Author: Chatinian Lara

‘HIGH FEST’ THEATRE FESTIVAL SETS OFF
By Tamar Minasian

AZG Armenian Daily #174
29/09/2005

Theatre

“Innocent Light” performance of Singapore’s “Odyssey” dance theatre
opened the 3d “High Fest” International Theatre Festival yesterday. But
before the play, young actors paraded from the Theatre and Cinema
Institute to Gabriel Sundukian Academic Theatre. The same day “Hope”
mono opera was staged at the Young Spectator’s Theatre.

At a press conference that followed president of “Kuk Art”
international puppet theatre, David Burman (Russia) said that he
arrived in Yerevan with great pleasure and is very glad to take part
in this festival. “With its dynamic developments, “High Fest” is the
forth of its kind in the world. You managed to gather a great deal
of participants in a very short time”, he said. This year’s festival
hosts 250 participants from 28 countries.

Austrian producer Christian Proney told the conference that he knows
all plays presented at the festival but the European ones. He was sure
that cultural differences will make the festival even more interesting.

Speaking about the master classes that the guests will give within
the frameworks of the festival, Mr. Proney and Mr. Burman said they
will stress theatre management. David Burman thinks that culture
management in Russia and Armenia are rather alike. “I’ll speak about
art management in my seminars. It’s very important that state officials
pay attention to this sphere”, he said.

Christina Proney assured that educational establishments in Austria
are closely watching that cultural arrangements get money they need.

FEAR OF MONOPOLY HINDERS DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM

A1+
| 16:42:30 | 27-09-2005 | Social |

September 27 has been celebrated as the International Day of Tourism
since 1890. The companies serving on the UN system have chosen the
day because it’s the end of season in the northern hemisphere and
the beginning of the season in the southern one.

This year the topic of the Day of Tourism will be “Transport and
traveling: from the fantasies of Jules Verne to the realities of the
21st century.”

To the surprise of private tourist agencies, being a members of
the World Tourism Association the RA government never celebrated
the holiday.

Presently 14 tourist agents are registered in Armenia. Two years ago
they united forming the Union of Armenian Tour Operators. According to
executive director Araik Vardanyan the statistics of the world tourist
organization showed the following picture: if in 1950 the number of
travelers made 20 million, last year it increased to 760 million. In
2020 the number of tourists will reach 1.5 billion annually.

“At the world tourist market Armenia occupies a minor position”, say
the representatives of the companies engaged in the field. According
to the official date, 30 thousand tourists visited Armenia this year,
30% came from the CIS states, 28.5% form the EU states and 19.5%
from the United States.

The Armenian tour operators state that Armenia is capable to receive
about 500 thousand tourists. However a number of obstacles hinders
Armenia from using its high potential.

“Proper state program, professional personnel and information centers
are essential for the development of tourism in Armenia”, Director
ofo First Travel company Ruben Grigoryan says.

The operators do not turn to oligarchs for help fearing of a monopoly.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Prelacy of Canada
Contact Name: Dania Ohanian
Phone: (514) 856-1200
3401 Olivar Asselin
Montreal, Qc H4J 1L5
E-mail: [email protected]

Commemorative Weekend in Honour of His Holiness Aram I

Montreal, Qc_The Armenian communities of Montreal and Laval celebrated the
Pontifical visit of His Holiness, Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia this past weekend.

The festivities began with the official Pontifical banquet in honour of His
Holiness and His 10-year Enthronement anniversary, held at the Homenetmen
GAMK gymnasium, which was converted into a grand hall with an opulent decor
on Saturday September 24, 2005.

The banquet, which was organized by the Sourp Hagop and Sourp Kevork
churches, drew the attendance of representatives and members of all the
sister organizations and sitting at the head table with His Holiness, Aram
I, Catholicos were His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the
Armenian Prelacy of Canada, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardisrossian,
Prelate of the Western Armenian Prelacy of the United States, His Eminence
Archbishop Souren Kataroyan, His Excellency Ara Babian, Republic of Armenian
Ambassador to Canada, Mr. & Mrs. Krikor and Annie Kouyoumdjian (Executive
Council Chairperson), Mr. & Mrs Vagharsh and Arous Ehramdjian (ARF Central
Committee Chairperson), Dr. & Mrs. Jean and Marie-Thérèse Arakelian ( Sourp
Hagop Board of Trustees Chairperson), and Mr. & Mrs. Kevork and Maro
Toramanian (Sourp Kevork’s Chairperson).

During the banquet, Dr. Garbis Harboyan, who has known His Holiness since
his first years at the Catholicosate’s Seminary, presented the life and work
of Catholicos Aram I, before the Quator Renaissance performed a few musical
pieces for the attendants. Led by Nayirri Piloyan on violin, Amélie
Lamontagne (violin), Diana Dutz (alto) and Sophie Coderre (violoncello), the
Quator Renaissance donated their time for this special occasion.

Mr. Krikor Kouyoumdjian spoke on behalf of the Executive Council before
Honorary ‘Cilicia’ metals were presented to four community members for their
life-long dedication and work towards the community.

Rev. Fr. Karnig Koyounian introduced Mrs. Berta Minassian Heller, who was
given the “Giligian Ishkhanouhi” (Cilcia Princess) metal and Mrs. Aghavni
Eloyan, who was given a “Mesrob Mashdots” Cilicia metal. Rev. Fr. Hrair
Nicolian introduced Mrs. Azadouhi Baronian who was given a “Cilicia Asbed”
metal and His Eminence presented Dr. Jean Arakelian with a “Cilicia Asbed”
metal. The Honorary metals were bestowed to the awardees by His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos.

His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate, during his address
announced the generous donation from Mr. & Mrs. Dicran and Diana Hadgetian
of $75,000 towards the Catholicosate’s Seminary and $25,000 to the Sourp
Hagop Day School. Mrs. Berta Minassian Heller also donated $30,000 to the
Seminary, which celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. The Sourp Hagop
Sisterhood donated $5,000, Mrs. Osanna Zeitounian donated $5,000 to the same
fund and Mr. Vartivar Sharpanadjian pledged $2,500 a year to sponsor a
Seminary student and if that student becomes a Vartabed (Doctor of the
Church), Mr. Sharpanadjian will become his Godfather.

During His closing statement, His Holiness commended the work of His
Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of
Canada, and presented him with a special hand cross, before concluding the
festive night by blessing the attendees.

The following day, His Holiness served Divine Liturgy at the Bon Pasteur
Catholic Church in Laval with His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian,
Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, and His
Eminence Archbishop Souren Kataroyan.

Later that evening, a special presentation took place in commemoration of
the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet and the 75th anniversary of
the Catholicosate’s Seminary at the Pierre-Mercure Hall in downtown Montreal
on Sunday September 25, 2005.

Organized by the Sourp Hagop and Sourp Kevork churches and made possible by
Mrs. Bertha Minassian Heller, the commemorative show began with the
rendition of O Canada and the Armenian National Anthym on piano by Talar
Harboyan Kalloghlian.

Hosted by Lalai Manjikian, the presentation included an information video on
the Seminary and the daily lives and activities of its attendance. Narrated
by Very Reverend Father Krikor Chiftjian, the video depicted how the young
attendants are trained and educated to become future members of the clergy.
So far, the Seminary has harvested more than 500 clergymen and four
Catholicos’.

Very Reverend Father Krikor Chiftjian also took the podium and lectured the
attendees on the importance of the Seminary, which was established on
October 12, 1930, and discussed the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian
alphabet.

Hasmig Papian, a soprano with the Opéra de Montréal, performed along with
Krikor Chahvertian on piano, “Cilicia,” “Groung,” and an aria from Pucchini,
before she was called for an encore and serenaded the crowd with “Hayastan.”
Papian is in town as the lead in Bellini’s Norma.

His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of
Canada, took the podium before inviting His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of
the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, for a closing statement.

His Holiness stated the grand importance of the Seminary and the quality of
clergymen that graduate from the Seminary asserting that “we don’t believe
in quantity but in quality. Our word is our work.”

His Holiness will be leaving for Toronto on Thursday September 29, 2005 to
continue His Pontifical visit in Ontario.

-30-

ANOUNCING THE RESULTS OF THE 2005 VAKHTANG JORDANIA INTERNATIONAL CONDUCTING COMPETITION

Top40-Charts.com, NY
Sept 26 2005

New York, NY (Jeffrey James Arts Consulting) – The Vakhtang Jordania
International Conducting Competition has announced the results of
its 2005 competition held in Kharkov, Ukraine between August 29 and
September 4. This year’s competition featured 29 competitors from 16
countries around the world.

The jury did not award a Jordania Grand Prize, but did decide on
two William L. Montague, Jr. Second Prizes – Harutyun Arzumanyan
of Armenia and Matteo Pagliari of Italy. Third Prize was awarded to
Christopher Chen of the United States.

Mr. Arzumanyan is a graduate of the Yerevan State Conservatory
as a violinist and conductor. He founded the Armenian Chamber
Orchestra and has frequently conducted at the National Opera and
Ballet Theatre of Armenia. He was the first prizewinner of the 1999
National Competition for conductors and was 3rd Prizewinner of the 8th
Fitelberg International Competition for Conductors in Katowice, Poland.

Mr. Pagliari currently holds assistant conductor positions to both
Riccardo Frizza and Roberto Abbado. He has made many guest appearances
with opera companies and orchestras throughout Italy and the United
States. He holds a conducting degree from the Conservatorio Arrigo
Boito in Parma, Italy.

Mr. Chen is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory and is currently
Assistant Conductor of the Baltimore Opera. He is a frequent guest
conductor in Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia and Finland. He
was recently selected as one of eight conductors in the American
Symphony Orchestra League’s 2005 National Conductor preview.

As William L. Montague, Jr. Second Prizewinners, Mr. Arzumanyan and
Mr. Pagliari will receive concert engagements during the 2006-2007
concert season with orchestras in Ukraine, the U.S., and other
countries to be named.

Third Prizewinner Mr. Chen will receive a concert engagement during
the 2006-2007 concert season with an orchestra in Ukraine.

The Orchestra Favorite prize was awarded to Boguslav Kobierski of
Poland, who is the current conductor of the Etela-Karjala Sinfonietta
of Finland.

The Audience Favorite prize and a special distinction certificate
was awarded to Shigekazu Yonezaki of Japan, who is a regular guest
conductor of many orchestras in his country, including the New Japan
Philharmonic.

Jennifer Bailey of Australia was also a Third Round participant and
special distinction certificate awardee. She is the Conductor and
Director of the Orchestra at St. Mary Magdalen in Oxford, England.

Other participants in the competition included: Kerim S. Anwar, a
citizen of Canada who lives in the Czech Republic, Rihards Buks of
Latvia, Shawn Eugene Burke-Storer of the United States, Timothy Dixon
of the United States, Lawrence Golan of the United States, Yasuhiko
Ishige of Japan, Vladimir Kern of Russia, Sergey Kiss of Russia,
Maksim Kuzin of Ukraine, Sang-Hwan Lee of South Korea who lives in
Austria, Tai-Wai Li of Hong Kong, Christian Lombardi of Germany,
Octavio Mas Arocas of Spain, Paolo Paroni of Italy, Georgi Patrikov
of Bulgaria, Benjamin Rous of the United States, Elior Sharivker of
Israel, Yosyp Sozanskyy of Ukraine, Jin Tanaka of Japan who lives
in Wales, Yasutaka Tsuda of Japan, Viatcheslav Valeev of Russia,
Shin Watanabe of Japan and Alexander Zverunov of Russia.

The competition jury was composed of Jooyong Ahn of the United States,
Yuri Alzhnev of Ukraine, Giorgi Jordania of Republic of Georgia,
Joan McNeill Murray of the United States, Jonathan Sternberg of the
United States and Yuri Suchkov of Moscow.

This year’s Third Round Contemporary Compositions selections were a
new orchestral work by Yuri Alznev, Christopher Kaufman’s Island, Dana
Paul Perna’s Bucks County Ballad and Judith Lang Zaimont’s Stillness –
Poem for Orchestra.

The 2005 Vakhtang Jordania International Conducting
Competition was a great success, both artistically and as a
means for continuing to bring the Kharkov Philharmonic Orchestra
() to the rest of the
world. In addition to the lively competition, contestants also
participated in a series of Master Classes and special events
and enjoyed the opportunity to have individual and small group
instruction and interaction with jury and orchestra members. Also
important was the chance to meet and spend time with other
conductors from around the world. More about the competition at

Building on the great success of this year’s event, planning for
an expanded and even more international 2006 Vakhtang Jordania
International Conducting Competition has already begun.

ARMINFO News Agency
September 24, 2005

IF AZERBAIJAN DOESN’T CHANGE ITS POSITION CONCERNING CYPRUS, IT WON’T
BE INCLUDED IN EU “NEW NEIGHBORS” PROGRAM.

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24. ARMINFO. “The talks about starting the
European Union’s “Extended Europe, New Neighbors” program, arranged
on September 5, were postponed because of Azerbaijan’s position
concerning Cyprus,” reported the head of the EU Department of the
Armenian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Armen Liloyan on the
“Illustration of International Programs in Armenian Mass Media”
conference, sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert fund.

According to the report, the first time the talks were postponed
because the EU experts required a more detailed study of the programs
presented by the countries of South Caucasus. This time the delay was
caused by the EU’s disagreement with Azerbaijan. “If Azerbaijan
doesn’t change its position concerning Cyprus, it won’t be included
in EU ‘New Neighbors’ program,” said Mr. Liloyan. He also added that
the rest of the Southern Caucasian countries must not suffer because
of contradictions with Azerbaijan and that the EU had already adopted
the 30% of the propositions made by Armenia in the frameworks of the
project.

Besides the “Extended Europe, New Neighbors” program, on the
“Illustration of International Programs in Armenian Mass Media”
conference were also discussed the “Millennium development Goals” and
“Millennium Challenge” programs. -A–

IranMania.com , Iran
Sept 23 2005

Armenia-Turkmenistan road link via Iran planned

Friday, September 23, 2005 – ©2005 IranMania.com

LONDON, September 23 (IranMania) – Armenia is planning to create a
road transportation network with Turkmenistan via Iran.

According to the Turkmen press, Yerevan and Ashkhabad will use
Iranian territory to establish a road link. The initiative is
expected to significantly boost transit of goods via northern Iran.
Iran has favorable economic relations with both the former Soviet
republics.

Tehran?s permanent trade center, which will be set up in Yerevan,
Armenia at a cost of four mln euros, will present Iran-made goods to
the Armenian market. Goods produced in Iran will be offered in 300
stalls at the center.

Visitors from other Caucasian republics are also expected to visit
the center and purchase goods.

Iran has been trying to bolster bilateral interaction with Armenia in
recent years and plans to build a terminal on its border with Armenia
to transfer oil derivatives to Yerevan.

Armenia views the terminal as important in boosting economic activity
in the Magri region bordering Iran.

Iran and Armenia have also signed a memorandum of understanding to
bolster cooperation in the field of electricity also. Under the MoU,
the two countries reached consensus on implementing the third 400-kw
two-circuit transmission line project, valued at $90 mln.

The two countries are also slated to implement the second phase of
Iran-Armenia pipeline project.

AZG Armenian Daily #171, 24/09/2005

Turkey-EU

EU DEMANDS TURKEY OPEN ARMENIAN BORDER-GATE

The European Union demands that Turkey open its border with Armenia and
improve the state of national minorities in the country, Trend agency quoted
member of the Green Party of the European Parliament, Turkish-born Jem
Ozdemir, as saying. Ozdemir stated that this issue will be discussed on
September 28 and that the report includes an article which says “it is
necessary that Ankara takes a decision of opening the Armenian border”.

Council of Europe celebrates European Day of Languages by encouraging
common European standards in language learning

Strasbourg, 23.09.2005 – Marking this year’s European Day of Languages
(Monday 26 September) the Council of Europe has underlined the
importance of having common standards for teaching and measuring
linguistic competence. The Council has pioneered a six-level system of
assessing a person’s ability to understand, speak and write a foreign
language. These standards have been adopted by the main certification
bodies in Europe, by many member states and by the European Union, in
particular as part of its Europass scheme, which aims to facilitate
mobility for those wishing to work or study abroad.

The European Day of Languages will be celebrated by special events
throughout the Council of Europe’s 46 member states. The Day aims to
encourage language learning among all age groups, to emphasise the
importance of diversifying language learning, and to foster respect for
all of Europe’s languages, including those spoken in regions and by
minorities.

The Council of Europe is pleased to note that the main goals of the
European Year of Languages 2001, which launched this annual Day, are
being taken forward in the celebration of a Year of Languages in the
United States in 2005, and in Africa in 2006.

For more information, consult or

Le Conseil de l’Europe célèbre la Journée européenne des Langues
en encourageant l’adoption de standards communs dans l’apprentissage des
langues

Strasbourg, 23.09.2005 – A l’occasion de la Journée européenne des
langues (lundi 26 septembre), le Conseil de l’Europe insiste cette
année sur l’importance d’adopter des standards communs pour enseigner
et évaluer les compétences en langues. Le Conseil a joué un rôle
de pionnier en établissant un système comprenant six niveaux de
compétences pour les capacités à comprendre, parler et écrire
une langue étrangère. Ces standards ont été adoptés par les
principaux établissements de certification en Europe, par de nombreux
Etats membres et par l’Union européenne, notamment dans certains
documents de son projet Europass, qui vise à faciliter la mobilité
des personnes souhaitant étudier ou travailler à l’étranger.

La Journée européenne des Langues sera marquée par des
célébrations dans l’ensemble des 46 Etats membres du Conseil de
l’Europe. L’objectif de cette Journée est d’encourager l’apprentissage
des langues parmi toutes les classes d’ge, de promouvoir le respect
de toutes les langues européennes, y compris les langues parlées
dans les régions et par les minorités.

Le Conseil de l’Europe note avec satisfaction que les principaux
objectifs de l’Année européenne des langues 2001, à l’origine du
lancement de cette Journée annuelle, sont repris dans la
célébration de l’Année des Langues aux Etats-Unis en 2005, et en
Afrique en 2006.

Pour plus d’information, veuillez consulter ou

Press Release
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 483b05
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60 – Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet:

To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]

A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46
member states.

AZG Armenian Daily #170, 23/09/2005

Culture

‘DILIJAN’ CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERTS IN LOS ANGELES

The series of “Dilijan” chamber music concerts of “Larq” musical association
opened in Los Angeles, at the initiative of Maestro Vache Parsoumian and
violinist Movses Poghosian. The concerts will launch on September 25 at the
Colburn Center of Performing Arts. It is envisaged that pieces of classical
and modern Armenian music, namely those by Tigran Mansourian, Vache
Sharafian and Eduard Mirzoyan, will be performed at the concerts. Martin
Chalifour, Stuart Canin, Harry Grey, John Waltz and other musicians from Los
Angeles will play at the concerts.

It’s worth mentioning that Maestro Vache Parsoumian established “Larq”
musical association about a decade ago. He aimed to preserve and pass to the
generations the traditional Armenian music. Movses Poghosian, who won
Tchaykowsky International Music Awards in 1986, was recently appointed art
director of “Dilijan” chamber music union.

By Hakob Tsulikian

IMF FORECASTS 8% ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ARMENIA IN 2005

Pan Armenian news
22.09.2005 05:51

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The International Monetary Fund yesterday made
public a report on economic growth prospects. According to it economic
growth will make 8% in Armenia this year. The IMF forecasts reduction
of the economic growth rate to 6% next year. Azerbaijan is the leader
on the indicator among the CIS states. The report notes that economic
growth has made 18.4% in Azerbaijan this year, while it will make 26.6%
next year. According to the IMF forecasts, this year economic growth
will make 7.5% in Georgia, while it will be 6% in Russia.