12:19, 3 May, 2022
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. At its meeting today, the Board of the Central Bank of Armenia decided to leave the refinancing rate unchanged, at 9.25%, the Central Bank said in a press release.
The Lombard repo facility rate at 10.75%.
The Deposit facility rate at 7.75%.
Armenian animated film “Aurora’s Sunrise” will premiere in the feature-length competition at Annecy Festival this coming June in France, the National Cinema Center of Armenia informed.
“After seven long years in production, we are honored as filmmakers for our docudrama about Aurora Mardiganian—an extraordinary woman, an Armenian Genocide survivor who selflessly chose to relive her trauma all over again to help fellow survivors & expose its atrocities to the world as it was happening—make its international debut at the most prestigious animated film festival in the world,” the National Cinema Center of Armenia added.
From writing songs in her room as a child to performing ‘Snap’ on one of the world’s biggest stages, Rosa Linn’s road to the Eurovision Song Contest has been one full of unexpected opportunities.
Hailing from the small town of Vanadzor in northern Armenia, Rosa figured that her love of music would just stay between her and her friends. She loved writing and creating melodies, and was even in the running to represent her country at Junior Eurovision, but she was concerned that her pathway to musical success was limited.
I started making music when I was 11 or 12, in a small town. I had no resources, no connections, no money, I was just a kid with a guitar or piano who really wanted to make music. I had a lot of times when I wanted to give up, since I didn’t see a future. I just went on because I couldn’t not make music!
That’s where the Nvak Foundation and Collective come in. A non-profit organisation and record label started by Armenian-Americans Alex Salibian and Tamar Kaprelian (who represented Armenia at Eurovision 2015 as a member of the group Genealogy), Nvak provides resources to up and coming artists from underrepresented communities. Rosa just happened to be one of their first discoveries:
They just find talent and songwriters and give them everything they need to make their creations possible. I first met them in 2019 when I was performing with my band. They saw me and asked if I wanted to apply for a summer programme in Yerevan. They then started a label, and asked me to join as an artist…and I said ‘of course’!
Even with the support of Nvak, Rosa knows that she has to be her own biggest advocate and cheerleader, and she urges other budding musicians in her shoes to do the same.
Odds were against me…my only advice is that if you really feel that you’ve found something that is you, go with it! The universe, the world, God, energy, something will make your dream come true. If you don’t do it, of course you won’t succeed. Work hard, try hard, dream big, and always stay objective about things.
Rosa’s song Snap is deeply personal, but it’s a message that probably resonates with many viewers, especially after the past few years.
I was feeling really down and depressed and anxious because I was going through a lot. These past two years we’ve all been going through a lot! And I just wrote it all out and let it go. In the end I’ve realised that every difficulty is easier to overcome when you love yourself a bit more and take care of yourself, and that’s my main message. Take care of yourselves and read what’s really going on inside yourself. If something’s wrong, you need to deal with that and work to make things better.
The staging for Snap reflects that same journey of self-discovery and healing, but it also reflects Rosa’s own journey as she grew from a pre-teen scribbling lyrics in her room to performing in front of millions of viewers around the world.
It’s about the songwriting process, starting in my room! I can go back in time and show people how I started. It’s also about going through the process and revealing stuff and then it’s a way into my inner world as I get to know myself.
We’re so glad to get to know you too, Rosa Linn! Armenia competes in the First Semi Final of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday 10 May.
The Armenian Embassy in Germany issued a statement on the situation around the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Cologne. The full statement is provided below.
“In response to the numerous enquiries since 6 May regarding the Armenian Genocide Memorial located on the left side of the Hohenzollernbrücke bridge in Cologne, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Federal Republic of Germany reports the following:
The monument was erected on 15 April 2018 by the initiative “Remember the Genocide” (Initiative Völkermord erinnern) and a number of individual citizens. Due to the absence of an official installation permit, the monument was dismantled four days after its installation (19 April 2018), which was the subject of a legal dispute.
Every year, around 24 April, the monument is erected and then dismantled on the grounds of the absence of an official permission, which has clearly become the subject of outrage by many of our compatriots and a legal dispute with the local authorities.
The Armenian Embassy is in direct contact with the members of the initiative and other interested parties and will make efforts to reach a mutually acceptable solution.”
12:17, 5 May, 2022
YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS. During today’s Cabinet meeting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan commented on the rumors about how the government became the owner of the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine.
“Some consider this a suspicious, corruption deal. This is very surprising. If any ruler or a ruler’s cousin became the owner of that property with offshore, no one would worry, as it always happened, but when the state acquired property seems doubtful, I don’t know why.
What is suspicious? An investor, who acquired share from the old shareholders, decided to make a donation to Armenia, and Armenia gratefully accepted that donation”, the PM said.
Recently in the Parliament the Prime Minister said that “the Republic of Armenia, the people are the owner of the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine”.
Over 20 federal and state political leaders have demonstrated the growing disparity between the elected parliamentarians of Australia and the country’s Government with 107th Anniversary statements accurately characterizing the Armenian Genocide and calling on their colleagues in the executive branch to do the same, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).
Video statements from political leaders across Australia and all represented major parties were broadcast during Australia’s National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, which was viewed by thousands on Facebook Live and YouTube on 26 April 2022.
These calls for Australia’s recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides followed statements from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese referring to the Armenian Genocide as “massacres”, “expulsion”. “deportation”, “dispossession” and “deaths”.
Prime Minister Morrison, who in 2011 called on Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide, acknowledged the outpouring of Australian support for victims of the Armenian Genocide and through the country’s first humanitarian relief effort and went as far as referring to the events of 1915 as “one of the greatest crimes in modern history”.
Opposition Leader Albanese used his statement to call for the Ottoman Empire’s successor state. Turkey to “come to terms with its history”.
Both stopped short of calling these crimes by their name – genocide.
In contrast, the condolence messages from both federal and New South Wales state political leaders in light of the 107th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide went one step further, accurately characterizing the crimes and genocide and calling on the Australian Government to do the same.
Messages were received from Hon. Paul Fletcher MP – Minister Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and Art, Shadow Home Affairs Minister Senator Hon. Kristina Keneally, as well as their Federal parliamentary colleagues, including Leader of The Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP, Co-Chair of the Australia-Armenia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Union Trent Zimmerman MP, Tim Wilson MP, Julian Leeser MP, Senator Janet Rice, Senator Eric Abetz, Steve Georganas MP, Mike Freelander MP and Jason Falinski MP and Josh Burns MP.
Minister Fletcher conveyed: “I’m proud on this 107th anniversary to repeat my call to again express my strong belief that the Armenian Genocide must be recognised, it must be accurately described for what it was, and that Australia as part of the community of nations must maintain efforts to ensure there is full awareness of what happened,”
Senator Keneally also referred to the Armenian Genocide accurately, and revealed: “(The Australian) Labor (Party) believes the (U.S. President Joe) Biden administration’s decision (to recognise the Armenian Genocide) is an opportunity for the Australian Government to engage in dialogue with diaspora communities in Australia and our international partners on this issue.”
The Australian Greens is the largest cross-bench party in the Australian Parliament with a formal policy supportive of Australian recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Their leader, Adam Bandt said: “The Greens have consistently called on the Australian government to recognise the Armenian Genocide. We must not remain on the wrong side of history along with Turkey and other nations that refuse to acknowledge this horrific tragedy.”
On the 107th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, these sentiments were echoed by nine other federal parliamentarians, while New South Wales Premier Hon. Dominic Perrottet added his name to the long list of the state’s leaders who have addressed the Armenian-Australian community marking the occasion by recalling the “great crime of the Armenian Genocide”.
Perrottet said: “Our commemoration is about more than just remembering, it’s about commitment. Commitment to learn from such atrocities, commitment to making sure these crimes against humanity are never repeated again.”
“25 years ago, the New South Wales parliament became the first in Australia to formally recognise any condemn the Armenian Genocide. I am proud to be part of that parliament because we cannot forget,” he added.
The Premier was joined by fellow state parliamentarians, including Hon. Jonathon O’Dea MP, Hon. Mark Coure MP, Hon. Victor Dominello MP, Hon. Damien Tudehope MLC, Hon. Walt Secord MLC, Hugh McDermott MP, Tim James MP and Tanya Davies MP, who similarly characterised the massacres against Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks accurately.
ANC-AU Executive Director Haig Kayserian welcomed the support from the legislators for their “principled stance”.
“What we saw in November 2021 was the exhibition of Australia’s will on this issue, when the Australian Parliament’s House of Representatives unanimously debated in favour of a motion calling for Federal recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides,” said Kayserian.
“These statements from over 20 representatives we’ve elected to parliament echoes those sentiments and represent a further manifestation of when the everyday Australian stands on this issue, and for this we are eternally grateful.”
Kayserian added: “It is now time for the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader of Australia to stand with their constituents and their elected representatives and take one final step by recognising the Armenian Genocide accurately, and stop bowing to empty threats from a foreign dictatorship, whose century-long campaign of denial has been defeated.”
16:57, 3 May, 2022
YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. As of March 2022, the 12-month inflation increased in Armenia, comprising 7.4%, the 12-month core inflation has also increased, comprising 7.0%, however, the Central Bank estimates that the inflation deviation risks from the predicted horizon are mainly balanced, CBA Governor Martin Galstyan said at a press conference.
He reminded that during today’s session the Board of the Central Bank decided to keep the refinancing rate unchanged, setting it at 9.25%.
“The Russian-Ukrainian conflict continues, and the uncertainties related to it remain. This has a negative impact on the economic and financial market developments in the main partner countries of Armenia. The slower-than-expected slowdown in economic growth in partner countries is accompanied by an expansion of the inflationary environment. The latter is the result of value chain disruptions and accelerated inflation in international commodity markets. Thus, inflationary impact on the Armenian economy from the external sector will persist”, he said.
He stated that in the first quarter of 2022, developments in the economic activity of the Republic of Armenia were more positive than expected. The significant influx of international visitors is reflected in the high growth of the service sector and the expansion of aggregate demand. “It contributes to the improvement of the Republic of Armenia external balance and appreciation of Armenian dram in foreign exchange market. It is estimated that the latter will also have a positive impact on weakening the domestic inflationary environment and lowering inflation expectations”, the CBA chief added.
“In view of the above, the Board judges appropriate to leave the refinancing rate still unchanged. The CBA Board is committed to take adequate measures to neutralize any possible risk of deanchoring of inflation expectations. It is projected that the 12-month inflation will gradually decline and will approach the target of 4% in the medium term.
The CBA Board considers that as a result of geopolitical developments the high uncertainty related to the macroeconomic perspective remains. At the same time, the risks of inflation deviation from the projected trajectory are mainly balanced. Should the risks materialize in any direction, the Board stands ready to respond accordingly in fulfilment of the price stability objective”, Martin Galstyan said, reading today’s press statement of the Bank.
Ilham Aliyev considers the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) as citizens of Azerbaijan. The latter’s president stated about this speaking at the international conference, entitled “South Caucasus: Development and Cooperation,” which is being held in the Azerbaijani-occupied Armenian city of Shushi, Artsakh.
“We accept Armenians living in Karabakh, as our citizens. We hope that they will soon understand that they have all the rights and security guarantees as citizens of Azerbaijan,” Aliyev said, APA reported.
“Unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan is a country where many national minorities live,” the Azerbaijani president added, claiming that all of them live in peace and tranquility in Azerbaijan. “Representatives of the Armenian people also lived in Azerbaijan, and they have never faced any problems. Therefore, Armenia must stop the propaganda of Azerbaijanophobia. Myths created by Armenia about us will never contribute to peace.”
At the end of the last century, however, the Armenian population of Azerbaijan was deported from the country as a result of several waves of ethnic cleansing. And Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence and won the war imposed on it by Azerbaijan.
13:06,
YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Kristine Grigoryan delivered a message on the occasion of the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, noting that only the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, the punishment of those responsible and the restoration of justice can prevent future crimes, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Human Rights Defender.
The message reads: “April 24 marks the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, but justice has not been restored so far. The rights of killed and mutilated men, women and old people, orphans, Armenians who were forcibly expelled from their homes, subjected to inhuman torture on religious or national grounds, have not been restored. Many of them dies with all these in front of their eyes throughout their lives, longing for their relatives and homeland, hope that at least future generations will witness the restoration of justice.
The policy of denial of indisputable realities, which Turkey has been pursuing for more than a century, continues to be a serious challenge to the implementation of international legal system establishing universal norms for the condemnation, prevention and prosecution of crimes against humanity.
Efforts to protect human rights, the rule of law and the universal international justice system, which gained momentum after the First World War, continue to be overshadowed by this extremely reprehensible policy of the Turkish state.
Impunity breeds and justifies new crimes.
Unfortunately, the dangers of genocidal policy on the basis of ethnic and religious hatred have not vanished for our people. The saddest and most recent evidence of this is the documented crimes of the Azerbaijani-Turkish tandem against ethnic Armenians during the 2020 war. The propaganda of ethnic and religious hatred and the criminal acts motivated by it are being carried out by the Azerbaijani state at the state level against the Armenians of Artsakh even now, aiming to evict Artsakh of its native people, eliminate the monuments and samples of centuries-old Armenian culture, erase the traces of Armenianism, make life of Armenians living in their homeland impossible.
Today we pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide, reaffirming that it is the condemnation of the crime, the punishment of the guilty and the restoration of justice that can prevent future crimes.”
10:34,
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenian readers have the chance to dive into the Harry Potter world thanks to Alvard Jivanyan, the translator who has translated the immensely popular series of the fantasy novels by J.K. Rowling.
Speaking to ARMENPRESS about the art of translation, the peculiarity of the Harry Potter novels and children’s literature, Jivanyan emphasized that nowadays there is big demand for children’s literature.
According to Jivanyan, both children and parents prefer the fantasy genre, the “escape from reality”, something that is dictated by the social-political context.
However, the translator says that the Harry Potter novels aren’t at all solely for children.
“Even the volume of the book is telling us that it’s not just the children who are going to read it. Any serious children’s book has its adult readers as well. Let’s not forget that today the adult readers of Harry Potter are from the generation when the Harry Potter books were first being published during their youth,” she said.
Asked to present her opinion on what made the Harry Potter novels so popular and what feelings and emotions the book caused during translations, Jivanyan said: “I’m translating already the fifth volume which has numerous themes on war. The author, Joanne Rowling, is speaking with irony about the human tribe through the centaur, saying that they must learn to live in the brief period of peace between two wars. It is a surprising book with all its relations, and Rowling’s success is explained by the fact that she was able to bring back the young readers with her exclusive talent and skills of telling rich stories, something many contemporary authors lack.”