HRAPARAK: EKREM EYLISLI’S BOOK TO BE AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN
11:06 13/02/2013 ” DAILY PRESS
Azerbaijani writer Ekrem Eylisli’s novella “Stone Dreams” about
Armenian massacres will soon be available in Armenian, Hraparak
reports. The book’s Armenian translation has been initiated by writer
Ruben Hovsepyan. Writer Levon Javakhyan has a similar work titled
“Kirva,” recently translated into Turkish by Sargis Hatspanyan and
published in the Turkish media.
Source: Panorama.am
FOREIGN CHANNELS TO SHOW CLIPS ON ARMENIAN TOURISM SITES
12:06, 13 February, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Prominent foreign TV channels will
display advertisement clips about Armenia. They will show the best
sides of Armenia to the international community and tourism market
by displaying the whole charm of the Armenian tourism sites. In a
conversation with “Armenpress” the Head of the Tourism Department of
the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Mekhak Apresyan
stated that such measures are aimed not only to the development
of tourism, but to introducing all the best in our country to the
international community. Among other things Mekhak Apresyan stated:
“Such measures are of a certain importance for us. After holding
discussions with the representatives of both the private sector and
all the interested parties we immediately started realization of such
undertakings, as we find that it can be profitable and efficient for
the country.”
A sufficient growth has recently been recorded in the sphere of
tourism in the Republic of Armenia. 843,330 tourists visited Armenia
from January to December 2012. This number exceeds the results of
the previous year for 11,3 percent.
AZERBAIJAN WANTS MILITARY SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT – RUSSIAN PAPER
tert.am
12:32 ~U 13.02.13
The raise of combat value of the Russian troops and their Armenian
allies, the reinforcement of Russian military base in Armenia is
accompanied with Azerbaijani military drills near Nagorno-Karabakh,
Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta paper writes.
Forces of special significance and the 102d Russian military base
together with the Armenian troops moved to mountainous shooting
grounds to conduct joint military drills.
Azerbaijani forces that time focused on the so-called Terteri
line of contact conducting wide-scale military drills there. The
newspaper writes that the main part of Terteri region as well as
other territories of Azerbaijan are currently being controlled by
the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army allied by the Armenian troops.
The author of the article Vladimir Mukhin writes that according to
the official information, the steps of both Armenia and Azerbaijan
are planned but a number of circumstances show that the situation in
the region is becoming explosive.
The author says Azerbaijan has started intensive drills in the conflict
zone recently which contradicts the agreement reached with Armenia
and UN’s Charter. They are conducting both air and land military
activities. In a military language it means – force display.
Only last year, in February and July, two such military drills were
conducted in Azerbaijan under the commandership of Defense Minister
Safar Abiyev.
Baku’s mass media report that during the drills ‘the modern weaponry
of Azerbaijani army’ is being used. Currently not only aircraft but
missile defense and land forces are participating.
The drills will last for more than a week, while in March Caucasian
Eagle-2013 drills with the participation of special forces of Turkey
and Georgia will be held in Azerbaijan.
The paper also reports that the current drills are being held in the
territory close to Nagorno-Karabakh. Terter is the settlement were
in May, 1994 the battle between the Nagorno-Karabakh defense forces
and Azerbaijani troops ended.
Military expert, Colonel Vladimir Popov said there is no doubt that
Azerbaijan is discussing the opportunity of military settlement
of the conflict. “Though the international community is against
it an impression is being created that the official Baku hopes to
‘liberate’ the territories with the lightening speed. This of course
is very adventurous step that directly relates to the interests of
Russia. But it is possible. It is also possible that Turkey will too
participate in the conflict,” the expert said.
Popov also draws the attention on the fact that as of the moment
two intelligence organizations of the 102d Russian military base are
trained in Armenia’s Kamhood training complex and together with the
Armenian divisions are going to create the ground for the creation
of the divisions implementing special services.
Besides, the military officers of the Russian 102d military base’s tank
battalion are having training in the high-mountainous Alagyaz complex.
“Forces of special significance, infantrymen and tankers comprising
of high military professionals must close the Turkish direction,” the
expert said. He voiced conviction that in case of new war in Karabakh
Russian peacekeepers will depart for the site. “It is not excluded
that the peacekeeping mission be implemented under the flag of CSTO.
The issue has already been discussed in September 2012,” Popov said.
PEN INTERNATIONAL FEARS FOR AKRAM AYLISLI’S SECURITY
13:04, 13 February, 2013
YEREVAN, February 13, ARMENPRESS: PEN International calls on the
Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee Aylisli’s safety and that
of his family, and to investigate and prosecute any person who
has threatened him. As reports Armenpress, International PEN, the
worldwide association of writers, referred to treatments against
Azerbaijani author expressing its fears for Akram Aylisli’s security.
Stone Dreams is a novella about Azerbaijani abuses and violations
against Armenians during the Independence war of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Stone Dreams, first written in 2007 but not published for five
years, tells the story of two Azerbaijani men who tried to protect
their Armenian neighbors from ethnic violence, and also refers to
the persecution of Armenians in Karabakh. The book has not yet been
published in Azerbaijan, but a Russian translation was published in
late 2012 in the Russian literary journal Druahba Naradov (Friendship
of the Peoples). Aylisli, aged 75, is a highly regarded writer,
poet, and script writer who has won numerous awards in the Soviet and
post-Soviet eras, including, Azerbaijan’s most prestigious literary
prize, the Independence Award, in 2002.
Founded in 1921 PEN International aims to promote friendship and
intellectual cooperation among writers everywhere; to emphasize the
role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and
world culture.
ARMENIA POLISHED DIAMOND EXPORTS DROPS SHARPLY
Israel Diamond Portal
Feb 12 2013
Armenia’s exports of polished diamonds were drastically reduced in
the 2012 calendar year, Rough and Polished reports. According to new
statistics issued by the Armenian Customs Service, though it exported
about 351,200 carats of polished diamonds in 2011, that number dropped
sharply to only 135,900 carats in 2012 – a 61.3% decrease.
The cash value of Armenia’s exported diamonds also took a hit in 2012,
though not as severe. The country’s exports amounted to $113.7 million
in 2011 but only $79 million in 2012, a 30.5% year-over-year decrease,
according to Rough and Polished.
Very few of the polished diamonds manufactured in Armenia are meant
for internal use; most are sold back to the same countries from whom
it purchased the stones in rough form: Europe, the United States and
Russia. Hence, the major decrease in exports could only be attributed
to a decline in global demand for the stones.
ERIC HACHIKIAN MAKES NEW INROADS IN MUSIC AND FILM
by Tom Vartabedian
February 11, 2013
NEW YORK-He’s his father’s son, a veritable chip off his dad’s block
when it comes to blazing new trails in the Armenian community.
Eric Hachikian in Amasia, his ancestral homeland While Ken Hachikian
has gained a reputation as the pragmatic chairman of the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA), son Eric is making his own
imprint in the music and film industry.
And with gusto!
Since co-producing a documentary title “Voyage to Amasia” with
collaborator Randy Bell in December 2011, the 30-year-old artist has
been on a veritable merry-go-round, filling commissions, answering
calls, and collecting awards.
His path these days appears to be heading straight toward the end of
a rainbow. It’s been that colorful, and productive.
“Voyage to Amasia” documents Hachikian’s return to his ancestral
home in Turkey, nearly a century after Ottoman soldiers deported his
grandmother during the Armenian Genocide.
The film is set to his piano trio of the same name, which provided the
initial inspiration for the documentary, honoring the relationship
with his grandmother and what family life in Turkey may have been
like at the time.
In doing so, the filmmaker embarked upon his own journey in the hopes
of finding a greater understanding of his heritage and culture.
“Our entire family is thrilled to have this personal record of
our roots, but also so happy to share this story with our greater
community,” said Gloria Shushan Hachikian, his mother. “In making
this journey, he discovered that deep within himself lies a
wonderful history and rich sense of honor. He also was able to
learn and appreciate the role of his great-grandmother and her
incredible strength. He was inspired to make this film to complete
his grandmother’s wish to return to her home. Although he made the
journey without her physical presence, she was most definitely in
his heart and thoughts.”
Eric Hachikian is a classically trained composer, a self-taught DJ,
and perpetual student of world music. He’s studied in Paris and at
Tanglewood, graduated with highest honors from University of Michigan,
and with a master of arts from New York University.
He also plays piano and tuba, is a classically trained vocalist, and
an accomplished conductor, dividing his business interests between
New York and Los Angeles.
Below is a question and answer session with the artist.
***
Q: Describe your connection with the Armenian community.
A: I grew up in the Chicago AYF and attended church and Sunday School
when I was younger. It wasn’t until college that I discovered my
Armenian identity through music. My parents always encouraged my
involvement in Armenian activities. But as a typically stubborn
Armenian child, I had to discover this for myself. For me, it was
through the music my grandmother encouraged me to explore. She played a
large role in my upbringing, both in my moral and cultural foundation.
Q: What turned you toward films after an interest in music?
A: I’ve always been interested in how music can transform images, and
vice versa. As an undergrad, I scored several student films. While
pursuing a master’s degree in composition, I was quickly attracted
to the challenges of scoring for film, television, and commercials.
Q: How did all this apply to “Voyage to Amasia?”
A: It was a reverse experience than most film scores. The music
came first and inspired the film. Randy [Bell] helped bring alive a
fantastic story. His clarity on issues as a non-Armenian was extremely
beneficial as we crafted the film’s viewpoint.
Q: How have you managed to keep your own personality apart from your
dad and his work? Did your mom have any input?
A: While my family’s commitment to the Armenian Cause has been strong
for many generations, this was a project I delved into on my own. My
father’s opinions and views certainly shaped me growing up. As a
stubborn Armenian son, I rejected a lot of his teaching as a teenager.
I wanted to be an artist and he rightfully worried how I would pay my
bills. As an adult, I’ve realized the apple doesn’t fall far from the
tree. In turn, he has been the most supportive father any artist could
ask for. My mother was also very influential. I haven’t figured out
if she’s an extension of my grandmother, or quite the reverse. Both
women were certainly an inspiration in making this film and taking
this journey. My maternal grandmother [Helen Zorigian Shushan]
was most influential in wanting to write this music and create the
film. My strongest feelings of Armenian identity come from her.
Q: What prompted you to produce “Voyage to Amasia?”
A: My grandmother passed away in 2004. That year, I was commissioned
by the Prelacy to write a piece based upon my Armenian heritage,
to be premiered at Carnegie Hall the following year. I chose to
commemorate her life with an imagined musical journey to Amasia,
where she was exiled during the genocide and sent on a death march
through the Syrian desert. To me, my grandmother symbolized my
Armenian identity and I wanted to honor her. A filmmaker [Randy Bell]
was in the audience. Following the concert, we created a plan to make
a film based upon the music. My grandmother’s sister had given an oral
account of her life in Amasia and the exile. We used this as our guide.
Q: A brief account of the film and how it was received internationally?
A: We premiered at the Pomegranate Film Festival in Toronto in
December 2011 where we won Best Documentary. We have screened at
eight international film festivals, including the Golden Apricot
in Yerevan last July. Several other screenings are in the works in
Texas, Washington, D.C., and New York over the next couple months,
including on April 24th. We also won the Special Jury Award at the
2012 Alexandria [Virginia] Film Festival. We would love to show it in
Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey, but have not yet submitted to their
festivals. The film is about creating a dialogue between Armenians
and Turks. It takes the genocide as fact and we’ve been careful on
how to best approach this.
Q: Who funded this?
A: We received funding from all over-Armenians, non-Armenians, and
people we’ve never met. There was a generous contribution from the
George Ignatius Foundation, Armenian General Benevolent Union, Thomas
A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation, and Robert Khederian and Family in
memory of their loved ones.
Q: Has it done anything to soothe the bitterness toward Turkey and
the genocide?
A: For me personally, yes. It allowed me to disassociate my anger from
the people of Turkey and feel much more secure in my fight for justice
from the Turkish government. They brainwash their citizens with false
accounts of history. I had not realized how many Turkish people were
supportive of recognition measures and had Armenian ancestry. I was
raised with the assumption that all things Turkish were bad. So this
was a big revelation for me.
Q: Tell me something about Amasia that would make me want to visit
there.
A: Amasia is the most beautiful village I have ever visited. Even
more than visually, there are traces of Armenian culture lingering
there which makes it even more exquisite. The ground feels like it
is where my ancestors walked. I would go back in a second just to
absorb the air and rub against the dirt. One thing that would bring
most Armenians there is a shop that has the original Armenian recipe
for making Amasietsi choreg.
Q: Is there something about you that would surprise others?
A: That despite my classical upbringing, I’m a self-taught DJ. I spin
vinyl records, scratch and mix. I have a strong mix in all musical
styles that comes in handy when I get hired to write a bluegrass
jingle about kitty litter.
Q: What’s next on your docket? Is there a sequel?
A: I have a few films I’m currently scoring and remain busy working on
music for a variety of television shows and commercials-most notably,
“The Place beyond the Pines,” a film for which I wrote additional
music that will open nationwide in theaters on March 29.
There are no current plans for a sequel to Amasia. However, I do have
plans to continue pursuing art through my Armenian lens.
Q: How do you feel we, as a diaspora, should commemorate the centennial
in 2015?
A: We must come together as a community and pool our talents. Artists
should collaborate to make beautiful films together, write poetry,
and share their literature. Musicians need to play the music of their
ancestors and compose new material for future generations. Politicians
must come together and make a difference in bettering the lives
of Armenians. While we certainly should not forget that horrific
chapter in history, we should show the world that 100 years later,
we have fulfilled William Saroyan’s famous quote about not being
able to destroy the Armenian race. Personally, I want to explore the
history of Armenian music over the past century, culminating in both
new compositions and collaborations around the world.
BISHOP DREAMS TO BUILD MUSEUM, OR A CULTURE CENTER ABOUT JEWS IN ARMENIA
18:38 12.02.2013
Armenia, Jews
Rebecca Miller, a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia, was skeptical when
Bishop Abraham Lazarian approached her about starting a Jewish culture
center alongside a medieval Jewish cemetery in the village of Yeghegis.
“I had… noted that there was not much in the way of diversity in
the area and couldn’t imagine what the point of a Jewish cultural
center was,” she said, Anna Borshchevskaya writes in article posted
on the website of the Jerusalem Post.
But after visiting the cemetery, she changed her mind and agreed to
work with the bishop to help preserve it. “I talked to anybody who
would listen about what it was,” she said.
Prior to the cemetery’s 1996 discovery, there was virtually no
evidence that Jews had lived in Armenia in pre-modern times. In a
country that does not boast much of an ethnic or religious minority
presence, Yeghegis is a fascinating nexus of culture and history.
I visited Yeghegis in December 2012. The village, along the banks of
a river by the same name, lies about 96 km. south of Yerevan, against
the backdrop of Ararat Valley, and just 112 km. or so north of Iran.
When the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict broke out as the Soviet Union was
falling apart Yeghegis had a large Azeri population.
The story of the Jewish community in Armenia dates to the early 13th
century, when Mongol invaders devastated the region.
Bishop Lazarian discovered the cemetery when he and his brother Mayis
Lazarian opened the Siranush children’s camp in Yeghegis to provide
shelter, food, recreation and education for children orphaned by the
war with Azerbaijan.
The bishop heard there was a mineral-water spring in the area.
He wanted to find it for the children and, as he searched, he came
across three tombstones, where he saw writing he didn’t understand.
He first thought it was Iranian. Then one guest staying with him told
him the writing was Hebrew, and the bishop approached representatives
of the small Jewish community in Yerevan for help.
He also sent photos of the tombstones to Professor Michael Stone of
Hebrew University in Jerusalem, who confirmed the bishop’s suspicion
that what he had found was indeed a medieval Jewish cemetery. A group
of Armenian and Israeli archaeologists and historians excavated the
site in 2001 and 2002 and found 64 more tombstones. Many bear Hebrew
of Aramaic inscriptions, and some are decorated with motifs of the
Orbelian kingdom.
The archaeological team also found three mills, which the bishop says
show that the community had a business because one mill could feed
several families.
There were also numerous underground tombs without any writing. In
one ruin, they found a millstone that had been reincorporated into
the house structure, which shows that people lived there for quite a
long time. They also found many stones that could have been part of a
synagogue, but as in the tels which dot Israel (and Iraqi Kurdistan),
much more remains undiscovered in Armenia.
The Middle Age Jewish settlement in Armenia is very important.
“The Jewish presence in Armenia provides a link between the old,
well-established Jewish community in Iran, and other Caucasian and
Pontic Jewish communities, and those even further north,” wrote
Michael Stone.
“This will, after the necessary research is completed, require us
to reassess the relationships between these areas, and it also has
implications for economic and commercial history.”
In the 13th century, said bishop Lazarian, “At a time when you can’t
imagine that a country… in Europe either helped create or didn’t
destroy a Jewish settlement… It is fantastic how they could gather
cultural, architectural symbolism of Jewish Armenians… and they
were connected, and built one of the strongest kingdoms during time
of Mongols.”
The bishop’s dream is to build museum, or a culture center about Jews
in Armenia, that would focus on education.
“Because these two peoples had very ancient connections… and until
now it is one of the few peoples with whom we had no problems,”
he said.
The bishop wants people to know what connections existed between
Armenians and Jews, stories of how they helped each other during the
Armenian genocide and the Holocaust, for instance.
“These peoples in this region, I think have to support each other…
They ended up having a similar destiny.”
NATURAL GAS PRICE IN ARMENIA ROSE TO $232 PER 1000 CUBIC M IN 2012: PRESS DIGEST
YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. Even though Armenia’s Minister of Energy
and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan had been stating all year around
the price for the imported natural gas remained the same–$180 per
1000 cubic meters, it actually rose to $232 in 2012, according to
the article published Tuesday in Orakarg (Agenda) newspaper.
“The State Revenue Committee of Armenia has finally confirmed not
only the fact the price for the Russian gas had increased in Armenia,
but also the thing that in 2012 its cost was calculated not per annum,
but quarterly,” the article implies.
Armenia was the only CIS member state to calculate the gas price
per annum. For example, Ukraine and Moldova have already applied to
quarterly accounting, the source informs.
Thus, Armenia paid $444 million per 1.91 billion cubic meters of gas
at the Customs last year, State Revenue Committee (SCR) said in its
report. Thereby, it turns out that the customs value of 1000 cubic
meters of Russian gas is $232.4, the newspaper concludes.
The imported gas is imposed by tax not at the border, but at the
domestic market. The statistics on the volume and cost of the imported
gas is provided by ArmRosgazprom company and is reported by Ministry
of Energy and Natural Resources to the State Revenue Committee.
Referring to SRC, customs value of the imported gas to Armenia stood
at $220 per 1000 cubic meters in the first half of 2012, $244-in the
third quarter, $254-in the fourth quarter.
“Even though the statistics clearly demonstrates the hike in prices,
the Armenian officials continue keeping this fact in secret. The
“secrecy” is explained by the fact that the government had been
subsidizing the gas price for domestic consumers taking into account
the presidential elections. The executive branch will pay off the
deficit between the purchasing value and gas tariffs by transferring
nearly 15% out of its 20% stock in ArmRosgazprom to Gazprom company,”
according to the article.
Possibly, the gas price rose in the first half of 2013 if we bear
in mind that the price was $254 per 1000 cubic meters in the forth
quarter of 2012.
“In these conditions, the change in gas tariffs for domestic consumers
will be unavoidable. Even if the average price this year is the same
as it was in the fourth quarter of 2012, the consumers will still
have to pay 162 drams instead of the current 132 drams, and the major
consumers–$313.13 against $243.13 per 1000 cubic meters.”
Earlier, Minister of Energy Armen Movsisyan stated the gas price in
Armenia would be the best in the CIS.
ArmRosgazprom is the only company dealing with import and distribution
of Russian natural gas coming to Armenia from Russia via Georgia. It
was established in 1997. Its shareholders are Russia’s Gazprom (80%)
and the government of Armenia (20%). -0-
KIM KASHKASHIAN WINS GRAMMY AWARD FOR BEST CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL SOLO
LOS ANGELES-Armenian American violist Kim Kashkashian won a Grammy
Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo on Feb. 10.
The award for Kashkashian’s recording “Kurtag & Ligeti: Music for
Viola” was announced at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards held at the
Staples Center in LA.
Kashkashian has established herself as one of the most accomplished
artists of her generation. Inspiring world-wide critical acclaim,
she has been hailed by The San Francisco Chronicle as “an artist who
combines a probing, restless musical intellect with enormous beauty of
tone.” The New York Times has joined in these accolades, praising her
“rich, mellow timbre and impressive artistry.”
In recent seasons, Kim Kashkashian has appeared as soloist with the
major orchestras of New York, Berlin, London, and Munich. and Tokyo.
Her recital appearances take her to Boston, Washington DC,
Philadelphia, San Francisco, Cleveland and Los Angeles.
Kashkashian has made guest appearances with the Tokyo, Guarneri,
and Galimir Quartets and toured with a unique quartet which included
violinists Gidon Kremer and Daniel Phillips and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Her June 2000 recording of concertos by Bartok, Eotvos and Kurtag won
the 2001 Cannes Classical Award for a premiere recording by soloist
with orchestra. In January 2002, ECM New Series released Voci, her
recording of two large works by Luciano Berio. The album comprises
the title work for viola and orchestra as well as Naturale, a related
work for viola and percussion (Robyn Schulkowsky), and archival field
recordings of Sicilian folk music. Hayren and Monodia, released in
2003 and 2004, respectively, focus on Kashkashian’s work with the
Armenian composer Tigran Mansurian.
Kashkashian’s extensive teaching activities have included
professorships at the University of Indiana in Bloomington and at
Conservatories in Freiburg and Berlin, Germany. In September 2000, she
began teaching viola and chamber music at the New England Conservatory
in Boston.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, of Armenian descent, Kashkashian graduated
from the Peabody Conservatory of Music where she studied with Walter
Trampler and Karen Tuttle.
!
al-instrumental-solo/
POLITICAL PARTY OPPOSES LEASING OF SYUNIK LAND TO IRAN: PLANS PROTEST ON FEBRUARY 14
14:01, February 12, 2013
The “Hayazn” political party today handed a letter to Iran’s Ambassador
to Armenia Mohammad Reyisi raising its concerns regarding the proposed
leasing of 50,000 hectares of pasture land to sheep herders in Iran’s
Eastern Azerbaijan province.
The party argues that such a deal could damage friendly relations
now shared by the two neighbouring nations.
The party says it will do all in its power to oppose the deal.
On February 14, the party will stage a demonstration outside the
Government Building in Yerevan at 11am.