Author: Badalian Vardan

VARDANASHEN VILLAGE – “RESIDENTS CAN ONLY DREAM ABOUT INDOOR PLUMBING”
Grisha Balasanyan

13:40, June 27, 2013

Vardanashen, a village in the southern Armenian province of Armavir,
is a mere 3.5 kilometres from the border with Turkey.

1,360 residents are officially registered in Vardanashen, but many
no longer live there.

Vardanashen Deputy Mayor Edik Zakaryan told Hetq that certain
improvements have been made in the village in the past few years.

Natural gas is now supplied and village roads are to be repaired.

But many problems remain, especially water for drinking. Presently,
residents draw their potable water from artesian wells but Zakaryan
says that the numerous fish farms in the area are using up this
underground resource at an alarming rate.

Another issue deals with the birth rate. “Couples have one son and
one daughter and that’s it. Who can care for more kids given today’s
economic conditions?” asks Zakaryan.

Hakob Hovasapyan Edik Zakaryan The deputy mayor sees greater
agricultural exports as the only practical resolution to the problems
facing the village.

Zakaryan recently travelled to Moscow, where he visited the Globus
Supermarket. He was surprised to see row upon row of Bulgarian
vegetables and asks why Armenian products aren’t being marketed
overseas.

“We don’t really have a Ministry of Agriculture here in Armenia. They
just get government money but do little with it,” complains Zakaryan.

The decreasing population also concerns school Principal Hakob
Hovasapyan. He says that ten years ago,enrollment stood at 220 pupils
and has dropped to 160 today.

“Migration is the main reason for the drop. Mostly Yezidi families
leave the village. This year alone three families have picked up and
gone,” notes Hovasapyan, adding that 90% of those who have left had
bank loans to pay off. Finding work is the main reason people leave
Vardanashen.

Principal Hovasapyan says it’s high time that the government turns it
focus away from the urban areas and towards Armenia rural communities.

“Most people here are living in the most basic of conditions. Even
having a shower or an indoor toilet is a dream,” he said.

ARMENIA DETERMINED TO EXPAND RELATIONS WITH IRAN – AMBASSADOR

June 27, 2013 | 12:35

Armenian government and parliament are determined to expand the
friendly ties with Iran, Armenian Ambassador to Tehran Grigor
Arakelian said.

On Wednesday, Arakelyan met with Chairman of the National Security and
Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s Majlis Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Press
TV reported.

Arakelyan urged both states to use potential to enhance ties in
various sectors. .

Iranian MP noted that friendly historical bonds between the two
nations can lay the groundwork for closer cooperation, calling for the
development of the friendly ties on all fronts.

Underlining the significance of economic and trade transactions
between the two countries, Boroujerdi said Iran and Armenia need to
use their potential to shore up economic, trade, industrial and
commercial cooperation.

He also highlighted the role of parliamentary cooperation in exploring
areas for closer economic ties.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ZHAMANAK: ARMENIA SHOULD REVISE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

Thursday,
June 27

Chairman of Free Democrats Party Khachatur Kokobelian told ‘Zhamanak’
daily that following Russia’s decision to sell $1 billion worth of
arms to Azerbaijan, Armenia should revise its strategic partnership
with Russia since Moscow disregards Armenia’s interests. Kokobelian
also said that Armenia should sign the Association Agreement with
the EU in November, despite Russia’s pressure.

TODAY, 12:55

Aysor.am

TURQUIE : NOUVEL ACTE DE VANDALISME CONTRE LE PATRIMOINE ARMENIEN

Publie le : 26-06-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Un nouvel acte de
vandalisme contre le patrimoine armenien est commis actuellement
en Turquie. Les autorites turques de Mouch ont pris la decision
de demolir les maisons armeniennes qui ont une valeur historique
et culturelle. Le Collectif VAN vous invite a lire la traduction
d’un article en armenien publie sur le site Akounk le 24 juin 2013,
d’après une information parue sur un site turc.

Akounk

24 juin 2013

A Mouch, on demolit les maisons armeniennes ayant une valeur historique

Un acte de vandalisme contre le patrimoine armenien historico-culturel
a ete commis de nouveau en Turquie.

Selon le journaliste turc d’origine armenienne du site Aykeredoghrular,
Jevat Sinet, les autorites turques ont commence a demolir les maisons
des Armeniens de Mouch ayant une valeur historique.

La decision de demolir les maisons des Armeniens avait ete prise
autrefois par la mairie de Mouch où la majorite est detenue par les
membres du Parti de la justice et du developpement (AKP).

En lieu et place des maisons des Armeniens, on construira des bâtiments
destines aux organismes d’Etat.

Outre les maisons des Armeniens, on detruit aussi les bains se trouvant
aux alentours et ayant une valeur historico-culturelle. La source
mentionne que toute protestation contre la demolition des monuments
fait face a des violences policières.

Il est a noter que les maisons armeniennes se situaient au centre de
la ville de Mouch.

Traduction Collectif VAN – 26 juin 2013 – 10:10 –

_________________________

Nota CVAN

Voici des informations complementaires recues d’une source presente
sur Mouch :

“La municipalite n’a en fait pas encore commence a detruire elle-meme
les maisons. Tout est le fait des habitants locaux qui ont commence a
detruire les proprietes après avoir cede les titres de propriete. Ils
ont commence a enlever et a vendre tout ce qui avait de la valeur (a
partir des fenetres et des portes en bois) et a creuser pour trouver
de l'”or” sous les maisons [Nota CVAN : le mythe de l’or cache des
Armeniens est tenace. Il conduit en Turquie au vandalisme et au pillage
systematique des maisons, des eglises et des cimetières armeniens].

Les habitants ont ete trompes et forces a ceder leurs maisons,
mais il faut ajouter qu’ils etaient au debut, et pour la plupart,
très enthousiastes a l’idee d’etre deplaces dans des bâtiments TOKI
geres par le gouvernement [Nota CVAN : TOKI est l’operateur public de
l’habitat social en Turquie], mais c’etait avant qu’ils ne realisent
qu’ils sont non seulement expropries, mais aussi qu’ils se sont
lourdement endettes dans le processus.

L’etat actuel des bâtiments n’est donc pas “encore” dû aux bulldozers
de la municipalite, dont tout le monde attend l’arrivee d’un jour
a l’autre.

19 personnes parmi les 216 detenteurs de titres n’ont pas encore
donne leurs titres de propriete a l’Etat, de sorte qu’elles pourraient
avoir a attendre la resolution de ce problème avant de tout raser.

Un homme resiste courageusement et ne quitte pas sa maison. Des medias
devraient publier rapidement des articles le concernant.”

Traduction Collectif VAN – 26 juin 2013 – 14:15 –

__________________________

Campagne de signatures on-line pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine
armenien de Mouch et la restauration de l’eglise armenienne de la
Sainte-Vierge – Meryem Ana Ayakli Kilise (les deux dernières photos
ci-dessus representent l’eglise) :

imzakampanyam.com

Il semble que le site

fasse l’objet d’attaques regulières car l’affichage se fait très
difficilement.

Les photos ont ete mises en ligne par les auteurs de la Campagne
de protestation.

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Akounk

ALEXEI MILLER A DISCUTE DE LA PLEINE PROPRIETE D’ARMROSGAZPROM AVEC LE MINISTRE ARMENIEN DE L’ENERGIE

Le President du Conseil de Gazprom Alexeï Miller a discute d’un
certain nombre de questions avec le ministre de l’Energie Armen
Movsisyan a Moscou.

En particulier, la question portait sur la possibilite d’augmenter
la part de Gazprom dans ArmRosGazprom de 80% a 100%.

Les deux parties ont examine egalement comment le prix du gaz russe
est forme pour les consommateurs armeniens.

Alexei Miller et le ministre ont discute des questions cles de la
cooperation russo-armenienne dans le secteur du gaz, y compris la
contribution de Gazprom a des projets energetiques en Armenie.

jeudi 27 juin 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

L’EGLISE SAINT JACQUES DE LYON A 50 ANS

Dimanche 30 Juin 2013, la paroisse de Lyon fetera avec ferveur et
joie le 50ème anniversaire de la dedicace de son eglise placee sous
la protection saint Jacques de Nisibe (4ème siècle).

Saint Jacques de Nisibe a toujours ete très populaire dans l’Eglise
armenienne. Il est connu pour ses liens familiaux avec saint Gregoire
l’Illuminateur et pour sa tentative d’ascension du mont Ararat pour
y rechercher les reliques de l’Arche de Noe. La tradition rapporte
que Dieu endormit le saint alors qu’il tentait de gravir les pentes
de la montagne sacree et qu’il lui a envoye un ange lui confier une
relique de l’Arche. Ce grand saint est venere dans toutes les Eglises
d’Orient, en particulier par les differentes confessions assyriennes
puisqu’il etait lui meme, en partie, Assyrien. L’Eglise armenienne
le fete a la mi-decembre.

A cette occasion, la Divine liturgie sera celebree par son Eminence
Monseigneur Norvan Zakarian, Primat du diocèse de France de l’Eglise
armenienne.

– Divine liturgie a 10 h 00

Eglise apostolique armenienne saint Jacques 295, Rue Andre Philip 69
003 Lyon

Une reception aura ensuite lieu en l’espace Garbis Manoukian.

JPEG – 3.7 Mo Saint Jacques de Nisibe recevant une relique de l’Arche
de Noe.

Fresque de l’eglise saint Jacques du quartier de Kanaker a Erevan
(17ème siècle).

L’eglise saint Jacques de Lyon (consacree en juin 1963)

JPEG – 38.2 ko Mgr. Norvan Zakarian

Mgr. Norvan a ete nomme recteur de la paroisse de Lyon en 1979, puis
après son elevation a l’episcopat en 1980, il a ete nomme Vicaire du
Legat Catholicossal jusqu’en 2007, annee de son election en tant que
Primat du diocèse de France de l’Eglise armenienne.

Centre d’information du diocèse de France de l’Eglise armenienne

jeudi 27 juin 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE SUPPORTS HRANT JAMGOCHIAN’S CANDIDACY FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES

13:40, 26 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS: Congressional Armenian Caucus CoChair
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) joined an enthusiastic crowd of more than a
hundred Maryland community leaders and activists in a strong show of
support for House of Delegates candidate Hrant Jamgochian’s June 17th
campaign fundraising kick-off, reports Armenpress referring to the
Armenian National Committee of America – Greater Washington (ANCAGW).

The reception, graciously hosted by Mrs. Nancy Greenspan at her
Bethesda home, was an opportunity for area voters and supporters,
including a diverse cross-section of the local Armenian American
community, to stand with Jamgochian’s campaign and support Hrant’s
positions on a broad range of local and state-wide issues, ranging
from health care and education to the environment and economy.

“We’re pleased to see Hrant in the lead as the front-runner in this
race, and proud to support his campaign every step to victory,”
said ANCA Greater Washington Chairwoman Sevan Kolejian. “We look
forward to helping Hrant spread his message to Maryland voters and to
playing our part in electing Maryland’s first-ever Armenian American
to statelevel office.”

In remarks voicing his support for Hrant’s campaign, Congressman
Pallone cited his own long and productive working relationship with him
on healthcare issues, saying: “He [Jamgochian] is an extraordinarily
respected and strong voice on patients’ rights and works tirelessly
in the non-profit sector to advance healthcare rights to the most
vulnerable members of our society. As the Ranking Member in the House
Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, I can tell you that Hrant
has got it right when it comes to good democratic values and a true
commitment when it comes to access affordability and quality of care
for all Maryland residents.”

Jamgochian explained, “This election is about values, and communicating
those values to our neighbors. We believe in protecting the most
vulnerable members of society, in fostering an affordable and
accessible educational system, and in an economy where people pay
their fair share and we are able to find jobs in the fields we have
spent years preparing for.”

On hand to lend their assistance to the Jamgochian campaign
that evening were three of this year’s ANCA Leo Sarkisian summer
interns: Manoug Alemian, Taleen Lachinian and Tamar Purut. “Hrant’s
enthusiasm and commitment to community outreach and empowerment was
inspirational,” said Lachinian, who had met Jamgochian and his wife,
Lenna, the day before at the Soorp Khatch Armenian Church Father’s
Day Picnic. “We need more Armenian Americans in elected office, and
it’s encouraging to see dedicated professionals like Hrant devoting
their lives to public service.”

TSARUKIAN CALLS ON BHK NOT TO CRITICIZE GOVERNMENT UNTIL SEPTEMBER

26/06/2013 13:30:00 Oratert News

The political board of Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) has not convened
sittings since the May 5 elections to Yerevan Council of Elders.

The BHK parliamentary faction has held only one sitting since the
elections and has never criticized the government or remembered the
difficult situation in the country, ‘Zhamanak’ daily writes.

According to the daily, BHK leader Gagik Tsarukian personally called
upon the party members “to keep silent” until September, i.e. not to
criticize the government and remember the difficult situation. It is
not clear what the BHK leader waits for in September.

PRESS RELEASE
TUMO CENTER FOR CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Address: 16 Halabyan Str.,
0038 Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: +374 (10) 398-413
Email: [email protected]

Workshop Exposes Students to Video Game Development

The roles were reversed at the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies this
past spring as video game enthusiasts went from users to developers. With
the guidance of information system specialist Hovsep Stepanyan, a group of
students journeyed to the other side of the console to create video game
levels of their very own.

`In the beginning, the kids generally had no idea what video game design
entailed,’ explains Stepanyan. `But at the end of the workshop, they were
all able to fully devise their own special levels for whatever game they
chose.’
Using the CryENGINE software program, students in the two-month workshop
had the opportunity to design advanced, specially tailored video game
environments.

They started off with an empty 3D space provided by the program, on which
they arranged landscapes, modified colors, and established point triggers
between various objects. The easy-to-use program and support from Stepanyan
succeeded in familiarizing participants with the otherwise daunting maze of
video game design and visualization.

`Now that I can create my own levels for video games, my attention
automatically drifts to the background environment when I play,’ says Arman
Kirakosyan, a two-year Tumo student who took the workshop and plans on
pursuing game development as a career. `When you begin already creating
levels yourself, you naturally focus more on the details of the game rather
just playing it as a regular user.’

Stepanyan holds high hopes for young people like Arman who are learning
game development in Armenia. With the video game market having surpassed
both film and music globally in recent years, he believes the country can
play an important role in this growing industry.

`We have a lot to offer and present to the outside world, given our unique
culture and ability,’ insists Stepanyan. `If we build up the game
development industry here in Armenia, we have the potential to show global
audiences something they have never seen before.’

On Saturday, June 22, the student body at TUMO got to test out the game
levels developed by participants in the CryENGINE workshop. Six computer
modules were set up in the center’s installation area for groups of kids
to
take turns throughout the day enjoying the game their peers designed.

The success of the workshop will be carried forward into the summer session
with Beginner and Intermediate level workshops being offered in the months
of July and August.

For more information, visit

The TUMO Center for Creative Technologies is a unique digital media
resource center in the heart of Yerevan, Armenia. Since its opening in
2011, the center has provided thousands of students aged 12-18 an open
environment where they can utilize the latest in digital communications,
learn from media professionals, and explore the intersection of art and
technology.

###

Captions

“IMG_0721 copy.jpg”: Tumo students test out video game levels designed by
their peers.

“_MG_7872 copy.jpg”: Students take turns playing a video game developed
in the school’s CryENGINE workshop.
“Editor_Ship.jpg”: Screenshot of a video game level designed by
18-year-old Tumo student Arman Stepanyan.

AZERBAIJAN’S ARMED FORCES NEVER STRONGER THAN ARMENIA’S ARMY – DEFENSE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN

17:20 ~U 26.06.13

In response to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s statements that
strong Azerbaijan can use any language with weak Armenia, Artsrun
Hovhannisyan, Spokesman for Armenia’s Ministry of Defense, quoted
Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan, who said that “the Azerbaijani
army cannot be strong at a parade in Baku and prove unable to dictate
the Armenian side on the front line.”

“So if they are unable to dictate on the front line, they are not
really strong in Baku,” Hovhannisyan said.

At a military parade in Baku on June 26, President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev stated that “the war is not over yet, but its first
stage is over.”

“We can hear such statements every year. This does not change the
situation. Azerbaijan’s armed forces have never had – nor will they
have – any advantage over Armenia’s armed forces – either now or in
the future. These high-sounding words have nothing in common with
reality,” Hovhannisyan said.

Tevan Poghosyan, former executive director of the International Center
for Human Development and Heritage parliamentary group member, told
Tert.am that the Azerbaijani leader is using a “macho language.”

“There is no ‘speaking any language’ in politics. What does Aliyev
mean by ‘any language’? Is it Azerbaijani, Armenian, Russian, English
or the word stock he is using? He is most probably showing off his
resources in the region,” Poghosyan said.

The Azerbaijani leader also stated that that Azerbaijan prefers a
political way of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

“However, Azerbaijani is getting stronger day by day, while Armenia
is getting weaker,” he said.

Armenian News – Tert.am