Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Music: The Armenian Voice sings Whitney Houston

Emil Lazarian
Sept 3 2022
 Posted on 3 September 2022 by Rita Bratovich
Masha Mnjoyan will perform songs of Whitney Houston in Whitney Orchestrated. Image: supplied

One of the headline acts for Chatswood’s Culture Bites Festival this year, is Whitney Orchestrated, a tribute concert featuring the most loved songs of Whitney Houston backed by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. Taking on the inconceivable challenge of “being Whitney” is Armenian singer, Masha Mnjoyan. 

While she’s not quite as well known in Australia, Mnjoyan is something of a celebrity in her home country: she performed in Junior Eurovision in 2008, then big Eurovision in 2016; she won The Voice Armenia in 2013 and was a finalist in The Voice Australia in 2020. 

Mnjoyan is an accomplished musician, singer and composer in a range of genres including pop, jazz, blues, RnB, and songs in her native Armenian language.  

From the age of four, Mnjoyan had already set her heart on a career in music. 

“It was sort of meant to be, me in music all the time,” says Mnjoyan. “Though I was very young and without even realising that I had ability, I wanted to be in music.”

Her parents, and in particular, an aunty, were very supportive. Mnjoyan recalls her aunty presenting her to the director of a music school and saying: “She’s very talented. She needs to be here.”

But Armenia is small and after being in Eurovision, Idol, The Voice, and touring and performing around the country, Mnjoyan felt she had exhausted her career potential there. And she was only 23 years old. 

Mnjoyan decided to move to Sydney. She’d visited Australia on several occasions prior.

“I fell in love with nature, the people, the culture – everything!” says Mnjoyan. “The only country where I would try to grow my career would be Australia. Otherwise I would just stay in my country.”

It didn’t take long for that growth to start happening. Mnjoyan put together two bands and began performing in Sydney’s best jazz and live music venues; she sang on the Opera House forecourt during Vivid and has done television appearances. 

It was with a Whitney Houston song, “I Have Nothing”, that Mnjoyan knocked the socks off the judges in The Voice, Aus. She has been a huge fan of Houston from a very early age.

“Since I was a child, I admired listening to Whitney Houston; watching her live videos and everything about her. She was a real model for me, an idol … something unreachable with the vocal and with the performance and presentation.”

In Sydney, Mnjoyan became aware that a lot of tribute concerts were being performed, noting that no one had yet tackled Whitney. She approached conductor and musical director, George Ellis, who had put together the series of “Orchestrated” concerts including tributes to The Beatles, ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, and many more. 

He liked the idea of doing a Whitney Houston tribute and he connected Mnjoyan with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and things took off from there. 

Mnjoyan insists that the concert is a tribute and not an impersonation. 

“It’s not gonna be better than her, it’s not gonna be the same as her, it’s not going to be even something like her – because Whitney is the one and only, and no one can be like her.”

Instead, Mnjoyan sees this a an homage from the heart.

“It’s going to be like Masha singing Whitney Houston: the way that I feel her, the way that I feel the music, the lyrics and the way I accept music.” Singing an all-Whitney Houston show is something Mnjoyan has always aspired to do. “So yeah, it’s a dream come true!”

What Mnjoyan wants is for the audience to share in her joy of Whitney’s music.  

“It’s going to be sort of a party concert. Our goal is to make people feel positive. Obviously we’re gonna include big songs – without “All By Myself” and “I Have Nothing” and stuff like that, a Whitney concert is not gonna be the same. But we’re going to make it more active and more positive with beats and stuff.”

Whitney Orchestrated

Richmond fall festival guide: Armenian Food Festival …

Emil Lazarian
Richmond Times Dispatch, VA
Sept 1 2022


  • Colleen Curran

September brings a steady stream of fall festivals almost every weekend this month. Get ready to dig in to delicious dishes at the Armenian Food Festival, check out new murals going up at the RVA Street Art Festival and, of course, take a ride on the midway at the State Fair of Virginia. Check out our round-up of September festivals.

In the era of modern changes knowledge and education are the main pillars – President

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – Sept 1 2022
September 1, 2022, 10:33

 1 minute read

In the era of modern changes knowledge and education are the main pillars, President Vahagn Khachaturyan said in a message on Knowledge and Schooling Day. The message reads:

Dear pupils and students,

Distinguished pedagogues and parents,

I congratulate you all on September 1st – Knowledge and Schooling Day.

The beginning of each academic year is especially unique and binding for all of us. In the era of modern changes knowledge and education are the main pillars, thanks to which people, societies and states should be able to overcome various challenges and problems.

Dear first-graders and first-year students, I especially want to wish you a peaceful course in this new phase of your life, where you will learn, absorb knowledge and gain experience, enriching the intellectual potential of our society, which is a primary guarantee of not only the development of our country but also a prerequisite for the welfare of our society and citizens.

My special congratulations to all the teachers and professors. I wish you success in your difficult and responsible work. Not merely work or professional duties are placed on your shoulders, but also the responsibility of forming conscious and dignified citizens by providing quality education to the generations.

Dear students and teachers, keep in mind that knowledge is your future, your way into a big life. It will arm you with an opportunity to find your place in the modern world, and become valued citizens of our country and true patriots.

Dear compatriots, once again, my congratulations on Knowledge and Schooling Day. 

https://en.armradio.am/2022/09/01/in-the-era-of-modern-changes-knowledge-and-education-are-the-main-pillars-president/

Chair of Armenian Studies to be opened at Tabriz State University

Emil Lazarian
ARMINFO
Armenia – Sept 3 2022
Alina Hovhannisyan

ArmInfo. Yerevan State University and Tabriz State University came to a preliminary  agreement to open a chair of Armenian Studies at the Iranian  University.  YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan said summarizing the  results of his meeting with Chancellor of Tabriz State University  Safar Nasrollahzadeh.

In turn, Yerevan State University expressed its readiness to  establish the Atropatene Research Center (a historical region and an  ancient state in the north-west of modern Iran) at the Department of  Iranian Studies of Yerevan State University, which will become an  important platform for regional studies.  “We attach importance to  the development of relations with Iranian universities, not only in  the educational and scientific fields, but also in the context of  deepening and strengthening bilateral relations,” Hovhannisyan said.

At the same time, he said that following the meeting with the head of  the State University of Tabriz, an agreement was also reached on the  implementation of student and specialist exchange programs, the  implementation of joint research projects, and various academic and  cultural initiatives. 

Newspaper: Those guilty in 44-day Artsakh war are remembered 2 years later

Emil Lazarian
NEWS.am
Armenia – Sept 3 2022
10:19, 03.09.2022

YEREVAN. – Zhoghovurd newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: According to Zhoghovurd daily’s information, the law enforcement system is facing a problem with the criminal cases launched regarding the actions of the 44-day [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war.

The thing is that not all materials of the war are accessible to the investigative bodies investigating the cases of the 44-day war in [the fall of] 2020, as they are considered state, military secret.

Moreover, according to the news that reached us, one of the investigative bodies has submitted a petition to the RA government, asking to provide some materials related to the war. And we have not been able to find out the details so far as to what they answered to the petition; we only know that the answer was not very satisfactory.

Let’s note that, parallel to this situation, the Investigative Committee is quite actively bringing charges one after another to Artsakh former DA [(Defense Army)] commander Mikayel Arzumanyan for not properly organizing the self-defense of [Artsakh’s] Shushi [city during the aforesaid war], and, by the court decision, is taking him toward custody.

And yesterday, the head of the Military Control Service of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, the former commander of the Artsakh DA, Jalal Harutyunyan, was charged.

What is the reason for the activeness is still incomprehensible; they have remembered those guilty of the [44-day] war two years later.

FM: Armenian side’s position on 5 provisions proposed by Azerbaijan is unchanged

Emil Lazarian
NEWS.am
Armenia – Sept 3 2022
13:49, 03.09.2022

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan of Armenia has issued a comment regarding some speculations on Wednesday’s trilateral Brussels meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, President Charles Michel of the European Council, and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.

“The position of the Armenian side regarding the five provisions proposed by Azerbaijan is unchanged. As we have stated before, we find nothing unacceptable in the proposals forwarded by Azerbaijan on March 10, 2022. Another thing is that these proposals do not address all issues of the Armenia-Azerbaijan comprehensive peace agenda. With our response forwarded to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, we completed the agenda and therefore, on that basis, we are ready for the continuation of peace negotiations.

This was once again confirmed by Prime Minister Pashinyan during the recent discussions held in Brussels.

Not listening or trying not to listen to this position gives the Armenian side a reason to question the sincerity of Azerbaijan’s intention in achieving peace. Moreover, the continued arbitrary, false interpretations of the negotiations and the avoidance to implement the agreements make an impression that Azerbaijan intends to undermine the peace process and continue its policy of ethnic cleansing through the use of force,” reads the comment by the Armenian FM.

Turkish press: Romania wants to buy 18 Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs for $300M

Emil Lazarian
 ISTANBUL SEP 01, 2022 – 3:38 PM GMT+3

A Bayraktar TB2 drone is seen in the undated file photo. (IHA Photo)

Romania wants to buy Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) from Türkiye after it gained popularity for causing loss to the Russian military gear in the war in Ukraine, following several examples elsewhere, the local media reported Thursday.

According to media reports, the country wants about 18 such UCAVs at an estimated price of $300 million.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense has sent a request to Parliament for such purpose, the reports said and if it receives legislative approval, it will be able to start negotiations with the Turkish company – Baykar.

Currently, Romania does not have state-of-the-art combat drones in its inventory.

The estimated amount for sale includes the purchase of the 18 drones and “the initial logistical support package and specific training and training equipment,” according to the Ministry of Defense.

The price of Bayraktar TB2 drones varies depending on the equipment, starting from $1 million to $5 million, according to open sources specializing in defense products.

Baykar did not specify a price for this particular drone model but republished on its website news about crowdfunding campaigns launched across Europe to buy Bayraktar drones for Ukraine, with a goal of about $5 million-$5.5 million for a drone.

The Bayraktar TB2 has a reputation as being the best in its class in the world based on its technical features and the operations it has been used in, entering the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in 2014.

Export contracts were signed with 23 countries, including Ukraine, Qatar, Azerbaijan and Poland. Having exported $664 million in combat drone systems in 2021, Baykar became the leading exporter among companies in the field of defense and aerospace, according to the data by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM).

Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs proved effective on the battlefield after they were used by the Turkish army in Syria against Russia-backed regime forces and by Azerbaijan in recapturing its territories from occupying Armenian forces in Karabakh.

They are currently actively used by the Ukrainian army for defense purposes in the ongoing war with Russia, playing an important role in destroying Russian military gear from howitzers and tanks to air defense systems and marine platforms.

Aid campaigns were organized by the public in Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Norway and Canada to buy Bayraktar TB2s and donate them to the Ukrainian army. Baykar did not accept the donations collected from the campaigns organized in Lithuania, Ukraine and Poland and instead used the funds to help the Ukrainian people meet their humanitarian needs, giving the drones to Ukraine free of charge.

Citing ‘embarrassing’ admission statistics, PM says higher education reforms can no longer be delayed

Emil Lazarian

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 12:26, 1 September 2022

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. PM Nikol Pashinyan says he believes that the launch of reforms in higher education can no longer be delayed.

“The embarrassing statistics of admission exams must become a strong signal for this,” the PM said at the Cabinet meeting. “This year over 60% of admission seat in universities remained vacant. Furthermore, in state universities more than 40% remained vacant while in private universities over 98%. Although there are some state universities where the statistics is similar to the private [university] indicators. We have state universities where the state allocated seats and 90, 92, 94 or 98% of these seats remained vacant,” Pashinyan said.

“There are no university standards or are non-functioning ones in the country. People with higher education diplomas are very often not competitive in the job market,” the PM said.

He said that the government plans to consolidate universities through integrating with certain scientific-research institutes, and to have maximum 8 state universities in the country. “These universities will be in line with international standards will full state funding, starting from educational, research, sports, dormitory infrastructures up to international educational programs and qualified and properly remunerated academic staff,” the PM said.

Russia records nearly 50,000 daily COVID-19 cases

Emil Lazarian

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 15:34, 1 September 2022

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Russia’s COVID-19 case tally rose by 49,761 over the past day to 19,445,581, TASS reported citing the Russian Anti-Coronavirus Crisis Center.

In absolute terms, the number of daily cases has been the highest since March 11. A day earlier, 46,321 daily cases were recorded.

As many as 4,128 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Russia over the past day, down 2.5% from a day earlier. The number of hospitalized patients increased in 37 regions, while in 46 regions the figure decreased. The situation remained unchanged in two regions. A day earlier, 4,232 people were rushed to hospitals.

Moscow’s COVID-19 cases surged by 7,242 over the past day versus 8,518 cases a day earlier, reaching 3,036,347, according to the anti-coronavirus crisis center. St. Petersburg’s COVID-19 cases increased by 3,152 over the past day versus 3,247 a day earlier, reaching 1,661,577.

COVID-19 recoveries

Russia’s COVID-19 recoveries rose by 38,940 over the past day, reaching 18,635,574, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.

A day earlier, some 39,054 patients recovered.

COVID-19 death toll

Russia’s COVID-19 death toll rose by 95 over the past day, reaching 384,441, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.

A day earlier, 92 COVID-19 deaths were registered.

Military helicopter, over 100 firefighters deployed to tackle grassfires near Ijevan Wine Factory

Emil Lazarian

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 12:38, 2 September 2022

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. A military helicopter and over 100 firefighters are deployed near the town of Ijevan to tackle a grassfire that’s been burning for already 3 days, authorities said.

Around 7 to 8 hectares of grass area is burning.

The grassfire is close to the Ijevan Wine Factory.

On September 2, the Tavush provincial rescue department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations dispatched additional fire brigades to the scene.

No injuries are reported.