIA

16:43 ~U 27.01.14

The Armenia-based civic group United Youth League has launched a
center to combat religious sects and offer help to people who have
suffered as a result of their harmful activities.

Speaking to Tert.am, a deputy head of the movement, Sevak Hovhannisyan,
said they have already received appeals from very different people
complaining about sects.

“Given that so many citizens have suffered harm – both financial
and moral – because of sects, it is necessary for every Armenian to
commit himself or herself to the extremely serious and important task
of aiding the people who are psychologically depressed,” he said.

Though the center has not officially opened yet, there are already
appeals with signatures from beneficiaries, Hovhannisyan added.

“The center will have one investigative journalist, one psychologist
and a lawyer,” he said, adding that the specialists, who will work
on paid basis, will offer beneficiaries counseling services free
of charge.

The center will receive funding from foreign-based Armenian benefactors
who are followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

THE ATLANTIC: THE ANCIENT GHOST CITY OF ANI

13:09 27/01/2014 ” SOCIETY

The Atlantic has published an article about the city of Ani and photos
of the city.

Situated on the eastern border of Turkey, across the Akhurian River
from Armenia, lies the empty, crumbling site of the once-great
metropolis of Ani, known as “the city of a thousand and one churches”.

Founded more than 1,600 years ago, Ani was situated on several
trade routes, and grew to become a walled city of more than 100,000
residents by the 11th century. In the centuries that followed, Ani and
the surrounding region were conquered hundreds of times — Byzantine
emperors, Ottoman Turks, Armenians, nomadic Kurds, Georgians, and
Russians claimed and reclaimed the area, repeatedly attacking and
chasing out residents.

By the 1300s, Ani was in steep decline, and it was completely abandoned
by the 1700s. Rediscovered and romanticized in the 19th century, the
city had a brief moment of fame, only to be closed off by World War
I and the later events of the Armenian Genocide that left the region
an empty, militarized no-man’s land. The ruins crumbled at the hands
of many: looters, vandals, Turks who tried to eliminate Armenian
history from the area, clumsy archaeological digs, well-intentioned
people who made poor attempts at restoration, and Mother Nature
herself. Restrictions on travel to Ani have eased in the past decade,
allowing the following photos to be taken.

[27 photos]

‘ARMENIAN DIPLOMACY SHOULD SPEAK FROM A POSITION OF STRENGTH ‘

Monday,
January
27

The Armenian side had the opportunity to make a demarche in the
Karabakh conflict settlement, but it didn’t use that opportunity
when participating in the Paris talks, political scientist Hrant
Melik-Shahnazarian said at a meeting with reporters today.

In his words, it would be much more logical to demonstrate it after
the extradition of Ramil Safarov.

“In other words, the Armenian side should have demonstrated that
Armenia is not ready for negotiations in any conditions and cannot
negotiate beyond a certain limit. I think that following Ramil
Safarov’s extradition and such a subversive act, the refusal to conduct
negotiations and the demand to return to a constructive field would be
grasped by the international community,” the political scientist noted.

According to him, unlike the Armenian army, the diplomacy is weak. No
agreement was reached at the recent meeting of the foreign ministers
of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Hrant Melik-Shahnazarian said.

“The Armenian diplomacy should speak from a position of strength. Our
diplomacy’s readiness concerning anything allows Azerbaijan to continue
its provocations,” Melik-Shahnazarian said.

Aysor.am