Author: Boshkezenian Garik

CBA TO PUT INTO CIRCULATION A MEMORIAL COIN DEDICATED TO ARTEM MIKOYAN’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
ArmRadio.am
29.06.2006 13:17
Starting July 1st the Central Bank of Armenia will put into circulation
silver memorable coins dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Artem
Mikoyan.
Mig-25, Mig-19 and Mig-3 planes are pictured on the obverse of
the coin.
Artem Mikoyan’s portrait is depicted on the reverse side. The memorial
coin has been decorated by artist Vardan Vardanyan. It has been minted
in the Czech Republic.

CO-CHAIRMEN PARTCUALLY REVEAL PRINCIPLES OF SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH ISSUE, RA FOREIGN MINISTRY STATES
Noyan Tapan
Jun 27 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Taking into account the statement that
the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group presented to the OSCE Permanent
Council, in Vienna, on June 22, and the interview that Matt Bryza,
the new US co-chair gave soon thereafter, where albeit partially,
the principles of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
were revealed for the first time, and also taking into account the
recent desperate calls by Azerbaijan for a military solution and
autonomy for Nagorno Karabakh, the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
made a statement in which it states the following:
“- the co-chairs have partially revealed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
resolution principles; they have left out references to a corridor
linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, and issues relating to Nagorno
Karabakh’s status until a referendum;
– the co-chairs have, for the first time, affirmed that the people
of Nagorno Karabakh shall determine their own future status through
a referendum;
– those items over which the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
continue to disagree does not include a referendum; that concept has
been agreed to by the presidents; The area of disagreement between
the presidents has to do with the sequence in which the consequences
of the military conflict are removed;
– in an attempt to resolve this remaining area of disagreement, a
proposal was made by the co-chairs after Rambouillet. This proposal
was accepted by Armenia in Bucharest. Azerbaijan rejected it.
– Armenia finds that the basic principles, overall, on the table today
remain a serious basis for continuing negotiations; Armenia is prepared
to continue on that basis to continue to negotiate with Azerbaijan;
– Armenia believes that Azerbaijan’s wavering on these principles
is a serious obstacle to progress in the negotiations. If this
policy continues, Armenia will insist that Azerbaijan conduct direct
negotiations with Nagorno Karabakh.
– Finally, we would remind Azerbaijan once again that regardless of the
size of their military budget, they cannot force the people of Nagorno
Karabakh to renounce freedom and the right to self-determination.”

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 10) 517 163
Fax: (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 27, 2006
His Holiness Karekin II Celebrates Pontifical Divine Liturgy in Istanbul
On Sunday, June 25, as the culmination of the first Pontifical Visit of the
Catholicos of All Armenians to the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople,
His Holiness Karekin II celebrated a Pontifical Divine Liturgy in the St.
Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Cathedral of Istanbul. In attendance for
the Divine Liturgy were Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople His Beatitude
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, high-ranking archbishops and bishops of the
Armenian Church from Armenia and the Diaspora, among them the primates of
the dioceses of North America, Germany, Damascus, Romania and Bulgaria, the
Vicar General of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, the Chancellor of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, representatives of sister Churches, Mr.
Karen Mirzoyan (Representative of the Republic of Armenia in Turkey), and
hundreds of Armenian faithful.
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), and His Grace Bishop Vicken Aykazian,
Diocesan Legate for the Eastern Diocese and President of the National
Council of Churches of America, assisted His Holiness at the Holy Altar
during the Liturgy.
During the sacred Divine Liturgy, His Holiness addressed his message to the
faithful, using as the theme of his sermon, the words of Christ: `Because I
live, you shall live also.’ (St. John 14:19). The Catholicos of All
Armenians first offered thanksgiving and glory to the Almighty, for granting
him the gift of visiting the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople in this
pontifical visit, and for the opportunity to offer the liturgy under the
cherished and prayer-filled arches of the historic cathedral with His
Beatitude Mesrob and his beloved faithful flock.
As he continued his message, the Pontiff of All Armenians stated, `Christ is
alive, as are all who believe in Him – the Savior of the world Who was
crucified for us, buried and rose again on the third day. Our people were
taught and raised in this manner. With this belief and by the vision of the
Illuminator, our people built Holy Etchmiadzin on our native soil, received
the letters of Mashtots as a heavenly gift, became firmly established in
their Christian identity, and when the time came, accepted `death with
meaning’ in the name of that faith, while living and creating with God at
their side.
`Truly, our people did not desire to live without God. The testimony of
this spiritual reality is presented in its most compelling manner through
the six-century history of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. The
names of the great patriarchs are immortal, who selflessly cared for the
people entrusted to them; and protected, raised and strengthened them with
the light of faith, transmitting the noble virtues of their graceful minds
and faithful souls to the generations. Immortalized also are the names of
those in the arts, education and science, as well as their works and
contributions. Treasures created with faith, which draw a wide path of
illumination upon the pages of our history, shaped a path of creation and
progress. With the power of faith, the Armenian Patriarchate of
Constantinople continues to carry the lamp of illumination…
`Being with you during these past few days, we once again had the experience
that our people always keep and protect the sacred mystery of a renewing
life in their deepest inner spaces. Not even the Armenian Genocide was able
to extinguish that light, when it appeared that life itself would end within
the borders of the Patriarchate. In the trials of our people, the spirit
alive with faith found the strength to be reborn and live yet again, to do
good works, create goodness and aspire towards goodness. The greatest
inheritance we received from our forefathers was faith in God, in our Lord
Jesus Christ. You, dear ones, and your parents kept and nurtured the faith
in your souls, transforming it into love for one another, laboring for each
other and for the glory of our Apostolic Holy Church.
`…Glory to you O Lord, that you directed our footsteps here from the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and we became the witness to the blossoming
national and ecclesiastical life, and faithful and traditional spirit of our
people. We came from our cherished cradle of faith, so that together,
Pontiff and people, through the commemorations, exhortations and traditions
of our holy fathers, could testify with our unified prayer under the halls
of this holy church – that our Armenian nation is steadfast and unshakeable
in its oath sealed with God. It is loyal to the holy legacy of its
forebears and with its oath of unity with Holy Etchmiadzin.’
The Catholicos of All Armenians continued by exhorting the Armenians of
Istanbul to continue to create and flourish with the same dedication and
love, keeping all of their national institutions strong and vibrant. His
Holiness addressed words of thanks to His Beatitude Mesrob and the members
of the Religious Council of the Patriarchate for the warm reception which
had been prepared during these days of his first pontifical visit to
Istanbul.
His Holiness also extended his appreciation to the ranks of clergy of the
Armenian Patriarchate, to all administrative lay council members and
committees, the devoted choir members of the churches, national
organizations and associations, charitable institutions, teachers, artists,
and representatives of the Armenian press, for their fidelity to national
values and their brave and selfless devotion.
At the conclusion of his fatherly message to the Armenians of Istanbul, His
Holiness bestowed His Beatitude Mesrob with two panagias and a pectoral
cross from Holy Etchmiadzin as a symbol of the Pontiff’s appreciation for
the years of service and dedication of the Armenian Patriarch of
Constantinople.
Following the Liturgy, a reception was hosted in the hall of the
Patriarchate in honor of His Holiness. During his remarks, the Pontiff of
All Armenians expressed his thanks and appreciation to the chairman and all
members of the Pontifical Visit committee of the Patriarchate for their
efforts in successfully planning and implementing a well-organized and most
enjoyable visit.

ARMENIAN FM’S STATEMENT ON MATTHEW BRYZA’S INTERVIEW
Today, Azerbaijan
June 26 2006
Armenian Foreign Ministry made a statement on recent interview by
Matthew Bryza to RFE/RL.
The statement reads:
Taking into account the statement that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group presented to the OSCE Permanent Council, in Vienna, on June
22, and the interview that Matt Bryza, the new US co-chair gave soon
thereafter, where albeit partially, the principles of the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict were revealed for the first time,
and also taking into account the recent desperate calls by Azerbaijan
for a military solution and autonomy for Nagorno Karabakh, we would
like to make several observations.
The co-chairs have partially revealed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
resolution principles; they have left out references to a corridor
linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, and issues relating to Nagorno
Karabakh’s status until a referendum;
The co-chairs have, for the first time, affirmed that the people
of Nagorno Karabakh shall determine their own future status through
a referendum;
Those items over which the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
continue to disagree does not include a referendum; that concept has
been agreed to by the presidents; The area of disagreement between
the presidents has to do with the sequence in which the consequences
of the military conflict are removed;
In an attempt to resolve this remaining area of disagreement, a
proposal was made by the co-chairs after Rambouillet. This proposal
was accepted by Armenia in Bucharest. Azerbaijan rejected it.
Armenia finds that the basic principles, overall, on the table today
remain a serious basis for continuing negotiations; Armenia is prepared
to continue on that basis to continue to negotiate with Azerbaijan;
Armenia believes that Azerbaijan’s wavering on these principles is
a serious obstacle to progress in the negotiations. If this policy
continues, Armenia will insist that Azerbaijan conduct direct
negotiations with Nagorno Karabakh.
Finally, we would remind Azerbaijan once again that regardless of the
size of their military budget, they cannot force the people of Nagorno
Karabakh to renounce freedom and the right to self-determination.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
June 24, 2006
Pontiff of All Armenians Visits Churches and National Institutions in
Istanbul
On June 23, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians and His Beatitude Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch
of Constantinople, accompanied by the pontifical entourage, visited the
Church of St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) in Baklkyugh, Istanbul, as
well as the Dadian National Academy adjacent to the church.
Following the “Hrashapar” service in the sanctuary and His Holiness’ message
of blessing to the faithful, the Catholicos of All Armenians and the
Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople were escorted to the hall of the school
and enjoyed a program presented by the students of the Academy.  The St.
Astvatsatsin Church and the Dadian Academy are located in a section of
Istanbul which has the second highest Armenian population.
His Holiness Karekin II spoke to the 400 students, as well as the teachers,
administrators and hundreds of faithful, emphasizing the important role that
the Armenians of Istanbul have played in the life of the nation for more
than 500 years, noting that they have brought honor to the Armenian people
through their spiritual and cultural activities.  His Holiness also placed
great importance on the church and school being located adjacent to one
another, and commended the parish council, the teaching staff and
administration of the community for their efforts.  The Catholicos of All
Armenians also congratulated the students for their skills, devotion and
talents, and invited them to travel to Armenia and visit the Armenian Church
Youth Centers operating under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and the Armenian General Benevolent Union.
The entourage next traveled to the Holy Savior National Hospital, where they
were greeted by Mr. Bedros Shirinoghlu, chairman of the Pontifical Visit
Committee and a trustee of the hospital.  His Beatitude Mesrob introduced
the history of the hospital to the guests, informing them that it was
established more than 175 years ago and remains through the present day as
the largest Armenian national institution in Turkey.  His Beatitude also
noted that it was the first hospital founded in the Ottoman Empire, and
continues its mission of providing health care to the Armenian community of
the country.  The Holy Savior Hospital, in addition to providing health care
to children and adults, also operates a home for the aged and a center for
physically disabled children.
The Armenian Pontiff visited with the patients, met with the physicians and
health care staff, as well as the administrators and the trustees of the
medical center.  In the hospital’s chapel, His Holiness presided during a
requiem service offered in memory of all past benefactors of the
institution.
In his remarks, the Catholicos of All Armenians extended his words of thanks
and appreciation to the Patriarch and the trustees of the center, and noted
that the service provided by the hospital is the best expression of
Christian teaching and love.  His Holiness emphasized that every individual
is called to serve his fellow man, and that the Holy Savior Hospital,
through its humanity and philanthropy, is providing the best example of that
Christian mission of service.
The Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople next escorted His Holiness Karekin
II and the entourage on a tour of the hospital’s museum, following which the
guests were hosted to a lunch by the trustees. 
In the afternoon, the Pontiff of All Armenians visited the Church of St.
Gevork in Samatia, which until the year 1641, had been the headquarters of
the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.  His Holiness Karekin II
blessed the countless Armenians who had gathered to see him and kiss his
holy right hand, and extended his words of love and encouragement to the
faithful.  The Catholicos of All Armenians also visited the historic
Sahakian National Academy, which is located adjacent to the church, and met
with the students, teachers and administrators of the institution.
##
–Boundary_(ID_gxZEsHcPi+zscwLiv JEQlw)–

NKR PRESIDENT: SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT STILL LONG WAY OFF
Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 23 2006
YEREVAN, June 23. /ARKA/. During meeting with paricipants of “NKR:
Past, Present, Future” international scinetific conference the
President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Arkady Ghukasyan said settlement
of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is still long way off Ghukasyan emphasized
that “opponents”, avioiding dialogue have shifted Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict to political, economic and even scinetific planes, NKR
Presidetn’s Press Service reports.
“We have to accept the chellange, and in this struggle our firm
bearing must become the scinetific potential and rich experience of
the inteeligentcia”, Ghukasyan said. S.P.–0–

Edmonton Sun, Canada
June 23 2006
Speaking the truth
System of a Down out to raise awareness
By FISH GRIWKOWSKY, EDMONTON SUN FREELANCE
What you really need to know about System of a Down is that they’re
honestly the most important band on the third planet.
There may be better acts, but their elevated, chart-ravaging mix of
powerful instrumentation, wicked social consciousness and inventive,
multipart harmony has literally redefined what an American band can
aspire to. Born in Armenia and created in Hollywood, of all places,
no one this popular shows so much soul. The events of 9-11 and its
resultant tsunami of counter-attacks on the Middle East being a mere
blip in their eternal political advocacy against injustice – be it
illegal war, torture, civilian casualty, corporate rollbacks amid
record profits, violent pornography or even just simple Hollywood
fakery.
No one else makes fighting back so much fun. We’re lucky to have
them back Sunday at the Oiler rink – Rexall Place – so soon after
September’s mind-blowing arena show.
Like everyone in the band, bass-player/videographer Shavo Odadjian
began his life in Armenia and grew up on bands like Kiss and Dead
Kennedys and the wisdom of his grandmother who largely raised him.
Odadjian, swinging his pigtail beard around like a propeller, plays
with both a pick and his fingers. He came to System before it even
existed, managing Soil – the previous group of Daron Malakian and Serj
Tankian – but the three rolled it together in 1995, finally snuggling
with drummer John Dolmayan. After a tremendous run including being
only one of three bands to have two simultaneous No.
1 albums on the charts, thanks to Mesmerize/Hypnotize, singer/writer
Malakian in May announced the band’s hiatus following this tour. Good
place to start, don’t you think?
SHAVO: We’ve been a band for 12 years, almost. Five records, I
can’t even think about how much we’ve toured. After Ozzfest it’s a
blast-off. The four of us are friends and we’ve always had things we
wanted to do outside the band. Everyone’s going to go do their thing,
but once we come back, all the stuff we did will bring a new element
to the band. It’s like a research trip.
FISH: I was blown away when I first noticed how Mesmerize and Hypnotize
fit together, in terms of physical packaging and music.
SHAVO: Daron (Malakion) has a really amazing knack for arranging
stuff – that’s his gift. He worked his ass off trying to get that
thing right. It’s hard enough to do one record. But to do them one
after another as one record that fully makes sense?
FISH: You’re politically congruous with the rest of the band?
SHAVO: Yes, but I’m not as vigilant. Of course I have my own beliefs
and sometimes I disagree, just like everybody else. Our political
side is not where we try and ram it down your throat how to think
and how to be. We offer an alternative, and hopefully raise awareness
of issues the American press is not allowed to focus on. What we say
isn’t shocking in Europe. Over here, everything is monitored closely
by the government. It’s supposed to be a free country.
FISH: I call it a soft fascism. You can say what you like, to a
point. But that doesn’t change the fact rights are being eroded.
SHAVO: People say we’re haters of America. But we’re not. We wouldn’t
be in this country if we didn’t love it. But I grew up in New York
and Hollywood, so as a kid I got to see a lot of gangs, hookers, and
it made me who I am. I also saw my dad come here without a penny in
his pocket and be able to raise a family by working three jobs. That
inspired me. I always thought in the back of my head when I pull my
life together, I’m going to hook my parents up.
FISH: How did you repay them?
SHAVO: (Laughs.) They don’t know right now, but I’ve done little
things. They’re really proud, right? They won’t take a penny from me.
I give them an anniversary gift and they’re, ‘Oh! Why did you spend
so much?’ But I did stuff underhandedly. They’re not going to get
another mortgage payment bill. Thank God I wasn’t raised spoiled,
so I actually appreciate it now. They still work every day.
FISH: I’ve seen you – you work pretty hard onstage.
SHAVO: My favourite time. Since I was 14 I’ve worked. I worked hard
in college studying philosophy and psychology.
FISH: Because you’re an information gateway for people, do you feel
a sense of responsibility?
SHAVO: You can ask the same question about songwriting – a lot of
Armenians who didn’t like heavy music now do because of us. As long
as we’re happy and speaking the truth and doing it righteously,
then let it be. You can’t think about it too much.
FISH: You’re selling out huge stadiums worldwide.
SHAVO: In Europe, we headlined Download a year ago and that was
psychotic – 80,000 people! We played 9 p.m. on Sunday to a sea of
humans with no end.
FISH: How do you feel as one person in 80,000?
SHAVO: As long as I feel the energy and love, it can be 80,000 or
eight. But I feel on top of the world. It’s spiritual. But wait till
you hear the stuff I’m doing with the Wu Tang Clan. I’ve introduced
them to Mediterranean and Armenian music, and what we did to rock
we’re doing to hard-core hip hop. GZA and I are doing production in
early June. We’re going to be in a real band. It just doesn’t have
a name yet. But I’m really looking forward to it.
—
Gig: System of a Down
Venue: Rexall Place, Sunday
Vitals: Breakthrough album was 2002’s Toxicity, which debuted at No.
1 on North American charts.
Weekend/2006/06/23/1648777-sun.html

ARMENIAN PAINTERS’ EXHIBITION “GARDEN OF MY HEART…” TO BE HELD
IN KRASNODAR
KRASNODAR, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenian painters’
exhibition “Garden of My Heart” will open at the Krasnodar Regional
Art Musuam after Kovalenko on July 27. According to the “Yerkramas”
(Counrty) newspaper of Armenians of Russia, works from funds of
the Krasnodar Regional Art Museum after Kovalenko, painters’
personal collections, collections will be presented at the
exhibition. Spectators will see works of famous Armenian paiters
Martiros Sarian, Dmitri Nalbandian. Nikoghayos Nikoghosian and
masters whose life and work are connected with art and culture of
the region of Krasnodar. A part of the layout is dedicated to Georgi
Petrosian, an artist from Krasnodar, who marks his 75th birthday
anniversary this year and whose art is connected both with Armenia and
Russia. Landscapes of the region of Krasnodar and of Armenia, sun still
lifes, portraits of famous historic figures of the Armenian culture
will be presented at the layout of the exhibition. The exhibition
will last till August 20. A phrase of Armenian great poet of 10th
century Grigor Narekatsi is used as the title of the exhibition.

Watertown TAB & Press, MA
June 23 2006
Nova dance troupe starring in Armenia
By Noah Bein/ Correspondent
Friday, June 23, 2006 – Updated: 10:45 AM EST
For the first year that he was a member of an Armenian dance group,
Apo Ashjian did not dance a single step.
As a recent immigrant to the United States from Beirut, Lebanon,
in 1970, the 14-year-old Ashjian felt too shy even to hold the hands
of the female members in the dance ensemble, a small local group that
was one of many Armenian cultural endeavors in which his parents
rushed to enroll him after their move to America.
Despite his initial adolescent timidity, Ashjian faithfully
attended each rehearsal.
But eventually he did begin to dance and soon developed an
affection for the cultural heritage of his homeland that would
continue to grow throughout his life.
“My parents’ only concern immigrating to America was that ‘oh my
God, if we don’t get our kids involved in Armenian things, they’re
going to lose their heritage. They’re going to lose their roots.
They’re going to lose their language,’ ” Ashjian said.
More than 30 years later, the importance of cultural tradition
resonates deeply with Ashjian, a compact, energetic man with short
black hair and deep, arching eyes who is the founding director and
choreographer of Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston, a nonprofit,
Watertown-based Armenian dance ensemble currently celebrating its
20th year.
Sayat Nova has big plans for its anniversary, with all 72 members
journeying to Armenia this weekend for a seven-show tour that will
make stops at several smaller villages before a climactic final
performance at the opera house in the capital city of Yerevan.
In addition, the company has scheduled a chance to reach its
largest non-Armenian audience yet with two shows at Boston’s Cutler
Majestic Theatre this fall.
Since its inception as an independent ensemble in 1986, the
company – named for a legendary Armenian troubadour – has performed
throughout the United States and Canada. Its performances present
audiences with Ashjian’s interpretative blend of authentic Armenian
footwork, bright traditional costumes and symbolic storytelling,
which attempts to portray the struggles and triumphs of a people
plagued for centuries by hardship and persecution.
Ashjian said he collects the creative material for his dances
during trips to Armenia, where he travels the country and often meets
with Artousha Karapetian, his former instructor who has scoured the
nation’s many small villages for years in search of authentic,
regionally diverse dance techniques.
It is from this traditional foundation, Ashjian said, that the
creative process begins.
“I keep the ethnicity within all those footsteps, but I put it in
a very jazzy choreography,” he said, equating his approach to the
modern medley of pop and Irish folk dancing used in the hit show
“Riverdance.”
The result of Ashjian’s work is accurate and authentic, according
to Liana Sarkisova, 24, a Sayat Nova dancer who began her training as
a child in Armenia before migrating to the United States at age 16
via Russia.
“When I moved here, and I found out there was an Armenian dance group
active and alive and traveling, I was really excited,” she said. “…
I came to practice once, and I loved it because it was exactly the
way I remember it was from Armenia.”
Practice, practice, practice
At a marathon, four-hour Sunday rehearsal this past weekend at
the Watertown Middle School in preparation for the Armenian tour, the
group appeared loose but focused. A jovial mood broke out among the
dancers during a lunch break, but several yells from the director
sent them scurrying into position. Another Ashjian command and the
dance began.
The music was frantic and triumphant, with wailing melodies and a
frenzied, rolling drum beat. On stage, male dancers in black tights
and white T-shirts moved briskly around in quick formation, bouncing
their feet lightly to the intoxicating rhythm.
After the dance, three of the men – Levon Kurkjian, Bob Parsekian
and Manoug Habibian – took a break to discuss their introduction to
Armenian dance, which they said occurred mostly through local
Armenian schools, through commutes from Worcester.
The men all cited camaraderie as a reason for continuing with the
company, but, they said, there’s also the exhilaration of performing.
“When you do that last stomp on stage after every dance and the
crowd goes crazy, it’s like hitting a three-point shot with a second
left,” said Kurkjian. “It’s like I get that same thrill, that same
adrenaline going through your body.”
That excitement is part of what Ashjian said he believes will
result from the group’s opera house show, a performance that Ashjian
said will be attended by a large number of the singers, artists,
composers and choreographers who make up “the art life of our
country.”
“When you step into the opera house, you’re actually making a
statement about who your dance company is,” Ashjian said.
In a different sense, however, the group’s identity is solidified
much more by its place within Armenian heritage than by its artistic
statements.
For generations, the small Middle Eastern nation struggled in the
face of violence.
Despite a native exodus and worldwide diaspora created by
historical adversity, many communities, both at home and abroad,
vigorously maintain artistic traditions. Ashjian noted, for instance,
that there are currently hundreds of authentic dance troupes in
Armenia performing in much the same way Sayat Nova has done in
Watertown.
Although the company made one other trip to the homeland for its
10th anniversary in 1995, turnover in the group is high, and Ashjian
is quick to point out that currently only 11 members have ever
visited the country.
“I want to take these kids there so they can feel the soil, talk
to people,” he said. “What happened? How is it that we kept our
country?”
The scattering of Armenians across the globe would seem to pose a
risk of cultural diffusion and a weakening of ethnic bonds. But many
Sayat Nova members said a strong sense of pride and spirit provides
hope for those who remain in Armenia.
“The dance represents the past, the present [and] the future,” said
Hagop Ashjian, an assistant director of the group and the younger
brother of Apo. “We danced things on the genocide era … Now we’re
basing our dances to the future, and we’re trying to forget a little
bit of the past.”
“[The Armenians] feel that once people leave Armenia, then
Armenia is lost [and] everything is lost,” he adds. “When we bring
that back to Armenia, they fill up with so much pride, whether we
dance good or not. They’re so proud because what they’re working for,
all the troubles they’re going through …[are] actually worth it.”
Tanya Mikaelian, 25, a dancer who started hanging around group
rehearsals when she was 13 and has been involved with the group for
nearly half her life, recalls an exhibition of this sense of
gratitude near the end of the 1995 Armenia trip.
At the close of the final show in the capital, after a rousing
performance of a dance dedicated to Armenian soldiers fighting on the
country’s behalf, Mikaelian said several uniformed military men stood
up in the back of the auditorium, lit a flare and proceeded onto the
stage, where they outfitted the elder Ashjian with their military
garb and happily embraced him.
“It was amazing to see how generous and how happy people were
with what they had, even though they don’t have much,” Mikaelian
said. “It was very nice to see how giving people were back then.”
Ashjian said he believes his dancing can help return the favor.
“When you finish with such patriotism in the show, people understand
that you’re projecting your pride and your spirit of who you are,” he
said. “You’re appreciating the whole audience that’s in Armenia [by
saying] ‘thank you for what you’ve done. You’ve survived for us to be
able to continue work like this.'”

CAUSE OF ARMAVIA CRASH STILL MURKY
By Anatoly Medetsky – Staff Writer
Viktor Klyushkin / Itar-Tass
The Moscow Times, Russia
June 20 2006
One of the black boxes from the Armavia flight on display May 24,
shortly after it was retrieved from the Black Sea.
The Armavia plane that slammed into the Black Sea last month, killing
all 113 on board, had fully functional engines and plenty of fuel
at the time of the accident, the Interstate Aviation Committee
said Monday.
It was also intact before the crash.
The committee, which is based in Moscow, released its findings after
an investigating panel analyzed the tape from a flight recorder of
the French-made Airbus A320 plane.
The tape did not include voices, but it did include extensive
information about the condition of the plane and its various operating
systems.
The information from the black box does not permit authorities to rule
out technical failure, said Oleg Yermolov, the panel’s deputy head.
Vladimir Karnozov, the Moscow-based correspondent for Flight
International, a British magazine for industry insiders, agreed
with Yermolov.
But he speculated, as he has elsewhere, that a heated conversation
could have taken place between the crew and some passengers over
where to land, putting undue stress on the pilots.
The nighttime flight originated in Yerevan, Armenia and was heading
to the popular resort of Sochi. But because of inclement weather,
the crew considered landing in nearby Georgia instead.
Among the plane’s passengers were a former head of Armenia’s KGB, a
former Armenian interior minister and the director of Armavia — all
of whom, presumably, would have been comfortable confronting the pilot.
The plane made one unsuccessful landing attempt. It then made a
second approach to the airport but had to pull up again in the face
of worsening weather conditions.
It was then that the plane suddenly veered off course and plummeted
into the water, breaking apart on impact.
At the time of the accident, Russian authorities blamed bad weather
and speculated that pilot error could have played a role.
Armavia maintained that the pilots were seasoned and that the plane
was in top shape.
The investigating panel has also completed the transcription from
another flight recorder in the cockpit, the investigating panel said
in a statement last week.
But the panel did not release the contents of that transcription,
which included voices. The panel said it was standard practice not
to release that information.
The panel will now conduct a “comprehensive” analysis of data from
both flight recorders, attempting to peg snippets of conversation to
specific moments in the plane’s ill-fated trip, Yermolov said.
The panel also plans to conduct a simulation of the flight, Yermolov
said.
The measures would help determine if the plane’s systems “were fully
operable,” he said.
Asked to comment on the cause of the May 24 crash, the International
Civil Aviation Organization declined to say anything.
One of the leading goals of the Montreal-based organization is the
promotion of flight safety.