Author: Bedik Zaminian

Equating Lachin Corridor to Other Routes is ‘Unacceptable,’ Says Artsakh Foreign Minister

Bedik Zaminian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

Sergey Ghazaryan is Artsakh’s foreign minister


Equating the importance of the Lachin Corridor to any alternative route, such the road connecting Aghdam to Stepanakert is “unacceptable,” Artsakh Foreign Minister Sergey Ghazaryan said Thursday.

Ghazaryan was commenting on the special session of the United Nations Security Council of Wednesday, during which several country representatives said that other alternatives should be considered when speaking about providing humanitarian assistance to Artsakh.

The proposal to utilize the Aghdam-Stepanakert highway is a scheme being advanced by Baku that completely cuts off Armenia from Artsakh as Azerbaijan continues to blockade the Lachin Corridor.

“We are concerned that some countries attempted to equate the Lachin Corridor and other transport routes. This goes against the parameters enshrined in the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020,” Ghazaryan said Thursday during a virtual press conference held with Armenia and non-Armenian media.

Ghazaryan said that using the Aghdam-Stepanakert road for humanitarian assistance will “legitimize Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor.” He added that Azerbaijan has created this situation and the international community should see through Baku’s attempts to come off as “humanitarian” and find it unacceptable.

He voiced gratitude to representatives of countries who clearly articulated Azerbaijan’s actions and the Lachin Corridor blockade, saying that UN Security Council members have the tools to prevent Azerbaijan’s genocidal policy.

Ghazaryan said that imposing sanction and other diplomatic measures are within the purview of the UN Security Council member states.

Artsakh’s foreign minister also discussed the issue of dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, saying that such discussions must take place within the accepted norms and through international mechanisms to ensure that they comply with international law.

Nagorno-Karabakh experiences cash shortage

Bedik Zaminian

 11:29, 7 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 7, ARMENPRESS. A shortage of banknotes has emerged in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the Azerbaijani blockade, the Nagorno-Karabakh Ministry of Finance and Economy said Monday.

In a statement, the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Nagorno-Karabakh asked citizens to cash-out money from banks only in essential cases and deposit cash savings.

“A problem of cash [dram banknotes] has emerged in Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] because Artsakh has been under blockade since 12 December 2022, while humanitarian shipments have been completely suspended since 15 June. In order to implement the social assistance programs envisaged under the Artsakh Republic government’s decisions, as well as to ensure the payments of salaries, pensions and the course of domestic money circulation, we are asking everyone to withdraw money saved in bank accounts only in essential cases (a limit of withdrawal is also enforced), and to deposit available cash in bank accounts. Please support the state to be able to jointly overcome the grave difficulties facing the people of Artsakh,” the ministry said.

Moscow Says Ready To Organize Meeting To Sign Peace Treaty Between Armenia, Azerbaijan

Bedik Zaminian
UrduPoint
July 15 2023

 Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88)  Published July 15, 2023 | 05:10 PM

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 15th July, 2023) Russia is ready to organize a meeting of Russian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani foreign ministers and a subsequent summit in Moscow to sign the peace treaty, which should include guarantees for the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

“(We are) ready to organize a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Moscow in the near future to discuss ways to implement the agreements at the highest level, including the issue of negotiating a peace treaty, followed by a Russian-Azerbaijani-Armenian summit in Moscow to sign the said document,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry noted that “reliable and clear guarantees of the rights and security of the Armenians of Karabakh,” as well as the full implementation of previously agreed provisions, including the unblocking of transport communications and the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, should be “an integral part” of the treaty.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/moscow-says-ready-to-organize-meeting-to-sign-1723893.html

AW: Introducing “Sienna and Jace Celebrate Vardavar”

Bedik Zaminian
 Guest Contributor Literary Corner, Announcements 0

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Armenian author Steve Boyadzhyan invites children and families on an enchanting adventure with his latest children’s book Sienna and Jace Celebrate Vardavar. This heartwarming tale not only captivates young readers with its vibrant storytelling but also delves into the deeper meaning behind the joyous Armenian holiday. Released just in time for Vardavar on July 16, this book is set to become a cherished addition to family libraries around the world.

This delightful book showcases the richness of Armenian culture, immersing readers in its vibrant traditions and captivating folklore. As Sienna and Jace discover the transformative power of water and the value of family bonds, they inspire readers of all backgrounds to embrace unity and celebrate life’s simplest yet most profound moments.

A scene from “Sienna and Jace Celebrate Vardavar”

Sienna and Jace Celebrate Vardavar takes readers on a magical journey through the bustling streets of Armenia as the siblings embark on an unforgettable experience. Against the backdrop of Vardavar’s exuberant water fights and festive celebrations, Sienna and Jace encounter Astghik, the Armenian goddess of water, love and beauty. Under her gentle guidance, they begin to unravel the significance of Vardavar – a time for renewal, connection and spreading love.

This latest release is the seventh book in the “Growing Up Proud” series by Boyadzhyan. The series combines essential childhood themes with a focus on Armenian culture and traditions. Previous titles, including Jace The Armenian Boy Who Loves Healthy Habits and Sienna The Armenian Girl’s World Adventures, have resonated with families worldwide, fostering a sense of pride and understanding of Armenian heritage.

To purchase Sienna and Jace Celebrate Vardavar by Steve Boyadzhyan and learn more about the author, visit amazon.com/author/steveboy.

Follow Sienna and Jace’s exciting adventures on Instagram.

Armenian Oscar Entry ‘Aurora’s Sunrise’ Gets NorAm Release with Bars Media Films

Bedik Zaminian
ByMercedes Milligan

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Bars Media Films, the newly established Los Angeles branch of Armenia’s largest independent documentary production company,  announces its first-ever animated feature — the first-ever animated documentary film made in Armenia — and Armenia’s Official Selection for 95th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film: Aurora’s Sunrise. The film will begin is tour of North American theaters next month.

Directed by Inna Sahakyan (Armenia’s Last Tightrope Dance, Mel), Aurora’s Sunrise premiered in competition at Annecy Festival 2022 and went on to win more than 10 awards, including the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2022 for Best Animated Film, Movies that Matter 2023 Audience Award and Special Mention Winner, Audience Favorites at IDFA 2022, Audience Awards at Animation is Film 2022 and FIFDH Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights 2023 for Grand Prix, among others.

The film’s North American release schedule includes openings in New York City at Village East by Angelika and New Plaza Cinema on August 11, in Los Angeles at Laemmle Glendale on August 18 and in Toronto at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema on September 1, with director Inna Sahakyan in-person for Q&As at all three. The film will also roll out in other cities across the U.S. and Canada throughout August and the Fall.

Synopsis: In 1915, as WWI raged on, the Ottoman Empire singled out its entire Armenian population for destruction. Only 14 years old at the time, Aurora Mardiganian’s story was tragically relatable. Forced onto a death march towards the Syrian desert, she lost her entire family before being kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery. Four years later, through luck and extraordinary courage, she escaped to New York, where her story became a media sensation. Starring as herself in the silent epic Auction of Souls, an early Hollywood blockbuster, Aurora became the face of one of the largest and most successful charity campaigns in American history, as one of the first women activists fighting against the injustices of war.

With a blend of vivid animation, interviews with Aurora herself, and 18 minutes of surviving re-discovered footage from her lost silent epic, Aurora’s Sunrise revives a forgotten story of survival, hope and the endurance of the human spirit.

“The Armenian genocide is the enduring pain of my nation,” says Sahakyan. “I was afraid of telling stories that only confirmed Armenians as a nation of victims with no historical agency and nothing but tragedy running through our veins. That is, until I stumbled upon an interview with Aurora Mardiganian while going through archival interviews with Armenian Genocide survivors at the Zoryan Institute. Through her words and expressions, an incredible but ordinary heroism shone: this woman survived a genocide but refused to be a victim. This is the character I wanted to build in Aurora’s Sunrise, resilient, powerful and heartwarming all at once.”

The film was written and directed by Sahakyan, with Gediminas Skyrius as lead illustrator, Ruben Ghazaryan as live-action director & editor, Tigran Arakelyan as art director and music composed by Christine Aufderhaar. Producers are Vardan Hovhannisyan Christian Beetz, Justė Michailinaitė, Kęstutis Drazdauskas and Eric Esrailian.

A co-production between Armenia, Germany and Lithuania, Aurora’s Sunrise is produced by Bars Media Films, Artbox Laisvalaikio Klubas and Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion, in co-production with ZD, in collaboration with Arte. This film was made possible with the academic contribution of the Zoryan Institute and is based on its Oral History Archive.

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/07/armenian-oscar-entry-auroras-sunrise-gets-noram-release-with-bars-media-films/

Zakharova: “People of Karabakh may be left without goods and medicine”

Bedik Zaminian
July 6 2023

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said today that Moscow is extremely concerned about the increased violations of the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor.

“The humanitarian situation in the region is deteriorating. Regrettably, we have to state that due to the cessation of supply, the population of Karabakh may be left without stocks of food, essential goods and medicines,” the diplomat said.

“This goes against the trilateral agreements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. We call on Baku and Yerevan to resolve all issues exclusively through political and diplomatic means. We call on the Azerbaijani side to unblock the Lachin corridor, ensure the unhindered movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo along it for civilian purposes,” Zakharova said.

She also noted that Igor Khovaev, special representative of the Russian Foreign Minister on the issues of supporting the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan, will soon visit the region.

“Trilateral meetings are also possible,” Zakharova said.

The diplomat stressed that Russia “welcomes the progress made in the course of talks in the United States on the development of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

“We welcome all positive steps in this direction,” Maria Zakharova added.

Pashinyan vows uncompromised fight against ‘destructive evil’ corruption without former- current distinction

Bedik Zaminian

 11:28, 1 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has vowed that his government will continue the fight against corruption on a daily basis and will never tolerate it.

“We are convinced that corruption is a destructive evil for any country, especially a country like Armenia, whose challenges are well-known and are sometimes doubled or even tripled due to objective reasons,” Pashinyan said at the Prosecutorial Independence in Upholding the Rule of Law  high-level seminar dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Prosecution of Armenia.

PM Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the fight against corruption in his remarks about the prosecution.

“The fight against corruption must continue to be a political, judicial, legislative and media priority objective in Armenia. Furthermore, we’ve never had and will never have a tendency on differentiating corruption with the logic of former or current. Corruption is corruption, no matter when it was committed. Any corruption committed in any year inflicts equal damage to the future,” he said, adding that the authorities cannot tolerate the presence of corruption and the everyday fight against the crime must be more and more consistent.

Exhibition: Photo exhibition celebrating Armenia and Belarus opens in Minsk

Bedik Zaminian
Belarus –

MINSK, 29 June (BelTA) – The photo exhibition “Armenia through the eyes of a Belarusian photographer and Belarus through the eyes of an Armenian photographer” has opened at the National Historical Museum of the Republic of Belarus, BelTA has learned.

The exhibition has been organized on the initiative of the Embassy of Armenia in Belarus with the support of the news agencies BelTA and Armenpress, with the assistance of the Belarusian Embassy in Armenia. The event is timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Armenia.

The exhibition features 100 photographs depicting nature, culture and traditions of the Belarusian and Armenian peoples. The photos were taken by Belarusian photographer Leonid Shcheglov during a trip to Armenia and by Armenian photographer Mkhitar Khachatryan to Belarus. The photographs have captured the original images of Belarusians and Armenians, their daily life, architecture and unique landscapes of the two countries.

“Today is my day, because my long-standing idea of this exhibition has come true,” Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Belarus Razmik Khumaryan said at an exhibition launch ceremony. He said that he came to Belarus eight years ago and worked for six years in the CIS Executive Committee. At that time, he actively traveled around the country, visited many memorable and iconic places and sights that delighted him, and was surprised that many did not know about them. It was then that he had the idea to make an exhibition of photographs about Belarus, but not by a local, but by an Armenian photographer who would look at the country with fresh eyes. The same applies to Armenia – to be shown by a Belarusian photographer.

He noted that the historical ties between Armenia and Belarus date back about five centuries and this year’s scientific conference will be devoted to this. The history of their relations as two sovereign states goes back three decades. “I hope that future generations will celebrate the tercentenary of our relations as sovereign independent prosperous states,” Ambassador Razmik Khumaryan added.

In his opinion, it is very important to develop interaction between the countries at the level of interpersonal contacts of people. “Friendship of peoples, cooperation, mutual recognition, mutual understanding, mutual respect – this is the basis on which cooperation between sovereign states rests,” he said.

The ambassador stressed that the foundation of strong cooperation between the two countries is their common fight against the brown plague in the 20th century. As is known, many Armenians participated in the battles for Belarus and its liberation. About 10,000 Armenians died on Belarusian soil, and 15 were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, including Ivan Baghramyan. “This is the foundation that will remain forever, and we will build our relationship based on it in memory of those people who, shoulder to shoulder, created what we have now,” the diplomat said.

For her part, BelTA Director General Irina Akulovich said: “The place of strength of each of us is home. We have Belarus in our hearts, you have Armenia in yours. Each of our countries has its own flavor, style, vibes and vibrations. Of course, it is interesting to see how first comers to our country see it, what they will remember. The most important thing is that both photographers wanted to return, one to Belarus, the other to Armenia.”

These photographs, according to her, depict first of all people – hospitable Armenians, good-natured Belarusians. Looking at them, it is important to understand that not only politicians, but also ordinary people can do a lot to establish relations, to promote friendship. “I am sure that those who see these photos will love Belarus and Armenia,” Irina Akulovich said.

This is the third joint project of BelTA and Armenpress, she noted. An exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the Spitak tragedy and an exposition of Belarusian photographers in the metro in Yerevan were held earlier. “I am sure that if we admire each other, know more about each other, then everything will be fine with us. In today’s world this is very important,” BelTA Director General stressed.

https://eng.belta.by/society/view/photo-exhibition-celebrating-armenia-and-belarus-opens-in-minsk-159938-2023/

Sports: What national team experience meant for Badgers’ Essegian

Bedik Zaminian
Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian (3) drives around North Texas Mean Green guard Arsh Mattu (13) during the second half in an NCAA college basketball game in the National Invitation Tournament on Tuesday, March 28, in Las Vegas. 

Ellen Schmidt/TNS

By Michael Mccleary / The Wisconsin State Journal

MADISON — University of Wisconsin men’s basketball guard Connor Essegian received some emails and letters during his senior year of high school, but he didn’t think much of it at the time.

The Armenian national team wanted him to get involved with an event they were planning the following year in Los Angeles. Essegian didn’t know much about his Armenian heritage for most of his life, and without looking into it, he wasn’t sure it was a big deal.

Then this summer, after his breakout freshman season with the Badgers, Essegian did some research. He learned about the magnitude of the Armenian team playing two international games in the United States, and about the Armenian community that was eager to be a part of it. He set up a Zoom call with the team’s coach, Rex Kalamian, who’s currently an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons. Suddenly, this seemed serious.

“I really ended up deciding that I was going to do it about a week before I ended up going to L.A.,” Essegian said. “I mean, it was pretty quick the whole process.”

So, the week he returned to Madison, Essegian traveled again to meet the rest of the team for the Armenian Basketball Classic, with Armenia’s national team playing two international friendlies against France at California State University Northridge on June 16 and 17. It was the first time the Armenian National Basketball Team had ever played games in the U.S.

And Armenian basketball fans “showed out,” Essegian said, recalling hundreds of people being turned away at the door from the sold-out gym.

In the second game of the series, Essegian scored 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting (4-of-10 from 3-point range), getting run on the floor against older competition than what he’ll encounter in the Big Ten this year as a sophomore.

Essegian was an All-Freshman Team honoree in the Big Ten last year, averaging 11.7 points in 35 games (19 starts) for the Badgers.

The Indiana native said it was a positive learning experience, both from a basketball standpoint and as an opportunity to learn more about his own Armenian heritage. He said many of the players on the team — who were mostly around 24 or 25 — were in a similar boat as the 19-year-old Essegian: still learning about their own history.

“But it’s been really interesting,” Essegian said. “It is pretty cool to see what it’s about.”

Kalamian, who’s spent close to 30 years in the NBA as an assistant, “was putting me in front of guys every morning to be able to get myself out there at that level, too,” Essegian said.

France represents maybe the best competition Essegian feels he’s ever faced, an “extremely legit” group that was ranked among the top-5 teams in the world at the time.

The main thing Essegian took away from the weekend was the “love” he received from the team and fans alike, but once he was inserted into the starting five, he went all out on the court.

“It was really awesome to be able to kind of be one of those top guys on a national team,” Essegian said.

© 2023 The Wisconsin State Journal

https://www.superiortelegram.com/sports/college/what-national-team-experience-meant-for-badgers-essegian