Author: Kajoyan Gevork

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
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PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Benefit Concert Brings in $60,000 to Support Youth Programs in Boston
Community

On Saturday, March 31, 2012, the AGBU New England District, with the
generous support of the AGBU New York Special Events Committee (NYSEC),
transformed the prestigious Harvard Club of Boston into an elegant
concert hall for an evening full of classical and traditional Armenian
music. Performances by recipients of the AGBU Performing Arts
Fellowship, who are among the 500 students supported annually by the
organization’s Scholarship Program, helped raise close to $60,000, which
will benefit the District’s youth initiatives.

The success of the event, which featured the work of composers
Khachaturian, Mendelssohn, and Rachmaninoff, among others, was
celebrated both on and off the stage by its award-winning artists and
distinguished guests. Conductor Aram Demirjian, who led a range of
ensembles with Mezzo-Soprano Solange Merdinian, remarked, “I was honored
to be asked to be involved in my second AGBU Performing Artists Concert.
Those featured on the program are not only some of my favorite artists
to work with, but some of my favorite people to be around in the
profession, and I am proud to be able to call them my colleagues and
friends.” Those friends included cellist Ani Kalayjian, violinist Henrik
Karapetyan, marimba soloist Sylvie Zakarian, soprano singer Knarik
Nerkararyan and pianists Karen Hakobyan and Sofya Melikyan.

The alumni’s talents attracted both music lovers and public figures
alike, notably Frederic Lefebvre, France’s Minister of Trade. Lefebvre
joined AGBU patrons for a post-concert reception, where he discussed the
Republic’s commitment to the Armenian community and reaffirmed President
Sarkozy’s efforts to criminalize the denial of the Armenian genocide. He
also took the time to meet personally with performers and audience
members.

As the benefit drew to a close, it was clear that it would become a
tradition, soon to be back by popular demand. Concert Committee Chair
Salpie Takadijian noted the overwhelmingly positive response she
received from many of the 150 guests throughout the night, prompting her
to begin planning events of the same caliber. She congratulated the
performers, commenting, “sharing the talents of these young musicians
with the audience was a pleasure, working with them was a privilege and
listening to them was inspiring.” District Chair Ara Balikian echoed
those sentiments while noting that with the performance, the District’s
new Executive Committee provided an elegant cultural experience for the
New England community. The Committee, formed in fall 2011, is off to an
exciting start, and as Balikian added, “under the new direction of the
AGBU New England District, we are proud to offer events such as this
magnificent concert, along with the variety of functions we are holding
at our Center, to promote and preserve our culture.” With proceeds from
the concert, the concept for which was originated by NYSEC, even more
AGBU initiatives will be made possible. In addition to underwriting
programs for youth and university students, the donations will be used
to renovate the Center’s facilities, creating a hub of activity for AGBU
volunteers and supporters that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Established in 1908 by Vahan Kurkjian as the first AGBU District in the
United States of America and the third worldwide, the AGBU New England
District operates at its Center, a landmark building located at 247 Mt.
Auburn Street, Watertown, MA. For information on upcoming events and
New England District news, please visit or call
617-926-1373.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians in 35 countries.

NAREG DOURIAN SE DECLARE OPPOSE AU FESTIVAL DU FILM AZERI EN ARMENIE
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
jeudi 19 avril 2012

Metteur en scène et comedien de grand talent, après un long passage en
France, Nareg Dourian est depuis quelques annees deja en Armenie. Dans
une interview accordee a notre confrère de Tert.am, Nareg Dourian
evoque la situation des intellectuels et artistes armeniens.

Reagissant aux manifestations qui eurent lieu a Gumri contre
l’organisation du Festival du film azeri en Armenie, Nareg
Dourian declare comprendre ces mouvements et partage l’esprit de
ces manifestations ” legitimes “. ” Meme pour l’artiste armenien,
l’amour de la patrie doit se situer avant l’art (…) meme si pour un
artiste, il est difficile de prendre un camp. En tant qu’intellectuel,
et en tant qu’armenien, je suis contre l’organisation de ce Festival
du cinema azeri en Armenie dans les conditions actuelles ” dit Nareg
Dourian.

FOUR PARTIES HAVE REAL ELECTORATE IN ARMENIA – EXPERT

NEWS.AM
April 17, 2012 | 23:57

YEREVAN. – There are four parties, including ruling Republican Party
of Armenia (RPA), ruling coalition member Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP), parliament opposition ARF Dashnaktsutyun and opposition Armenian
National Congress (ANC), which have a real electorate, expert Yervand
Bznuni told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to the expert, the ANC earlier held rallies, currently it
prefers to meet with people in the regions, later it will return
to rallies again, it is just a strategy. The same is true for the
opposition Heritage party.

As for the ARFD, it has crowded meetings in regions and later will
have the same in the capital city.

Regarding the strategy of talking to voters, the coalition member
parties differ. In case of Orinats Yerkir, their electorate does not
inspire hope, which is not true for the ANC. The latter can secure
crowded meetings without even making much effort.

In case of the ruling RPA, there are people who sympathize the party,
in addition it has administrative resources. While, the PAP has a
leader Gagik Tsarukyan, who enjoys popularity among citizens.

Eight political parties and one block have presented their nominations
– Republican Party of Armenian, Prosperous Armenia Party, Orinats
Yerkir, opposition Armenian National Congress, opposition Heritage
Party, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, the Communist Party of Armenia, Democratic
Party of Armenia and United Armenians Party.

For entering the National Assembly, parties must poll over 5% of votes,
while blocks – over 7%.

The election campaign will be held till May 5 – the day prior to
elections when campaigning is banned. The parliamentary elections
will be held from 8 am to 8 pm on May 6, 2012.

BIG RALLY OF PROTEST INTENDED IN ISTANBUL ON APRIL 24

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 17, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS: Turkish “Say No to Racism and
Nationalism” initiative intends to organize commemoration ceremony
on the occasion of April 24. As Armenpress reports citing “Akos”,
the authors of the initiative will conduct a big rally of protest in
Istanbul Central Square on April 24 at 19:15.

The statement of “Say No to Racism and Nationalism” reads: “April 24
is not a day of hatred. It is not a day of cursing. Let us first of
all share what happened that day.”

They noted that on 24 April 1915, about 250 Armenian intellectuals –
MPs, doctors, translators, teachers, journalists, artists, people
who have raised the voice of Armenian people, have been massed and
annihilated. The houses, churches belonging to Armenians have turned
into ruins, but nothing has been forgotten by keeping silence. The
statement calls on to remember the killed Armenians together. “Hand
in hand, we have much to do for future. Let us fill the squares this
April 24. Let us mourn this grief of the past together,” the authors
of the initiative said.

GALLUP EUROPE: OVER HALF OF THE POLLED IN ARMENIA ARE SURE COUNTRY DEVELOPING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

arminfo
Tuesday, April 17, 17:07

Over 50% of the polled in Armenia are sure that the country develops in
the wrong direction, with another 46% being convinced that it develops
in the right direction, say the results of the public opinion poll
conducted by Gallup Organization Europe. A member of Gallup Europe
Board of Director Rasa Alisauskiene says Armenia is in a good state
as compared to many countries that have found themselves in a worse
state after the global financial and economic crisis.

“34% of the polled are sure that the Republican Party is able to
settle their everyday problems, while 31% of the respondents rely
on the Prosperous Armenia Party. Only 7% of the respondents came out
in support of the Armenian National Congress, while ARFD and Orinats
Yerkir were supported just by 6% and 5% of respondents, respectively.

58% of the polled citizens are going to vote, while another 38%
responded that they are likely to participate in the voting. 24%
of them say they made change their mind. 56% do not trust in the
fair elections, while 36% trust in the free and fair elections,
the sociologist says.

The poll revealed that 52% of the respondents are discontented at the
level of democracy in the country, with another 47% being satisfied
with democratic development. In terms of everyday problems Armenia does
not differ from other countries. Employment problem is still the most
acute – 51% mentioned it. Then go the problems of living standards
and low salary. The youth often spotlight corruption problems, while
elders are complaining of low living conditions. 80% of the polled
citizens would like to remain as part of the CIS.

Rasa Alisauskiene says 39% of the Armenian population is informed of
politics, which is rather a high indicator. If the elections were held
at the moment, RPA would receive 34% of votes, PAP – 28%, ANC – 9%,
Orinats Yerkir -6% and ARFD – 5%, and only 3% of voters would support
Heritage Party. The population is more informed of the election
campaign on television – 96%. Radio coverage of the campaign was
mentioned by 31% of the polled. Another 26% and 25% of the polled get
news on the campaign from Internet and newspapers, respectively. Rasa
Alisauskiene says that agitation posters in the streets and on public
transport vehicles have less impact on the public conscience. Personal
meetings with candidates and representatives of the parties are more
influential as 62% of the polled said. Women are more optimistic than
men, she says. And the most pessimistic people are pensioners.

The polled was conducted at the initiative and financial support of
ArmNews TV Company in the period from April 4 to 10 2012. A similar
poll will be conducted on April 28 to show the dynamics of changes
of political preferences. The key goal of the poll was to reveal the
social, political and economic problems of the population. The TV
Company will initiate a total of 6 public opinion polls and publish
the results on the threshold of the parliamentary elections.

ARMENIAN DEPUTY PARLIAMENT SPEAKER RESPONDS TO AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT

news.am
April 17, 2012 | 16:53

YEREVAN. – Azerbaijan must stop the arms race and the military
rhetoric, Armenia’s National Assembly Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov
said, commenting on Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev’s statement
on Monday.

Reflecting on the Karabakh issue, during the Azerbaijani government’s
session, Aliyev had said: “The day will come when the Azerbaijani flag
will wave in [Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), or Artsakh, capital]
Stepanakert and [the NKR’s] Shushi [city].”

“First, Azerbaijan must stop the arms race and the military rhetoric.

Second, it must prepare its society for peace, not for war,”
Sharmazanov responded.

He also added: “Third, if Aliyev Junior very much wants to see the
Azerbaijani flag in Stepanakert, there is solely one way to achieve
that: establishing diplomatic relations with the independent republic
of Artsakh. As a result, the independent republic of Artsakh’s flag
will wave at the NKR Embassy in Baku, and they can place their flag
at the neighboring Azerbaijan’s embassy building in the NKR capital
Stepanakert.”

“I believe those in the country to the east of Artsakh must sooner
or later acknowledge that the NKR’s international recognition has no
alternative.” Armenia’s National Assembly Deputy Speaker concluded.

ERIK: APPRECIATION OF YOUR COUNTRY IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONE

Aysor.am
April 17, 2012

“I was waiting for those presents years ago, but I have never fall into
desperation and have continued working and at last I am appreciated,
though with detention,” said Sona Shahgeldyan the winner of the first
prize in “Best singer” nomination in Armenia-2012 and National Music
Award – 2012.

Speaking about her expectations the singer mentioned that she was
waiting for this award in 2010 and 2011, “however I received it this
year.” Sona also noted that those are her neither the first nor the
last awards and for her are important not the awards but the working
process.

“If you receive awards it doesn’t mean you should sit and do nothing.

Just on the contrary you should continue working. You should work to
reach new heights both in Armenia and abroad,” the singer stressed.

At the press conference was present also Erik Karapetyan who took
first prize in National Music Award-2012 as the “Best singer”.

“This award is one of the greatest appreciation. As it is known our
singers are better appreciated abroad then here. It is important to
receive awards abroad but the awards of your own country are the most
expensive,” the singer stressed.

SUISSE – PLAINTE DANS LE CAS DU MINISTRE TURC DES AFFAIRES EUROPEENNES
Stephane

armenews.com
mardi 17 avril 2012

La diaspora armenienne ne renonce pas : elle demande une procedure
penale contre le ministre turc Bagis qui a nie le genocide des
Armeniens.

Stephane Buhler

Une procedure penale pour violation de la norme penale antiraciste
pourrait quand meme ouverte contre Egemen Bagis, le ministre
d’Etat turc charge des affaires europeennes. C’est pour ceci
que Sarkis Shahinian, secretaire general du groupe parlementaire
Suisse-Armenie, se bat. Shahinian a declare avoir depose un recours,
en tant que plaignant, auprès du Tribunal d’appel de Zurich contre
la disposition du ministère public d’après laquelle il faudrait
renoncer a une procedure penale contre Bagis. Le 26 mars dernier, le
ministère public avait conclu les instructions preliminaires contre
le ministre et avait emis une disposition de non entree en matière :
des consultations auprès du Departement federal des affaires etrangères
auraient montre que Bagis, qui s’etait officiellement rendu au WEF de
Davos, jouissait de l’immunite pendant tout son sejour. Le ministère
public a declare que la procedure avait ete close.

Il est inconteste que Bagis a nie publiquement fin janvier a Zurich
le genocide des Armeniens durant la première guerre mondiale, violant
ainsi la norme penale antiraciste suisse. En effet, la declaration
a ete diffusee a la television turque : ” Regardez, je me trouve en
Suisse. Je dis : Il n’y a pas eu un genocide des Armeniens. Celui
qui l’ose et le veut, peut venir et m’arreter “, disait Bagis dans
l’interview. La declaration a aussi ete publiee sur Internet et dans
la presse.

Shahinian ne veut pas se prononcer plus en detail sur sa
plainte. Par contre, Andreas Dreisiebner, copresident de l’Association
Suisse-Armenie, critique ouvertement la position du ministère public :
” Nous ne comprenons pas pourquoi nos autorites ont reagi avec une
telle reserve – apparemment, c’est le chemin de la moindre resistance
qui a ete choisi. ” Un ministre etranger a tout de meme viole une
loi suisse, deliberement et de facon provocatrice, et s’est exprime
manifestement de manière raciste. Dreisiebner suppose ” que l’on
met les interets economiques avec la Turquie au-dessus des questions
relevants des droits de l’homme, ce qui est choquant “. Et il doute
que Bagis ait reellement joui de l’immunite parlementaire : ” Le
WEF est une manifestation privee. Je suis sûr qu’une autre decision
aurait pu etre prise en ce qui concerne l’immunite. ” Il appartient
maintenant au Tribunal d’appel de prendre une decision.

ARMENIAN WINES HAVE EVERY CHANCE TODAY TO TAKE THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE RUSSIAN MARKET: EXPERT

/ARKA/
APRIL 16, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, April 16. /ARKA/. Armenian wines have now every chance to take
their rightful place in the Russian market if there is an effective
marketing strategy, the director of Jaguar-17 distribution company,
Sergey Nikitin (Russia) said at a seminar in Yerevan on Armenian
winemaking, organized by Armenian ministry of economy.

He said the biggest advantage of Armenian wines is that few people
in Russia know one or two things about them. He said the current
situation in the Russian wine market is very favorable for the
promotion of Armenian wines.

“Georgian wines are not sold in Russia any longer. There are Moldovan
wines, which are no longer popular among Russian consumers who have no
idea about Armenian wines and therefore there are great opportunities
to boost their image,’ he said.

He said for the promotion of Armenian wines in the Russian market
a common brand must be created as well as a chain of special stores
set up.

“According to official data, last year Russia imported one million
liters of Armenian wine, less than 0.3% of the overall wine imports
which amounted to 343 million liters,” he said.

Nikitin said another factor hindering the normal progress of Armenian
wines on the Russian market is that they are promoted by companies
engaged in imports of Armenian brandy. As a result of all this, he
said, the majority of Russian consumers buy Armenian wine as “exotic”
wine.

NO NECESSITY TO CHANGE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS – GERMAN DIPLOMAT

news.am
April 16, 2012 | 18:55

YEREVAN.- There is no necessity to change Co-Chairs of the Minsk
Group involved in the Karabakh peace process, German Minister of
State Cornelia Pieper said in Yerevan.

During the Monday press conference, Pieper said that solution to
the conflicts in the South Caucasus will open a way to building
peaceful future.

Germany believes the settlement should be reached only by the regional
states. Germany spared no effort in this direction and continues EU’s
involvement in the Karabakh peace process.

Nevertheless, Germany’s efforts are only additional measures to
settle the dispute, she said adding that the parties should take the
main steps.

“Germany will continue economic assistance to the regional countries,
for Armenia it is the second largest foreign donor,” she added.

The OSCE Minsk Group was established in 1992 to encourage a peaceful,
negotiated resolution to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia
over Nagorno-Karabakh. The negotiation process is headed by the
Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.