Author: Frangulian Shushan

Sports: Azerbaijan rejects safety concerns by Arsenal’s Armenian midfielder

Frangulian Shushan
The Jerusalem Post


Azerbaijan rejects safety concerns by Arsenal’s Armenian midfielder

By Arye Gut
Arsenal, the British football club, has announced that its veteran midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, an Armenian, will not accompany his team to its May 29th Europa League final match against Chelsea, to be played in Baku, Azerbaijan, due to “security reasons” stemming from the ethnic and territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

I was surprised to learn this, because I do not recall any prior instance in Azerbaijan when any athlete of a different nationality – including an Armenian – was endangered. No do I know of any international event being cancelled in Azerbaijan due to the nationality of any of its participants.

Tolerance and multiculturalism are hallmarks of Azerbaijan society. More than thirty thousand Armenians live peacefully and undisturbed in Azerbaijan. They do not feel threatened, and Azerbaijan is renowned for its good nature and hospitality.

Moreover, in recent years, numerous well-known Armenian athletes have visited Baku. Many recall the Armenian national team’s solemn march at the first European Games. Armenian athletes marched with their country’s flag raised high, in the very same arena where Mkhitaryan was supposed to play.

Azerbaijani authorities have never mixed sports with politics. However, a scandal was needed for the sake of political interests. The Europa League final is the first time Azerbaijan has hosted a major tournament final, and it will also host games at next year’s European Championships. The Europa League final at the modern Baku stadium is an extraordinary event for the post-Soviet space. Therefore, they decided to manufacture a scandal using Mkhitaryan.

Azerbaijan is a secular democratic state, which supports various different communities and ethnic groups, including an active Jewish community. Unfortunately, this cannot be said of neighboring Armenia, which has become a mono-ethnic state and, according to a recent statement by international institutions and organizations, is ranked first in its aggressive policies.

Over the past 27 years, Armenia has continued to illegally occupy 20% of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory, including the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts. The Armenian occupation has resulted in brutal massacres and ethnic cleansing against the Azerbaijani civilian population. More than 800,000 Azerbaijani civilians were forcibly expelled from their land. Combined with 250,000 Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia, the number of Azerbaijani refugees has reached over 1 million.

Despite the Armenian occupation, and the suffering that is has endured due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan, country with a Muslim majority, embraces all religions and ethnic groups. Through the centuries, people fleeing persecution have found refuge in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has taken important steps regarding international, regional and global cooperation. It has organized a large number of major international events, including the first European Games and the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games.

Those who compare Mkhitaryan’s decision to avoid travel to Azerbaijan to the instances of Israeli athletes not competing in events held in Saudi Arabia are mistaken. Israelis are prohibited from entering Saudi Arabia. Athletes and other official figures of Armenian nationality, on the other hand,  have never been banned from traveling to Azerbaijan.

It is also worth mentioning that there is no history of any antisemitism in Azerbaijan. Jews and Azerbaijanis have always lived together in peace and harmony. Azerbaijan is the only place in the world, other than Israel, where Jews can live without anti-Semitism and nationalism.


Henrikh Mkhitaryan – or any other foreigner, for that matter – would not be endangering himself by visiting Azerbaijan.  By becoming involved in the intrigues of Armenian nationalists, he has deprived himself of visiting the stunningly beautiful city of Baku.

Moreover, both the Azerbaijani ambassador to Britain and the Azerbaijani government have provided all the necessary guarantees related to ensuring his security. As the Azerbaijani statement confirms, over the past ten years, a large number of Armenian athletes have taken part in various international sports competitions organized in Azerbaijan without incident.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry insisted they had offered all the guarantees necessary to ensure Mkhitaryan would have been safe ahead of the game against Chelsea.

Elkhan Mammadov, the general secretary of the Azerbaijan Football Association stated: “Our government authorities provided guarantees to UEFA for Mkhitaryan to come to Baku, so there is no issue of security and safety. We are disappointed to see the statement from Arsenal that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be traveling with his team to Baku to participate at the UEFA Europa League final against Chelsea next Wednesday.  We very much regret this unwarranted decision taken, as we understand, collectively by Arsenal, the player and his family.”

“While we recognize the right to make a personal decision not to travel, we would like to reiterate that as the host country Azerbaijan has provided all the necessary guarantees required by UEFA to ensure the personal safety of Mr. Mkhitaryan.

“There is no reason whatsoever to put in question the seriousness of these guarantees provided by Azerbaijan. Over the past decade a large number of Armenian athletes have taken part in various international sports events in Azerbaijan without any issues.”

“Finally, we believe that this regretful decision will not affect in any manner the quality and the attraction of this great match.  We look forward to welcoming both teams in Baku shortly.”

One must come to the conclusion, therefore, that the Armenian diaspora, in collusion with the Armenian authorities, continues to blacken the good name and international image of Azerbaijan and intimidates its own people and the world community. The Armenian charges are baseless and like a soap bubble, will burst the moment that the athletes land in Baku.

Their slanderous attacks will not disturb the tolerance of the Azerbaijani people, like the waves of the Caspian Sea that crash in vain against the rocks of the beautiful Absheron peninsula near Baku itself.

https://www.jpost.com/International/Chelseas-Armenian-midfielder-to-skip-Europa-League-final-for-security-reasons-590705

PM Meets UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Georgia and Armenia

Frangulian Shushan
Georgia Today

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and United Kingdom Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Georgia and Armenia Mark Pritchard had a meeting on Thursday.

The political, economic, and trade relations between Georgia and the United Kingdom were the main topics discussed during the meeting.

Further development of the relations between the two countries and prospects of deeper trade ties were also noted. The parties discussed Georgia’s role as one of the leading Black Sea countries.

Georgia’s beneficial investment environment and the growing interest of British companies in Georgia were underlined by the sides.

In addition, the parties spoke about the reforms initiated by the Prime Minister of Georgia. The British side commended the establishment of the Office of Deputy Minister of Economy for Investments who will maintain single-window communication with investors.
The discussion also touched on the ongoing and planned reforms designed to boost Georgia’s economic growth, enhance the quality of education, and develop human capital.

By Thea Morrison

Calendar of Events – 05/23/2019

Frangulian Shushan 
                        Armenian News's Calendar of events
                        (All times local to events)
                =========================================
What:           "A Cultural Performance for May 28th Independence Day by 
Armenian Youth"
                with the participation of Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School 
Students
When:            7:30pm
Where:          Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley
                Western Prelacy's Hall, 6252 Honolulu Ave., La Crescenta, CA
Misc:           The students will present May 28th Armenian Independence
                historical events, with appropriate recitals and group songs.
                The event is free of charge to the public. There will be a
                reception at the end of the program.
Tel:            818-244-9639
                =========================================
What:           Event dedicated to "Iraqi Armenian Educational Institutions"
When:           May 24 2019 4:30pm
Where:          St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Cathedral's Hall
                1510 E. Mountain St. Glendale, CA 91207
Misc:           With a high sense of gratitude to our Iraqi national Schools
                and educators, we have organized an event dedicated to "Iraqi
                Armenian Educational Institutions" under sponsorship of the
                Hamazkayin USA Western Region.
                Participating in the event are our youth with recited poem, who
                had received their Armenian education in Iraq, Singers, the
                screening of Iraqi Armenian Schools history video, former
                principals and teachers eyewitness testimony video, and remark
                of the Hamazkayin Board member.
                The event is free of charge to the public. There will be a
                reception at the end of the program.
Tel:            818-244-9639
                =========================================
What:           "Armenian Genocide. From the Bundestag resolution to the 
Implementation
                in Lower Saxony". Jointly organized by Hannover Historical 
Museum,
                Hannover Municipal Remembrance Culture, the German-Armenian 
Society
                and the Ada and Theodor-Lessing Adult Education Center Hannover
When:           Jun 6 2019 6:30pm
Where:          Adult Education Center (Volkshochschule) Hannover,
                Burgstrasse 4, 30159 Hannover, Germany
Misc:           On 2 June 2016, the German Bundestag passed the resolution
                "Remembrance and Memory of the Genocide of the Armenians and
                other Christian Minorities in 1915 and 1916".
                It says:
                "Today, school, university and political education in Germany
                has the task of picking up and communicating to future
                generations the study of the expulsion and annihilation of
                Armenians as part of the process of revising the history of
                ethnic conflicts in the 20th century. In particular, the
                federal states have an important role to play. "
                Some federal states have complied with this request, but others
                have not. With their joint event "Armenian Genocide. From the
                Bundestag Resolution to the Implementation in Lower Saxony ",
                the Hannover Historical Museum, Hannover Municipal Remembrance
                Culture, the German-Armenian Society and the Ada and
                Theodor-Lessing Adult Education Center Hannover on Thursday,
                June 6, 2019, 6:30pm will thematize above all the state of
                affairs in Lower Saxony.
Online Contact: [email protected]
Web:            
                =========================================
What:           "Urban Transformation of Yerevan: The Journey from a Provincial
                Village to a Capital City"
                a lecture by Architects Dr. Marco Brambilla & Dr. Andreh Marouti
When:           Jun 9 2019 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, CA
Misc:           This presentation will cover the history of Yerevan and its
                transformation from a prehistoric fortress, through its
                dominance by the Persians, Ottomans, Tsarist and Communist
                Russia, its garden city master plan and its final image of a
                modern city today.
                Dr. Marco G. Brambilla is a practicing architect and an
                architectural historian specializing in the history of Islamic
                and Armenian architecture. He has taught and lectured
                extensively in major schools of architecture worldwide. As part
                of this research program, a major publication is underway
                regarding the art and the culture of Armenians in various
                regions of Iran.
                Dr. Andreh Marouti is a practicing architect with PhD in
                Preservation of Architectural Heritages from Politecnico di
                Milano. In his PhD dissertation, he reconstructs the image of
                Yerevan and Gyumri during the 19th century through the lens of
                European travelers and highlight the preservation status of
                their major monuments.
                The event is free of charge to the public
Tel:            818-244-9639
                =========================================
What:           Armenian Economic Association 2019 Annual Meetings
When:           Jun 27 2019 10am
                to Jun 29 2019 7pm
Where:          Armenian State University of Economics, 
                the Armenian National Agrarian University, and the American
                University of Armenia
Misc:           Scholars, researchers, and graduate students are invited to
                present their research in all areas of economics and finance. 
                No cost to present or attend.
Online Contact: [email protected]
Web:            
***************************************************************************
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
        for inaccuracies and there is no guarantee that the information is
        up-to-date.
f) No commercial events will be accepted.
        (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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Film review: Cliffs Of Freedom *

Frangulian Shushan
Cyprus Mail
May 6, 2019 Monday

Film review: Cliffs Of Freedom *



By Preston Wilder

Why get angry? This is what diasporas do. The Armenian diaspora did it a couple of years ago with The Promise, a film re-enacting the Armenian genocide of 1915 – and now the Greek-American diaspora (led by writer-producer Marianne Metropoulos, wife of billionaire Dean Metropoulos) does it for the Greek war of independence that began in 1821. The result is Cliffs of Freedom, the stirring tale of Maria Christina (Tania Raymonde) who loses almost all her family to the Ottoman swine, then – having shortened her name to just ‘Christina’ – becomes a warrior and a legend, meanwhile falling in love with broodingly handsome Tariq (Jan Uddin) who is both a colonel in the Ottoman army and that almost unheard-of rarity, a good Turk.

Cyprus is the worst possible market for this movie – though Greece, I assume, would be just as bad. This is a film made for Astoria or Greektown, or whatever the Greek neighbourhoods are called in Melbourne or Toronto – a film for doting diaspora grandparents to watch with their impressionable grandkids. Pappou will talk about the old country and have a little snooze as the 137-minute running time wears on, Yiayia will remark that her own yiayia used to read coffee cups too, like the yiayia in the movie, while 10-year-old Hector will look up from his iPhone long enough to nod appreciatively at the occasional slit throats and lopped-off heads (which are actually a little too graphic for Hector, a reminder that director Van Ling has a background in special effects). Everyone will feel like they’ve gotten in touch with their heritage, and no-one will mind how stultifyingly bad the movie is.

It’s bad, that goes without saying – bad from the opening caption and scene-setting voice-over, the latter delivered with a plummy English accent in a voice rendered tremulous by emotion. A prologue shows Maria Christina’s aunt sacrificing herself for the Cause. “Look at my face, Turks!” she commands; “You will never conquer us!” she spits, then actually spits on the ground for emphasis – then dances a Greek dance and jumps off a cliff, like the famous women of Souli. These, I assume, are the cliffs of freedom, though the Turkish captain is unimpressed by Greek women leaping to their deaths so dramatically. “Who are the barbarians here?” he asks pointedly, clearly aware that Turks, by and large, have a bad rep.

That sardonic captain isn’t Tariq, of course. Tariq is wise and charming, and knows just what to say to a lady. “Even with a weapon, I stand disarmed,” he tells MC, having come upon her alone in the forest, and she feels her hatred of Turks melting away. “Are we really so different, you and me?” she sighs later, as they sit together with the sun hanging low in the sky and soupy music flooding the soundtrack. The film keeps finding ways to get them alone together – even as their paths diverge pretty sharply in the second half, Tariq stuck in the court of a skirt-chasing emir while Christina joins the rebel army led by a spy named Stavros. It’s obviously not the film’s fault that repeated mentions of Stavros made me think of Harry Enfield – though you’d think someone in Astoria might’ve seen Monty Python’s Life of Brian and avoided po-faced dialogue like “Observe the cheesemaker’s activities”. To slightly paraphrase that Roman matron: “What’s so special about the cheesemaker?”.

Then again, what’s a little more cheese to such a resplendent fondue of the stuff? We reel at the convoluted lines, and spend many happy moments gawping at the Turks and their elaborate headgear (the cobra headbands of ancient Egypt seem to have made a comeback in the 19th century). The pivotal battle is won by a single shot, Christina aiming her rifle at an ammunition wagon – guided by the spirit of her dead father – to cause an explosion that instantly kills all the Turks while leaving the Greeks unscathed. A Turkish soldier shows his native cruelty by taking a savage bite out of a bunch of grapes. Our heroine portentously warns that “my blade will taste the blood of anyone who violates my honour” (to be fair, she’s narrowly avoided getting raped at the time). Her actions at the climax are supposed to be inspirational, but just seem… puzzling.

So it goes, this stilted – but well-meaning – drama, bad in the way of state-funded nationalist epics, bad in the way of those made-for-TV Biblical parables we get during Easter week. All that said, I suspect I’d enjoy the film more (and might even have found it so-bad-it’s-good) if it weren’t about Greece, and by extension Cyprus. That’s how it goes, after all, the motherland forever resenting the diaspora for being stuck in the past, the diaspora forever looking down on the motherland for no longer being the place they’ve been told about. Nicosia cares about the now, the economy and the serial killer, Astoria cares about old traditions and ancestral hatreds, the ethnic pride – Cliffs of Freedom includes a reference to the Greeks having invented democracy – which still clings, when all else has faded, to every diaspora. Don’t be angry; this is what they do.

  

DIRECTED BY Van Ling

STARRING Tania Raymonde, Jan Uddin, Raza Jaffrey

DRAMA

US 2019      137 mins

A stilted mix of convoluted dialogue, cheesy action and general histrionics – but it means well, aimed at re-enacting the war of independence for a Greek-American audience.

A1+: Two medals from International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad

Frangulian Shushan
May 2, 2019

The International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad was held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, with participation of schoolchildren from 33 countries.
 
Movses Aghekyan, 12th grade studentl of Yerevan’s Heratsi High School, representing Armenia’s Olympic team, won silver medal and 12th grade student Hovhannes Matevosyan from the same school won a bronze medal.

Message of the Catholicos of All Armenians on the Feast of Holy Resurrection

Frangulian Shushan
Public Radio of Armenia
 
 
Message of the Catholicos of All Armenians on the Feast of Holy Resurrection
2019-04-21 14:15:18
 
In the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen.
 
“God has risen, and all of his enemies have been scattered.”
(Book of Hours)
 
Dearly beloved faithful,
 
 
The joy of the Feast of the Holy Resurrection has filled our souls, and the victorious exuberance of the Resurrection is to be found everywhere: in our surroundings, our churches, our families, the entire Christian world, as well as in the budding nature. Christ has triumphantly arisen from the sealed cave, and the angel announces the Good News of His Resurrection from the empty tomb. The chains of sin and death have been shattered by the victory of the Saviour, the doors to the Heavenly Kingdom have been opened, and divine grace is offered to humanity — the priceless gift of inheriting eternal life. “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11.25-26).
 
 
The path of eternal life and resurrection in Christ begins in this world. It begins with a change in the life of the person, the rejection of sin and evil, and with a movement toward a way of holiness and perfection. Indeed, wherever human souls are exposed to the light of Christ’s resurrection, there also the darkness of God-rejecting evil thoughts, corrupting ideologies, divisions and polarizations, intolerance, enmity and dissensions retreat and are scattered. In their stead, cooperation and agreement, faithfulness, holiness, love and happiness are established. “God has risen, and all of his enemies have been scattered,” proclaims the prayer.
 
Karekin II 1
 
 
Those paths, which reject renewal in Christ, making life captive to sin and subject to corrosion and destruction, are antithetical to peace in the world, the public welfare, the harmonious coexistence of humanity, the strengthening of families, and all that is good.
 
The Good News of the resurrection of Christ is an invitation to all — to live in the graces bestowed upon us by the Saviour as a new person, as the Apostle exhorts and says, “put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4.22-24). To believe in the resurrection of Christ and our resurrection through Christ as well as transformation of our life, means not only to overcome sin, addictions and spiritual error, but also to be filled with love toward all and to reject everything that tramples justice, dignity and all that is human. It also means striving to spread care and general goodwill as did Christ, “who came and saved all creatures” (Sharakan – Hymnal). Greed, theft, violence, hatred, enmity and other manifestations of blindness to God’s commandments have no place in the life of the Christian who has received the grace of the Resurrection. Such deeds reject the grace of freedom in Christ from sin and death, they destroy good and undermine the well-being of the human person, the family unit, and national life. Freedom is given in order to choose good and not as a pretense for evil and unruliness (cf. 1 Peter 2.16). Truly, being an heir of the grace of the Resurrection is made apparent in one’s lifestyle and deeds, not only personal and familial, but in the help rendered and efforts brought in the life of the public, nation and humanity. Faith is made radiant and fruit-bearing, hope increases, love of others is affirmed as we move forward together.
 
 
 
The passions and resurrection of Christ for our sake and for all humanity, are the _expression_ of divine, boundless love. “And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Cor 5.15). Love, dearly beloved, does not focus on the self, it does not look for its own benefit (1 Cor 13.5), but rather it is expressed in dedication toward one another and is the foundation of flourishing, ascension and resurrection. It is this great message that Our Lord and Saviour passes on to humanity through His own example. The resurrection of the Lord manifests the mystery of solidarity, community and accord to the world. Christ brought his service to all, and in a similar manner we too must live with each other in a spirit of service, dedication and commitment. It is with this understanding, that we will be able to overcome the difficulties that afflict our state and pan-national life, to solve the problems befallen to us, to strengthen families, to defend steadfastly and build up both our homeland and our diasporan national life. Our people–which accepted Christ as its Saviour and have risen from the ashes of history in faithfulness and the love of the Lord – will today with that same faith and strength continue to fortify its victories and accomplishments. Now, dearly beloved, let us always keep the light and power of Christ’s resurrection in our lives and in our land, sanctified by the descent of Christ, and continually be renewed by the grace bestowed upon us by our Saviour. Doing so, we will be able to join together toward a revival of a strong homeland and toward new horizons in our life, testifying, that we are a people resurrected in Christ; we are the people of Christ, God’s own people.
 
 
In the exuberant Good News of the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, We convey our greetings to the incumbents of the hierarchical sees of our Apostolic Holy Church: His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Abp. Nourhan Manougian, the Vicar General of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, His Eminence Abp. Aram Ateshian, to the spiritual leaders of our sister Churches in supplication for the fruitfulness of their service. With patriarchal blessing we greet and bring our well-wishes to the President of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Armen Sarkissian and to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan. We extend our greetings to the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Mr. Bako Sahakyan, and to the state officials of Armenia. On this graceful occasion of the Resurrection we convey our best wishes to the representatives of the diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia. We express Our love and blessings to the clergy of our Holy Church and to all our faithful people.
 
 
On this grace-filled day of the Holy Resurrection we pray, that the grace of our Saviour’s Resurrection work miracles in the world; that people be renewed by the good intensions and fulfillment of life, peace and unity and that they may be one family under divine blessing. We ask again that in this year, dedicated to the family, our family ties may become strong and radiant with the light of Christ’s resurrection, full of love, solidarity and happiness. May the Lord protect our people in his boundless love, and keep the light and joy of the resurrection aflame in our hearts, in our country and in the entire world.
May the grace, love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ remain with us and with all. Amen
 
Christ is risen from the dead,
Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ!

Local official’s grandson arrested in Armenian village over brawl

Frangulian Shushan

Local official’s grandson arrested in Armenian village over brawl

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15:24,

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. A criminal investigation has been launched into the armed incident in the village of Zartonk.

The Investigative Committee of Armenia said two persons have been arrested in suspicion of misdemeanor.

One of the arrested suspects is the grandson of the local mayor.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Artsakh’s FM, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office discuss situation on Artsakh-Azerbaijan contact line

Frangulian Shushan

Artsakh’s FM, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office discuss situation on Artsakh-Azerbaijan contact line

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19:52, 9 April, 2019

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh Masis Mayilian received Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk on April 9.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Artsakh, during the meeting, the sides touched upon the results of the visit of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajcak to the region.

The situation on the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan was also discussed. In this context, the importance of maintaining stability in the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict zone was stressed.

The sides also touched upon a range of issues related to the monitoring implemented by the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

President Armen Sarkissian meets Horasis Chair Frank-Jürgen Richter in Portugal

Frangulian Shushan

President Armen Sarkissian meets Horasis Chair Frank-Jürgen Richter in Portugal

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10:33, 8 April, 2019

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, who is in Portugal to take part in the annual global meeting of Horasis international think tank, met with Chairman of Horasis Frank-Jürgen Richter, the Armenian Presidential Office told Armenpress.

Talking about the possible cooperation directions the officials highlighted the plan to hold one of the future programs of the Center in Armenia. It was stated that the possibility to hold the Horasis China 2020 meeting in Armenia will be considered.

Horasis is an independent, international think tank which hosts meetings to advance solutions to the most critical challenges facing corporations today. Participants jointly identify globally relevant issues and develop interdisciplinary solutions. Among the participants are CEOs of the world’s most respected corporations, key leaders from emerging markets, and public figures including heads of government.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Art: Art lovers amazed by live painting of Armenian artist

Frangulian Shushan
Gulf Times, Qatar
April 4, 2019 Thursday
Art lovers amazed by live painting of Armenian artist
 
 
INAUGURATION: The exhibition ‘Reverence of Tranquility’ was inaugurated by Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager of Katara, third from left. He is flanked by Stefanie McCollum, Ambassador of Canada, second from left, and Zarmik Haladjian, fifth from left.
 
By Mudassir Raja
 
Art enthusiasts gathered at Katara’s Building 5 in amazement when Zarmik Haladjian displayed her skill and dexterity while drawing sketch on a big canvass using pours of her fingers. Everyone was excited to see the young Armenian artist showcasing live painting with her fingers using the medium of oil paint.
The painting exhibit ‘Reverence of Tranquility’ by Zarmik was inaugurated by Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager of Katara.
 
 
He was flanked by Stefanie McCollum, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar. The art lovers and members of the Lebanese community were present at the inaugural ceremony in large numbers.
The 12 paintings displayed at the exhibition bespoke of Zarmik’s unique artistic style. The works express the vibrant spirit and atmosphere of her culture through the prism of art.
 
 
The importance of the artwork is intense and of momentous value, which highlights the importance of women, particularly mothers.
 
As a successful woman, Zarmik is captivated and absorbed by portraits and figures. She has always been fascinated by images and how the world is represented through the eyes of others.
 
 
The art lovers along with the guests had a tour of the exhibition with the artist explaining each work. The real interest of the gathering was captured by Zarmik when she started her live painting. Everyone was amazed to see how quickly and skillfully she painted her thoughts on the canvass while enjoying a lively guitar and violin music.
 
 
Talking to Community, Zarmik said: “The exhibition has my paintings that I have created this year. I have painted all pieces using my fingers. This is my second exhibition in Qatar. It is an honour for me to show my talents at Katara.
 
 
“I also love to have live art entertainment so that people can enjoy what techniques I use and what kinds of things I paint. Actually, it is oil colour painting on the canvass. This is however my first live art painting exhibition in Qatar. Previously, I have carried live painting exhibitions in US, India and other countries.
“I am very happy and excited to see many people coming to my exhibition. The theme of the exhibition is about women and especially mothers. Each painting talks about a different story – a woman. Some I have from my experiences and others I have based on experiences from others. At the end, life is a kind of unity. We have to share ideas, knowledge and experiences. Each of my painting carries a proverb that I wrote for my works. If you understand the art, you can read the abstract paintings about women painted with fingers. I do not decide what I am going to paint. It depends on my mood and the music I listen to. I enjoyed the live painting with the sweet music.” Sharing details about herself, she said: “I am an Armenian-Lebanese artiste based in Doha. I am also a chef. I am also an international judge – a certified international judge in hospitality field. I am also a certified master chef. I have written 24 cooking books. I love to paint, to cook and to write. I have TV cooking shows. In Qatar, I have my show with Qatar TV. In Ramadan, I will have a daily live cooking show.”
 
 
The excited Stefanie McCollum said: “I am very happy to be here to see the live exhibition by Zarmik. It is lovely to see how she paints live with her fingers.
“I am fascinated to hear from her that she incorporates her love of cooking in kitchen into her art and how music inspires her. You can see Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra members playing live music in the background.
 
 
“I also enjoy her restaurant where I go frequently. She also hangs her art works in her restaurant. She has been gracious enough to invite me today. I think her personality comes through in her art. You can see her passion and creativity. You can see that she has a theme – a woman – in all different forms.
What I like is the bold colours and the bold lines and the possibility to interpret what she is trying to say. She does not layer out explicitly for you. It is implied and it is abstract.”