Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIAN DOCUMENTARY AWARDED BY ALEXANDRIA, VA FILM FESTIVAL

Published: Monday November 26, 2012

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Zohrab Center and NY ASA to present Voyage to Amasia

Voyage to Amasia, a new documentary film by Randy Bell and Eric V.
Hachikian, won the Special Jury Award at the Alexandria Film Festival
in Alexandria, Virgina this past weekend.

A yearly tribute to cinema, the Alexandria Film Festival presents
feature-length films, documentaries, animation, and shorts by emerging
and established filmmakers to an engaged audience seeking new or
rarely seen films. In its sixth year, the mission of the Alexandria
Film Festival is to promote cinema as an important cultural and
educational asset and market Alexandria as a dynamic venue for
creating, exhibiting, and experiencing film.

Voyage to Amasia will have its West Coast premiere on Saturday,
December 1 at 10:00pm at the Arpa International Film Festival,
where it is screening at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA. More
information is at The film
had its world premiere at the Pomegranate Film Festival in Toronto
in December 2011, where it won the prize for Best Documentary. It has
also screened at the 2012 Golden Apricot International Film Festival
(Yerevan, Armenia), the Minneapolis International Film Festival, the
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, and the St. Louis International
Film Festival.

Voyage to Amasia documents composer Eric Hachikian’s return to his
ancestral home – Amasia, Turkey – nearly 100 years after Ottoman
soldiers deported his grandmother during the Armenian Genocide. The
film is set to Eric’s piano trio of the same name, which provided the
initial inspiration for the documentary. Voyage to Amasia traces a path
through the past, honoring Eric’s relationship with his grandmother and
uncovering what her family’s life in Turkey might have been like. It
also explores how the events of nearly a century ago continue to
strain the relationship between Armenians and Turks today.

Inspired by one family’s story, the filmmakers embark on their own
journey in the hopes of finding a greater understanding between two
peoples still at odds. More information on the film can be found
at

Randy Bell is a Washington, DC-based independent filmmaker. His
documentary films, which explore subjects as diverse as American
popular music, mid-century European modernist architecture, and
the AIDS orphan crisis in Kenya, have won awards from the Cleveland
International Film Festival, the New England Film and Video Festival,
and the Ivy Film Festival. He received his Bachelor of Arts from
Harvard University in 2000, and his Master in Public Policy from the
Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2010.

Eric V. Hachikian is an Armenian-American composer whose music has
been hailed by the New York Times as “lovely and original.” His
compositions and orchestrations can be heard in a variety of
major motion pictures, network television shows, and national and
international ad campaigns. They have been performed at New York’s
Carnegie Hall, at Boston’s Symphony Hall, at The Getty in Los Angeles,
and Off-Broadway in New York City. A classically-trained composer,
as well as a self-taught DJ and perpetual student of world music,
Eric’s musical style has no boundaries, and his multi-genre interests
result in a unique and personal sound.

ARMENIA’S PREMIER: INVESTORS FROM AMERICA, JAPAN AND MIDDLE EAST HAVE SHOWN INTEREST TO THE BUILDING OF A NEW NUCLEAR ENERGY BLOC IN ARMENIA

ARMINFO
Monday, November 26, 12:53

Armenia and Russia have been creating a joint-stock company for the
building of a new nuclear power bloc , Prime Minister of Armenia
Tigran Sargsyan said in an interview with “Interfax” news agency.

He said that the company will be created 50/50. “It means that 50%
will be financed by Russia and 50% – by Armenia. We discussed several
ways of financing of the project. We have got an operator which
has been drawing out the business-model for two years and has been
calculating effectiveness of functioning of the new nuclear power
plant. The operator should also decide the share of investors, how
much they should invest, etc. It is not ruled out that we may revise
the share of our participation and attract private investors to the
building of the plant. Anyway, our Russian counterparts are ready to
discuss this model as well, since we had interesting roposals from
the side of big investors, which have been looking for the spheres
where to invest their capital. For this reason, we do not rule out
this option. We also do not rule out an option of attraction of credit
resources just for this project”, – he said.

He also added that according to the programme, the building had
to start in 2014, but the events in Japan after the incident at
Fukushima nuclear power plant took much time. “The world community
started revising their attitude to nuclear power plants. It also
hardened safety rules. For this reason, first, we initiated extra
international test of the functioning plant, secondly, we hardened
requirements to the new blocs, so that to be at 100% confident that
the new bloc fully meets safety standards”, – Sargsyan said.

Investors from America, Japan and Middle East have shown interest
to the building of a new nuclear energy bloc in Armenia, he said
and added that they do not negotiate with them at present, as the
intermediaries have been clearing out the details. The possibility
of getting the Russian credit is also watched like one of the ways
for financing of the project, he said. Moreover, they have been also
studying the possibility of getting credit from EurAsian Anti-Crisis
Fund. “We have been discussing all possible options”, – prime minister
of Armenia said.

LEGENDARY JAZZ ACCORDIONIST RICHARD GALLIANO WILL BE THE HONORARY GUEST OF THE ANNIVERSARY CONCERT OF THE NATIONAL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF ARMENIA

09:40, 23 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The National Chamber Orchestra of
Armenia will celebrate its 50th anniversary in a unique concert. Ástor
Piazzolla’s student, legendary jazz accordionist Richard Galliano
will be the honorary guest of the anniversary concert dedicated to
the 50th anniversary of the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia. In
frames of the concert Richard Galliano will introduce his “Opal”
concert to the Armenian audience.

In a conversation with “Armenpress” the Art Director and Chief
Conductor of the orchestra Vahan Martirosyan stated that they have
prepared a unique concert for the Armenian audience in tango style
accompanied by jazz improvisations. He said: “Richard Galliano has
already been in Armenia once and he expressed the wish to have a
concert in Armenia again. This is a very good occasion, I think.”

The Art Director is leading the orchestra since 2011 and to his
opinion the main change during this period of time is that he
started to like the orchestra playing. Vahan Martirosyan stated:
“The orchestra started to play in accordance with my tastes and
wishes. Of course there are several things to be corrected, but the
fact that the orchestra progressed remains.”

Vahan Martirosyan is the head of the Symphonic Orchestra of Cannes
as well. During his absence the orchestra is being headed by the
conductors invited from abroad. Among other things Vahan Marirosyan
made the following figurative statement: “This is a right approach,
because the art director is considered to be the mother tongue of the
orchestra, but as you know the state of the nation will not worth
envy, if it knows only one language. The mother tongue must be the
foundation so that the people could learn other languages as well.”

A number of surprises are considered in frames of the anniversary
concert, of which Vahan Martirosyan did not want to talk yet.

THE ISSUE OF MARTAKERT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IS OF A CERTAIN IMPORTANCE FOR THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

12:19, 26 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS. On 25 November Artsakh Republic
President Bako Sahakyan visited the Martakert regional center and
convoked there a working consultation dedicated to the capital
reconstruction of the town’s water supply system.

The Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh
President informed “Armenpress” that the Minister of Municipal
Engineering of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Karen Shahramanyan
delivered a corresponding report.

The Head of State qualified Martakert water supply problem as the
most important socio-economic issue the regional center faces in
contemporary conditions, underlining that the activities must be
accomplished with high quality and within the shortest possible
timeframe.

President Bako Sahakyan gave concrete assignments to the heads of
appropriate structures noting that the process would be under his
immediate control.

Head of the Martakert regional administration Vladik Khachatryan and
other officials partook at the consultation.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS ON CO-RAPPORTEUR OF PACE ON AZERBAIJAN NOT TO CLOSE HIS EYES TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ONGOING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE COUNTRY

21:55, 26 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS: As a co-rapporteur of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) starts his
visit to Azerbaijan, Amnesty International calls on him not to close
his eyes to the seriousness of the ongoing human rights violations
in the country.

As Armenpress was informed at the press office of Amnesty
International, during his visit 26-28 November 2012, Pedro Agramunt
will assess whether and how Azerbaijan is honouring its obligations
and commitments to the Council of Europe. The report will be debated
at the next Assembly session (21-25 January 2013).

Amnesty International’s expert on Azerbaijan, Natalia Nozadze, is in
Baku to present the organization’s concerns to PACE’s co-rapporteur
and to take part in his meeting with non-governmental organization.

ARMENIA RULES OUT MILITARY SOLUTION TO KARABAKH CONFLICT – PRESIDENT

NEWS.AM
November 26, 2012 | 18:32

BEIRUT. – Armenia continues pursuing policy aimed at establishing
peace and security in the South Caucasus, President Serzh Sargsyan
said during his trip to Lebanon.

He discussed the Karabakh peace process during the meeting with
President of Lebanon Michel Suleiman.

“We rule out military solution and adhere to the settlement of the
conflict through talks and under the mediation of the OSCE Minsk
Group,” President said at a joint press conference with Suleiman.

The president expressed regret over neighboring Azerbaijan’s attempts
to ignore all offers of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at building
trust. Baku is engaged in an unprecedented military build-up and
prepares his people to a new war, Sargsyan noted, bringing the example
of pardoning and glorification of murderer Ramil Safarov.

“This is a continuation of a crime committed based on ethnic reasons,
xenophobia and racism,” he emphasized.

He said the presidents of Armenia and Lebanon share the view that
“changes reflecting people’s will must be made peacefully, without
force, without casualties and terror.”

The reports on October 19 terror attack saddened Armenian people,
he said, adding that Yerevan strictly condemned “the coward act”.

The situation in the Middle East is linked to Armenia’s security and
“we are ready to assist the speediest solution to the problems.”

THE NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING THE REGULATION OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL CONTINUE ON THE LEVEL OF THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

16:03, 26 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Robert
Bradtke of the United States, Igor Popov of the Russian Federation,
and Jacques Faure of France and the Personal Representative of
OSCE Chairman Anjey Kasprzik paid an official visit to the region
on November 19-26. In the framework of the visit they the Co-chairs
visited Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The visit is aimed to
the support the peaceful regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The OCSE Press Service informed “Armenpress” that the OSCE Minks
Group Co-Chairs had meetings with the President of the Republic of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edvard
Nalbandyan on November 23. In Baku they have met with the President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov on November 26. And on November 21-22
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs had meetings with the authorities of
Nagorno Karabakh. In traveling to Nagorno-Karabakh on November 21, the
Co-Chairs visited Zangilan and Jabrail regions to assess developments
in those territories since their last visit in October 2010.

The Co-Chairs reviewed with Presidents Sargsyan and Aliyev the results
of the separate meetings they held with Foreign Ministers Nalbandyan
and Mammadyarov in August and September, and discussed the ideas on
the continuation of the peace process that they had presented to the
Ministers in their joint meeting in Paris on October 27. The sides
agreed to carry out further work on the level of the Foreign Ministers.

The Co-Chairs expressed appreciation to Ambassador Kasprzyk and his
team for their work in monitoring the ceasefire during this difficult
period and for facilitating this trip to the region, particularly
the travel to Zangilan and Jabrail regions.

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS AFGHANISTAN

armradio.am
17:06 26.11.2012

The delegation headed by Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan
has left for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan today for a two-day
working visit.

Within the framework of the visit the Armenian Defense Minister
is expected to meet with his counterpart Bismillah Khan Mohammadi,
Deputy Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
in Afghanistan, Lieutenant General Nick Carter and Commander of the
ISAF Regional Command North, Major General Erich Pfeffer.

Issues related to Armenia’s involvement in ISAF and other questions
of bilateral interest will be on the agenda of the meetings.

The delegation headed by DM Seyran Ohanyan will visit the Armenian
peacekeepers, who have been carrying out mission in Kunduz and Mazari
Sharif since 2010.

Rents for Flats Are Getting More and More Expensive… or the Way Students Live

Sunday, 25 November 2012 20:33

Zhanna, a student of the Department of Philology and Journalism of
Artsakh State University, who arrived in Stepanakert from Martouni
with the aim of getting higher education, twice changed flats during
the last two months. Now she has found a cheaper flat and moved there.

Students from regions often face serious problems connected with the
conditions and prices of flats in Stepanakert. At present students pay
rental fees of 15-20 thousand drams on average. It is no secret that
most students today live for their parents’ account.

One of them is first-year student Ruzanna who lives in a flat in
Shirvanzade street of Stepanakert and assures that they are four in
the flat and monthly pay 60 thousand drams. Besides, they also pay for
electricity, gas and water. Ruzanna says that the only problem is that
of heating which they tried to solve on their own and heat the flat
with a stove.

Karine Babayan lives in one of the multi-flat houses near Artsakh
State University together with her friend. They pay 40 thousand drams
for the flat and something more for telephone, electricity, gas and
water. According to Karine the conditions are normal though she thinks
that the charge is too high especially in winter when they have to pay
20 thousand drams more for heating. `I would like to move to a cheaper
flat. I stay here only because the flat is quite near the University,’
my interlocutor says.

Students often discuss the issue of high rental charges for flats and
express the opinion that conditions do not change while the rents are
continually rising.

The reason for this was explained by owner of one of the houses in
Ter-Barseghov street, pensioner Mr. Pavel, who has been leasing flats
to students for years. He says that once he leased the flat for 5
thousand drams while now the rent for the same flat is 15 thousand.
`The cost of living is rising and I have to raise the charge for the
flat in order to make my living,’ he noted.

Garnik Alexanyan

Le Parisien, France
Lundi 19 Novembre 2012

« Vous écoutez AYP FM, la radio des Arméniens »

par Anthony Lieures

Alors que le Phonéthon, une opération pour collecter des fonds pour
des opérations humanitaires en Arménie, se terminait hier soir, la
radio de la communauté arménienne d’Ile-de-France, AYP FM, s’est
vivement investie pour soutenir cette initiative. Si le record de dons
a d’ores et déjà été battu, avec 1,4 M(EURO) de promesses de dons,
c’est aussi grce à cette antenne, basée à Alfortville. Son directeur,
Henri Papazian, en parle avec passion : « AYP FM est une radio qui
favorise l’intégration des migrants venus d’Arménie, car elle atténue
la rupture entre leur pays d’origine, sa culture, et leur terre
d’accueil, la France.

»30000 Franciliens l’écoutentCréée en 1993, AYP FM est diffusée dans
toute l’Ile-de-France, et compte près de 30000 auditeurs au quotidien.
« C’est un chiffre qui est en constante progression, précise Henri
Papazian. Médiamétrie ne nous communique pas d’informations, mais nous
avons nos propres sondages. Il y a dix ans, nous avions environ 25000
personnes à notre écoute. Nous en avons gagné 5000 environ depuis,
avec l’augmentation du flux migratoire de l’ex-URSS vers la France.
»Une station associative et bilingueMêlant l’information et la
musique, ainsi que de nombreuses émissions culturelles ou de débats
autour de thématiques diverses, AYP FM diffuse ses émissions en
français et en arménien. Organisée sur un modèle associatif, elle
compte quatre salariés permanents et une trentaine de bénévoles, dont
la très grande majorité est bilingue. Son budget oscille entre 160000
et 200000 (EURO). « La publicité commerciale ne peut excéder 20% de
notre budget global, explique le directeur. Nous comptons sur une
subvention de l’Etat, mais également sur la communauté arménienne, qui
nous accompagne et qui nous permet souvent de boucler les fins de
mois… »En lutte pour la reconnaissance du génocide« Le coeur de
notre ligne éditoriale, c’est la défense de la cause arménienne. Cela
irradie sur nos émissions culturelles, nos flashs d’information, etc.
» Engagé, Henri Papazian précise les sujets sur lesquels la radio
s’implique : « La reconnaissance du génocide arménien ainsi que la
condamnation de la négation de ce génocide. Nous sommes en première
ligne sur ce sujet et nous apportons également un soutien solide et
indéfectible pour la défense du Haut-Karabakh, enclave arménienne, qui
a décrété son indépendance. »A écouter sur la bande FM (99.5) ou sur
Le numéro azur du Phonéthon reste actif jusqu’au
31 décembre. Vous pouvez faire un don au 0810.10.14.14.