Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Sports: Armenia international Sargis Adamyan joins FC Köln

Kajoyan Gevork
Public Radio of Armenia
July 5 2022

FC Köln have signed Sargis Adamyan. The versatile attacker joins from TSG Hoffenheim and signed a deal until 2026 on Tuesday afternoon. The 29-year-old, who will wear the number 23, will join pre-season preparations this afternoon and take part in his first training session under FC head coach, Steffen Baumgart.

FC Managing Director, Christian Keller said: “We are very pleased that Sargis Adamyan will be wearing FC colours in the future. Sargis isn’t just a great player, who can up the performance level in our team, but also a great person who is down to earth and loyal. In sporting terms, his pace, ability to go deep, his attacking one-on-ones, finishing and also his aggressive, sprint-intensive work against the ball are his key traits. The fact that he can play in almost every attacking position gives us even more room to work with as well.”

Sargis Adamyan said: “One of the main reasons for my move to FC was that I already know Steffen Baumgart and Christian Keller. Steffen was previously at Hansa Rostock as assistant coach and I know Christian from the two years in Regensburg. My family also wanted to return to Germany. Therefore, I am really happy that the move to FC worked out. I’ve already experienced the incredible atmosphere in the stadium here. I am really looking forward to getting to know the city and the fans. Now, it’s important to get fit as soon as possible and work towards the club goals with my team-mates.”

Sargis Adamyan was born on 23rd May 1993 in Yerevan, Armenia. At the age of five, he moved to Germany with his family. The forward was part of the academies at 1. FC Neubrandenburg 04 (2005-09) and FC Hansa Rostock (2009-12), where he then made his first appearance in professional football during the 2012-13 season. Through TSG Neustrelitz and TSV Steinbach, he joined SSV Jahn Regensburg and immediately became a key part of the team. He made his 2. Bundesliga debut on 29th July 2017 and went on to feature 66 times in the second tier, scoring 20 goals and setting up a further 15. The 33-time Armenia international played himself into a Bundesliga move and joined Hoffenheim in 2019. He made 53 appearances across all competitions for Hoffenheim, scoring 11 times and recording five assists. During his loan at the current Belgian champions, Club Brugge he made 16 appearances and scored six goals. 

French volunteers join Armenian Christians to revive the Cross

Kajoyan Gevork

July 7 2022

“In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross.”

The quote by Thomas A Kempis illustrates the power of the Cross, the most honored symbol of Christianity.

 For the people of Armenia, the Cross is a source of national pride. 

Armenia is a small country, the first country in the world to adopt Christianity. Today 97% of the population are Christian followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Armenian crosses, called khachkars (literally khah, “stone,” and kar, “cross”), are beautiful, elaborately carved stones that once dotted the countryside. They are the foundation of Armenian identity uniting the country, the Church, and God.

But khachkars, present in the country since the first century, are an endangered species. 

UNESCO recognized these crosses in 2010 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Armenia, true works of art that are disappearing fast.


SOS Calvaires, the French Catholic project involved in restoring ancient crosses throughout the countryside, understand the dilemma and the challenge of nurturing faith and culture. The young adults, all volunteers have been rescuing  ancient crosses and crucifixes, restoring them and putting them back once again to beautify the French countryside. Driven by faith and love of their heritage their hard work continues to grow and be recognized throughout France.

Young volunteers offered their moral and spiritual support in a recent project helping Armenian Christians construct and erect a khachkar in a remote village in Armenia.

SOS Calvaires feels strongly about the Armenian cause. 

They say:

“For several years, the situation in Armenia has been critical. Christians are persecuted, and places of worship are destroyed. This is why SOS Calvaires wanted to support Armenia, the cradle of Christianity, by erecting a khachkar on top of a mountain.”

The project, also supported by SOS Chrétien d’ Orient, started some months ago and ended with the joyful ceremony of erecting the khachkar in the presence of four volunteers from France on Pentecost Sunday.

They raised 2500 euros, the amount necessary to finance the project. This sum mainly paid for the work of the stonemason but also covered the transport and laying of the khachkar. 

Making a khachkar is not a simple affair. It begins with choosing the right stone maker for the job—master artisans who will combine tradition and art. 

These craftsmen work in their ateliers on massive blocks of stone, first outlining the shape of the Cross and then concentrating on the artistic part, the intricate and delicate carvings on the stone’s surface.

For the people of Armenia, a nation that has suffered many hardships over the years– witnesses to the the mass murder of humanity, and victims of the  Armenian Genocide during World War I — the visit of the four French volunteers brought comfort, motivation, and joy. 

SOS Calvaires chose to bring a new khachkar to Khosnav, a remote village where the church was destroyed. Transporting and installing the massive cross took place with extreme care. Once the base foundation was set in place, the stele, the main component supporting the cross, was lowered and fixed.

The volunteers described the village as one marked, like many others in Armenia, by great poverty and significant instability due to the proximity to the Azeri border.

Marguerite Le Page, one of the four volunteers who made the trip over to Armenia, said;

“We enjoyed sharing a moment of joy with Armenian Christians. The benediction ceremony was moving; the village was there to watch the cross erected.” 

Marguerite said the khachkar is about two and a half meters (8 ft) tall and weighs around 500 kilograms(1102 pounds).   

The inscription perfectly visible on the base foundation carries the motto of SOS Calvaires: Stat crum dum volvitur orbis. This powerful Latin phrase translates as The cross is steady while the world is turning. 

SOS Calvaires plans to have the motto engraved in Armenian later.

Armenia, India sign Memorandum of Understanding

Kajoyan Gevork

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 13:51, 4 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the end of the 8th session of Armenian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in the Fields of Trade, Economy, Technology, Science, Education and Culture in Yerevan on July 4, Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said in a statement on social media.

“The Agreed Minutes of the IGC 8th Session and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of India regarding Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects were signed at the end of the 8th session of Armenian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in the Fields of Trade, Economy, Technology, Science, Education and Culture”, the statement says.

Sati Spivakova’s ‘Irakan Dasakan’ book presentation held at ARARAT Museum

Kajoyan Gevork
Panorama
Armenia –

ARARAT Museum on Wednesday hosted famous actress and TV host Sati Spivakova’s “Irakan Dasakan” book presentation event, which is an Armenian translation of author’s book originally titled “Neskuchnaya Klassika”. “Irakan Dasakan” is translated and published by the collaboration of “Newmag” and “Orakul” publishing houses.

The book unites interviews that Sati Spivakova had with various prominent artists such as Charles Aznavour, Fanny Ardant, Maya Plisetskaya, Robert Wilson, and others.

“Nowadays, there are few books that reflect on contemporary art. Our decision to translate the book was not only made with the consideration of the author. The content of the book played a huge role in this, being both interesting and insightful,” noted Ruben Ishkhayan, Director of “Orakul” publishing house.

The book’s Armenian translation is considered to be its first-ever foreign translation, in which the author herself gave permission to add new content with the aim of making each artist’s story more profound.

“I am extremely excited that the book’s first translation is done in Armenian. I am delighted to meet so many close and beloved people at this event. This book is all about art and people who are fond of art – a true classical book. I hope the Armenian reader will appreciate it,” said Sati Spivakova.

On the scope of the event, ARARAT Museum hosted a public talk with Spivakova, followed by ARARAT special reception. During the evening, guests not only got acquainted with the unique story behind the creation of the book, but also enjoyed the warm evening shared with thoughts, emotions, and the legendary brandy in the company of Sati Spivakova and the project’s authors.

“It’s been a while since there was a decent event, organized in Yerevan, where art was not merely a background but a very essence of event. Therefore, the choice to hold it in ARARAT Museum was not accidental. Classic is something, that is not temporary. That is to say, that both art and brandy get richer and develop new layers throughout the time,” underlined Artak Aleksanyan, Executive Director of Newmag Publishing House.

Right before the event Sati Spivakova visited ARARAT Museum, where she was presented to the 135-year-old heritage of the legendary brandy, the facets of its mastery, the secret of its creation and the creative searches of brandy masters. Spivakova also visited the Treasury of ARARAT Museum, where a unique collection of ARARAT brandies is kept, starting from rare samples dating around 1902 till our days.

“This book unites a variety of artists, many of which were guests of ARARAT Museum in different times. This comes to remind us that the most interesting stories are based on heartfelt and sincere human encounters. I am glad that ARARAT Museum is not only a museum in its classical term but also a place where warm multicultural interactions are being formed,” says Arno Tadevosyan, ARARAT Museum Manager.

Azerbaijani claims that Armenia is dragging out the peace process at least strange – PM Pashinyan

Kajoyan Gevork
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia –
, 22:19

 1 minute read

The statements from Azerbaijan accusing Armenia of dragging out the start of negotiations on a peace treaty, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at an online press conference today.

Without going into much detail, the Prime Minister noted that after those statements the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed the Azerbaijani side to arrange a meeting of the top diplomats so that they can reach agreement on the further course. It is yet to receive a response.

He reminded that during earlier meetings it was agreed that Armenian and Azerbaijani officials should keep in contact to organize the further work, but Azerbaijan has boycotted that work at least once.

He added that the Azerbaijani side refused to participate in the meeting on the level of the Secretary of Armenian Security Council and the Adviser to the President of Azerbaijan which was scheduled in Brussels today.

Azerbaijan wants Armenia to remain in blockade – Pashinyan

Kajoyan Gevork

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 21:42,

YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is interested in advancing the processes of demarcation and delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and unblocking of transport communications, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan said in a live broadcast on Facebook, answering the questions about the border delimitation process.

“In the recent period, the representatives of Azerbaijan are trying to create the impression that the Republic of Armenia is trying to delay also the work of the Commission on Border Delimitation and Security. Meanwhile, it should be noted that at the previous meeting, which took place on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, a joint decision was made that the next meeting will take place in Moscow at least a month later, because the parties had stated that there is some work to be done based on the results of the discussions which would not be possible to do sooner than a month. Moreover, this was a joint proposal and a joint decision. But when we read the texts and headlines of Azerbaijan’s statements, one may get the impression that Armenia avoids participating in that work. While the reality is totally different. I must state that in the past, in May, the Republic of Armenia has twice expressed readiness. There was even a preliminary agreement to start the sitting of the Joint Commission on Border Delimitation and Security, but they were postponed or delayed by the Azerbaijani side”, Pashinyan said.

According to the Prime Minister, with these steps Azerbaijan is trying to gain legitimacy for a new war against Armenia and Artsakh.

“The same is for the opening of the roads. Azerbaijan is constantly trying to create the impression that Armenia does not want to open communications in the region and implement the provisions of trilateral statements. But the reality is the opposite. And there is a key reality that in the last 30 years Azerbaijan and even more Azerbaijan has pursued a policy of blockading Armenia, in fact, Azerbaijan is the one that delays the process. Why? Because they thought that the policy of blockading Armenia was effective or at least there is no sense in making decisions now that would allow Armenia to overcome the blockade”, the Prime Minister said, adding that as a result of the opening of transport communications, Armenia will get a railway connection with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Russia, Syunik region will get a railway connection with the northern parts of Armenia, etc.

The Prime Minister stressed that Armenia is interested in advancing the process, but Azerbaijan is trying to do so that Armenia remains in the blockade, which does not correspond to the November 9, 2020 declaration.

Armenpress: Dutch-Armenian Chamber of Commerce to open in Yerevan

Kajoyan Gevork

Dutch-Armenian Chamber of Commerce to open in Yerevan

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 09:45,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. Dutch-Armenian Business Days will be held in Armenia on July 6-8.

The event is organized by the Embassy of the Netherlands to Armenia within a hybrid platform.

Larisa Harutyunyan, the Political and Economic Affairs Policy Officer of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Armenia, told Armenpress that a number of programs with the focus on agriculture and IT will be implemented on the sidelines of the Dutch-Armenian Business Days.

“As the Embassy in Armenia is new, is operating for one and a half a year, therefore, we will firstly present our economic priorities. It is of cognitive nature. Firstly, for the public to know that there is an Embassy of the Netherlands in Armenia and it has an economic section. Developing and deepening the economic cooperation is going to be our priority. We will talk about the funding mechanisms, the support tools will be presented. We have a very good support program for businesses, we provide experts to small and medium enterprises free of charge”, she said.

Dutch businessmen are expected to attend the event in Armenia. In addition to this, a group of businessmen will join online. The event will focus on sectors like agriculture, mainly focusing on green economy, and information technologies.

Within the framework of the event, the opening ceremony of the Dutch-Armenian Chamber of Commerce in Armenia is expected. Following the ceremony, the Dutch Embassy will sign a memorandum with the Dutch-Armenian Chamber of Commerce. The purpose is to boost the business ties, attract investments, develop bilateral commercial relations and provide multi-profile support to the members of the Chamber.

For registration, it is necessary to send an e-mail to [email protected], clearly mentioning the sector of interest and the date. The deadline is until July 1, 2022. The agenda will be provided after registration. Participation is free of charge.

 

Reporting by Anna Gziryan




Rescuing Armenia’s Bears | Close Up

Kajoyan Gevork
 Al-Jazeera
Qatar –

Ruben Khachatryan has made it his mission to save the captive bears of Armenia from a lifetime of neglect and misery.

Across Armenia, bears are being kept in captivity under terrible conditions – locked up in tiny, filthy cages, often subsisting on food scraps and rancid water.  It is a sad legacy of Armenia’s Soviet-era past when it was fashionable to keep exotic animals in private zoos as a status symbol or to attract visitors to a place of business.

Ruben Khachatryan runs the Great Bear Rescue, a mercy mission to rehabilitate these captive bears in a sanctuary in the mountains of Armenia. Here, the bears can live out their lives with proper diets, medical attention and freedom.

“You feel responsible for those animals,” says Ruben. “I feel like they need ambassadors to … fight for them.”

Ruben and his team have rescued 30 bears in just five years, but now they face some of their most challenging missions yet as they enter a tougher phase of this project.

In this film, we see the various strategies that are deployed as the Great Bear Rescue team battles against bear owners who refuse to relinquish their animals.

Credits:

A film by Mariah Wilson

Cinematographer: Zebediah Smith

Field Producer: Zebediah Smith

Translator: Emma Kazaryan

Editor: Catherine Mary Hallinan

Producer: Ala Alhussan

EP: Tierney Bonini

Watch the video report at 

Armenian Defense Ministry remains silent about soldier’s death for fifth day already

Kajoyan Gevork
NEWS.am
Armenia –
Armenian Defense Ministry remains silent about soldier’s death for fifth day already
19:47, 22.06.2022

The Armenian Defense Ministry has not circulated reports about the death of Hrach Piliposyan, who was fatally wounded by enemy fire on 18 June, for the fifth day already.

Calls from Armenian News-NEWS.am to the Defense Ministry remain unanswered. The Defense Ministry remains silent about the circumstances under which the 19-year-old serviceman died.

David Shahnazaryan, head of the “United Vardenis” faction of the Vardenis Council of Elders, told Armenian News-NEWS.am about the death of a soldier because of enemy gunfire in the direction of Vardenis.

Hrach Piliposyan, 19, was shot by the enemy.

He was from the village Byurakan, he served his first year. Hrach Pilposyan was the eldest son in his family. He has two brothers.

19-year-old Hrach Pilposyan was buried yesterday, in his native village of Byurakan.

The Investigative Committee told Armenian News-NEWS.am that an investigation is underway to clarify the circumstances, after which a report will be issued.

The Investigative Committee is initiating criminal cases on the murders of servicemen by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. However, the Investigative Committee has not made a statement yet in connection with what happened on 18 June.

Turkish press: Turkish defense industry eyes new air-to-air missiles for Akıncı UCAV

Kajoyan Gevork
 ISTANBUL JUN 07, 2022 – 1:14 PM GMT+3

Air-to-air missiles Bozdoğan (bottom) is seen next to Turkey’s Akıncı unmanned combat aerial vehicle during the Teknofest aerospace and technology event, Baku Azerbaijan, May 28, 2022. (AA Photo)

The Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE) of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK) is working with the team that developed Turkey’s state-of-the-art unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) Akıncı for air-to-air missiles.

“There may be other platforms for the future, works are continuing with this regard,” its General Director Gürcan Okumuş told Anadolu Agency (AA) during the MMG-EURITECH Eurasia R&D, Innovation & Technology Summit and Exhibition held in the IT Valley in northwestern Kocaeli province’s Gebze district.

Okumuş said that air-to-air missiles are very critical and they are defined as the “sword” of aircraft.

He also pointed out that having products that are developed nationally works as an impact multiplier.

“With these missiles, we aim to see without being seen, and to be able to hit from far away. It will be much easier for us to do this with our own missiles. High technology is not easily shared between countries, or even not shared at all. It is not possible to easily acquire these from abroad through technology transfer. Therefore, the output of every project here is a new achievement,” he said.

Turkey has already started mass-production of its latest miniature munition developed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to earlier statements of Okumuş.

Developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE, the laser-guided munition Bozok has undergone multiple successful fire tests. Its firing tests saw it being integrated into the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV, manufactured by drone magnate Baykar who also developed the Akıncı.

Bozok is smaller and has a light compact structure in comparison to the MAM-L, which has been actively used by Turkey’s drones. MAM-L is part of the family of domestically developed smart micro munitions (MAM), including MAM-C and MAM-T.

Turkey has also neared the final stage when it comes to its homegrown air-to-air missiles Bozdoğan and Gökdoğan, also developed by TÜBITAK SAGE.