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

Christmas message of the Catholicos of All Armenians

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 6 2022
January 6, 2022, 12:35

 4 minutes read

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has issued a message on the Feat of Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The message reads:

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: amen.
“Glory to God in the highest, that thou hast come and thou
hast saved the universe through Your theophany”
(Hymn of the Nativity).

Dear faithful,

On the feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the heavenly tidings “Christ is born and revelead”, we bring our love and best wishes to you, gathered in this church, to all our people and together with shepherds and angels, who bowed down before the Son of God, we praise the incarnate Savior saying: “Glory to God in the highest, that thou hast come and thou hast saved the universe through Your theophany”.

With the miraculous mystery of the Nativity of Christ, today once again the hope and grace of salvation descends again upon the world troubled by disasters and calamities. By the bright radiance of the star of Bethlehem, by the grace of the Nativity of infant Jesus, darkness of hopelessness is dispelled from the souls transformed to a Bethlehem. By the theophany of His Only Begotten Son, God invites all mankind to turn their hearts into a shrine of the revelation of divine infinite love, to experience cleansing from sins, to be transformed, and to be saved through a renewal. The apostle exhorts: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4: 22-24).

The way of human renewal and salvation is to live by God’s commandments, to be freed from the snares of sin, which is the firm guarantee of the continuity of humanity and the assurance of eternal blessings. Our Savior Lord, as a testimony of God’s infinite love and care for humankind, affirms that the world can be transformed, the reality of suffering and injustice can be turned into a place of happiness, in accordance to the testimony of prophet Isaiah, . “The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see the salvation of God. ” Isaiah 40: 4-5.

Dear faithful people,

These days the angelic news of the Nativity brings comfort and consolation to our hearts, broken and disturbed, restless with uncertainty, grieving the pain of catastrophic war losses; so that we may be strengthened by the Lord’s saving graces, transformed by faith, and prevail with hope. With such a spirit and progress, undoubtedly, we will be able to overcome the plagues and hardships, to become stronger as a nation and state, as a homeland and diaspora. Our fathers taught us to be resilient to disasters and troubles, not to allow ourselves to be defeated by worries and needs, or concerns regarding the future of the homeland. Let us be united in our homeland and in our communities all over the world. Our disunity and discord will generate new losses, trampling down our great and minor victories.

In the current difficult situation, we need to sober up, reject the paths that draw us away from God, firmly anchor our lives on the national and spiritual values, that have been passed down through the centuries, and guaranteed the survival of our people. We all have a sacred duty toward the memory of our children who received the crown of martyrdom for the homeland, to fight altruistically and uncompromisingly, for the sake of our homeland, for the sake of the free life of Artsakh, for the sake of a stable Armenian statehood and the unbroken preservation of our national identity. Let us always remember that the interest of the homeland is above all, and the free and safe life of our people is a priority. The realization of the vision of a strong and prosperous homeland requires a spirit and mindset of commitment and self-sacrifice, a kind and just conduct, and a way of life based on spiritual, moral values. This mission can be realized by the bright example of the Lord, who, according to His word, did not come to receive a position, a service, an honor, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Every position and authority in the public, political, or state spheres must serve to the progress of the country, and the general welfare and security; just as in a pious family. When a position ceases to be perceived as a service, it turns into a cause of arbitrariness, of evil and unjust deeds. Meanwhile, it is by our deeds of dedication towards the nation and homeland, by showing care and love and caring for each other that we will have strength and power to overcome hardships and tribulations, and to prosper a country. With the life renewed by the mystery of the Savior’s Nativity, we believe we will be able to create a new reality where mutual understanding and solidarity, uprightness and patriotism will prevail: a new reality, where every commitment will be aimed at the realization of the desires and aspirations of our people. With this vision, by the grace of Christ’s salvation, dear faithful, let us transform the course of our lives, let us always walk the path of upliftment and loving life.

On this soul-stirring day of the Nativity and Theophany, let us pray together so that God Most High may bless, keep, and preserve our homeland and the whole world. Let us pray for our homeland to become a manger of divine presence and the souls of the sons and daughters of our people be strengthened by faith and optimism. May the Lord, with the help of His most caring Holy Hand, guide us to walk the paths of good works of faith, to always glorify His Holy Name today and always and forever: Amen.

Christ is born and revealed,

Blessed is the Revelation of Christ.

“We strongly condemn the manifestation of violence” – Armenian Foreign Ministry on situation in Kazakhstan

Emil Lazarian

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 13:31, 6 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the situation in Kazakhstan.

“We are following the armed clashes in Kazakhstan with concern. The infiltration of terrorist groups is alarming. We strongly condemn the manifestation of violence, we are convinced that it is not a way for solving political issues.

We believe that steps need to be undertaken for preventing further clashes, restoring the environment of tolerance which is necessary for peaceful political processes in the country, including the exercise of citizens’ right to peaceful rallies and freedom of _expression_,” it said.

Turkish press: Russia mulls further steps for ‘foreign-inspired’ turmoil in Kazakhstan

Emil Lazarian
 ISTANBUL JAN 06, 2022 – 2:14 PM GMT+3

A still image taken from a handout video made available by the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service shows Russian officers boarding military aircraft on their way to Kazakhstan, at an airfield outside Moscow, Russia, Jan. 6, 2022. (EPA Photo)

Russia described recent events in Kazakhstan as a “foreign-inspired” attempt to undermine security, adding Moscow will consult Kazakhs and other allies on possible further steps to support a “counter-terrorist operation” and to unblock critical infrastructure.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday in a statement: “We regard the recent events in a friendly country as an attempt, inspired from the outside, to undermine the security and integrity of the state by force, using trained and organized armed formations.”

Ethnic Russians, mostly Orthodox Christians, make up nearly a quarter of Kazakhstan’s population. The two countries have significant economic and cultural ties.

Russia has already sent paratroops to Kazakhstan as part of a peacekeeping force after the energy-rich Central Asian country was hit by the biggest wave of unrest there since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union over rising fuel prices.

Under increasing pressure, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appealed overnight to the Russia-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), which includes five other ex-Soviet states, to combat what he called “terrorist groups” that had “received extensive training abroad.”

Within hours the alliance said the first troops had been sent, including Russian paratroopers and military units from the other CSTO members, in its first major joint action since its founding in 1999.

“Peacekeeping forces … were sent to the Republic of Kazakhstan for a limited time to stabilize and normalize the situation,” the CSTO said in a statement, without specifying the number of troops involved.

The CSTO’s current chairperson, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, earlier announced the alliance would agree to the request, saying Kazakhstan was facing “outside interference.”

Footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry showed military transport planes being loaded with troops and armored trucks before taking off from a snowy runway for Kazakhstan.

In the worst reported violence so far, police said dozens of people were killed in overnight battles with security forces at government buildings in the country’s largest city Almaty.

“Extremist forces tried to assault administrative buildings, the Almaty city police department, as well as local police commissariats. Dozens of assailants were eliminated,” police spokesperson Saltanat Azirbek was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

Tokayev said in a televised address early Thursday that “terrorists” were seizing buildings, infrastructure and small arms, and battling security forces.

Military forces had deployed en masse in the streets of Almaty and were firing live rounds, according to footage shown Thursday on Russian television.

Videos on social media showed pillaged shops and burned buildings in Almaty, automatic gunfire in the streets and residents screaming in fear.

Officials said more than 1,000 people had been wounded in the unrest, with nearly 400 hospitalized and 62 in intensive care.

As of midday Thursday, more than 350 security officers had been wounded and 13 killed, including two who had their heads cut off, officials told local media.

There were reports of looters attacking and ransacking the offices of local television channels and surrounding two hospitals in Almaty.

Protests spread across the nation of 19 million this week in outrage over an increase in prices for liquid petroleum gas (LPG), which is widely used to fuel cars in the west of the country.

Thousands took to the streets in Almaty and in the western province of Mangystau, saying the price rise was unfair given oil and gas exporter Kazakhstan’s vast energy reserves.

Protesters were reported to have stormed several government buildings on Wednesday, including the Almaty mayor’s office and the presidential residence.

The full picture of the chaos was unclear, with widespread disruptions to communications including mobile phone signals, the blocking of online messengers and hourslong internet shutdowns.

The protests are the biggest threat so far to the regime established by Kazakhstan’s founding president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who stepped down in 2019 and hand-picked Tokayev as his successor.

Tokayev tried to head off further unrest by announcing the resignation of the Cabinet early on Wednesday, but protests continued.

Tokayev also announced he was taking over from Nazarbayev as head of the powerful security council, a surprise move given the ex-president’s continued influence.

With protests escalating, the government late on Wednesday said a state of emergency declared in protest-hit areas would be extended nationwide and in effect until Jan. 19. It imposes an overnight curfew, restricts movements and bans mass gatherings.

129 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Emil Lazarian

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 11:11, 5 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. 129 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total number of confirmed cases to 345,255, the Armenian National Center for Disease Control and Prevention said.

5164 tests were administered (total 2,586,737)

103 people recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries to 332,304.

3 people died, bringing the death toll to 7989.

As of January 5, the number of active cases stood at 3451.

COVID-19: Armenia in EU’s green zone

Emil Lazarian

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 16:40, 5 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The coronavirus situation is relatively calm in Armenia, with the virus reproduction number being below 1 at 0,9.

The CDC Director of the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases Romella Abovyan told ARMENPRESS that the virus reproduction number dropped 54% in the last 14 days compared to the previous two weeks.

“The share of positive tests is 1,3%. The hospitals aren’t overloaded now. The good news is that now, according to EU standards, Armenia is in the green zone,” Abovyan said.

However, Abovyan warned that they are expecting a rise in the new cases due to what she described as widespread non-compliance with safety guidelines and the active contacts between people during the holidays.

Tokayev announces that from now on he’s the Head of Security Council of Kazakhstan

Emil Lazarian

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 18:40, 5 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the people for the second time in a day amid mass protests in the country, announcing that he is now the head of the Security Council of Kazakhstan, ARMENPRESS reports, TASS informed.

“The measures taken by me are aimed at the welfare of multinational Kazakhstan. But these measures are not enough yet. The highly organized elements of hooliganism are striking. It speaks about the conspirators’ well-thought-out plan, which has financial incentives. Yes, the conspirators,” he said.

Tokayev also informed that there are casualties among the law enforcement officers as a result of the clashes. According to the President, the authorities will deal with the offenders as strictly as possible.

The Head of the country noted that he is now in the capital and promised to come up with new proposals for resolving the situation in the coming hours. Tokayev stressed that he still maintains his position that the policy of consistent reforms should be continued, and expressed confidence that the people will support him.

Prior to Tokayev’s statement, the President of the Security Council of Kazakhstan was the first President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Earlier, protesters stormed the former president’s residence in the former capital, Almaty, as well as the Almaty administration building. Protests in Kazakhstan began on January 2 over the sharp rise in liquefied natural gas prices in the southwestern cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau. Two days later, riots broke out in Almaty, where police used light and sound grenades to disperse the crowd, as in other cities.

President Tokayev has declared a two-week state of emergency in Almaty, in the Mangystau and Almaty regions until January 19, a curfew from 23:00 to 07:00, and on January 5 he signed the resignation of the government. The members of the government continue to perform their duties until the new Cabinet is approved.




Carpet Jam Provides Platform for Armenian Musicians

Emil Lazarian
Outlook Newspapers
Jan 4 2022

First published in the Jan. 1 print issue of the Glendale News Press.

By Ani Duzdabanyan
Glendale News-Press

Under the dim lights surrounded by art works and antiquities dating back hundreds of years, Arpenik Hakobyan recently presented her new program — “In Love by Christmas” — at the Pasadena Antique Warehouse.
For the show, Hakobyan — an Armenian American musician well known for her work with Cirque Du Soleil — performed jazz versions of well-known Christmas songs. She and the band — composed of drums, piano, bass guitar and cello — performed via Carpet Jam, a music platform created by a Glendale-based contractor. This intersection of endeavors by Armenian Americans, which could have a global reach, might just shift the musical landscape — at least, that’s their goal.
After a successful 42-year career in planning and construction, Arthur Aghadjanians traveled to Armenia in February 2020 for a development project but had to stay there longer than he planned — the coronavirus pandemic began, and all flights out were canceled. He knew only a few people, and the 12-hour time difference made it difficult for him to communicate with his family in Glendale. In order to pass time and to entertain himself, Aghadjanians turned to his passion — music — and started to write songs, something that he said he always wanted to do but never had a chance because of the busy life stateside.

Photos courtesy Lilit Mansuryan
Carpet Jam, created by Glendale-based contractor Arthur Aghadjanians, aims to bring Armenian musicians’ performances to a global audience.

Little did he know that it was going to be a life-changing opportunity for him.
Eventually, Aghadjanians was able to engage with musicians and singers who started to perform his songs and their own original works on a platform that Aghadjanians ultimately called “Carpet Jam.”
“Carpet is something that everybody has,” he explained, referencing Armenia’s famous rugs, “and jam simply indicates that musicians are gathering together and having fun.”
Aghadjanians said he took many music classes when he was young, but he never had the opportunity to play professionally. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in building science and dedicated his whole career to construction. It turned out that his training in planning and building was crucial in his new career.
“The song writing starts with a plain piece of paper. You put on the words, chords and suddenly you create something,” he said, adding emphatically, “You construct a song!”
With Carpet Jam, Aghadjanians said he aims to create a bridge between the diaspora and homeland, where all the musicians and artists can unite and create art together. He said he is convinced that no matter how big the platform becomes in Armenia — with a population around 3 million — it can’t be as effective without the involvement of the worldwide diaspora, which numbers 5 million. Aghadjanians is returning to Armenia at the end of January, from where he will take the platform to Russia and its Armenian population of at least 2 million.
“There has to be an internationally recognized platform that is Armenian and connects everyone to Armenia. Everybody knows what [NPR’s] Tiny Desk is, and it’s a U.S. thing,” Hakobyan said, during a break from her performance. “This is my way of bringing awareness to my country and involving the diaspora. Culture is just as important as everything that we are trying to do.”

Photos courtesy Lilit Mansuryan
Arpenik Hakobyan, known for her work with Cirque du Soleil, performs jazz versions of popular Christmas songs at a recent show.

Her vision of Carpet Jam, Hakobyan added, is a music festival that can take place in Glendale, Fresno, Montreal, Yerevan and many other places.
“It’s a platform that can go everywhere,” she said.
This concert is one of the many that Pasadena Project has organized throughout 10 years of developing a creative laboratory for artists, producing events and promoting cultural exchange. Started around 20 years ago as a dream project in the back yard of founder Karmen Kameiyan (also called Karmen Yerevanci), Pasadena Project now collaborates with Chris Agazaryan, owner of the Pasadena Antique Warehouse.
With a rustic interior decorated with constantly changing exhibitions, a bar assembled with parts of an old red Chevrolet and backed by an antique mirror conveniently located in the corner, the shop/concert venue has proved an effective space to host 80-100 guests who can reconnect with culture over a glass of wine. As if illustrating that, Aghadjanians surveyed the room with visible excitement, concluding that everything seemed just right for his new adventure.
“Music speaks to you,” he said. “It takes emotions out of you that you never knew you had.”

Armenian traces destroyed in occupied Shushi

Emil Lazarian
 NEWS.am 
Armenia – Jan 5 2022
16:09, 05.01.2022

Armenian traces are being destroyed in occupied Shushi.

As reported by Azerbaijani media, buildings constructed during the Armenian occupation will be demolished to construct a new mosque complex.

Six five-storey buildings, a new parliament building, and other buildings are to be demolished.