The jury of the 14th Khachaturian International Competition has announced the results of the first stage of the contest. According to this, 7 cellists have passed to the second phase.
The second stage will be held on June 9 and 10.
Category: 2018
“Restart” reaches Conservatory (video)
The “Restart” initiative of Yerevan State University has reached Komitas State Conservatory.
Students at the university organized their first debate, during which they raised their concerns.
The private discussion was also closed to journalists. Students also did not want to give an interview, stressing that they did not want the public to know their complaints.
The students did not speak, but instead the rector answered the questions of the journalists.
“We need to restart the whole country and, in particular, our musical art performance, with small steps,” said the Rector Shahen Shahinyan, welcoming the initiative.
In general, the rector is proud of the students’ civic activism.
“What our students did can be written in the Guinness Book of Records, this is the restart.”
The rector agrees that the tuition fees are high and maybe that is the reason for the protest. The annual fee for study at Yerevan State Conservatory amounts to 800,000 for Vocal Art and 700,000 drams for other majors.
The state allocates 60 places per year to study at Komitas Conservatory’s free education system, and the number of students entering the university varies from 200 to 250.
Asbarez: ARS Awards Scholarships to Deserving Students
2018 scholarship recipients
GLENDALE—The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA held its annual Outstanding High School Graduates’ Awards Ceremony on June 4 at the ARS Regional Headquarters.
31 graduates from high schools throughout Southern California gathered at the event, alongside the presence of the ARS Regional Executive Board, local ARS chapter executives, high school principals, counselors, and parents to receive ARS scholarship certificates and awards acknowledging their academic achievements.
ARS Regional Executive Board Member Anita Altounian delivers opening remarks
ARS Regional Executive Board member Anita Altounian delivered opening remarks and welcomed students and guests. She stated, “Educating our youth continues to be one of the primary objectives of the ARS. Along with operating one-day schools, providing assistance to Armenian day schools and higher institutions, the ARS continues to assist high school, college and university students with scholarships.”
Atounian introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Dr. Talar Chahinian, who holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from UCLA and lectures in the Department of Comparative World Literature and Classics at California State University, Long Beach. Currently, she is the co-editor of Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies. She contributes regularly to the online journal, Critics’ Forum, and the literary magazine Pakine.
Dr. Chahinian congratulated students for their achievements and stated, “As Armenian-Americans, you occupy an even greater vantage point. As first, second, or third generation immigrants, you understand what it means to negotiate between cultures, languages or even nationalities. You understand how these spaces are constructed, how histories are inter-connected, and how there’s beauty in cultural hybridity and plurality. As descendants of genocide survivors, you’re familiar with power structures that organize the world’s population, with the politics of dispersion, and with the discourse of social justice. All of this makes you an ideal candidate for the much-revered diverse classroom that today’s universities strive for.”
Keynote Speaker Dr. Talar Chahinian delivers her remarks during the scholarship awards ceremony
Referencing the increased sense of disconnection that individuals may feel as a result of the digital era, Dr. Chahinian advised students to interact with their professors, establish connections, work to create community among their peers, integrate themselves on campuses, to be vocal and visible, and build support systems. “While it will be the digital space that connects you to the world, it is the human connection that will ultimately allow you to translate the world of ideas into enriching experiences,” she expressed.
Thereafter, Regional Board member Altounian expressed words of gratitude to parents, who play an important and inspirational role in their children’s lives and enable them to take charge of their educational journey. In her closing remarks, Altounian advised students to make wise decisions and expressed wishes for great success in their educational pursuits and future professional careers.
Following remarks, the scholarship recipients, who earned high GPAs and served their communities, came forward to receive their certificates and awards. ARS Regional Executive Chairperson Silva Poladian and ARS chapter executive representatives presented the awards to the students. Eleven chapters granted scholarship awards in the amount of $500 each to the chosen recipients.
Dr. Talar Chanian with students and guests of the Outstanding High School Graduates’ Awards Ceremony
At the end of the program, ARS Regional Executive Chairperson Silva Poladian addressed guests and extended appreciation for their acceptance of the invitation to attend this special occasion. She encouraged students and parents to always keep in mind the noble work of the Armenian Relief Society, as well as the importance of giving back to communities.
Scholarship recipients with ARS Regional Executive Board members, high school principals, counselors, and Keynote Speaker Dr. Talar Chahinian
The evening concluded with a reception, during which the attendees had the opportunity to meet and greet.
The ARS chapters and their awardees follow:
Anahid Chapter, San Fernando Valley
- Alexa Gevorkyan, Ferrahian High School
- Sarkis Majarian, Ferrahian High School
- Matthew Mooradian, Reseda High School
- Alexandra Shakarian, Taft High School
Araz Chapter, Burbank
- Meri Avetisyan, Burbank High School
- Vana Mirzakhani, Burbank High School
- Sarkis Tatarian, John Burroughs High School
Karni Chapter, S. Orange County
- Alexander Jemal, Mission Viejo High School
- Aleck Mardirossian, San Juan Hills High School
Lori Chapter, N. San Fernando Valley
- Sevag Sarkissian, Ferrahian High School
Maro Chapter, Los Angeles
- Serli Shanlian, Armenian Mesrobian School
- Paulina Sipilian, Ferrahian High School
- Meghry Chapter, North Hollywood
- Jessica Minassian, Hollywood High School
Nairy Chapter, Montebello
- Anush Ghoogasian, Armenian Mesrobian School
- Leanna Keshishian, Montebello High School
- Hovhannes Minasyan, Schurr High School
- Hasmik Petrosyan, Applied Technology Center
Sepan Chapter, Glendale
- Ani Ordubekyan, Glendale High School
- Eliza Petrosyan, Glendale High School
- Manvel Yelanyan, Glendale High School
- Ankeen S. Arestakesyan, Hoover High School
- Serop Jay Jejeian, Hoover High School
- Rita Ohan, Hoover High School
- Sevan Chapter, Orange County
- Karine Codilian, Irvine High School
- Talar Dishoian, Marina High School
- Galia Wartan, Elsinore High School
- Sosse Chapter, Pasadena
- Aram Chalikyan, Marshall Fundamental Secondary School
- Alina Lahian, Crescenta Valley High School
Talin Chapter, La Crescenta
- Allen Khudaverdyan, Clark Magnet High School
- Arman Megerdechyan, Verdugo Hills High School
- Michelle Nareh Tahmasian, Crescenta Valley High School
Distant chapters also granted scholarships to students in their local communities. As such, the ARS Fresno “Mayr” Chapter awarded scholarships to Anna Arakelian (Bullard High School) and Vart Vars Megerditchian (Clovis High School). The ARS Fresno “Sophia” Chapter awarded scholarships to Ariana Temurian (Central High School) and Max Gulesserian (Clovis West High School). The ARS San Francisco “Garin” Chapter awarded scholarships to university students Evan Ugarte and Lena Ohanian.
One student will also receive the Puzantian Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, awarded by the ARS of Western USA, Regional Executive Board. Additionally, two university students, who applied for the 2018 ARS Scholarship, administered by the ARS Central Executive Board, will receive scholarships, along with applicants from other regions.
The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, established in 1984 and with regional headquarters in Glendale, CA, has 26 chapters and more than 1,200 members in four western states. The ARS operates a Social Services Division and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center, one-day schools, and funds numerous youth programs, scholarships, and relief efforts. For additional information, visit www.arswestusa.org or call (818) 500-1343.
168: Armavir, Syunik get new governors
Category
Politics
New governors were appointed today for the provinces of Armavir and Syunik.
Gagik Mirijanyan will serve as governor of Armavir, while Karen Hambardzumyan will lead Syunik.
The appointments were made during today’s Cabinet meeting.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulated the new governors and wished good luck.
168: Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement priority for Armenia – foreign minister
Categories
Artsakh
Politics
Region
The settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has been and remains the priority of not only our foreign policy, but also the entire statehood and security system, Armenia’s foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said in an interview to the Russian Kommersant newspaper.
“Nagorno Karabakh has been and remains as an issue of security of people with clear names for us: that is the security of Nagorno Karabkah. Their security and status remain as a key issue for us. The security issue of the 150-thousand population of Nagorno Karabakh [Artsakh] unites and consolidates the Armenian society living in and outside Armenia. We are smart people and have concrete explanations to promote our issues of concern on the NK security and status. We need a region that lives in peace, but it should not be at the expense of the security of our people”, the Armenian FM said, stating that the Armenian side wants to continue the negotiation process within this framework for the sake of peace and security of the whole region.
FM Mnatsakanyan said the Armenian side continues the peaceful settlement course of the conflict with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs format.
Asked whether Armenia will oppose Azerbaijan’s membership to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the FM said: “Azerbaijan is the country that has blockaded Armenia, it unilaterally takes measures against Armenia. Baku runs a policy which aims at undermining any cooperation process, the creation of trust atmosphere and the establishment of human contacts. We deal with a country which does everything to contribute to the creation of hatred atmosphere. Look at the terminology that is used against Armenia and the Armenians worldwide. The EAEU is a cooperation organization, what do you expect from us?”
The FM highlighted the presence of peace and stability in the region, stating that all processes for the conflict settlement should take place in an environment contributing to peace.
Asked whether Armenia will recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the minister stated: “We support peaceful settlement of conflicts. We refrained from recognizing the independence of Nagorno Karabakh since we support solutions of all issues through a negotiation process. This is the base of our position on the remaining matters”.
Kocharyan`s office advised Pashinyan to reflect on the consequences of the factual refusal of the Armenian authorities to participate in the peace talks on Karabakh
Arminfo, Armenia
June 9 2018
Kocharyan`s office advised Pashinyan to reflect on the consequences of the factual refusal of the Armenian authorities to participate in the peace talks on Karabakh
Yerevan June 9
Yerevan June 9
Mariana Mkrtchyan. In the office of the second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, responded to the statement of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made from the rostrum in the parliament regarding the inferiority of the negotiation process on the Karabakh settlement in connection with the non-participation of Artsakh in them.
Thus, the head of the office of the second president of Armenia Victor Soghomonyan reacting to this statement of Pashinyan reminded that the fact that Artsakh was a full-fledged party to the conflict was fixed at the OSCE summit in Budapest in 1994, and until 1998 the negotiation process proceeded precisely in this format. “The representatives of Armenia also negotiated with the property of Artsakh since 1998. Another question was whether it was right or wrong, but there were reasons for this: Robert Kocharyan was the elected president of Nagorno-Karabakh before coming to Armenia, and Serge Sargsyan is one of the organizers of the movement Therefore, both of them could either have a mandate to negotiate on behalf of Nagorno-Karabakh, regardless of how we treat it, I can not do the same,” Soghomonyan stressed, reports 2rd.am.
Pashinyan’s office was reminded in the office of the second president of Armenia that Artsakh ceased to participate in direct negotiations, not in 1998, but in 1996, when the Armenian authorities for some reason agreed to this. Soghomonyan stressed that he personally published relevant historical materials on this occasion several times.
At the same time, the head of the office of the second president stated that in past years the process of the conflict settlement was carried out in three planes: two negotiation processes and efforts to maintain the ceasefire through monitoring. “Nagorno-Karabakh was directly involved in the mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and in the activities of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman- in-Office, Artsakh was not directly involved in the negotiations in the format of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, where the President of Armenia defended the interests of Artsakh, coordinating his actions with the President of Artsakh. For 10 years, Robert Kocharyan having the status of the first president of the Artsakh, nevertheless categorically refused to replace the Artsakh authorities in the format of meetings of the presidents. it was rumored that nothing could be considered finalized until Karabakh gave its consent, and the final document should be ratified by NKR representatives as well. “So, Artsakh is actually involved in the negotiation process, although not in full form,” stressed Soghomonyan.
He welcomed the aspirations of the new Armenian authorities, to make the Artsakh a participant in the existing format of negotiations between the presidents. According to Soghomonyan, it is absolutely necessary to strive for the full and direct participation of Stepanakert in all processes, and the best of them will be the format of direct negotiations between the Artsakh and Azerbaijan, which will allow the field to clearly reflect the essence of the conflict. “We have repeatedly talked about this, it’s another matter how far this is being achieved, at least for today, and another question is the consequences of the factual refusal of the Armenian authorities to participate in the peace talks,” Soghomonyan concluded.
It should be noted that on June 7, during the presentation of the new government’s program in the country’s parliament, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, referring to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said that Armenia will undoubtedly remain the main guarantor of Artsakh’s security (the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is a red). He once again confirmed the previously expressed approach on the need to involve Artsakh in the negotiation process. According to him, the participation of Karabakh in the negotiations was approved at the OSCE summit in Budapest in 1994. “After the year of 1998, the representatives of Armenia held talks on behalf of Karabakh, Robert Kocharyan was formerly the President of Karabakh, and Serzh Sargsyan was one of the organizers of the self-defense of Karabakh, therefore, they could either have a mandate for negotiations, regardless of how we treated it “, reminded Pashinyan, saying that he can not ascribe such powers to himself.
“There are no legal or moral grounds for this, the people of Karabakh do not participate in the formation of power in Armenia, it has its own government and president,” Pashinyan said. At the same time, he called the arguments that the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh should participate in the negotiations unjustified because they came to Azerbaijan and became its citizens. “So, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is holding talks on their behalf, as they participated in the elections, while the residents of Karabakh did not elect the power of Armenia, and the Armenian authorities can not represent them.” They should have their own voice, “the prime minister said. , adding that he is ready for talks with Ilham Aliyev within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. “But these negotiations should become more effective, and for this it is necessary that the agreements reached do not remain on paper,” Nikol Pashinyan added.
Theater: Armenian play takes fresh approach to inner conflict
The Daily Star (Lebanon)
June 9, 2018 Saturday
Armenian play takes fresh approach to inner conflict
by Georgia Beeston
The Beirut Spring Festival wound down Thursday evening with “A Flight Over The City,” a play staged at Dawar al-SHAMS by the Yerevan State Puppet Theater.
BEIRUT: The Beirut Spring Festival wound down Thursday evening with “A Flight Over The City,” a play staged at Dawar al-SHAMS by the Yerevan State Puppet Theater. Written by Anush Aslibekyan, the two-person play has already had a successful career, having toured the world for the past eight years and scheduled to be staged elsewhere in the Arab world in the future.
It tells the story of a young blind girl who, about to have surgery to regain her sight, struggles with her love for her doctor and her fear of losing her inner world to reality.
The play is in two acts.
The first delves into the girl’s mind before surgery. The audience witnesses her inner turmoil and her imaginary life – the latter full of colors, shapes and wonderful music – and her frightening vulnerability as a blind girl.
Throughout the first act, the audience hears the invisible doctor’s voice guiding and aiding the young girl through all her fears.
In the second act, the girl has regained her eyesight and consequently loses her imaginary world and passion for her doctor.
Actors Narine Grigoryan and Sergey Tovmasyan were mostly alone onstage throughout.
Grigoryan’s performance was particularly impressive, fluctuating from being a child in a fairy-tale world to frightened, sightless woman.
Most notable was the first act’s set design and musical score, which highlighted the contrast between her fantasy world and reality.
One particularly impressive innovation was the upstage Velcro wall, with which Grigoryan interacted throughout the first act. Accompanied by folk music, she applied colorful string to the Velcro to create the wonderful figures of her fairytale world.
As her character is lost in fantasy, Grigoryan moved from swimming in an imaginary ocean, to acting like a doll pulled along by a string, to playing with the doctor’s voice as if she’d trapped it in her hands.
When reality intervenes, the changed set design was equally effective. The soothing score was abruptly drowned out by harsh sounds of traffic. The Velcro wall was replaced by a screen upon which was projected the frightening reality of a car or unknown person striking the girl as she lost her way.
The colorful string that had adorned her fantasy world became a symbol of her inner turmoil, with Grigoryan throwing it about the stage before hurling it against the wall.
The first act closed spectacularly with Grigoryan affixing herself to the wall, flying into the unknown as her character goes into the surgery.
The second act was, perhaps intentionally, less enjoyable than the first, with the doctor’s apartment replacing the young girl’s fantasy.
Upon her departure from the doctor’s life, he is left with nothing but his imagination.
Unable to surrender his love for her, the doctor rejects reality in favor of a world where her voice is now his guide. The play concludes with the doctor’s retreat into his own fantastical world – the closing scene being projection of the pair flying over a city together.
“A Flight Over The City” offers a creative and fresh approach to the themes of love and conflict, and a reminder that a simple set design can effectively move an audience.
Music: 2nd Round Candidates Announced at Armenia’s 2018 Khachaturian International Cello Competition
The Violin Channel
June 9 2018
The 7 candidates progressing to the 2nd round of the 2018 Khachaturian International Cello Competition have been announced
Turkish Press: Martyred Turkish diplomat remembered in Geneva
Yeni Şafak, Turkey
Martyred Turkish diplomat remembered in Geneva
09:07 Anadolu Agency
A Turkish diplomat in Geneva who was martyred in 1981 by an Armenian terrorist group, was commemorated on Saturday.
A terrorist from the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) shot Turkish diplomat Mehmet Savas Yerguz in Geneva in 1981.
There was a minute of silence during the ceremony, followed by Swiss and Turkish national anthems at the Promenade de l’Observatoire in Geneva, close to the street where he was martyred.
Since the mid-1970s, ceremonies have been held around the world over the memory of Turkish officials, diplomats, their families and innocent people of all nationalities who have been victims of Armenian terrorists.
During the 1975-1984 period, Turkish ambassadors and diplomats were targeted around the world by the Armenian terrorist groups. ASALA killed a total of 42 Turkish diplomats and officials in various attacks during that decade.
The Armenian terrorist acts intensified from 1980 to 1983, when 580 of the 699 attacks occurred. The terrorist attacks ended in 1986.
Speaking during the ceremony, Turkish diplomats condemned the installation of an “Armenian Monument” in Geneva where an Armenian terrorist assassinated Turkish diplomat.
The president of the Federation of Turkish-Swiss Associations (BITDEFE), the grandson of a former Turkish president, Celal Bayar who organized the ceremony said: “37 years ago, on Tuesday, June 9,1981, Mehmet Savas Yerguz, Secretary of the Turkish Consulate in Geneva, who had just left his job was cowardly murdered with three bullets fired by a fanatical young Armenian, Mardiros Jamkochyan, member of the terrorist organization ASALA.”
At the ceremony, two Turkish students from theTurquia1912 group played viola and violin.
After the speeches, participants left flowers under the portrait of Yerguz and Bayar placed a wreath on the street where Yerguz was martyred.
Peinture. Karen Aghamyan expose à la mairie
Le Télégramme-France
6 juin 2018