Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Iranian Armenians in Tabriz celebrate New Year

Source: Islamic Republic News Agency

Tabriz, East Azerbaijan province, Jan 1 – Iranian Armenians in Tabriz
celebrated the first day of the Christian New Year. The occasion was
celebrated in Saint Serkis Church on Tuesday evening and the local
Armenians started their new year with prayers.

Head of the Armenian diocese Grigor Chiftchian executed special
religious ceremonies and felicitated the occasion of Christian New
Year to Iranian Christians.

He wished a year full of success and honor for people all over the world.

In his speech, the leader of the community said all human beings in
different religions should try for prosperity, tranquility and
salvation of their own society.

Related Stories and Info:

Photos: New Year Celebration Held at Sarkis Church in Tehran
Photos: Christmas Shopping in Tehran, Iran
List of Armenian churches in Iran

2013 hardly to be fruitful for Artsakh issue

news.am
January 02, 2013 | 18:16

YEREVAN. – If the Madrid Principles were adopted it would have been
possible to consider that the sides of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)
peace process are closer to compromise, while it is currently out of
question, former OSCE Minsk Group Russian Co-Chair, Ambassador
Vladimir Kazimirov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In response to the question whether some positive achievements are
expected this year in the Artsakh process, Kazimirov said that he
believes the year will hardly be fruitful for the Artsakh process,
despite he does wish it.

As for whether it is possible to consider the role of Europe in the
process of settlement is positive for those indulgences that make
Azerbaijan – non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council, as
well as the selection of Baku to host the European Olympic Games –
Kazimirov said that, both are unlikely directly related to the
Karabakh conflict.

Gunaysu: My Silent Sister

Posted by Ayse Gunaysu on January 2, 2013

The setting is a small, beautiful, historical city in the south of
Poland, Wroclaw. It’s night-time on the 11th of November 2012. The St.
Anthony of Padua Church is full. People are listening to a small
chorus singing Armenian liturgical songs. On my left I hear Talin
singing along under her breath to songs she has known since her
childhood, very softly and so low that I can hardly differentiate it
from the chorus’s singing, an unearthly sound filling the air. Looking
at the small group of singers, I see faces radiating an inner light
that adds something very special to the lighting of the church itself.
Faces of young people from South Africa, Denmark, Spain, Poland, and
other nations, singing Armenian hymns. With them is that very unusual
family of Aram and Virgina Kerovpyan, with their two daughters and
son, who have all dedicated themselves to Armenian traditional
monophonic and modal singing; and Baron Nisan Calgiciyan, a master
singer from the Armenian Holy Trinity Church in Istanbul, and his
students Murat Iclinalca and Altug Yilmaz, also from Istanbul, a music
researcher who for the past two years has been working with the
Kerovpyan family. Listening to them is an unusual, yet very
exceptional experience that makes one wish they could continue
forever.

A scene from the St. Anthony of Padua Church, Wroclaw, Poland. People
from South Africa, Denmark, Spain, Poland, and other nations, sing
Armenian hymns with Aram and Virginia Kerovpyan, and Baron Nishan
Chalgician.
The concert is the last event in the Grotowski Institute’s two-day
exchange called `My Silent Sister,’ the 2012 edition of the
VoicEncounters project, organized by the institute’s theater group
Teatr ZAR, a multinational group formed by the apprentices of the
Grotowski Institute, and founded and directed by Jaroslaw Fret. Since
2011 they have been working on a new performance project called
`Armine, Sister,’ which explores Armenian culture and history. During
expeditions to Istanbul, Western Armenia, Yerevan, and Jerusalem, ZAR
members have met with singers, choir leaders, musicians, and
researchers. `My Silent Sister’ is meant to set the ground for the
upcoming spring 2013 event, which, they say, will have as its core the
heritage of Armenia and its diaspora.

My two-day Wroclaw visit was like a dream. I found myself with a group
of young people, both Polish and from other parts of the world, at the
Institute and the Teatr ZAR who were different – and I mean belonging to
a different human species. They truly care about others, devote time
to understand, feel, and reach others, want to really know what others
at the other end of the world have gone through, and are still going
through. And this has given all of them, without exception, a
different aura, a sort of hard-to-describe transparency, a face full
of meaning and understanding.

The event also included film screenings, of Serge Avedikian’s `The
Barking Island’ and Suzanne Khardalian’s `I Hate Dogs,’ `Back to
Ararat,’ and the unforgettable `Grandma’s Tattoos.’ There was also a
workshop called `Modal Singing: A Journey with Sounds’ with Aram and
Virginia Kerovpyan; a presentation of the film project `Winds of
Armine: Expedition to Anatolia’ by Nathalie Rossetti and Turi
Finochiaro (an exceptional couple, full of warmth and sensitive
energy); and the exhibition `Images from Anatolia’ by Magdelena Madra,
a heartrending collection of photographs of the remains of Armenian
churches, monasteries, cemeteries, and the like.

On 10th of November, historian Ara Sarafian from the Gomidas
Institute, London, gave a presentation titled, `A History of Genocide:
Memory, Continuity, and Defiance,’ accompanied by maps strikingly
demonstrating the scale of destruction. His paper deals with the
ongoing official Turkish denial of the Armenian Genocide, using the
1916 British Parliamentary Blue Book as an example. During the talk,
he pointed out the offensive nature of this denial process, wherein
Turkish state institutions and their supporters (in this case the
Turkish Parliament and its supporting institutions) have actively
sought to assert the claim that the British fabricated the Armenian
Genocide thesis during World War I, and that the British should
apologize for their offense. `Although it was a ludicrous assertion,
as has been shown over and over again, the Turkish effort showed the
belligerency of official Turkey in denying the genocide of Armenians,
both in Turkey and abroad,’ he said.

The same day, I was a panelist, along with Talin Suciyan from the
University of Munich, with Ara Sarafian as the moderator, on a panel
at the institute titled, `Witnessing After Witnessing: A History of
Denial.’

Suciyan drew a vivid, warmly personal, yet highly representative
picture of an Armenian child growing up in an environment of
denialism. `Whether it is a cemetery, or public garden of Ukraine
[built on a destructed Armenian cemetery], or the house of Dadyans, or
the shanty houses in the place of their house, or the house of my
cousin, or the occupied house of my grandparents in that little suburb
of Istanbul, or the roads that people like my grandfather, constructed
anywhere in Turkey [during their compulsory additional military
service, in effect a forced labor campaign designed in 1941
exclusively for non-Muslims], or the public space where people were
banned to talk in our mother tongue, there is one thing which is in
common: the toil, the labor, the houses, the cemetery, the district,
the language, our very existence, is a matter of obscurity,’ she said.

The whole thing – the performances, the presentations, the generosity of
the institute, the warm-heartedness, kindness, and close-to-heart
approach of the people of the institute; the Polish people of Wroclaw
who, although naturally not familiar with the Armenian Genocide or the
state of affairs in Turkey, filled the room in any event – was all
unbelievably moving, enriching, and encouraging. The generosity of the
institute, first and foremost by Director Jaroslaw Fret, then dear
Ditte, Magda, Nini, Dan, Tornek, Maite (who took care of us that cold
night, brought us – Talin and I – hot soup and made us feel as if we had
met a sister we were unaware of until then), and all the others whose
names I cannot remember, was a blessing. Simply knowing them, having
the mere knowledge of their existence and their heartfelt efforts,
make me feel safer in this unsafe world, and have strengthened my
belief in what I do, as well.

For the full text of Gunaysu’s talk during the aforementioned panel
discussion, click here.

Heritage leader wishes Armenians freedom and justice

16:12 – 02.01.13

President of the opposition Heritage party Raffi Hovhannisyan says he
wishes the Armenian nation freedom and justice in 2013.

Speaking to Tert.am, the politician explained that he wants the
population to realize that the reforms in the country are in their
party’s hands.

`This is such a commonplace question; yet I find it difficult to give
an answer. My wish is what an ordinary Armenian needs: freedom,
justice, employment, healthy children, a normal situation, a normal
[festive] table and house in a normal homeland,’ he told our
correspondent.

`That’s first of all in our hands,’ said Hovhannisyan. `We can make it
come if we really want to. If that’s just a wish, it won’t change
life. What we need is a new life and a new country. ‘

Hovhannisyan added that he does not expect much from the Santa Claus.
`I expect a free and respectable citizen from the Santa Claus and a
nice year to everybody,’ he noted.

The Heritage leader said his family saw the New Year in at home,
adding that they are going spend the upcoming Christmas holidays
outside, greeting others and being greeted. `We’ll go to the church
during the Christmas, and will not stay at home, also respecting the
tradition,’ he said, noting that greeting people is quite natural to
him, though others might think strangely of that.

As for choosing presents, Hovhannisyan admitted that he is not quite
good at it. `I don’t have a good nose for presents; [I can think of] a
flower or chocolate, but my creative art is in a different sphere –
impromptu surprises,’ he added.

PRESS RELEASE
ARS of Western USA, Inc.
Regional Office
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel: 818-500-1343
Fax: 818-242-3732
Email: [email protected]
Web:
FB:

Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Regional Executive

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas
With My People, For My People
The ARS of Western USA, Regional Executive extends its greeting for a
Happy New Year and a Merry Christmas with wishes of strengthening our
homeland, gaining international recognition for Artsakh, and further
willpower to sustain Armenians in Javakhk and Syria. We extend our
sincere thanks and appreciation to ARS sponsors and donors, supporters
and local and international ARS programs, the members of our region’s
27 chapters, as well as the administration and staff of our Social
Services and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center. May the New
Year be filled with great prosperity for all.

ARS Distributes Christmas Gifts to Hundreds of Children

The ARS of Western USA’s Gift Giving Event on Wednesday, December 19,
2012 drew hundreds of children ages 3-14, who were accompanied by
their parents to receive free Christmas gifts.

Starting at 2 p.m. at the ARS Regional Headquarters, which was
decorated for this festive holiday event, Santa and a children’s
entertainer greeted children with song and dance, ushering them to
receive their gifts. The youth gleamed with joy as each who entered
accepted a holiday gift and had the opportunity to be photographed
with Santa.

Parents extended their appreciation to ARS representatives for
organizing such an event, which brought such delight to youth in the
community.

This successful event was made possible in large part due to toy and
gift donations by a number of ARS chapters; students of the Ferrahian,
Chamlian, and Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian Schools; Tufenkian
Preschool; Homenetmen Glendale `Ararat’ and Inland Empire `Araz’
Chapters; the Armenian Society of Los Angeles; a faith-based group; as
well as numerous individuals. The ARS Regional Executive extends its
kindest appreciation to all those, who lent their support to make this
event a truly memorable one.

ARS Hosts Christmas Luncheon at Glendale Salvation Army

On Friday, December 21, 2012, the ARS of Western U.S.A.hosted a
Christmas Luncheon at the Glendale Salvation Army, providing a free
holiday meal to low-income individuals, families, and the homeless.

AllSalvation Army visitors received a warm meal, including turkey and
trimmings, vegetables, rolls, dessert, and refreshments. Similar to
years past, ARS members, staff, and volunteers assumed all the tasks
for the luncheon from food preparation to service.

This event served as yet another means by which the ARS extended its
support to those in need in the community.

Two Community Forums Organized by ARS and Pacific Clinics Explore
“Depression, PTSD, Anxiety” and “Issues of Immigrants”

On December 5, 2012, the second in a series of community forums
attracted over 75 community members, who gathered at the Glendale
Youth Center and received a wide breadth of information from an expert
panel. Psychiatrist Arakel Davtian served as moderator.

Dr. Pilavian who works for the County of Los Angeles, defined and
explained anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder, and touched upon
panic attacks, hyper-arousal, irritability and agitation.

Depression was the subject presented by the second presenter, Rusanna
Jurian. She presented the signs, causes and types of
depression. Jurian explained the differences on how men and women deal
with depression, in addition to those of children’s experiences.One
statistic that Jurian shared with the audience was that the U.S. was
the top country with depression, while Armenia was ranked 25.

The final speaker was Dr. Sarkis Arevian, who continues to practice
psychiatry. He continued the discussion on depression, bringing into
focus the serious illness, the reactions of Armenians due to cultural
influences, depression of the elderly, the difference between less
severe and severe depression, the role of therapy sessions and
medications, and the biggest problem of all: accepting that they have
a problem.

`Issues of Immigrants’ drew attention to how immigrants can retain
their identity while acculturating to a new society. More than 50
people attended the panel on December 12, 2012 at the Glendale Youth
Center.

Dr. Levon Jernazian offered a psychological perspective on the
topic. He outlined individual factors that play a role in whether or
not a person would adjust well to a new environment. Moreover, he
explained various experiences that one may encounter as a result of
immigrating, such as adjustment problems, post-traumatic stress
disorder, and generational conflicts.

Jernazian said the issues that immigrants face between three and five
years of immigrating differ from their experiences five years after
arrival. After five years, an immigrant individual or family usually
`selects one of three alternatives in terms of adjustment, as follows:
1) Absolute rigidity; 2) Complete assimilation; or 3) Preserving their
cultural core while at the same time adopting the main values of the
host culture.’ Dr. Jernazian stressed that the third alternative
represents the healthiest one psychologically.

Ardashes Kassakhian mainly drew on subjective experiences to present
on this topic. He explained that acculturation and adaptation are not
issues unique only to Armenians. Kassakhian went on to pose a
rhetorical question of `What would an Armenian community such as
Glendale look like after 50 years’ and cited Watertown, MA and Fresno,
CA as models to look at.Kassakhian said more programs that allow
people to acculturate more easily are needed.

Special Thanks to the Bertha & John Garabetian Charitable Foundation
for their $1,000 Donation to the Trchnots Pouyn (Birds’ Nest)
Orphanage in Jbail, Lebanon

Come and Enjoy Winter Wonderland 2013: Featuring Snow, Rides and
Games, Arcade Center, Magician, International Dance Festival and Great Food!
Friday, Jan. 18: 4 pm-10 pm; Saturday, Jan. 19: 11 am-10 pm; Sunday,
Jan. 20: 2 pm-8 pm
St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 500 S. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91204
1-Day Pass: $3; 2-Day Pass: $5; 3-Day Pass: $6; Snow and Ride Tickets Sold Separately

5th Anniversary of ARS Youth Center in Akhalkalak
The ARS Youth Center in Akhalkalak (Javakhk) held a celebration of the
5th anniversary on December 22, 2012. The children performed dances
and recitations in Armenian, Georgian and English languages.

The ARS-WUSA funded the center building and continues to fund
operational expenses of the center.

ARS Hollywood “Mayr” Chapter to Offer 8-Week Beginner Computer Classes
Every Wednesday Starting January 9, 2013; 6-8 p.m., Hollywood Armenian
Youth Center, 1559 Kenmore Ave., Los Angeles, CA; To Register, Contact
Mayda 818-825-0849

Down Hill “I love to come on sights like these: crystal leaves on
silver trees. Unless they come between my skis.” ~Diana
Der-Hovanessian

Upcoming Regional Events
January 18-20, 2013: Winter Wonderland, St. Mary’s Church, Glendale
March 16, 2013: LA 5K Run/Walk, Dodger Stadium
March 17, 2013: LA Marathon, ARS is an official charity, Dodger
Stadium to Santa Monica
April 5, 2013: ARS Gala, Glendale Hilton Hotel
April 7, 2013: ARS Day, HomenetmenArarat Glendale Center
May 4-5, 2013: ARS 12thAnnual Festival, Glendale Civic Auditorium

Follow us on Facebook:

Send your comments to: [email protected]

Donate to ARS Programs by credit card or PayPal

Or mail your check to: ARS of Western USA, 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.,
Glendale, CA 91202-2812

2012 did not solve economic problems of Armenia

2 January 2013 – 1:43pm

Author: Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan, exclusively for “Vestnik Kavkaza”

Nothing has changed in Armenia as a result of 2012 in terms of the economy.

The negative balance of foreign trade remains one of the main
characteristics of the Armenian economy and continues to increase, in
spite export growth outrunning that of imports. In absolute terms,
Armenia imports more goods than it exports. If 10 years ago, imports
were 1.9 times higher than exports in absolute terms, in 2012 this
figure rose to 2.9 times and is now about $3 billion. This, despite
assurances from the government about the promotion of local producers,
indicates the opposite, i.e. that the market continues to be dominated
by foreign goods, including food products.

Economic growth, which remains at 6%, is traditionally supported by
the sale of raw materials such ferrous metals and metal ores.

According to some experts, despite the fact that there has been a
slight positive dynamic in the Armenian economy this year, the
population remains dissatisfied with the current situation and does
not sense any positive trends. With inflation at 4.5% this year there
have been made no moves to raise the average wage of $280 per month,
and nothing has been done to raise pensions, the highest of which is
$100.

One of the paradoxes of the Armenian economy lies in the fact that
this year once again food prices increased. Thus, the price of
potatoes in Armenia grew by 11%, cabbage by 33%. Meanwhile, prices for
food are falling: on the international stock exchange the average
price of rice, sugar, potatoes fell approximately 15 %.

In 2012, the trend of active capital export continued in Armenia. The
former Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan believes that the export of
capital in 2012 in Armenia amounted to about half a billion dollars
and called this figure “alarming.”

One of the most negative characteristics of the Armenian economy is
the so-called “shadow” economy, which according to the IMF accounts
for 35% of GDP in Armenia. In fact, according to some experts, this
figure is closer to 50%. Even if we assume that the ratio of taxes to
GDP is 35%, the inability to collect taxes is obvious. However, small
and medium-sized enterprises continue to play the major burden in
paying taxes. Economists believe that the current mechanism of
taxation will lead small and medium-sized enterprises in Armenia to
bankruptcy.

Another alarming tendency is the decrease in foreign investment in the
Armenian economy. According to official data, foreign investment
declined by 35% this year, direct investments – by 54%. According to
the head of the research center “Alternative”, Doctor of Economics
Tatul Manaseryan, the decline in foreign investment was caused by
political processes in the country. In 2012, Armenia held
parliamentary elections, presidential elections are taking place in
2013. According to Manaseryan, a deceleration in investment with
elections was expected and predictable.

Meanwhile, economic expert and representative of the opposition
Armenian National Congress Vaagn Khachatryan is convinced that the
decline in foreign investments can be regarded as a significant
indicator ofthe unattractiveness of the Armenian economy. He stressed
that there is no free market in Armenia, no competition, and that
private property is not protected. Also, certain people play a great
role in the economy, while capital does not favor such conditions,
opting for freedom, law, and good governance.

A major problem is the lack of positive changes in the development of
small and medium-sized businesses, which have a direct impact on the
social sector. Thanks to the exclusive domination of monopolies in the
economy, there are still very few economically-independent people in
the country. Thus, 85% of Armenian export goods are produced by large
businesses, particularly in the mining sector, while the share of
small and medium-sized business is only 15%.

“This trend has been prevailing for many years now. Exports are
dominated by the usual 25 kinds of products, which are manufactured by
large businesses. This indicates that the country does not produce any
new types of products that could impact on exports,” the director of
“AE consulting” Gagik Margaryan believes. According to Margaryan,
small and medium-sized businesses do not have unequal conditions to
compete on the market and could benefit from targeted government loans
to stimulate exports.

Although the government has repeatedly expressed its concerns about
the dominating role of monopolies on the Armenian market, it has not
done anything.

“The economic system in Armenia seems to aim at the destruction of
small and medium-sized businesses. The economy is absolutely
monopolized, oligarchs eliminate small businesses with the help of
administrative resources and power,” the former chairman of the
Central Bank of Armenia Bagrat Asatryan believes.
Imports are also monopolized. There are no formal restrictions for
importers, but everyone knows that if someone tries to break a tacit
monopoly, there will be problems at the customs and other
administrative bodies.

“It is almost impossible to diversify the Armenian economy due to
corruption among the tax and customs authorities, the lack of equal
competitive opportunities in the market and the availability of an
oligopoly,” the former representative of Armenia at the World Bank
Aristomene Varudakis said.

The majority of the population remains in very harsh socio-economic
conditions, while the country’s economy depends only on a few dozen
families. Despite the promises of the government, industry and high
technologies are not developing. These problems can be resolved only
if the authorities have the political will to do so and in 2012 there
have been made no significant steps to overcome the main negative
trends and tendencies in the Armenian economy.

Fires claim human lives in Armenia

tert.am
15:29 – 02.01.13

Fires causing human losses hit several regions of Armenia earlier on Wednesday.

According to the Emergency Ministry’s official website, the first
incident was reported in the Chambarak village (Gegharkunik region) at
around 3:00 am local time. The firefighting teams which went to the
scene pulled out the dead body of Roza Khachatryan (about 85)

Tert.am has learned that the deceased was a lonely woman with no
children. Neighbors do not know what exactly could have caused the
fire as they say Khachatryan did not even heat the house properly.

The other incident was reported from the second largest city of Gyumri
at 10:25 am local time. Firefighters went to the scene to find a shack
on fire. The blaze was extinguished 30 minutes later. F. Sargsyan, 78,
was found dead inside.
The Ministry further reports that another fire alarm was received from
teh Gandzakar village (Tavush region) 5:21 am local time. Firefighters
which departed for the scent later found a house roof ablaze. It took
them about two hours to extinguish the fire. The roof with the house’s
kitchen had completely burnt down.

Bordering Nerkin Karmiraghbyur village celebrates New Year with
illuminated streets

18:44 – 01.01.13

The residents of Nerkin Karmiraghbyur village, Armenia’s Tavush
province, welcomed the New Year with illuminated streets, first time
after war. The village is 220 kilometers away from Yerevan.

The electricity wires and columns damaged during the war years have
been completely renovated in 2012 but not to make it a target for the
enemy the lights were not on.

`Of course it is a great risk to illuminate the whole village, but we
cannot wait, we continue living,’ head of the community Manvel
Kamendatyan said, promising that the 2013 will be a year of
achievements for the village.

Before the New Year an event was organized for children with the
participation of Santa Claus who handed packages of sweets to the
children.

Though the village is under permanent fire by the enemy, the spirits
there are high.

`The 2012 was a year of progress. Both authorities and philanthropists
seemed to be more attentive toward our village,’ the village school
principal Nara Papyan said.

Ryanair does not comment on Zvartnot’s statement about its interest in Armenia

news.am
January 02, 2013 | 14:01

Budget airline Ryanair does not comment on statements made in Yerevan
on their interest in Armenian market. In the press service of the
company nobody responded to the questions of Armenian News-NEWS.am
about the likely timing of opening a representative office in Armenia,
and the possibility if the company is researching the Armenian market.

Note that in November, the director of the Zvartnots airport (JSC
`International Airports – Armenia’) Marcelo Vende said that
negotiations with the Ryanair Company, which, in turn, is interested
in the Armenian market. The Ryanair is one of the largest budget
airlines in the world along with the U.S. Southwest Airlines. The
company serves more than 7 million passengers per month. In
post-Soviet countries, the company flies to the Baltic. Budget
airlines do not fly to Armenia yet.

ARMENIE
Les marchés américains et européens vont demander des vins arméniens

Un célèbre sommelier européen a affirmé que les vins produits en
Arménie seront exigés sur les marchés aux Etats-Unis et dans l’UE
grce à leur qualité.

« Les vins arméniens peuvent être exportés aux Etats-Unis, en France,
en Argentine et en Italie. C’est la deuxième fois je viens en Arménie
et je peux dire que j’ai remarqué de significatifs changements en
mieux » a déclaré Serge Ghoukassian titré en 2008 meilleur sommelier
de l’année selon le guide Gault Millau.

L’Arménie doit développer le tourisme de la frabrication du vin sur le
modèle de l’expérience européenne a-t-il ajouté.

« Dans cette sphère l’Arménie a un grand potentiel. L’Arménie est un
pays avec les traditions antiques de frabrication du vin. Il est
nécessaire de concevoir des itinéraires de vin, de développer le
service et les infrastructures » a-t-il noté.

Luca Quanapik, membre de la Fédération italienne des Sommeliers
(FISAR) a gradué de 7 de 10 la qualité des vins arméniens, notant que
l’Arménie a des bonnes variétés de raisin locales, cependant, il y a
un manque d’expérience et de technologies pour la production de vin.
Il a aussi noté que la fabrication du vin se développe actuellement en
Arménie.

En 2011 l’Arménie a produit 5,6 millions de litres de vin dont 12,5 %
a été exporté.

mercredi 2 janvier 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com