Category: 2019

Azerbaijan threw hysteria, this time the cause was the Voluntary National Review of Artsakh, submitted to the UN

Edgar Tavakalian
Arminfo, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. Azerbaijan threw hysteria, this time the occasion was the Voluntary National Review of the Artsakh Republic, submitted to the UN.

Thus, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Leyla Abdullayeva, responding  to the report on the presentation of the report, assured that  Armenia, having “abused” the right of membership in the UN, as a  supplement to the letter of its representative in this organization  addressed to the Secretary General, distributed papers and Artsakh.  “It is appropriate to recall that Armenia uses the practice of  distributing securities of the illegal separatist regime within the  UN and the OSCE, but this in no way reflects the position of these  organizations.”

However, she informed that in response to this, a letter of protest  was sent to the UN Secretary General by the Permanent Mission of the  Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN, which will be published the other  day as an official document of the General Assembly and the UN  Security Council.

Today, the Artsakh Foreign Ministry reported that the Voluntary  National Review on the implementation of the Sustainable Development  Goals in Artsakh outlined in the was circulated to the United Nations  as an official document. 

#MyfatherMyhero, #OurArtsakh – new flash mob ahead of Artsakh independence celebrations launched

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 22 2019

Fathers are always  considered heroes for their sons, while those who have also fought for the liberation of Artsakh are double heroes. The sons of Artsakh freedom fighters have launched a flash mob on social media ahead of the 28th anniversary of Artsakh independence with hashtags #MyfatherMyhero, #OurArtsakh.

“Join  our flash mob, tell us about the heroism of your fathers and praise their service  and the war for freedom,” the organizers wrote.

To note, the son of Armenia ex-president, Artsakh hero Robert Kocharyan, Sedrak Kocharyan has also joined the flash mob. “It is now attempted to downgrade the Artsakh liberation war and its significance out of political considerations, We will not allow. All those whose fathers, brothers or grandfathers have been participant of the war have real heroes through them. Long live to all those people,” Sedrak Kocharyan wrote on Facebook.

Earthquake hits 20 km north-west Martakert town of Artsakh

Jagharian Tania
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 22 2019

On August 22, at 09:41 local time (at 05:41 by GMT) the RA MES Seismic Protection Survey Seismological Network registered an earthquake at the northern latitude of 40.290 and eastern longitude of 46.600 geographic coordinates (20 km north-west from Martakert town of Artsakh Republic) with 3.7 magnitude and 10 km depth. As Armenia’s ministry of emergency situations reported, the tremor measured magnitude 5 at the epicenter area.

The earthquake was followed by a 2.2-magnitude aftershock.

According to the source, 3-4 magnitude earthquake was felt in capital Stepanakert, Shushi, Karvachar and Martakert towns in Artsakh as well in Goris and Noyemberyan cities of Armenia. 

For Immediate Release: VivaCell-MTS & Fuller Center for Housing Armenia Partnership. Volunteering to provide people with a safe roof

Emil Lazarian

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia

53 Armen Tigranyan St., Apt. 26, Yerevan,0037,  RA
Tel: +374 10 24 23 48
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Contact: Alla Asatryan

, Yerevan,
Armenia

Volunteering to
provide people with a safe roof

In Aghavnadzor village of Vayots Dzor
region a problem of a half-built house and a wheelchair ramp was solved. The
Babayans have been assisted by VivaCell-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing
Armenia who have been partnering in the field of housing for many years.

The old house, built over 40 years ago,
has never been renovated due to health and financial reasons. Years ago, in 2006,
the eldest son, Alik, was confined to a wheelchair due to an accident.  It was not only a psychological but also a serious
financial problem for the family. Alik and his younger brother, Artsrun, worked
but could not renovate the house while the problems were not few– semi-dark
rooms lacking enough windows and with dilapidated walls, a leaking roof, a ruined
balcony, a wooden wheelchair ramp and more.

Owing to the
house-building project, the Babayans have already completed the interior works
of the house. A heating system
will also be installed soon. With the willingness to help the family, the heads
and staff members of VivaCell-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia
joined to help to complete the construction operations. The volunteers have come
together to make decent housing possible. With joint efforts, a new wheelchair
ramp was built instead of the old wooden one. Concrete works have been carried
out. Having a comfortable home is no longer a dream for the family.

 “For me, having a wheelchair ramp is a necessity today, but the
wooden ramp was not very safe. The concrete ramp for the wheelchair is the same
as the paved road for a car (smiling). Thank you for helping to solve the most
important issue for me,” said Alik.


“We ought
to come together in order to make our motherland prosperous. We should be able
to create something that each of our countryman can make use of it. I feel
blissful, when, every time, in some place, we undertake construction works. The
group of volunteers, like a circle of salvation, helps to finish the works
quicker. I truly believe, that inspires not only the people, who are in need of
a house but also our colleagues themselves. Only humanity and responsibility
enlighten the path of life. This is the way our colleagues think, otherwise
they would not work here, as they consider the matter refers to themselves as
well”, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

 

“Every family has its problems and difficulties. In case of this
family it is important to note that endurance, sense of humor, and the desire
to overcome difficulties have not left them, and there are people, who are willing
to support by giving a helping hand, to ease the burden of years of the family.
This is the mission of the housing project,” said Fuller Center for Housing Armenia President Ashot Yeghiazaryan.

 

 

VivaCell-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s
leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and
spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having
the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July
2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a
nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS drives
innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving
the Armenian mobile communications market.  The company follows the
guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social
Responsibility) and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management
System). For more information, visit www.mts.am

* * *

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC (“MTS”) is
the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and
fixed voice, broadband, pay-TV as well as content and entertainment services in
one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the
Group services over 100 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia
and Belarus. Since July 2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New
York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS
Group can be found at www.mtsgsm.com

www.mtsgsm.com

Fuller Center for
Housing Armenia is a non-governmental, charitable organization that supports
community development in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh
by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and affordable homes, as
well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter
of conscience and action. FCHA provides long-term, interest-free loans to low-income
families. The monthly repayments flow into a
Revolving Fund, which is used to help more families, thereby providing a
financial foundation for sustainable development. Since 2008 the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has assisted about 800  families. For more information, please visit
or email us at [email protected]

Byurakan Observatory to host the 3rd regional astronomical workshop

Frangulian Shushan
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 22 2019

The Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) is hosting the 3rd Regional Astronomical workshop to take place o September 11-13.  The event aims at exchanging scientific research, teaching, astro-tourism and public outreach experience.

All local expenses will be covered by the organizers. The event will offer a limited number of travel grants for the participants from South West and Central Asian Region (Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkey) and few more grants to other nationality scientists from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, etc. English is the working language of the school.

The workshop is organized by the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), The National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, IAU South West and Central Asian Regional Office, the Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO) as well as the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.

Music: “Khazer” Ensemble to perform at Shushi Narekatsi Art Institute

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
Culture 12:32 22/08/2019 NKR
Shushi Narekatsi Art Institute will host a concert on Thursday at 19:00 featuring Khazer Ensemble. The group will perform national folk songs by Komitas, the Art Institute reported on Facebook. The Ensemble generally performs at schools and other public places with a mission to disseminate national music.  
Established in 2012, the choir is a union of volunteers of various professions who have been united around the common idea of spreading and developing choral music.
 
The entry to the concert is free. 


Sports: Artsakh affiliate of the Armenian General Gymnastic Union opened in Stepanakert

Kalantarian Kevo
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
Society 18:00 22/08/2019 Armenia

Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan was present on Thursday in the Stepanakert Revival Square at the solemn ceremony of founding the Artsakh affiliate of the Armenian General Gymnastic Union.

After the ceremony the President received chairman of the central board of the Armenian General Gymnastic Union Garnik Mkrtchyan and member of the board Bagrat Yesayan.

The meeting attended by representative of the ARF Dashnaktsoutyun Party Artsakh Central Committee David Ishkhanyan addressed a range of issues on the activity of the Armenian General Gymnastic Union
The President stressed the important role of the Union in the patriotic upbringing of the youth, in the development of their physical and intellectual capacity, noting his high expectations from its activities.

Theater: Actress Inspired by Holocaust Survivor in Armenian Genocide Play ‘Beast on the Moon’

Babken Chilingarian
Jewish Journal
Aug 22 2019
BY SHAWN RODGERS | AUG 21, 2019 | ARTS 

Rachel Weck and Travis Leland in “Beast on the Moon” Photo by Tracy Roman

History is filled with examples of memorable events that remind us how great humanity is. It’s also filled with events that reveal the dark side of humankind. Among them is the Armenian genocide of 1915-16, perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish government, which resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million of this Christian minority in a Muslim state. 

It’s this tragedy that forms the basis of Richard Kalinoski’s haunting play “Beast on the Moon,” which opens Aug. 23 at the International City Theatre at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

Kalinoski’s play debuted in 1995 at the Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville. The intimate four-actor show has subsequently been performed in 15 countries, winning more than 30 awards (including five Moliere Awards in Paris and five Ace Awards in Buenos Aires, and taking the award for best play in both cities).

The Holocaust comes to mind as another prime example of horrific crimes against the human race, and International City Theatre Artistic Director caryn desai, who doesn’t use capital letters to depict her name, told the Journal, “Anyone that survives this kind of trauma and genocide, I don’t think you ever forget. The difference is with the Holocaust you knew who the villain was. It was Hitler, and Germany had to accept responsibility for what they did. In this case, Turkey still has not. I think that must be especially painful — not to have someone acknowledge what they did to your family.”

“Beast on the Moon” begins in 1921 Milwaukee — six years after the genocide — and all the scenes take place in the dining room of Aram Tomasian, an Armenian immigrant who has paid to bring over a 15-year-old Armenian orphan, Seta, to be his wife. Burdened with the loss of their families and unable to have a child of their own, the scarred survivors struggle toward understanding and reconciliation.

In her role as Seta, actress Rachel Weck drew on her own experiences to help develop the character. While studying musical theater at UCLA, Weck, who isn’t Jewish, participated in a Jewish studies program to launch student-curated audio tours at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. As part of that program, the students met and interviewed Holocaust survivors and it was during this time that she formed a close bond with one
of the survivors — Helen Freeman — who died in 2017.

“Her story has stuck with me,” Weck said. “Seta is 15 when she immigrates to the U.S. as a mail-order bride. Helen was also young [when she came here] and there is something about Helen’s beauty and her belief in goodness in people. I will be drawing from Helen in playing Seta.”

In the play, Seta clings to a homemade doll, the one thing she has kept from her mother. Weck relates this to Freeman, who was able to keep and hide one earring from her mother — in the lining of her shoe — for years. 

“Wouldn’t it be nice if we could watch this play and say, ‘Oh, I’m so glad this was in the past?’ instead of saying, ‘Oh, this is still going on and these are the choices we continue to make.’  ” — Rachel Weck 

“Helen was in multiple work camps as well as Auschwitz and, throughout her entire journey, she carried this one earring,” Weck said. “I remember her so vividly telling me that every time she felt like giving up and just crawling into a hole in the ground, she would touch her shoe with the earring and she would be reminded of her family.” 

Even though the play covers events beginning more than a century ago, its relevance to the plight of refugees today resonates. 

“I think that’s the beauty of the play,” desai said. “Even though it is taking place in the 1920s and 1930s, the issues being talked about are still relevant and it make you question whether we are ever going to move forward.”

Continuing to work toward a better society is crucial, she added, “because without that, we are defeated. We just have to be reminded and vigilant to continue that struggle.”

Weck concurred. “There is this line in the play that is so ironic,” she said.  
“ ‘America, it is so easy for immigrants to get in. It seems like they welcome everyone.’ We read that line and just laughed. It is just a shocking world that we would turn away such pain and suffering after having hundreds of years of knowledge. That is what’s so disappointing.”

 Dreaming of a better world, Weck said, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could watch this play and say, ‘Oh, I’m so glad this was in the past?’ instead of saying, ‘Oh, this is still going on and these are the choices we continue to make.’ We continue to turn people away and turn a blind eye toward suffering. It is really upsetting.”

“Beast on the Moon” runs Aug. 23 through Sept. 8. Visit internationalcitytheatre.org.




Sports: One judoka to represent Armenia in World Championship

Karagyozian Lena
MediaMax, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
 
 
One judoka to represent Armenia in World Championship
 
 
Photo: Mediamax
 
 
Tokyo is hosting the World Judo Championship on August 25-31.
 
Armenia is represented by one athlete, Ferdinand Karapetyan. The judoka competes in 73kg weight class. In 2018, Karapetyan won the European Championship. He will enter into the competition in Tokyo on August 27.
 
The World Championship features 860 athletes from 149 countries.

Sports: Glendale Homenetmen Ararat women’s basketball claims gold at Pan-Armenian Games

Garnik Zakarian
Glendale News Press / Los Angeles Times
Aug 22 2019
Glendale Homenetmen Ararat women’s basketball claims gold at Pan-Armenian Games

By Edgar Melik-Stepanyan
Aug. 22, 2019
           

Aileen Babadjanians waited 12 years to hoist the championship trophy at the Pan-Armenian Games.

On her fourth trip to Armenia with the Glendale women’s basketball team that represented the Homenetmen Ararat chapter in the Pan-Armenian Games, Babadjanians was able to get revenge against Glendale’s nemesis and bring home a gold medal for the first time.

Glendale, which finished second in the tournament its past two trips, defeated Tehran, 76-57, on Saturday in the championship game at the Mika Sports Complex in Yerevan, Armenia. Tehran defeated Babadjanians and her teammates for the gold medal in 2011.

“This was a long time coming,” said Babadjanians, who attended Clark High and played at Hoover before graduating in 2007. “It’s 12 years in the making. This is a huge accomplishment.”

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Babadjanians, a guard, credited Glendale’s veteran leadership — which included Burbank High graduate Christine Kepenekian — and strong newcomers, such as Glendale Community College product Sylvia Vartazarian, as strengths of her team. Kepenekian, who extended her trip in Armenia for a few more weeks after the tournament, and Vartazarian proved to be Glendale’s top scorers.

“We were stacked,” said Babadjanians, who enjoyed the title with her children, Evan, 5, and Emily, 3, and her husband Fred, a former girls’ basketball coach at Glendale High, in Armenia.

Another newcomer to the team included 2015 Hoover High graduate and Hope International University guard Luna Panosian, one of Glendale’s top defensive players. She handled the task of guarding Tehran’s top players.

“I took on the responsibility because I knew I could handle it,” Panosian said. “Everyone wanted the gold. We all had the same goals. We knew we had the best team.

“It’s unreal. When I think about it I get goosebumps. We made history.”