Category: 2017

Religion: Hungary donates $1.7 million for restoration of churches in Lebanon

Karakhanian Suren
Pravmir, Hungary

July 22 2017
Source: The Christian Times
JARDINE MALADO | 22 JULY 2017
The Hungarian government is donating $1.7 million to help with the restoration of Christian churches in Lebanon, government records revealed.
The Sourp Nshan Armenian church in downtown Beirut, Lebanon.

    The donation, which will help fund the restoration of 31 churches, is part of the Hungarian government’s efforts to support Lebanon’s Christian community so that they could continue living in their own country, and help preserve the Christian identity and presence in the Middle East.

    Apart from funding the project, Hungary will also be involved in coordinating the restoration of the churches. According to Hungarian Free Press, the project will be overseen by the Embassy of Hungary in Beirut, as well as Hungarian academics from Pázmány Péter Catholic University and Lebanese specialists from the Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslikot.

    The government is also funding the restoration of Christian minority places of worship in Hungary. A total of 100 million forints (about US$381,000) has been allocated for the restoration of an Orthodox church in Budapest and 2.4 billion forints (about US$9 million) has been pledged to support properties in Hungary that are associated with the Moscow Patriarchate.

    The conservative publication Magyar Nemzet has suggested that the government’s support for the Russian Orthodox Church stems from the political alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who closely follows the fate of Orthodox communities outside Russia.

    Hungary has shown its eagerness to support Christians in the Middle East, and it was the first country in the world to create a government office that aims to support persecuted Christians in the region.

    In January, the Hungarian government announced that it wants the country to become a “hub and supporter” of groups that assist Christians who are being persecuted for their faith.

    The announcement was made during an international conference in Budapest where leading advocacy groups gathered to discuss the persecution of Christians across the globe.

    Bence Rétvári, the state secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources, told the delegates attending the event that “more Christians are being persecuted today throughout the world than during the reign of Roman Emperor Nero.”

    He said that religious leaders in the Middle East have asked to help persecuted Christians in the region by providing humanitarian aid “rather than taking them in.”

    “When I travelled through Iraq I also met with numerous church leaders. Everybody asks that we don’t help the Iraqis and the persecuted get into Europe. Instead we should help locals start up their lives again,” he stated.

    During the conference, Rétvári also announced that Hungary will launch a traveling exhibition throughout Europe about the persecution of Christians.

    Religion: Solemn ceremonies dedicated to the 777th anniversary of dedication of the St. John the Baptist Cathedral of Gandzasar held in Artsakh

    Karapet Navasardian
    Panorama, Armenia

    On July 23 Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan partook in the Divine Liturgy and solemn ceremonies dedicated to the 777th anniversary of dedication of the St. John the Baptist Cathedral of the Gandzasar monastic complex in the Vank village of the Martakert region.

    As information department sat the President’s Office reported, for substantial contribution to the realization of a number of philanthropic programs in the Artsakh Republic and in connection with the 777th anniversary of dedication of the St. John the Baptist Cathedral of the Gandzasar monastic complex President Sahakyan awarded vice primate of the Artsakh diocese archimandrite Sahak Shaqaryan, philanthropists Varouzhan Baghramyan and Aram Frankyan with the “Gratitude” medal.

    NKR National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan, foreign minister of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan, other officials, representatives from Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as guests from abroad were present at the event.

    Film: Bollywood shooting a film in Armenia

    Lilit Nahapetian 
    Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Monday
Bollywood shooting a film in Armenia
YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS. The Bollywood film producers have
started shooting a film in Armenia in early July.
Lilit Martirosyan – executive producer at Sharm Holding, told
Armenpress the shootings of the film will continue until late July.
The cooperating sides are confident that the shooting of an Indian
movie in Armenia will boost inter-cultural ties.
“Now filming is being conducted and it will be carried out in Sevan,
Dilijan, as well as in many beautiful sites of Yerevan. The film is a
melodrama featuring a love story of a girl and a boy who come to
Armenia for study. The film crew, nearly 30 people, have arrived in
Armenia. They brought all professionals from their country, there will
be no need for Armenian hair stylist or makeup artist”, Lilit
Martirosyan said, adding that Armenian actors as well will be featured
in episodic roles.
She informed that Armenia’s Ambassador to India Armen Martirosyan, in
addition to various economic programs, have also examined the Indian
film market and proposed to Indian film producers to consider Armenia
as a prospective country for film-making. The Indian film producers
are cooperating with Sharm Holding on organizing the shootings.
“Indian movie production is quite developed and most of the films
during the year are shot in India, about 1000 films. If half of
India’s population watches a movie shot in Armenia, our country will
become well-known. It will first of all boost our economy. We are
interested in developing film production in Armenia”, Lilit
Martirosyan said.
The film will be screened in the Indian market. By the end of the year
it will appear on a big screen. This is the first time in Armenia when
an Indian film is being shot.

    Film: Armenian Movie Week kicks off in Iran

    Hambik Zargarian
    Panorama, Armenia

    The Armenian Movie Week officially launched in the House of Artists of Iran on Sunday, in attendance of Ambassador of Armenia to Iran Artashes Tumanyan, the Embassy staff, as well as Armenian filmmakers Aram Shahbazyan and Aren Vatyan, together with a large number of guests.

    As the press service of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Panorama.am, the participants were briefed on the films featured in the weeklong program of the Armenia Movie Week, slated for July 23-29 in the Iranian cities of Tehran, Mashhad and Shiraz.

    Ambassador Artashes Tumanyan also delivered remarks at the event, touching upon the path of the Armenian cinema, as well as Armenian-Iranian cultural ties.

    The opening ceremony was followed by the screening of the movie “Moskvitch, My Love” by Aram Shahbazyan. Afterwards a joint discussion was held with the participation of Armenian film directors, focusing on the history of the Armenian cinema and the perspectives of Armenian-Iranian cooperation in film industry.

    Sports: 10th Pan-Homenetmen Games Kick off in Yerevan

    Jhanna Virabian
    Asbarez Armenian News



    YEREVAN—The 10th Pan-Homenetmen Games kicked off Saturday with a parade of athletes in the center of the city setting the stage for the centennial celebrations of the founding of the athletic and scouting organization, which was founded in 1918.

    Some 1,250 athletes representing 19 Homenetmen chapters from around the world, including Tehran’s Ararat and Nairi organizations, paraded from Liberty Square in Yerevan’s city center to Republic square led by the Homenetmen marching band and athletes carrying the Armenian tri-color, the flags of Homenetmen, the organization’s Armenia division, commonly known as HASK and the organization’s centennial flag.

    Marching in alphabetical order by region, the athletes reached Republic Square where thousands of spectators had gathered to witness the tenth iteration of this biennial event.

    With the singing of the Armenian national anthem and the official Homenetmen anthem, the official opening ceremonies of the 2017 games also kicked off the organization’s centennial celebrations, which will go well into 2018 as regional celebrations will mark the momentous occasion of the organization’s establishment.

    The Pan-Homenetmen Games torch was lit using the eternal flame at Dzdzernagapert

    Attending the opening ceremonies were representatives of the Catholicosates of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and the Great House of Cilicia; Armenia’s Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakopyan; deputy ministers of youth affairs and defense; the political representative of the Armenian Revolutionary Bureau, Armen Rustamian; ARF Supreme Council of Armenia chairman, Aghvan Vartanyan; the ambassadors of Lebanon and Egypt; a large delegation of the South Korea’s national scouting troupe; the honorary presidents of the 10th Pan-Homenetmen Games, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Alice Der-Bedrossian; Homenetmen Central Executive members, past and present; and representatives of Homenetmen regional executives.

    Following remarks by representatives of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, chairman of the Homenetmen Armenia, Davit Hakopyan presented welcoming remarks.

    This was followed by remarks by the 10th Pan-Homenetmen Games organizing committee chairperson Manuel Marselian, who is also the chairman of the Homenetmen Western Regional Executive.

    Sarkis Der-Bedrossian, the honorary president of the games, said that Homenetmen is that singular organization that does not age and it is that unique movement that has educated generations of Armenians about the importance of being Armenian and advancing our national issues.

    Also speaking at the ceremony were ARF Bureau member Armen Rustamian, Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakopyan and chairman of the Homenetmen Central Executive, Karnig Mgrdichian.

    Before the parade of athletes, the participants gathered in front of the National Opera to become acquainted with the rules of the Pan-Homenetmen Games and to meet with organizers and leaders of th event. The athletes then marches to Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial, where the Pan-Homenetmen torch was lit from the eternal flame at the memorial complex.

    The opening ceremonies concluded with an outdoor concert, featuring many popular Armenian singers and fireworks, which lit up the Yerevan sky.

    Sports: Armenian freestyle wrestlers win 5 medals in Francophone Games

    Greg Madatian
    MediaMax, Armenia

    Khachatur Papikyan (70kg) became gold medalist, Mkhitar Grigoryan (57kg) and Varuzhan Kajoyan (74kg) won silver, while Ashot Velitsyan (61kg) and Vaghinak Matevosyan (65kg) took the bronze.

    The Armenian Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs informed that another Armenian sportsman Marzapet Galstyan (86kg) will enter into competition today.

    Apart from the wrestlers, Armenia will also be represented in the games by 4 athletes, 2 cyclists, and 3 judokas.

    http://sport.mediamax.am/en/news/wrestling/24425/?utm_source=mediamax.am&utm_medium=widget_300x300&utm_campaign=partnership

     

    Sports: Armenian freestyle wrestlers win five medals at Francophone Games

    Nahapetian Samvel
    Panorama, Armenia

    The Armenian team has had a successful start at the VIII Games of La Francophonie launched in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with Armenian freestyle wrestlers claiming five medals.

    According to a press release by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Armenian athlete Khachatur Papikyan won the gold in the 70 kg weight class. Varuzhan Kojoyan (74 kg) and Mkhitar Grigoryan (57 kg) became silver medalists, while Vaghinak Matevosyan (65kg) and Ashot Velitsyan (61kg) took the bronze.

    Armenian athlete Marzpet Galstyan (86kg) will enter the competition today.

    The Armenian team features 15 sportsmen, namely 4 athletes, 2 cyclists, 3 judo wrestlers and 6 freestyle wrestlers, who represent the country at the 8th Francophone Games.
      

    The team from Armenia won 6 medals at the International Olympiad among schoolchildren in physics and mathematics

    Antonian Lara
    ArmInfo, Armenia

    ArmInfo. The international subject Olympiad among schoolchildren continues. This time schoolchildren from Armenia at the international olympiad received 6 medals for 2  diplomas in mathematics and physics.

    The Olympics in Mathematics was held from 12 to 23 July in Brazil, in  the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Armenian team was led by the  representative of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia  Smbat Goghyan and Tigran Markaryan, the teacher of the physical and  mathematical special school named after Shahinyan. 2 silver medals  were received by the pupil of the 12th class Mikael Mkrtchyan and the  pupil of the 10th grade Gagik Mahakyan. Bronze medals were given to  the pupil of the 12th grade Sergey Nersisyan and the 11th grade  student Vahan Martirosyan. The medal and the diploma was received by  the pupil of 11 classes Vahe Karagulyan.

    In the Olympiad in Physics, which was held from July 16 to July 24 in  the Indonesian city of Yogokarta, our students received 1 silver  medal – 11th grade student David Gevrokian and one bronze medal –  class 12 pupil Khachatur Nazaryan, one student received a medal and a  diploma from 11th grade student Mikael Yeghiazaryan. The team was  headed by Gagik Grigoryan and Bilor Kureghyan, who teach in special  schools with a physical bias “Ayb” and the school named after  Shahinyan.  It should be noted that the team from Armenia won 2  bronze medals and one diploma at the international chemistry Olympiad  held in the Thai city of Nakhom-Pat from July 6 to 15. The biology  Olympiad will be held from July 23 to 30 in the British city of  Conventry.   

    Book: Grantee Alia Malek’s New Book on Syria Reviewed by The New York Times

    Emil Lazarian
    Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting



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    General news, Project news

    Members of the Knadjian family at the Abu Artin restaurant and inn, 1959. Image courtesy of the Knadjian family.

    Pulitzer Center grantee Alia Malek’s new book, The Home That Was Our Country:  A Memoir of Syria, was featured in a New York Times review of two books offering personal accounts of Syria’s civil war. 

    The review, by Eliza Griswold, another Pulitzer Center grantee, calls Malek’s memoir “one of the finest examples” of the new testimonial writing borne out of the conflict and finally beginning to reach the rest of the world.

    “Born in Baltimore to Syrian-American parents, Malek is a journalist and attorney who landed a job in the civil rights division of the Justice Department less than a year before 9/11. Unable to endure the political climate under President George W. Bush, she quit the United States for the Middle East, where she traveled and taught human rights for the better part of a decade. Her political and cultural fluency, as well as her deep familiarity with the landscape, allow her to become ‘a human ear’ as Svetlana Alexievich calls it, recording the tragic absurdities of daily life that give way to dark humor. On an earlier trip, she had visited southern Lebanon and toured a prison that was recently closed. Her guide, a former inmate, instructed the group’s members to cover their noses and mouths, ‘so as not to inhale the germs of diseases that he was convinced still lingered.’ The disease that lingered, of course, was despair. She spotted a sign for the ‘suffering yard’—suffering, she writes, ‘was their translation for torture.'”

    For her Pulitzer Center project, “Armenians: War, Exile and the Loss of Syria,” Malek looked at the community of Syrian Armenians who first came to the country in the early 20th Century to escape the Ottoman genocide of their people.  But with the onset of the Syrian civil war five generations later, the descendents of Syria’s original Armenian refugees fled their country for a homeland they have never known—Armenia. 

    Malek’s project explores the consequences of Syria’s violence, from an unexpected angle. It allows us to contemplate pressing questions in the region: How do democracy, Islamic fundamentalism, and millennia-old multiculturalism coexist? Are ethnicity and religion a solid basis for a nation-state? As Turkey ascends regionally, can anything be learned from its Ottoman legacy? Where does a Diaspora belong? Which exile is the real exile? The story also provides an opportunity to see what is happening in Armenia as its lost tribes reassemble.

    Her writing also appears in the Pulitzer Center’s e-book, Flight from Syria: Refugee Stories.