Author: Karagyozian Lena

Armenia Issued Stamp To Honor The Lebanese-Armenian Nobel Prize Laureate Ardem Patapoutian

Karagyozian Lena
the 961
Lebanon – June 15 2022
Karine Keuchkerian·

People

·June 15, 2022

Armenia has issued a postage stamp to honor the Lebanese-Armenian Nobel Prize Laureate, under the theme of “World famous Armenians: Ardem Patapoutian.”

The stamp has been put into circulation with a value of 350 AMD and depicts the molecular biologist and first Lebanese-born Armenian Nobel Prize winner.

Born in 1967 in Lebanon, Ardem Patapoutian was a chemistry student at the American University of Beirut (AUB) before emigrating to the United States. He graduated from the University of California in 1990 and earned a Ph.D. in the California Institute of Technology in 1996.

In 2021, Patapoutian was jointly awarded with David Julius the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine “for their discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch.”

Armenia bloc MP: Let’s gather in Vardanyan Park on Italy Street

Karagyozian Lena
NEWS.am
Armenia – June 15 2022
Armenia bloc MP: Let’s gather in Vardanyan Park on Italy Street
12:45, 15.06.2022

Dear friends, let’s hold a spontaneous gathering today at 2 pm in Vardanyan Park on Italy Street, Armenia Bloc MP Aram Vardevanyan wrote on his Facebook page.

“There is a matter,” Vardevanyan added.

https://news.am/eng/news/707356.html

Armenia: Backyard greenhouse constructions underway in Artsakh

Karagyozian Lena
June 16 2022

Armenia Tree Project (ATP) distributed the greenhouse materials to the first 25 beneficiary families of Artsakh’s Martuni Town, and the villages of Taghavard, Karmir Shuka, and Herher in the Martuni Region, Armenia.

All 50 families participating in ATP’s backyard greenhouse program were severely affected by the recent 44-day war having lost family members and/or homes, businesses, and belongings. ATP’s program will provide some economic stability, access to produce as so much agricultural land was lost in the war, and most importantly, hope for their future.  

In about a few days, under the supervision of the greenhouse installation team, our beneficiaries were able to prepare the ground and assemble the 30-square meter greenhouses. 

Student design
The greenhouses are designed by students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) to be small, durable, and made of locally available and affordable materials.

Earlier this April, ATP provided families with 10 fruit trees for their personal use. In addition, our partners at Green Lane NGO provided the families with berry bushes and vegetable seeds. The beneficiaries are invited to participate in a two-day training at Green Lane NGO’s Learning Center in Armenia’s Kotayk region. The course will focus on crop production, greenhouse operation, the plant environment and pest control.

Masis Zargaryan, the Deputy Head of Martuni District Administration supervises the distribution and implementation of the backyard greenhouse program in Martuni.

Mardi and Rusanna Harutyunyan- a couple from Karmir Shuka, who lost one of their sons during the 44-day war, are currently busy preparing the greenhouse. Their other son Nver helps in the construction work.

Building the greenhouse
“Assembling the greenhouse went rather fast and it took only 2 days to finish it. Before sowing seeds and planting seedlings, I want to improve the quality of the soil, to enable the plants to grow better. I have also installed drip irrigation, so during hot summer days I can use it as well”, notes Mr. Harutyunyan

Davit Avanesyan from Martuni town is busy with preparing the soil for planting. “Since the area of the greenhouse is rather small, the vegetables and the greenery we will grow will be enough to feed my family year-round” says Davit.

Yuri is overseeing the reconstruction of a house in Karmir Shuka village severely damaged during the 44-day war. The house Yuri is rebuilding is for his daughter-in-law, Irina and her four children–the youngest of which is only 4 years old. Irina (35), a beneficiary of our backyard greenhouse program, lost her husband, Yuri’s son during the 44-day war. Originally from Karmir Shuka, she moved her young family to Stepanakert until the renovations are complete. They anticipate being returning in a month or two.

“The greenhouse is ready to plant the seeds provided by Green Lane NGO hopefully we will have a harvest this year. The renovations to the house are almost complete for my family to return. I have 10 grandchildren, who all live in this village. We have nowhere else to live but our birthplace.”

For more information:
Armenia Tree
www.armeniatree.org 

Nobel Prize laureate Ardem Patapoutian elected honorary member of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia

Karagyozian Lena

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 17:51,

YEREVAN, JUNE 14, ARMENPRESS. By the decision of the General Meeting of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia on June 9, the prominent U.S.-Armenian scientist, Nobel Prize laureate, molecular biologist-neurobiologist, Professor Ardem Patapoutian was elected an honorary member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of the Republic of Armenia, ARMENPRESS was informed from the NAS.

In 2021 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of receptors that allow humans to feel temperature and touch.

Ardem Patapoutian is a molecular biologist specializing in sensory transduction. His notable contributions to science include identifying novel ion channels activated by temperature, mechanical force, and increased cell volume. His laboratory has shown that these ion channels play crucial roles in sensing temperature, touch, proprioception, and pain. Patapoutian was born in Lebanon in 1967 and attended the American University of Beirut for one year before he immigrated to The United States in 1986. He graduated from UCLA in 1990 and received his PhD at Caltech in the lab of Dr. Barbara Wold in 1996. After postdoctoral work with Dr. Lou Reichardt at UCSF, he joined the faculty of The Scripps Research Institute in 2000, where he is currently a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience. He also held a position at the Genomics Institute of The Novartis Research Foundation from 2000-2014. Patapoutian was awarded the Young Investigator Award from the Society for Neuroscience in 2006 and was named an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in 2014. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2016), and a member of the National Academy of Sciences (2017).




Asbarez: ANCA Welcomes High School Leaders to Washington for Summer Academy

Karagyozian Lena
 by Contributor

 

 June 7, 2022

 

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Applications are open for the second annual ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy is set for August 1st to 5th, 2022

Enrollment Open for August 1st–5th Haroutioun & Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy 

WASHINGTON—Armenian American high schoolers and rising university first-year students are invited to apply for the second annual Armenian National Committee of America Haroutioun & Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy, a week-long program introducing future leaders to advocacy and career opportunities in the nation’s capital.

The week-long program will take place from August 1 to 5, 2022. Applications are available online and must be submitted by June 30th.

“The ANCA is thrilled to welcome the best and brightest Armenian American high schoolers to Washington, D.C. for an intensive one-week session to learn pro-Artsakh/Armenia federal advocacy best practices, explore future career opportunities, and make friends for life,” said ANCA Programs Director Alex Manoukian. “The Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy’s innovative program will open up exciting new academic and professional horizons for these students.”

Summer Academy participants, ages 17 to 19, are chosen based on a rigorous application process focusing on academic excellence and proven pro-Artsakh/Armenia efforts through groups, including the Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian churches and organizations, schools, student groups, and individual initiatives. 

Members of the inaugural 2021 ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy The determined participants of the 2021 ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy on Capitol Hill

ANCA Summer Academy participants will stay at the ANCA Aramian House, a landmark property in downtown Washington, D.C. which serves as the home and permanent headquarters of the ANCA’s signature youth programs. The Aramian House is named in honor of the late community leader and philanthropist Martha Aramian of Providence, Rhode Island.

During the inaugural session of the program in 2021, Summer Academy participants explored Armenia and Artsakh’s diplomatic challenges and opportunities in discussions with former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans and Artsakh Representative to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan. Big Whig Media founders Ken and Keith Nahigian discussed the broader Washington, D.C. political media scene and effective communication strategies during a tour of their state-of-the-art multi-media studio located just blocks from the White House. Battling Armenian Genocide denial in academic and community settings took center stage during a discussion with Dr. Khatchig Mouradian, the Armenia and Georgia Area Specialist at the Library of Congress.

During the 2021 program, the ANCA’s Washington, D.C. team focused on teaching best practices in Armenian American grassroots advocacy, with interactive sessions on the organization’s 360-degree agenda to defend Artsakh safety and security, promote stronger U.S.-Armenia ties, secure justice for the Armenian Genocide and support at-risk diasporan Armenian communities in the Middle East and around the world.  Summer academy participants were also introduced to a wide range of career opportunities on Capitol Hill, international development, advocacy, and consulting by accomplished Armenian Americans in each of the areas.

“It was an honor to participate in the ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy,” said 2021 Summer Academy alumna Vana Dakarian, from Elgin, IL. “In just five short days, we spoke with professionals, learned about advocating for the Armenian Cause, and explored careers in politics, policy, and media. I encourage all Armenian youth to participate in this one-of-a-kind opportunity, to learn, explore the nation’s capital, and form great friendships,” she added.

Garni Khanzadian, who was an incoming freshman at University of California, Riverside, concurred.  “After the Artsakh War in 2020, many Armenian youth were left feeling helpless, and this program opened my eyes to all the things we can do to help our brothers and sisters. The guests who spoke to us during this trip came from all different backgrounds, and we got a chance to listen to so many stories about them helping to spread the Armenian Cause. Thanks to the Haroutioun & Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy, I met lifelong friends from all over the country, and made memories that will last forever.”

The ANCA Summer Academy is named in honor of Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian in recognition of their lifetime of selfless service and sacrifice for the Armenian community and cause, through a generous grant by their daughter and son-in-law, Arsho and Adour Aghjayan, and grandson, Nareg. It is the latest in the series of youth empowerment and career development programs including the Leo Sarkisian Internship Program, Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship, and the ANCA Rising Leaders Program – which features the Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Day.

To learn more about the ANCA’s youth and career services programs, visit the website.

Asbarez: Lorette Avanessian Appointed Director of Richard Tufenkian Preschool & Kindergarten

Karagyozian Lena
 by Contributor

 

 

 

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Lorette Avanessian

The Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools announced the appointment of Lorette Avanessian as Director of Richard Tufenkian Armenian Preschool and Kindergarten, which has served the Glendale and greater Los Angeles communities since 1975. Avanessian will assume the Director position at the start of the 2022‐2023 school year.

Avanessian is no stranger to the Prelacy Armenian Schools and Preschools. An Alumnus of Richard Tufenkian Preschool and Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School, Avanessian served as the Richard Tufenkian Preschool and Kindergarten Program Coordinator from September 2009 to September 2018 and as the Assistant Director since September 2018.

Avanessian holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling from University of Southern California (USC), a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Early Childhood Education, from UCLA extension.

“During the past few months, in search for the ideal candidate to take on the Director position, we interviewed several highly qualified candidates who had applied and were interested in the Director position at Richard Tufenkian Armenian Preschool and Kindergarten. We were seeking a leader who would be able to build upon the legacy of Arsine Aghazarian, and further advance the educational growth of the Preschool. We are thrilled and certain we have found that unique leader in Lorette Avanessian,” said Sarkis Ourfalian, Chairperson of the Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools.

“It is truly gratifying to witness an alumnus of our school system step forth to take on a leadership position of one of our Preschools. Avanessian’s professionalism, positive rapport with parents, teachers and students, leadership and administrative skills and her love of Richard Tufenkian Preschool and Kindergarten, coupled with her impressive educational background makes her the ideal candidate which will undoubtedly propel Richard Tufenkian Preschool and Kindergarten to new successes,” added Ourfalian.

The Board of Regents congratulates Lorette Avanessian on her appointment, the School Board and the entire Richard Tufenkian Preschool and Kindergarten community and wishes them continued success in their mission.

Calling Home: Pete Gorman in Gyumri, Armenia

Karagyozian Lena
New Zealand – June 5 2022

Karitane native Pete Gorman has been working as a digital nomad since 2015, living for short periods of time in an incredible number of countries: Mexico, Thailand, Estonia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia, Nepal, Malaysia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Georgia, and now Gyumri, Armenia. (This is actually his third time in Armenia.)

A freelance video editor by trade, Gorman was an active member of the Dunedin music scene in the 1990s with indie band Munky Kramp. He made a documentary about the post-punk/hardcore scene called ‘The Other Dunedin Sound’ that you can find online.

Gorman and his Thai wife Nok have only been in Armenia for a couple of months this time around, and they’ll be heading back to Georgia after this. He’s Calling Home this morning.

New Zealander Peter Gorman, a digital nomad, is currently based in Armenia. Photo: Supplied/Peter Gorman

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018844727/calling-home-pete-gorman-in-gyumri-armenia




Opposition Armenian MP critical of Armenia`s defense office over soldier`s death

Karagyozian Lena
ARMINFO
Armenia – May 31 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. “What decision served as a basis for putting up a tent of the Armenian armed forces on a site vulnerable to the enemy fire?” asks Tigran Abrahamyan of the  opposition parliamentary faction With Honor. 

Azerbaijani mass media have posted pictures allegedly showing the  site where Armenian soldier David Vardanyan was mortally wounded. 

“The pictures show a tent where our servicemen allegedly live. When I  was told that our serviceman was inside when he was shot – and our  servicemen spend the nights in tends in that section – I recalled the  authorities’ assurances that the last section was provided with all  necessary living facilities. 

“Even if the tent had been put up, what decisions were the basis for  putting it up on a site vulnerable to the enemy fire?” Mr Abrahamyan  wrote in a Facebook post.  “Just recall the incentive payments to  police and violence used against citizens and tents and vulnerable  sites on the border. The law-enforcement system is for them an  instrument and the defense of borders has been left at Azerbaijan’s  whim,” the MP wrote. 

According to the official report by the RA Ministry of Defense, on  May 28, at around 10:40 am, units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces  opened fire from various caliber firearms, including sniper rifles,  at Armenian positions in the southeastern part of the  Armenian-Azerbaijani border, as a result of which conscript, Private  David Vahan Vardanyan received a gunshot wound. He was hospitalized  but died later. 

In its turn, the Azerbaijani defense office is giving assurances that  the Azerbaijani side has nothing to do with the Armenian soldier’s  death. His death was the result of personal conflict. Armenia’s  defense office did not respond to the Azerbaijani side’s claims or to  Armenian mass media inquiries.

Armenian President receives UNWTO Secretary-General

Karagyozian Lena

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 11:01, 3 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received the delegation led by Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili, the Presidential Office said.

The delegation arrived in Armenia to attend the 67th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe.

In his remarks President Khachaturyan praised the fact that the relations between Armenia and the UNWTO are developing steadily. He said that tourism is a very important sector for Armenia and has been declared by the government as one of the priority areas for the development of economy.

The UNWTO Secretary-General highlighted the fact that after the COVID-19 pandemic the first meeting of the Organization is taking place in Yerevan and congratulated Armenia on being elected as member of the UNWTO Executive Council for 2021-2025, which will contribute to improving Armenia’s position and raising awareness on it in the European region.

The meeting also touched upon issues on further enriching the cooperation agenda, developing new guidelines for boosting tourism sector, etc.

It was stated that Armenia makes big efforts for the development of digital technologies, education, science and innovations, which will contribute to raising and strengthening the potential of the tourism sector.

At Davos Forum, Armenian President speaks about 44-day war, closed borders and democracy

Karagyozian Lena
Public Radio of Armenia
May 25 2022

President Vahagn Khachaturyan addressed the panel discussion on “The Price of Living in Crisis” held within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos. He presented Armenia’s experience and past path.

“Until now, Armenia regularly finds itself in crises, which it tries to overcome in a special way. We have closed borders, anf it exerts a significant impact on our quality of life. We are talking about Turkey and Azerbaijan. We have the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which keeps us in constant conflict with our neighbor Azerbaijan. Only a year and a half ago, the 44-day war provoked by Azerbaijan cost us heavy human and material losses, the war was stopped only after the intervention of Russia,” President Khachaturyan said.

He noted that “we are in a new crisis now, but we are able to overcome it because the democratic principles we have adopted allow us to do so.”

“The most important thing is the relationship between the government and the society, the level of society’s trust in the government, on the other side is how well the government understands the problems of its society. If there is a dialogue between them, the issue of poverty will be resolved, the probability of a new crisis will decrease, the country will become more stable and manageable,” President Khachaturyan added.

He stressed that the most important thing is not to betray the principles, adding ghat the experience of our country shows that.”

“From 2000 to 2018, our country renounced democratic values, corruption ate the country in the true sense of the word. We found ourselves in an extremely bad situation. In 2018, a velvet revolution took place, as a result of which a young government came to power, giving new life to all spheres, business felt free, people felt free, people were able to do business freely, no one could stop them, demand money, political forces got an opportunity to participate in elections on equal terms. The economy grew by 7.5 percent the following year,” the President said, noting that the eradication of corruption became a great impetus.