Arayik Harutyunyan relieved from position of advisor to Artsakh’s President
10:30,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan signed a decree according to which Arayik Harutyunyan has been relieved from the position of advisor to the Artsakh Republic President – Artsakh Republic President’s representative at large upon his own request, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Meet the pop singer who has been on the rise since her Armenian X-Factor debut
By Gareth Thomas
Armenia arrived on the Eurovision scene in 2006 and although they have never won the Song Contest, they have finished in the top ten seven times and come in fourth place twice.
They were also one of the first countries to announce their participant for the 2019 competition. Here is everything you need to know about their participant, Srbuk…
Armenian pop fans amongst you might have already heard of Srbuk. But for those less familiar, here’s what you need to know.
Srbuk – whose real name is Srbuhi Sargsyan – came to the public’s attention during Armenia’s version of the X Factor. Since finishing as a runner-up in 2011 she has been dubbed a rising star in her home country and competed on the 2018 version of The Voice of Ukraine, placing fourth.
Her 2016 single ‘Yete Karogh Es’ (‘If You Can’) topped the Armenian charts for two weeks, and last November she released a new track titled ‘Half a Goddess’.
Armenia have not yet announced their participating song for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.
But if you’re already itching for a taste of what Srbuk has to offer, you can check out her music on YouTube.
Not great… Their act – Sevak Khanagyan – failed to make it past the first semi-final, finishing in 15th place (the top ten advance to the Grand Final).
Armenia’s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who is attending the Munich Security Conference, on Saturday met with Aurelia Frick, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture of Liechtenstein.
They underscored the measures to be taken toward invigorating Armenia-Liechtenstein relations, reflected on their bilateral and multilateral agenda, and stressed collaboration within international organizations.
Separately, Mnatsakanyan presented to his interlocutor the steps which Armenia is taking at international platforms, and toward the prevention of genocides and other crimes against humanity. In particular, the FMs of the two countries expressed readiness to engage in closer cooperation on the agenda of the prevention of genocides and other crimes against humanity.
Also, Mnatsakanyan presented to Frick the recent political developments in Armenia, and the foreign policy priorities of the country.
In addition, they touched upon a number of urgent matters that are on the regional and international agenda.
From revolutionary to Prime Minister – Pashinyan assures he has not changed, Swiss RTS radio
20:54, 7 February, 2019
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, ARMENPRESS. New Prime Minister of Armenia, leader of the velvet revolution Nikol Pashinyan has an aspiration to revolutionize the economy of the country, preserving the balance between Russia and Europe, ARMENPRESS reports Swiss RTS radio reads, the reporter of which met with Pashinyan in Davos earlier.
“Nikol Pashinyan, wearing his new suit that fits his position of Prime Minister, accompanied by a large delegation, tours in the corridors of the World Economic Forum. A few months ago that same person, a former journalist, wearing a military uniform, cap and a backpack was addressing the crowd with a speech in the capital city of Armenia, Yerevan.
The popular movement that was named “Velvet revolution” due to its peaceful nature raised him to the post of Prime Minister.
From opposition leader to head of the executive, Nikol Pashinyan assures RTS that he remains the same person. “I assess myself the servant of the people. As long as the people are satisfied, I will continue my mission. As soon as the people decide to remove me from that position, I will most probably go back to journalism or will write books”, ARMENPRESS reports RTS quotes Pashinyan.
The article runs as follows,
From political revolution to economic revolution
His mission, as he usually says, has been “making Armenia corruption free”. After reaching this goal Nikol Pashinyan sees an economic revolution that will take place in his country.
This is what brought him to the World Economic Forum in Davos. He also met with Swiss and Diaspora-Armenian businessmen in Switzerland.
But not everything depends on the Government – warns the PM. Like in case of the political revolution, Nikol Pashinyan relies on the people for the economic revolution. “The citizens know that they have a precise role. The only difference now is that we need to attract investments”.
Balance between Russian and Europe
But how can a former USSR country, located between east and west, develop political and economic relations with Europe without offending its key ally, Russia? This seems to be a matter of balance.
“We are member to the Eurasian Economic Union, which is a very important market for our country. But Armenia has an agreement also with the EU and this is not incompatible.
Our relations with Russia are important from the perspective of economy and security, but our relations with the EU give us an opportunity to improve our political and legal system and develop our society, making it more competitive”.
Anyway, the Armenian PM should be cautious not to breach the balance. For example, joining NATO is not on the agenda.
“We do not plan to join that organization. We already cooperate with NATO member states, particularly in carrying out peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan and soon in Lebanon. This cooperation will continue and develop further, because we know the real value of peace”.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates on February 2 St. Gregory the Theologian who has left rich literary heritage translated into Armenian in the 5-8th centuries AD, Qahana.am reported.
According to the source, in all probability St. Moses of Khoronk has made a part of translations into Armenian. St. Gregory the Theologian is one of the most prominent figures of Christianity, who by means of the struggle against Arians has kept Christianity uncorrupted and by means of his works he has greatly influenced the formulation of the Christian theologian ideology.
St. Gregory the Theologian was born in 328 AD in the village Ariangue near the town Naziangue, of Cappadocia. He was the son of the Bishop Gregory. Gregory studied in Caesaria, and then in Athens. In Athens Gregory became acquainted with St. Barsegh of Ceasaria – one of the prominent figures of Christianity in the future. After leading ascetic life for a while, Gregory returned to Naziangue, where he was ordained as a priest by his father. Later he became the Bishop of Sasima. Together with St. Barsegh of Ceasaria St. Gregory the theologian struggled against the Arians. He participated in the 2nd Ecumenical Council of Constantinople. St. Gregory passed away on January 25, 389 AD.
By Trend
Silence of the European Parliament and other international organizations on the death of Mher Yeghiazaryan, an Armenian journalist and politician, is an example of double standards, Bakhtiyar Sadikhov, Azerbaijani MP, told Trend.
Being the head of an online media outlet and deputy chairman of the “Armenian Eagles: United Armenia” party, Mher Yeghiazaryan was considered both a journalist and a politician. While in the “Nubarashen” correctional facility in Yerevan, he went on a hunger strike.
“The European Parliament has so far not made any statement on Armenia, about why this journalist was detained. Until now, the European Parliament has never made a statement as to why the leader of an opposition political party was arrested,” added Sadikhov.
According to him, the only reason for this silence and indifference emanating from the European Parliament is double standards.
The deputy noted that in the case of Mehman Huseynov, who was detained by a court decision, did not go on a hunger strike and did not experience any problems with the conditions of detention, the European Parliament was, for some reason, very concerned, and made biased statements about Azerbaijan.
“Look at the conditions which they held the journalist in, the leading face of a political party in Armenia. Despite him going on a hunger strike, no one attached any importance to this, and intentionally created conditions for him to die in prison. Why does the European Parliament keep quiet? This shows that double standards still prevail in international organizations,” Sadikhov added.
The MP believes that it is necessary to condemn this action of the European Parliament, to forward an appeal in light of this.
“I even think that it is necessary to hold discussions on this issue during the plenary session of the Milli Majlis on February 1, and to send a letter to the European Parliament about when they will stop applying double standards,” Sadikhov said.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The strongest guarantor of our homeland’s independence and security is the Armenian Army, toward which the Armenian nation’s gratitude and obligation has no boundaries.
We are elevated by the victories of our glorious Armenian Army and we bow our heads to the sacrifice of our fallen and wounded soldiers. The life of every single soldier on the frontlines is precious and invaluable. It is with that understanding that we unequivocally support programs that make our borders impenetrable. We support efforts to assist the families of our fallen and wounded soldiers, and those aimed of securing a dignified life for the soldiers that are currently serving.
We wish a safe tour of duty to our soldiers and eternal gratitude to Armenia’s victorious Armed Forces.
ARF Western U.S. Central Committee
Los Angeles, California
The Armenian Apostolic Church honors today the memory of Saint Anton the Hermit.
Some time after the spread of Christianity the hermits’ movement started, Qahana.am reports. Hermits were those persons who devoted themselves to God, went to uninhabited places and deserts and spent their life there praying and fasting. Thus, by God’s will they overcame the human faults and attained spiritual perfection. After many years of ascetic life the hermits were granted the grace of working wonders and healing the sick by means of prayers.
St. Anton the Hermit is the founder of ascetic and monastic life. He was born in the village Koma, Egypt, in 251, in a noble family. After his parents’ death Anton inherited their wealth. Once in the church he listened the evangelical commandment, in which Jesus says: “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.” (Mt 19:21). Being led by this commandment, Anton sold all of his property and lived in the spirit of praying, fasting and doing charity.
After some time he left his native village and began to live in a cave, where according the hagiographers he struggled against the demons and devils who constantly appeared to him in the appearance of wild beasts. Patiently facing all temptations the saint left for a desert and lived there completely isolated for 20 years. Becoming aware of his ascetic and secluded life, many people left their houses and went the desert to live ascetic life. Upon the request of his spiritual brothers St. Anton came out of his cave and explained the assembled people monastic cannons and rules, which later became the guideline for monastic life. The saint passed away at the age of 105.
With the support of the Ministry of Culture of Armenia, at the initiative of the Culture and Art for Peace NGO, an exhibition titled “New Yerevan Comes Out” will open at the AGBU Hall on .
The exhibition will feature the history of poster art in Yerevan with posters dedicated to the capital and its life.
The exhibition titled “New Yerevan Comes Out” is being held within the framework of the events dedicated to the 2800th anniversary of Yerevan. It aims to demonstrate the development of urban culture in Yerevan through poster art, from the pre-Soviet era to nowadays. The poster art in Yerevan has recorded the cultural life of the capital, an important component of social and civic education, voiced Yerevan’s problems and tried to offer solutions.
The exhibition will be opened till the February 15th.