Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

Armenia issues stamp on 100th anniversary of Yerevan State Conservatory

Yeghisabet Arthur
Public Radio of Armenia
Oct 21 2021
, 11:18

 1 minute read

A postage stamp dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of the foundation of Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas has been put into circulation.

The postage stamp was cancelled by the Deputy Minister of High-Technological Industry of the Republic of Armenia Robert Khachatryan, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Karen Trchunyan, the Chief Executive Officer of “HayPost” CJSC Hayk Karapetyan, the Rector of Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas Sara Hovhannisyan, the President of the Philatelists’ Armenian Association Hovik Musayelyan.

The postage stamp with the nominal value of 290 AMD depicts the facade of the building of the Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas and the monument to Komitas located in the park in front of the Conservatory. The postage stamp also depicts the inscription “100th Anniversary of the Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas” in Armenian and English.

Date of issue: 
Designer: Rem Saakyan
Printing house: Cartor, France
Size: 40,0 x 30,0 mm
Stamps per sheet: 10 pcs
Print run: 20 000 pcs

Armenia Fund U.S. Contributes $1 Million to Lebanon’s Armenian Community

Yeghisabet Arthur
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Armenia, Community, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Armenia Fund U.S.

LOS ANGELES—In response to the devastating crisis unfolding in Lebanon, Armenia Fund U.S. has contributed a sum of $1 Million to address the immediate needs of the Armenian community in Lebanon.

The continuing social and economic turmoil in Lebanon and the ongoing dire humanitarian crisis have deeply troubled the Armenian communities in the US. As a pan-Armenian organization with a humanitarian mission, Armenia Fund US stands to help our communities whenever an urgent need arises due to unprecedented events.

Under the direct oversight of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, the funds will be allocated equitably to the most vulnerable segments of the community, including children, the elderly, those in need of medical care, displaced families, and Armenian educational institutions in need of assistance.

The Board of Trustees of Armenia Fund U.S. and Hayastan All Armenia Fund extend their most profound appreciation to all of our donors for their continued support of our humanitarian mission.

Preparing Sasna Klulik in the Colorful Garden at Noosh Guesthouse

Yeghisabet Arthur
Oct 13 2021
POSTED ON OCTOBER 13, 2021 BY ARAM VARDANYAN
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Sometimes, you just want to take your laptop and camera and head to somewhere remote and enjoy time by yourself whether it be by working, relaxing, reading, or enjoying the peacefulness of nature.

Well, I recently visited one of the small villages in the Aragatsotn region called Ashnak. When I was there, I had a chance to discover Noosh Guesthouse, a relaxing retreat for coworking, connecting with nature, and unwinding!

Located right in between Yerevan and Gyumri on one of our favorite Armenian road trip routes, Ashnak is a typical Ararat Valley village surrounded by a semi-dry, colorful landscape.

Located approximately an hour from Yerevan or Gyumri, the nomadic road invites you to Noosh Guesthouse where you will have a chance to relax, photograph, and enjoy a traditional cooking experience… just like I did when there!

This cool and relaxing place was founded by two best friends, Ani and Gayane, who are optimistic and ambitious women that wanted to share their cool concept with other travelers and locals.

Ani was born and lived in Ashnak for years before she moved to France to study at Sorbonne University in the International Tourism department.

Her ancestors, like all of the residents in Ashnak, originated from the Sasun district in Western Armenia and were forced to flee into different parts of Armenia over the years.

Gayane, who also studied abroad in China and was a master of languages, became a certified guide and took up an interest in tourism and hospitality.

After graduating from university, Ani came back and wanted to develop her home village. In 2019 and alongside her friend, Gayane, the seeds were planted for Noosh Guesthouse… located on Ani’s family home’s property.

So, what does ‘Noosh’ mean? It actually means almonds because there are more than 20 almond trees in the garden and many in the village… the name ended up a natural fit as a result!

I really admire the perseverance of Ani and Gayane because they have faced their fair share of challenges. One is that the village only receives 2 hours of water daily and keeping the garden green is a gruesome task as a result of that!

However, they are determined to garner more attention to the village and they hope to help fix the water delivery issue as soon as possible (and potentially attract donors or investors to help with that).

This post is not only a review of my experience but also a post to help bring attention to the issue so we can help this community and Noosh!

The concept of Noosh Guesthouse is simple: you are there to relax, detox, and chill out. Also, if you stay overnight for one or several nights, you can learn how to cook traditional Sasun dishes, camp in the garden, and stargaze from a telescope they have on the property.

Seriously, Noosh is an epic location for digital nomads or location-independent workers!

The cozy house will provide you with clean rooms with big beds, delicious homemade food, access to a wonderful garden with many fruit trees, co-working spaces, and hammocks.

Sometimes, there are a group of travelers stopping by to eat, relax, participate in cooking classes, and enjoy traditional Armenian dances.

The garden at Noosh Guesthouse is an amazing place for open-air cooking classes and to my delight during my visit, I had the opportunity to join in one of them where Ani and Gayane showed me how to prepare ancient dishes originating from Sasun called “Klulik”.

Sasna Klulik

Cooking traditional Western Armenian food in their lush garden in the remote village was seriously one of my most memorable experiences in Armenia and it really made me appreciate cultural and gastronomical experiences like this!

Sasna Klulik is not known to the masses and to be honest, I never knew it existed because it’s a very distinct food with cooking methods that have been passed down through generations and only in villages like Ashnak can you enjoy it at someone’s home.

Originally, Klulik was known as a vegetarian dish, but for tourists and meat lovers, it can often be prepared with meat. Naturally, you can request the way you’d like it prepared.

They had set up the open-air kitchen table and all ingredients were placed on it and the fun began!

We started to mix the ingredients together with our hands and form them into small balls.

and the fun and the interesting process started to mix, mash and mix with hands and creant small balls. It was so exciting to cook in this type of atmosphere beneath the fruit trees as it really illuminated the ingredients’ colors and freshness!

To get an idea of the ingredients in Sasna Klulik – you can see the list below:

Noosh Guesthouse making Sasna Klulik

  • Pre-made broth from pickled cabbage
  • Flour
  • Red and black pepper
  • Salt
  • Dry basil (can add any herbs you like!)

After mixing all of these ingredients together, you will need to add an egg as well as fried chopped onions and a bit of tomato paste.

Then, you will shape them into small balls and cook them in the aforementioned cabbage broth. It was incredibly delicious!

  • Experience availability: 7 days a week
  • Hours: From 10 AM to 8:30 PM
  • Reservations 24 hours in advance
  • Duration: 2-3 hours
  • Languages: Armenian, Russian, English, French, and Chinese
  • Max group size: 20 people

I recommend everyone to book a stay at Noosh Guesthouse. Trust me, you will find that this place is so inviting and the perfect place to rejuvenate yourself from the hustle and bustle of the city and everyday life!

>> Book your stay at Noosh Guesthouse here <<

Have you had a chance to visit Ashnak village or stay at Noosh? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Thanks!

  • Yeganyans’ Guest House and Wine Yard
  • Make Sweet Sujukh with Tatoents Qotuk
  • Create Syrian-Armenian Food at Old Ashtarak
  • Yerevan to Gyumri Road Trips Stops
  • Gwoog Gastrohouse in Gyumri

**This article was produced with the support of My Armenia, a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Smithsonian Institution. The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the Smithsonian Institution, or the United States Government.

 

Monumentwatch.org: ‘Azerbaijani roads,’ endangered Armenian cultural heritage

Yeghisabet Arthur
News.am, Armenia
Oct 15 2021
11:17, 15.10.2021

Almost immediately after the end of the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan launched two major road construction projects in the occupied territories of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), and aimed at creating highways and infrastructure leading to Shushi city, writes monumentwatch.org which monitors Artsakh’s cultural heritage. It added as follows:

The first of these roads also has an ideological meaning for the Azerbaijani side. It is not accidental that it has been called “Victory Road” because, according to the Azerbaijani side, it repeats the road paved by the Azerbaijani army, special forces to “liberate” Shushi. On the way, this name was given by Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, and it groundbreaking was held on November 16, 2020. It will be a new road directly connecting Baku with Shushi, and which, according to the Azerbaijani side, will bypass the territories under the control of Russian peacekeepers and Armenians (lenta.ru).

According to the information spread by the Azerbaijani news websites, “Victory Road” shall connect the Fizuli region with Shushi, the regional capital of Fizuli. Its length will be 101.5 km. It will pass through 20 settlements, including Togh, Mets Tagher, Avetaranots, Sghnakh, and Karin Tak, the names of which are simply mentioned in the news videos about the road.

Simultaneously with the construction of this road, the Azerbaijani side is constructing another large Fizuli-Shushi road which in some places will intersect with “Victory Road.” The first road will have two lanes and the second will have six lanes. The construction of these roads is carried out by Azerbaijani and Turkish road construction companies, of which the Azerbaijani ones operate under the Azerbaijani state bodies, and the Turkish ones have extensive experience in complex road construction. Such are Azvirt, “KOLİN” İnşaat Turizm San. and some other organizations.

These two road construction projects pose a great danger to the monuments in the Azerbaijani-occupied territories of Artsakh, as the Azerbaijani side is carrying out enormous land changes and, in particular, changes in the surrounding landscape and relief—and based on the plan of the roads to be built. In particular, a large number of trees are being cut down, large-scale leveling and widening works as well as blasts are being carried out, and all buildings and structures obstructing the road are being demolished or there is a danger to them. It should be noted here that all the monuments around or near which the Azerbaijani side carries out road construction or other works are in such danger.

The Tukhnakal mansion not far from the village of Moshkhmhat, the sanctuary of Sister Heghine, the St. Astvatsatsin Church and the cemetery of Madatashen village, as well as the old bridge of Avetaranots village, and the Tahis built on the Ishkhanaget river bridge near Mets Tagher village, etc. are endangered in this way. The Azokh village memorial to the victims of the Great Patriotic War, the Armenian Genocide, and the Artsakh liberation war was also destroyed.

Large underground tunnels are being built in the Sghnakh village section. The destruction of the cemetery of Sghnakh village is a fresh result of the elimination of such a “barrier” to road construction. The areas of the large northwestern cemetery of Mets Tagher village and “Makun” Bridge have been destroyed and leveled.

According to Azerbaijani official sources, “Victory Road” will be the first to be put into operation—and this will be in the fall.

Armenia PM Pashinyan Meets Russia’s Putin; Discusses Bilateral Agenda & Other Issues

Yeghisabet Arthur
Republic World
Oct 13 2021
Written By

Anurag Roushan


On Tuesday, October 12, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and termed the meeting as productive. Pashinyan said that both countries discussed the bilateral agenda and current situation in the region. He also said that frequent meetings with the Russian President demonstrate the active pace of relations between Armenia and Russia. “This is the fourth time we have met this year. First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude for the offer to visit Moscow. These regular meetings demonstrate the active pace of our interactions and a common appreciation of the value of our strategic alliances,” the Armenian Prime Minister was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency TASS. 

Pashinyan went on to remark that the situation in the region has not yet calmed down as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unresolved. It is apparent that Russia plays a crucial role in resolving the conflict and, more broadly, guaranteeing regional stability, he said, noting that Russia also co-chairs the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) Minsk Group. The OSCE Minsk Group was established in 1992 by the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to promote a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It should be mentioned here that intense clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted in Nagorno-Karabakh in September last year. Following this, in the month of November, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint declaration calling for an immediate end to hostilities in the war zone, according to TASS.

Karabakh border villagers pin hopes for solving security problems with elections

Yeghisabet Arthur
Caucasian Knot, EU
Oct 11 2021

THIS MESSAGE (MATERIAL) HAS BEEN CREATED AND (OR) DISTRIBUTED BY A FOREIGN MASS MEDIUM PERFORMING FUNCTIONS OF A FOREIGN AGENT, AND (OR) BY A RUSSIAN LEGAL ENTITY PERFORMING FUNCTIONS OF A FOREIGN AGENT.

Nagorno-Karabakh has held elections to bodies of local self-government. Residents of the village of Nor Kazanchi in the Martakert District, located a kilometre from Azerbaijani military posts, have expressed hope that after the election of the village head, two main problems – water supply and security – will be solved.

On October 10, elections to local self-governments were held in four communities of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Teimur Arustamyan, the head of the Nor Kazanchi community, told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent that after the war, all the villagers returned home. He has added that a base of Russian peacemakers was set up in the village. However, submachine gun fire is periodically heard from Azerbaijani positions.

“However, our village also faces a number of social problems that can be solved only under a special state programme. First of all, it is water supply. The water problem was acute in the summer – there was no water in the village at all,” Mr Arustamyan has explained.

“The problems of our village can be solved. And if the newly elected leader has authorities’ support, then it’s possible to solve these problems,” the community head has concluded.

Shirkhanum Airapetyan, a widow and a pensioner, has stated that “for me, life after the war has changed a lot in terms of security.”

“I am not afraid of social difficulties; I fear for the safety of my children and grandchildren. Azerbaijani checkpoints are located a kilometre from the central highway, which runs next to the village, and 800 meters away from our village. And shots from submachine guns are often heard from there,” the woman told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

She has listed the absence of drinking water, poorly maintained roads in the village and the absence of a kindergarten for her grandchildren among major social problems. “In order for young families, and there are many of them in the village, to continue living here, all these problems must be solved,” the woman said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on at 03:48 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:

Civilian perishes in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan hands remains of three Armenian militaries over to Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia: IC updates Karabakh war casualties.

Author: Alvard Grigoryan; Source: CK correspondent

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

Pope receives Armenian president Armen Sarkissian

Yeghisabet Arthur
Vatican News
Oct 11 2021
President Armen Sarkissian of Armenia was received by Pope Francis at an audience in the Vatican on Monday morning.

Statement of the Holy See Press Office

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the President of the Republic of Armenia, His Excellency Mr. Armen Sarkissian, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, appreciation was expressed at the development and strengthening of bilateral relations between the Holy See and Armenia, a country of ancient Christian tradition.

The parties went on to focus on other matters of international and regional policy.

 

Baku doesn’t rule out possibility of new meeting between Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs

Yeghisabet Arthur
Panorama, Armenia
Oct 7 2021

Baku does not rule out the possibility of new meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva said on Thursday.

“We consider it useful to discuss the issues of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the post-conflict period. Earlier a meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries took place in New York, and we don’t exclude the possibility of holding such meetings in the future,” Azerbaijani media quoted Abdullayeva as saying.

She noted at the present stage it’s necessary to pay serious attention to the implementation of joint statements signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia, highlighting the “opening of communications and border demarcation”.

Sports: 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: Armenia-Serbia: 1-4

Yeghisabet Arthur
News.am, Armenia
Oct 7 2021

During the fourth match of the qualifying tournament of the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, the Armenia national team competed with Serbia’s U-21 team and was defeated 1-4 at the Technical Center/Football Academy of the Football Federation of Armenia.

The first goal was scored by the Armenia team’s 20-year-old midfielder Mikayel Mirzoyan in the 36th minute, and the pass for the goal was made by 20-year-old forward Zhirayr Shaghoyan.

During the second half, the guests managed to score four goals and scored a volitional victory.

2023 UEFA European U-21 Championship, Group H, fourth round

Armenia-Serbia: 1-4

Mikayel Mirzoyan, 36 – Strahinja Erakovic, 56, Nikola Terzic, 85, Slobodan Tedic, 88, Zeljko Gavric, 90+6

Failed 11-meter kick: Zeljko Gavric (Serbia), 90+5

Erdoğan Likely Winner As Post-War Armenia Rethinks – Analysis

Yeghisabet Arthur

Oct 5 2021


 October 5, 2021 

By Emil Avdaliani

Turkey’s foray into the South Caucasus seems to be paying off, as the country nibbles away at Russia’s long-held hegemony in the region.

It is only a year since Turkey demonstrated its new power in the South Caucasus, providing significant military and other help to Azerbaijan to achieve its irredentist ambitions against its old enemy, Armenia.

Russia, traditionally sympathetic, offered little help as Armenian forces were comprehensively beaten in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Upheaval rocked the country as it digested a historic defeat.

Faced by this brutal new reality, Armenia has reevaluated its position and has tentatively concluded that one answer to its dilemma is to put aside bitter memories of its relationship to Turkey — including the genocide of Turkish Armenians — and seek a rapprochement with the old enemy.

Armenian and Turkish officials have recently exchanged positive statements which signal the change. The Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that he was ready for reconciliation with Turkey “without preconditions.” Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he was ready for gradual normalization if Armenia “declared its readiness to move in this direction.” More recently the president’s aide and spokesman İbrahim Kalın said that Turkey is “looking positively to normalization” with Armenia.

More concretely, Armenia has allowed Turkish Airlines to fly to the Azeri capital, Baku, through its airspace. Moreover, Armenia’s recently unveiled five-year government action plan, approved  by the legislature, states that “Armenia is ready to make efforts to normalize relations with Turkey.” This, if implemented in full, would probably take the form of restoring full diplomatic relations and perhaps opening the 300km (about 200 miles) border, closed since the early 1990s. More importantly, the five-year plan stresses that Armenia will approach the normalization process “without preconditions” and says that establishing relations with Turkey is in “the interests of stability, security, and the economic development of the region.”

So far, the relationship has involved little more than an exchange of positive statements, but their regular repetition indicates that momentum for improvement of bilateral ties is there. The timing here is interesting. Following the 2020 war, Armenia sees the need to act beyond the historical grievances it holds against Turkey and be more pragmatic in foreign ties. In Armenia’s calculus, the improvement of relations with Turkey could deprive Azerbaijan of some advantages. Certainly, the Azerbaijan-Turkey alliance will remain untouched, but the momentum behind it could decrease if Armenia establishes ties with Erdoğan.

Turkey has established a pivotal role in the region. Having disrupted the status quo in the South Caucasus, it has positioned itself as a new center of gravity for Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The advantages for Armenia are not only security-related; a rapprochement provides a new market for its products and businesses in its western neighbor. In the longer term, this could encourage the country to diversify its foreign trade.

There is another key point: economic and transport diversification means the diminution of Russian influence in the South Caucasus. Armenia’s closed border with Turkey has resulted in reliance on Russia, as the majority of roads and railways run toward the north. For Turkey, a reopened border is also beneficial in creating faster links with Azerbaijan. And improving regional links is a cornerstone of Turkey’s bid for a stronger position in the South Caucasus.

So what about Russia? It is natural to suggest that the potential improvement between Turkey and Armenia, Russia’s old ally, would be impossible without the Kremlin’s blessing. Russia expressed readiness to help Armenia and Turkey normalize their relations, saying that would boost peace and stability in the region. Yet, it is not entirely clear how the normalization would suit Russia’s interests. One possibility is that the Armenia-Turkey connection would give Russia a direct land link to Turkey, via Azerbaijan and Armenia. However, here too the benefits are doubtful. The route is long and will remain unreliable — Russia-Turkey trade via the Black Sea will remain a primary route. The issue will have been discussed during President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Erdoğan in Sochi on September 29, though few details were given.

Iran will also be watching closely. A reopened Turkish border will diminish Armenia’s dependence on Iran for imports. Iran is increasingly suspicious of Turkey’s influence in the South Caucasus and has complained about its involvement in military exercises in the Caspian Sea. In response, it organized massive military drills near the border with Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Iranian trucks heading for Armenia are being stopped and forced to make payments to Azeri troops arguing that they are infringing its sovereignty.

For now, at least, events are playing very well for Erdoğan and his dreams of becoming a regional strongman. Through its military and economic presence, Turkey can hope to open new railways and roads, thus steadily decreasing Russian and to a certain degree Iranian geopolitical leverage in the South Caucasus.

But the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement is far from guaranteed because of ingrained distrust between the two sides and the potential spoiling influence of Azerbaijan and Russia. Recently Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said the country would coordinate with Azerbaijan to reestablish relations with Armenia. In everyday reality, this means the potential normalization process is fraught with problems, which could continuously undermine the improvement of regional relations.

This article was published by CEPA