Author: nina hovnanian

TURQUIE
Manifestation à Istanbul en solidarité avec la communauté arménienne

Des membres du parti Liberté et solidarité (ODP) ont protesté samedi
contre la violence faite aux femmes arméniennes à Istanbul.

Environ 30 personnes se sont rassemblées à 14h00 portant des bannières
où il était écrit `défendre la vie ensemble`, `épaule contre épaule
contre le fascisme`, `Vive la fraternité des peuples` dans le quartier
de Samatya.

Çiçek Çatalkaya secrétaire provincial du parti de l’ODP a déclaré
qu’il y a six ans, le rédacteur en chef du journal Agos Hrant Dink a
été tué dans Samatya ce qui suggère que `les attaques fascistes visent
à éliminer les bases d’une coexistence pacifique`.

Il a ajouté ` Nous le savons parce que le sang versé sur cette terre
il y a 100 ans est encore humide `.

La manifestation s’est dispersée dans le calme.

dimanche 27 janvier 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Charles Aznavour’s daughter converted to Islam

January 27, 2013 | 00:09

The decision of Charles Aznavour’s daughter to convert to Islam is a
manifestation of the highest degree of tolerance. This opinion was
expressed to Armenian News-NEWS.am by a source from political circles, who
requested anonymity.

The source confirms that Katia Aznavour converted to Islam after marrying a
Moroccan man. At the same time, he stressed that such an act is nothing
more than a manifestation of a high degree of tolerance and respect for
other religions.

Recall that the world famous French singer of Armenian origin Charles
Aznavour is the Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland and UNESCO Goodwill
Ambassador.

Azerbaijan tries to escalate situation at contact line with Artsakh – expert

news.am
January 27, 2013 | 00:50

YEREVAN. – The Ismailli region events in Azerbaijan are identical with
the processes of the Arab spring, expert Stepan Grigoryan told
Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to him, on the threshold of the presidential elections in
Azerbaijan, society gets more active and wants to manifest. The expert
also believes that the Azerbaijani authorities have a chance to avid
mass disorders if they do not press but settle the issues.

In the current situation, it is not ruled out that the official Baku
will try to direct dissatisfaction of the population to the Artsakh
[Nagorno-Karabakh] peace process. The Azerbaijani side is likely to
try to escalate the situation on the line of the contact with Artsakh
and Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

Meline Karakashian’s book on Gomidas presented in New York

Published: Saturday January 26, 2013

Dr. Meline Karakashian, Dr. Ara Caprielian, Mr. Roupen Barsoumian with
portrait of Gomidas Vartabed.

NEW YORK – The presentation of Dr. Meline Karakashian’s recently
published book entitled Gomidas: A Psychological Study took place on
December at the Armenian Center. The event was organized by the New
York chapter of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society.

The book is published by the prestigious Richard and Tina Carolan
Literary Fund (Holy See of Cilicia, Antelias) and is available at the
bookstore of the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church in New York,
We are looking forward to the forthcoming
publications of this work in English and in Eastern Armenian
languages.

Following the opening remarks by Dr. Ara Caprielian, currently the
chairman of the chapter, Dr. Meline Karakashian made an engaging
presentation, highlighting pivotal points in the life of Gomidas
Vartabed. The author emphasized several critical events, affecting the
emotional and psychological state of the patriot and the giant of
Armenian music. Given the tragic events that befell Gomidas, and for
that matter countless Armenians who lived through the harrowing
experience of 1915, it would be hardly surprising to note certain
behavioral changes or expressions of post-traumatic disorder. Had the
knowledge and treatments we now have been available then, Gomidas
assuredly would have lived a different life, carrying out his sacred
mission in the development, preservation and enhancement of Armenian
music. Further elucidations were offered by Dr. Karakashian, however
we would like to stop here and encourage the reader to purchase the
book and take the fascinating journey with Gomidas Vartabed.
Incidentally, the meticulous research and archival photographs make
this worthy study still more interesting.

The presentation was all the more enjoyable by the incorporation of
visual material and particularly by the tone of Dr. Karakashian, who
maintained a sympathetic and caring approach without gushing and
lamenting, alas almost always present in our Armenian circles when the
topics are victims of Genocide.

As Dr. Karakashian noted, there still are unstudied archives in
Armenia and France, awaiting their researchers. Perhaps, someone might
embark on this worthy project before the centennial of the Genocide?

The in-depth presentation was followed by a lively Q&A period. At the
conclusion of the program, the executive board of the chapter
presented Dr. Karakashian with a portrait of Gomidas Vartabed by
well-known late artist Minas Minassian. The portrait was generously
donated by an intellectual and Hamazkayin member Mr. Roupen
Barsoumian.

Rev. Father Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, added a special touch to the evening by performing the
traditional ceremony of Kinedzon. Der Mesrob also made brief remarks
and invited the audience to honor the memory of the 1988 earthquake
victims by a moment of silence. It should be noted that Rev. M.
Lakissian often collaborates with and encourages Hamazkayin.

It was a rare pleasure to witness the disappearance of the books from
the sale table. Hamazkayin is grateful to Dr. Karakashian for the
thought-provoking presentation, her patience at the seemingly endless
book signing and her generosity expressed by donating the proceeds
from the book sale to the New York chapter of Hamazkayin.

Animated discussions continued throughout the reception, confirming
that Dr. Karakashian succeeded in her effort, as did the Hamazkayin by
organizing this presentation.

I mixed belly dance and kochari – Anna Pipoyan
JANUARY 24, 21:48

By Marina Adulyan

Belly dancer Anna Pipoyan from New York has been dancing since she was
5. Now dreams about opening a dance school and releasing DVDs to teach
belly dancing. Talking to NEWS.am STYLE Anna told her story.

You have been dancing since you were 17. How did you turn to belly dancing?

I have been dancing since I was 5. It started in Armenia’s capital,
Yerevan, I went to a ballet school and then was accepted choreography
school in Yerevan were I graduated with diploma at the age of 16. Then
it was New York! I took classes in famous belly dance school `Serena
Studios’. In Broadway dance school I learnt flamenco and jazz ballet.
I heard about belly dance accidentally through friend. My mother also
gave me an idea. So I tried and fell in love with it.

What do you feel when dancing? What do you want to express by your dance?

It is always been self expression for me. Although belly dance is my
main profession, I am very versatile in dancing. My background is
classical ballet and Armenian national dance so it gave me strong base
to be able to learn other type of dances. For me dance is an
international language where you can talk to people through movements
and it gives you also an opportunity to be someone else, someone that
you dreamt to be. I treat dance as communication between body and soul
used to express something which is too deep to be expressed by words.

What is your family’s attitude to your profession?

Positive. I have been always supported by my father and mother. She
pushed me to dance. I am from a musical family. My father, Michael
Pipoyan was (he passed away) a singer and my aunt, Lilith Pipoyan, is
a singer in Armenia.

Who is designing your costumes and accessories?

They are mainly designed by me. I love fashion and love creating
completely different looks. In New York you can find inspiration
easily, it is everywhere you go.

On your Facebook you posted a photo in Armenian national costume and
wrote it was for an Armenian dance. What dance is it? Did you manage
to mix Armenian dance with belly dancing?

I have been dancing Armenian national dances for 6 years. I could not
ignore my background so I mixed kochari [Armenian dance] and belly
dance. People love it. I transfer from one dance to completely another
one within seconds. You must keep people interested. So why not to mix
it all up?

One of your interviews said you had worked with Beyonce . How was it
working with her? Did you accompany her or teach some elements?

I was hired to dance for an event. It was a party in New York. Many
celebrities, including Beyonce have been invited. I was performing
with my group. Beyonce saw me and invited to dance to another one
event. She is truly an extraordinary human being, a nice person. She
showed me some moves and me, too.

Do you plan to open a dance school?

Yes, it is my main goal for this year. I have been giving dance
classes for 7 years. Now I am working on my two instructional DVDs to
be released in April.

Do you think dancing can become a profession in Armenia?

I still hope so, didn’t think so before but I see that Armenia has
became very progressive.

When did you visit Armenia last? Do you want to stage a performance in Armenia?

I was there four years ago after 12 years of absence I was shocked by
positive changes. I am thinking about project, may be a joint
performance with my aunt. I am currently acting in film `Welcome Home’
by incredible director Angelina Nikonova I will be playing a role
completely different from my profession – a housewife with three kids.
It is a challenging role, and I do recommend to watch it.

Armenian showman to win half million euro

JANUARY 26, 11:54

Armenian famous showman and businessman Mark Saghatelyan is seemed to
be kin on poker, he confessed about his weakness on his Facebook
social network page.

`I am hurrying to share with my friends from poker society that I am
in Kiev on the Russian Poker Tour and on Saturday I appeared among the
best 20 players of the ESPT international tournament. The final is on
Sunday. The grand prize is the tour to Malta with 500,000 euro,’ Mark
posted.

Mark’s status is liked immediately by 193 subscribers, while others
wished him good luck in their comments. Who knows, maybe luck is with
Mark indeed?

NEWS.am STYLE

Atom Egoyan inspired by Bergman and Fellini – interview for NEWS.am STYLE

JANUARY 26, 17:32

One of the important personalities figuring the most prestigious
international film festivals is Atom Egoyan, a Canadian-Armenian
director, who characterized his profession as being chosen for
creating films, which is a luxurious present by the destiny, he told
in an interview for NEWS.am STYLE.

The creation of his most important movie Ararat Egoyan explains with
the spiritual misbalance by people in his environment, who frequently
distorted the events of the Armenian Genocide in 1915.

The key hint for creating a new movie may well become the history and
psychology of the hero, while the criteria of freedom for the director
is to be free from external world and influence of own former works.

For Egoyan inspired by Bergman and Fellini, there are rules in cinema,
and he has made ten of them, including the rule to never lose time by
comparing you with others and not to be disappointed by the fact that
you cannot be there where you wish.

By Nvard Manvelyan

If you want peace, prepare for war – Armenian Defense Minister

news.am
January 26, 2013 | 14:15

YEREVAN.- The last year stood out by growing tension along the line of
contact, especially in the context of Azerbaijan’s involvement of
snipers and attempts to conduct acts of sabotage, Armenian Defense
Minister said.

`The actions got an adequate response of the Armenian side,’ he said,
addressing professors and students of the Yerevan State University on
Saturday.

The Minister stated Armenian armed forces incurred losses last year.
Most of the soldiers were killed, while fulfilling the combat tasks.

`We must be proud of having warriors ready to defend positions at the
expense of their lives,’ Ohanyan said.

Defense Minister said combat readiness of the Armenian army has
increased. Armenia has been developing the defense industry.

`Our neighbors are constantly voicing bellicose rhetoric, expressing
readiness to resume hostilities and refusing to take
confidence-building measures to cut the number of incidents along the
line of contact. This makes us be on the alert. The saying goes: If
you want peace, prepare for war,’ Ohanyan noted.

Armenia’s Simonian takes first prize

January 26

YEREVAN. – Armenian International Master Tigran Simonian tallied a
total of 6.5 points, from a possible 9 points, and became the sole
winner of the first-place prize at the round-robin chess tournament
that was held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Armchess.am reports.

NEWS.am Sport

World marks Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27

January 26, 2013 – 13:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The UN General Assembly designated January 27- the
anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – as International
Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this annual day of commemoration, every
member state of the UN has an obligation to honor the victims of the
Nazi era and to develop educational programs to help prevent future
genocides.
The calculated killing of six million Jews and hundreds of thousands
of others as Nazi Germany spread across Europe, remains a potent
catalyst for debate sixty-eight years after the end of the Second
World War.
As a day of remembrance, January 27 is tied to the arrival in 1945 of
Soviet troops at the Auschwitz concentration camp, where trainloads of
men, women and children had been gassed to death over the course of
the war.
Eighteen governments have legislated January 27 as an annual Holocaust
Memorial Day.