US withdraws from Unesco

The United States has withdrawn from UNESCO. The decision will take effect at the end of 2017.

The country hopes to remain a non-member, observer state, in order to contribute US opinions and expertise on issues like press freedoms and protecting world heritage, according to the Department.

Washington has explained its decision by drastic changes in UNESCO and continuous anti-Israel bias.

Back in 2011, the United States stopped funding the organization after UNESCO included the Palestinian Authority as a full member. Israel and Canada followed the example of the United States.

The chairman of the Organization Irina Bokova regrets US government’s decision, considering it a loss for UNESCO.

An Interview with Garo Paylan at ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference

Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Turkish Parliament representing the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) was interviewed on Saturday by Asbarez Editor Ara Khachatourian at the 2017 Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region Grassroots Conference, which took place at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Music: The Pan-Armenian Orchestra performed at the most prestigious Gramophone Classical Music Awards

Panorama, Armenia
Sept 14 2017

The Pan-Armenian Orchestra, headed by Sergey Smbatyan, performed at the most prestigious Gramophone Classical Music Awards

On September 13 the Pan-Armenian Symphony Orchestra, headed by conductor Sergey Smbatyan, performed at the Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2017, the most famous and prestigious event. The glittering event took place in the stunning venue of Northumberland Avenue, London. During the concert the Pan-Armenian Orchestra presented compositions by Khachaturian, Shostakovich, Shor, Prokofiev and other composers. The performances of the orchestra and Sergey Smbatyan were warmly received.

The Pan-Armenian Orchestra was joined with some of the biggest names in classical music as Gramophone Award winners past and present take to the stage to celebrate the 40th anniversary of these prestigious awards. In previous years, Gramophone Awards ceremonies were conducted by famous conductors like Sir Colin Davis, Sir Antonio Pappano and others. This year’s honor was reserved for maestro Sergey Smbatyan, who studied with Sir Colin Davis in London.

For the second year running, the ceremony was live-streamed on medici.tv, so classical music lovers from all around the globe had the opportunity to watch all of the performances, acceptance speeches.
James Jolly, Gramophone’s Editor-in-Chief, noted that they were delighted to be joined by the Pan-Armenian Symphony orchestra, comprised of the Armenian musicians from the best orchestras all over the world. During the evening Jolly thanked Sergey Smbatyan and the Pan-Armenian Orchestra for performing composition by British composer Gustav Holst.

The Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, the conductor of the Pan-Armenian Orchestra Sergey Smbatyan in an interview with medici.tv informed that the Pan-Armenian Orchestra had a concert on April 24, 2017 in Yerevan, performing headed by several conductors.
“We are very happy. It’s a great honor to be here. We have great classical music traditions in Armenia. You can find great Armenian musicians everywhere. The idea was to unite them, so they can perform together”,-Sergey Smbatyan noted.

Maestro Smbatyan added that the musicians of the Pan-Armenian Orchestra are playing at the world’s leading orchestras. They were born and raised in Armenia, studied at the same Conservatory, thus they bear the same traditions. And such projects show that the Armenians can be united. Maestro Smbatyan hoped that the orchestra will perform more often. 

Gramophone is the most significant classical music award, the same as the Oscar is in the field of cinema, the Nobel prize is in the field of science and the Booker prize in the field of literature. Gramophone Awards celebrate the very best of the last year of classical music. This year it celebrated its 40th anniversary.

BAKU: Azerbaijani MP: Soros and Armenians share common terrorist features

APA, Azerbaijan
Sept 6 2017

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Some external circles envy the independent domestic and foreign policy of the Azerbaijani government, Siyavush Novruzov, a member of the Azerbaijani parliament and deputy executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), told APA while commenting on the anti-Azerbaijani articles published by The Guardian and The Washington.

 

According to him, the reason for such occasional anti-Azerbaijani campaign is the fact that the Azerbaijani state has never disobeyed any external forces.   

 

“This information was provided on behalf of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), created for dubious purposed and financed by Armenian foundations and well-known fraudster George Soros, who failed to achieve his special goals in Azerbaijan. This information was immediately media public by certain foreign media networks,” said the MP.

 

Investigations show that the Armenian lobby, as well as the media and journalists influenced by them are take an active part in spreading such anti-Azerbaijani allegations, noted Novruzov.  

 

“For example, one of the authors of the statement made on behalf of the OCCRP is an Armenian. If the OCCRP is really a network that investigates corruption-related facts, then why does not publish any article about politicians, experts bribed by the Armenian lobby? Why doesn’t it inform about how the Armenian lobby bribed politicians from the US, France, and Russia and paid them in order to legitimize the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh? All these facts show that the OCCRP is a fake company and a tool for the information warfare of the circles which demonstrate hostile attitude towards Azerbaijan. However, those who stand behind the OCCRP well understand that all efforts are in vain” he said.

 

Azerbaijan is not one of the countries than can be confused with fake information, the MP stressed, adding. “The basis of the principled, thoughtful and decisive policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev is the national interests of the Azerbaijani people, and no adventurous campaign, attempt of pressure can force Azerbaijan to give up its path.”

 

Speaking to APA, MP Hikmat Babaoglu said that Azerbaijan’s independent domestic and foreign policy, its high international reputation, attitude to the events taking places in the world, strong immunity against various forces, and the fact that the country puts national and state interests above all seriously worry some foreign circles and pro-Armenian forces.

 

According to him, the recently-launched dirty campaign against Azerbaijan is an attempt by foreign anti-Azerbaijani and pro-Armenian forces to mislead the international community and undermine Azerbaijan’s high reputation.

 

“To this end, another disinformation was spread that Azerbaijan allegedly bribed foreign politicians, experts, officials and is financing them with secret funds. This information is artificially circulated by the international media,” he said. “This information was provided on behalf of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), created for dubious purposed and financed by Armenian foundations and well-known fraudster George Soros, who failed to achieve his special goals in Azerbaijan. This information was immediately media public by certain foreign media networks.”

 

The MP drew the attention to the activity of the Armenian lobby and bribed journalists in spreading such allegations against Azerbaijan.

 

“For example, one of the authors of the article published by The Guardian is Armenian Dina Nagapetyan. These circles have chosen as their target not only Azerbaijan, but also public and political figures, officials, experts who have positive opinions about the development, socio-political life and economic success of Azerbaijan,” he added.  

 

The MP said that the involvement in this case of notorious billionaire and political trickster George Soros should be regarded as an attempt to continue the implementation of his unfinished plans of coups in the post-Soviet space.  

 

“As you know, a petition was launched in the US to declare Soros a terrorist. A large number of signatures has already been collected for its consideration in relevant structures. This man is accused of committing economic and financial terror in the US, as well as damaging the economic interests of the state by creating an atmosphere of unfair competition. The fact of cooperation between this kind of man and Armenians is not surprising, because they share common terrorist features,” he added.  

Zartonk 05.09.2017

Dear A reader,

 

Attached you can to find «Let’s wake up»in: today to the number the connection:

 

Thank you we are, that selected me «Let’s wake up» to read:

 

Սիրով՝

 

«Let’s wake up»in: Editing



Calendar of Events – 08/24/2017

                        Armenian News's Calendar of events
                        (All times local to events)
                =========================================
What:           Ararat Phoenix Rising-Reawakening of the Armenian Identity  
                Lecture Series by Mher Koubelian
When:           Aug 25 2017 7:30pm
Where:          Armenian Society of Los Angeles 
                117 S. Louise St., Glendale, CA 91205
Misc:           Throughout millennia, Armenia has been born and reborn, struck
                down only to rise again from ashes. This historic survival
                could be explained by divine providence and a unique national
                identity. This presentation seeks to awaken hearts and empower
                them to take their rightful place, by exploring first
                Armenian's God given calling through many key elements from
                mythology, history, linguistics, genetics, culture, etc.
Online Contact: [email protected]
Tel:            800-435-0097
                =========================================
What:           Ararat Phoenix Rising-Reawakening of the Armenian Identity  
                Lecture Series by Mher Koubelian
When:           Aug 27 2017 6:30pm
Where:          South Bay Armenian Community Center
                2222 Lomita Blvd., Lomita, CA 90717
Misc:           Throughout millennia, Armenia has been born and reborn, struck
                down only to rise again from ashes. This historic survival
                could be explained by divine providence and a unique national
                identity. This presentation seeks to awaken hearts and empower
                them to take their rightful place, by exploring first
                Armenian's God given calling through many key elements from
                mythology, history, linguistics, genetics, culture, etc.
Online Contact: [email protected]
Tel:            800-435-0097
                =========================================
What:           Ararat Phoenix Rising-Reawakening of the Armenian Identity  
                Lecture Series by Mher Koubelian
When:           Aug 31 2017 7:30
Where:          Tekeyan Cultural Center
                1901 Allen Ave., Altadena, CA 91001
Misc:           Throughout millennia, Armenia has been born and reborn, struck
                down only to rise again from ashes. This historic survival
                could be explained by divine providence and a unique national
                identity. This presentation seeks to awaken hearts and empower
                them to take their rightful place, by exploring first
                Armenian's God given calling through many key elements from
                mythology, history, linguistics, genetics, culture, etc.
Online Contact: [email protected]
Tel:            800-435-0097
                =========================================
What:           Ararat Phoenix Rising-Reawakening of the Armenian Identity  
                Lecture Series by Mher Koubelian
When:           Sep 1 2017 7:30pm
Where:          Organization of Istanbul Armenian
                19726 Sherman Way, Winnetka, CA 91306
Misc:           Throughout millennia, Armenia has been born and reborn, struck
                down only to rise again from ashes. This historic survival
                could be explained by divine providence and a unique national
                identity. This presentation seeks to awaken hearts and empower
                them to take their rightful place, by exploring first
                Armenian's God given calling through many key elements from
                mythology, history, linguistics, genetics, culture, etc.
Online Contact: [email protected]
Tel:            800-435-0097
                =========================================
What:           Film Premiere (English) "Voskan Yerevantsi - the Epic First
                Printing of the Armenian Bible by Hakob Papazyan and Nver 
Mnatsakanyan."
When:           Sep 5 2017 7pm
Where:          The Soho Hotel, Screening Room 1,
                4 Richmond Mews, London W1D 3DH
Misc:           Organised by AGBU London.
Online Contact: [email protected]
                =========================================
What:           "The Rescue, Rehabilitation and Fate of Captive Armenian 
Genocide
                Survivors in Syria: From WWI-Present"
                a lecture in Armenian is given by Professor Vahram Shemmassian
When:           Sep 17 2017 1pm
                Following Church Divine Liturgy which starts at 10:30am
Where:          Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley
                Western Prelacy's Hall, 6252 Honolulu Ave., La Crescenta,
Misc:           Professor Shemmassian will describe the attempts and
                organizations that engaged in the rescue and rehabilitation of
                Genocide survivors in Syria, especially children and women,
                who through forced marriages and religious conversions were
                absorbed into Muslim society across Turkey and the Arab Near
                East. The talk will conclude with comments on the issue of
                Islamized Armenians, currently a hot topic in private and
                public discourse.
                Dr. Vahram Shemmassian is Professor and Director of the
                Armenian Studies Program in the Department of Modern and
                Classical Languages and Literatures at the California State
                University, Northridge. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the
                University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
                The event is free to the public.
Online Contact: [email protected]
Tel:            818-244-9645
***************************************************************************
Armenian News's calendar of events is collected and updated mostly from
announcements posted on this list, and submissions to Armenian [email protected].
To submit, send to Armenian [email protected], and please note the following
important points:
a) Armenian News's administrators have final say on what may be included in
        Armenian News's calendar of events.
b) Posting time will is on Thursdays, 06:00 US Pacific time, to squeeze in
        a final reminder before weekend activities kick in.
c) Calendar items are short, functional, and edited to fit a template.
d) There is no guarantee or promise that an item will be published on time.
e) Calendar information is believed to be from reliable sources. However,
        no responsibility by the List's Administation or by USC is assumed
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        up-to-date.
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        (Dinners, dances, forget it. This is not an ad-space.)
g) Armenian News is a non-commercial, non-partisan, pan-Armenian outlet.
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Regards,
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Armenian News Network / Armenian News
Los Angeles, CA     / USA

Spain releases German-Turkish writer sought by Ankara

Agence France Presse
 Sunday 1:17 PM GMT
Spain releases German-Turkish writer sought by Ankara
 Berlin, Aug 20 2017
A Spanish court on Sunday ordered the conditional release of
German-Turkish writer Dogan Akhanli a day after police had arrested
him at Ankara's request, his lawyer said.
Berlin -- which sees Turkey's bid to have the writer extradited as a
politically-motivated move by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- hailed
the Spanish court's decision.
"It would be terrible if, even on the other side of Europe, Turkey
succeeded in having people who raise their voices against President
Erdogan arrested," said German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.
Gabriel, who had discussed the case with his Spanish counterpart
Alfonso Dastis on Saturday, said he had "the utmost confidence" in the
Spanish judiciary and that the government in Madrid "knows what this
is about".
Spanish police had on Saturday arrested Akhanli, who writes about
Turkey's human rights record, while he was on holiday in Granada after
receiving a so-called Interpol red notice, which is similar to an
international arrest warrant.
Berlin quickly urged Madrid not to extradite Cologne-based Akhanli,
who has previously been jailed in Turkey and was granted political
asylum and citizenship in Germany.
Writing on Facebook, Akhanli's lawyer Ilias Uyar said his client was
"being released from detention on condition he stays in Madrid" while
Turkey starts the process of formally requesting his extradition.
"The battle was worth it," the lawer wrote.
- Critical voice -
The case comes as relations between Turkey and Germany, home to three
million ethnic Turks, have been badly strained, particularly in the
wake of the failed coup against Erdogan a year ago and a subsequent
crackdown on alleged plotters and enemies.
Gabriel last month vowed stinging measures hitting tourism and
investment in Turkey and a full "overhaul" of troubled relations,
accusing Erdogan of trying to muzzle "every critical voice" with mass
arrests and sackings.
On Saturday, Erdogan hit out at Gabriel, saying "know your limits"
after the minister vehemently criticised the Turkish leader for
interfering in Germany's upcoming elections.
Turkey is holding several German citizens in custody, including
Turkish-German journalist Deniz Yucel, the Istanbul correspondent of
the Die Welt newspaper, who faces trial on terror charges.
Germany wants to prevent Akhanli from ending up behind bars in Turkey,
where he was jailed from 1985 to 1987 before moving to Cologne in the
1990s and becoming a German citizen in 2001.
- The Armenian question -
Akhanli has written about the highly sensitive historical question of
the mass killing of Armenians under the Ottoman Turkish empire.
Half a million to 1.5 million Armenians were killed between 1915 and
1917, in a bloodletting that Armenia and Western historians describe
as genocide.
Turkey vehemently objects to the term, saying that 300,000 to 500,000
Armenians and as many Turks died in civil strife when Armenians rose
up and sided with invading Russian troops.
Akhanli was arrested again in 2010 when he arrived at Istanbul airport
for a visit, on charges he was allegedly involved in a 1989 armed
robbery.
He was released four months later after being declared innocent,
before an appeals court ordered new proceedings against him.
German Green MPs have taken up his cause, saying he is a victim of
political persecution.

Film: Armenian Genocide doc "Intent To Destroy" to screen in Sydney

PanArmenian, Armenia

Aug 17 2017

PanARMENIAN.Net – Sydney audiences will have a unique opportunity to see “Intent To Destroy” – the Armenian Genocide documentary filmed during the production of “The Promise” – as part of Hamazkaine Shant Chapter’s Armenian Film Festival, which begins this Friday, August 18, reports the Armenian National Committee of Australia.

The “Intent to Destroy” screening, which is being co-hosted by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), will close the Armenian Film Festival on Sunday, August 27. All films are being screened at Event Cinemas in Top Ryde.

Filmed on the set of Armenian Genocide epic, “The Promise”, this documentary by Joe Berlinger looks at the difficulties experienced by the producers, cast and crew of the film starring Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac and Charlotte Le Bon.

Here is a summary of the film from the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival which premiered “Intent to Destroy” in Australia earlier this year:

“Legendary documentarian Berlinger’s (Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, Tony Robbins: I am Not Your Guru, Crude) thirteenth feature film, captures the cinematic and political challenges of producing a historically meaningful, big-budget film in an environment rife with political suppression.”

“In 2015, Academy Award-winning director Terry George (Hotel Rwanda) took on the challenge of making the first mainstream film about the 1915 Armenian Genocide that wiped out 1.5 million Armenians in The Promise (starring Oscar Isaac and Christian Bale). Berlinger’s film combines a mixture of exclusive behind-the- scenes footage, rare archival material and investigative interviews that capture the shocking and complex history of the Armenian Genocide, all while presenting the unfolding, real-time drama of bringing this long-ignored chapter of human cruelty to the big screen.”

Religion: A Christian religious gathering in Iran

Press TV, Iran

Aug 14 2017
Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:19AM
These are some of the stories covered in this episode of the Iran program:

A Religious Gathering 

Throughout history, Iran has been home to many honorable and prominent ethnic and religious communities. Among them are the Iranian Armenians who are the largest Christian community and cultural minority in Iran. Just recently they had an annual religious gathering in the North West of the country. For more on that event, watch our next feature. 

Discovering Isfahan 

You’ve all heard about the province of Isfahan, a glorious destination and a must-see in everyone’s holiday list. But have you ever heard about the village of Domab? Well the IRAN team went there to bring you a glimpse of the outstanding historical sites of this ancient village

Watch video at