Author: Kajoyan Gevork

THE STATE COMMISSION ON PRISONERS OF WAR, HOSTAGES AND MISSING PERSONS SUMS UP THE RESULTS OF 2012

12:53 26.12.2012

The yearend sitting of the Armenian State Commission on Prisoners
of War, Hostages and Missing Persons took place at the Ministry of
Defense. The sitting was chaired by President of the Commission,
Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan. Issues related to the work done in
2012 were discussed, the action plan for 2013 was determined.

Members of the Commission briefed on the work done over the year
and came forth with proposals. It was noted that the activity of
the Commission yielded concrete results in 2012. It was stressed,
however, that the work would be more effective if Azerbaijan acted
within the framework of international norms and refrained from creating
artificial obstacles.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan noted in his speech that in 2013 the
Commission will further deepen the cooperation with international
structures to ensure the return of the Armenian hostages from
Azerbaijan.

2012 ARTS AND CULTURE: FILMS, FESTIVALS, RESTORATIONS, AND THE LOSS OF A BELOVED SINGER
By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN

ARTS AND CULTURE | 26.12.12 | 11:21

Cultural life in Armenia in 2012 has been quite eventful with
theatre and film festivals, local and international exhibitions. In
2012 Yerevan was declared UNESCO World Book Capital. Not all of the
cultural events, however, have been received positively in Armenia,
some even stirred clamor among the society.

The cultural year was heralded by a major fire at Surb Nshan Church
in Tbilisi – one of the six churches that are a matter of dispute
between the Armenian Apostolic and Georgian Orthodox churches

In January, Armenian literature enthusiasts unveiled an upgraded
version of their literary website – Granish – popular among reading
aficionados and authors.

As Armenia celebrated Army Day, January 28, an Armenian-Russian joint
film was screened titled “If Everyone…” – a recollection of the
Karabakh war, which, as the authors stressed, is about peace rather
than war and a unique call for forgiveness and tolerance.

National Film Awards called “Hayak” took place in Yerevan in mid-March
2012, for the first time in the history of Armenian cinematography.

Armenian renowned writer, poet and public figure Hovhannes Tumanyan’s
house in Tbilisi , Georgia, again appeared in the focus of public
attention after it became known that the family of Gyumri’s mayor
had expressed readiness to buy it.

“Armenia: Imprints of a Civilization,” an impressive exhibition of
more than 200 works spanning more than 1,000 years of Armenian written
culture , was organized in Venice.

The subcommittee on culture at the Public Council, a presidential
advisory body, approved of an ambitious initiative to build an exact
replica of Noah’s Ark , using biblical dimensions, in Yerevan.

The 10th ArmMono One Man Show International Festival was held in
Yerevan in early spring, which gathered many renowned representatives
of Armenia’s theater elite and guests from abroad.

Armenia officially withdrew from Eurovision 2012 song contest held
in Baku

The departing year stood out also for the resolution drafted by
three US senators, urging Turkey “to return to their rightful owners
all Christian churches ” as well as to “end all forms of religious
discrimination.”

“Stop” Azerbaijani Film Festival raised a big clamor among residents
of Gyumri and Vanadzor. Besides the several days’ protests, there were
“threats to kill” the organizer Georgi Vanyan .

In May, a group of Armenia-based and Turkish artists presented their
works- 20 images 20 seconds each, the so-called 20×20 format, at the
Pecha Kucha Night Istanbul .

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh initiated
founding an opera house in capital Stepanakert , at the suggestion
of cultural figures of Armenia’s opera community.

In June it was announced that a Union of Circus Workers would be
formed in Armenia, inviting artists, performers and “intellectual
elite” to join.

The weeklong 9th Golden Apricot international film festival brought
many celebrities to the Armenian capital

The festival “chain” continued in October, this time with an
international animated film festival, ReAnimania held in Yerevan for
the fourth time.

The first stage of restoration works of Armenia’s most beautiful
ancient capital Ani in modern-day Turkey (Western Armenia) completed,
and Armenian experts’ have been trying to get a chance to participate
at least in the second stage of the three-year restoration project
of Ani’s four churches

Since November, a display of Armenian treasures celebrating the
500th anniversary of Armenian printing, the designation of Yerevan
as 2012-2013 World Book Capital and the 20th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia
and the United Kingdom, has been on show in the Ritblat Treasures
Gallery of the British Library.

A boy band representing Armenia finished third in Junior Eurovision
2012 that ended in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

In early December, an old Armenian heroic epic, Daredevils of Sassoun ,
has been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Armenia’s beloved singer Flora Martirosyan died in Los Angeles
on November 20, at age 55. She was laid to rest in her homeland’s
Pantheon alongside statesmen, artists and other figures whose lives
contributed to the history and culture of Armenia.

“THE ARMENIAN CHURCH THROUGH THE AGES” – A NEW BOOK BY BORIS BARATOV AND ANNA PETROSOVA (VIDEO)

2012-12-26 12:15:10

Boris Baratov’s and Anna Petrosova’s new book-album “Armenian Church
through the ages,” was published by the publishing house “Linguist”.

This is a wonderful gift for anyone who is looking for an Armenian
pearl in New Year and Christmas.

As the Information Centre of the newspaper of Armenians of
Russia Yerkramas, the album will be on sale in stores in Moscow,
“Biblio-Globus”, st. Butchers, 6/3, “Moscow House of Books”, st. Novy
Arbat street, 8, “Armenia”, st. Tverskaya, 17.

Report from the book presentation, which was held on December 9 in St.

Petersburg, watch below.

“LEVON TER-PETROSSIAN’s TASK WAS TO KEEP THE BLOOD OF MARCH 1 AWAY FROM HIM,” AGHVAN VARDANYAN SAYS
Hripsime JEBEJYAN

DECEMBER 25, 2012 13:04

Aghvan Vardanyan, the alternate representative of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Body in Armenia, assured during
a conversation with that Armenian National Congress
(ANC) leader Levon Ter-Petrossian’s decision was absolutely expectable
for him, “I was sure he would make such a decision. It was clear to
me. The explanation regarding the age was very logical and normal.”

According to Aghvan Vardanyan, the ANC leader has achieved the task
he took on – to keep the blood of March 1 away from him. He filed
a lawsuit in the European Court to prove that he couldn’t have left
his home on that day, even if he had wanted to.

According to Aghvan Vardanyan, the members of the Congress, who were
convinced that Levon Ter-Petrossian would be nominated, have found
themselves in an awkward position.

JEAN X, UN NOUVEAU PRIMAT POUR LE SIEGE PATRIARCAL GREC-ORTHODOXE D’ANTIOCHE
Stephane

armenews.com
jeudi 27 decembre 2012

Le 5 decembre, decedait a Beyrouth Sa Saintete Ignace IV, Primat des
Grecs Orthodoxes du Patriarcat d’Antioche dont le siège se trouve a
Damas. Moins de deux semaines après la disparition de cette grande
figure de l’Orthodoxie, son successeur a ete elu. Il s’agit de Sa
saintete Jean X. Le nouveau patriarche est bien connu des Orthodoxes
de France et des milieux ~cumeniques de notre pays puisqu’ il avait
ete elu Metropolite pour l’Europe occidentale et centrale et residait
a Paris depuis quatre ans. La situation qui prevaut en Syrie explique
la rapidite avec laquelle le saint Synode de ce patriarcat a reagi
en elisant un nouveau patriarche sans attendre la fin de la periode
traditionnelle de deuil. La date et le lieu de l’intronisation ne
sont pas encore connus du fait des evenements de Syrie. La liturgie
d’intronisation devrait, en theorie, se derouler en la cathedrale
patriarcale de cette Eglise a Damas lorsque les circonstances le
permettront.

Le 18 decembre, Sa Saintete Karekine II, Patriarche supreme et
Catholicos de tous les Armeniens, a adresse un chaleureux message de
felicitation au nouveau patriarche a l’occasion de son election. Le
Catholicos y declarait : ” Par la volonte de Dieu, en ces temps
si difficiles pour la Syrie et le Moyen Orient, vous est confie le
venerable siège patriarcal d’Antioche. Desormais, en bon pasteur,
vous etes appele a servir de toutes vos forces les fidèles de Syrie
tout en cooperant avec les autres Eglises et les autres religions. Que
le Seigneur vous raffermisse afin que vous poursuiviez la très grande
~uvre de vos predecesseurs, afin de repondre aux attentes spirituelles
du peuple de vos fidèles confronte aux defis actuels et de promouvoir
la concorde et le dialogue interreligieux “. Sa saintete exprime
aussi dans son message le desir de voir ” se renforcer les liens et
la collaboration entre l’Eglise apostolique armenienne et le siège
patriarcal Grec-Orthodoxe d’Antioche en ces jours de grandes epreuves
pour nos communautes et nos Eglises s~urs “.

Centre Diocesain d’Information de L’Eglise armenienne de France.

jeudi 27 decembre 2012, Stephane ©armenews.com

ORHAN PAMUK A SON EX-AMIE CAROLINE FICHEKTCHI ” PARCE QUE TU EST ARMENIENNE, ON VA NOUS LANCER DES PIERRES ”
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
jeudi 27 decembre 2012

L’Armenienne Caroline Fichektchi, presentee comme ” peintre erotique
” par la presse turque et ex-compagne du Prix Nobel de litterature
Orhan Pamuk a declare dans le periodique turc ” Yurt ” qu’Orhan
Pamuk ne desirait plus sortir en ville en sa compagnie. Selon Caroline
Fichektchi, Orhan Pamuk refusait de se promener avec elle dans les rues
d’Istanbul. Le couple evitait de se montrer en public. Et Caroline
Fichektchi de declarer ” Nous etions ensemble, meme en Turquie, mais
il avait beaucoup peur de se montrer en public en ma compagnie. Alors
que jadis nous nous promenions dans les quartiers de Nichantach ou
Djihanguir (…) je lui demandai pourquoi il ne desirait plus qu’on
nous voie ensemble. Il me repondit alors que j’etais armenienne et
la foule aurait pu nous lancer des pierres pour cela “.

L’an dernier, les paparazzis avaient saisi quelques images d’Orhan
Pamuk en compagnie de Caroline Fichektchi se promenant a New York. La
liaison entre le Prix Nobel de litterature et l’artiste armenienne
fut alors connue du grand public.

jeudi 27 decembre 2012, Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

“ACTIVE DIPLOMACY IS ESSENTIAL FOR ARMENIA”
Khatchik Der-Ghougassian

30.11.2012

On November 19, political scientists, international relations experts,
analysts from different countries around the world, as well as experts
and historians from Armenia participated in the Pan-Armenian Conference
of Political Scientists and International Relations Experts on “The
Challenges of the 21st Century and the Security Issues of Armenia” at
the RA National Academy of Sciences. “Hayern Aysor”‘s correspondent
sat down for an interview with Argentinean-Armenian international
relations expert Khatchik Der-Ghougassian.

“Hayern Aysor”: Which city of Argentina do you live and work in?

Khatchik Der-Ghougassian: I was born in Lebanon, live in Martinez
city and have a doctor’s title in international relations from the
University of Miami. I work and lecture at San Andres University and
the American University of Armenia.

“Hayern Aysor”: Do you manage to work in two distant cities at the
same time?

K.D.G.: Yes, I do. My classes at the American University of Armenia
fall in line with the summer vacation period in Argentina.

“Hayern Aysor”: What are your expectations of this conference?

K.D.G.: My main expectation is to listen to my colleagues and establish
the network that needs to be established. If this conference has a
positive impact on Armenian political officials’ policy, we will have
achieved great success.

“Hayern Aysor”: International organizations are currently dealing
with the issue of Armenian Genocide recognition and condemnation and
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution. Which of these issues do
you think is the most primary issue?

K.D.G.: There can’t be a primary issue. All these issues are a part of
one agenda, that is, the advancement of Armenia’s national security
and identity issues which are all interrelated. The solution of any
one of these issues can’t be delayed to give preference to the other.

“Hayern Aysor”: For years we have been discussing a peaceful settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Do you see a peaceful resolution
of this conflict in the future?

K.D.G.: I don’t see it in the near future since Azerbaijan is currently
unwilling to negotiate. At the same time, I definitely don’t believe
in a military solution. If Azerbaijan was sure of a military solution,
it would have resolved the conflict by now. But Armenia is mainly
discussing the continuation of the status-quo, and that’s why it’s
important for Armenia to have a social-economic policy that will help
Armenia show resistance in this long-term conflict. I would say if
having a reserved army is the number one way of showing resistance
to Azerbaijan’s ambitions, then that is immediately followed by the
improvement of social-economic conditions so that Azerbaijan never
hopes to bring Armenia and Artsakh “down to their needs” due to the
poor social-economic conditions.

“Hayern Aysor”: It seems as though the international community is
aware of Armenia’s issues and is concerned about them. Is that right,
Mr. Ghougassian?

K.D.G.: It’s not that the world is only concerned about Armenia’s
issues. We also see the issue in Palestine, the economic crisis in
Europe and the war in Syria…The fact that our key issues haven’t
made the world break into frenzy is sometimes good and sometimes bad.

“Hayern Aysor”: Are Armenian political scientists and international
relations experts that powerful for us to be able to raise our issues
to the world and solve them by ourselves?

K.D.G.: There is no country, no nation and no diplomat that can be
isolated from the rest of the world. We are all interconnected,
especially for a small country like Armenia, which is in a very
unfavorable geopolitical situation. Active diplomacy is essential
for Armenia. Armenia’s active diplomacy and strategic partnership
with the Diaspora serve as a means to end the blockade and pave the
way to the outside world.

Interview by Karine Avagyan

Return

“ZHOHOVURD”: DOES MIKHAIL BAGDASAROV SELL “MIKA CEMENT”?

2012-12-25 10:35:07

Passions around Hrazdan factory “Mika Cement” abound. According to
the newspaper “Zhohovurd”, the factory has its own cattle farms,
and these days the factory put up cows in sale.

There are rumors that the owner of “Mika Cement” Mikhail Bagdasarov
is willing to sell the whole factory.

To clarify this information, the newspaper appealed to the director
of the factory Naira Martirosyan, who said: “I cannot tell anything
about the sale of the factory, because it’s not my matter. As for
the sale of cows, it is nothing but ordinary.”

SCPEC WARNS BUSINESSES AGAINST PRICE RISE IN ARMENIA

December 25, 2012 – 13:16 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On New Year’s Eve, Armenia~Rs State Commission
for the Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) has set a special
control order over commodity markets, SCPEC chair said.

As Artak Shaboyan told a Dec 25 press conference, the commission is
monitoring the pricing policy of those business entities.

In this context, Mr. Shaboyan noted that all major entities were
warned against price rise.

ARMENIA TO HAVE UNIVERSITY RANKING LISTS

December 25, 2012 – 14:32 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – General Manager of VivaCell-MTS mobile operator
Ralph Yirikian and Armenian Minister of Education and Science Armen
Ashotyan gave a joint press conference Dec 25, with Deputy Minister
Karine Harutyunyan and head of the company’s department of development
programs and monitoring Robert Stepanyan present.

The initial measures taken to create ranking lists of Armenian schools
and universities were in the focus of the discussion.

The ranking lists of Armenia’s educational institutions are presently
based on public opinion, which cannot be fully void of subjectivity.

This way of ranking will henceforth be replaced with an approved
professional method. The reform is in line with the Law on General
Education System and the efforts to integrate into Bologna process.

Localization of the best international practice was noted as the most
effective way to develop an efficient national model of ranking. The
tools developed this year will be introduced in 2013 as a pilot
program, with the method to be finalized only upon the completion of
the testing.

“VivaCell-MTS supports educational initiatives with a special
commitment and aims to make the scientific potential of the country
serve to the best of the nation,” Mr. Yirikian said.

Armenia’s national system of university ranking (the methodology,
indices, and the mechanisms of calculation) was presented by Karine
Harutyunyan, with Robert Stepanyan presenting the ranking system of the
general educational institutions, VivaCell-MTS press service reported.