Category: 2019

California provides $5 million for Armenian American Museum

Jhanna Virabian
Panorama, Armenia
July 4 2019

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the 2019 – 2020 state budget with $5 million included for the Armenian American Museum. The 2019 – 2020 budget provides $4 million in new funding for the museum and $1 million in reallocated funding. The approval brings the State of California’s total investment in the museum to $8 million.

Governor Newsom proposed the new funding for the developing cultural and educational center in the May revise of his 2019 – 2020 budget proposal following a successful meeting between the Governor’s office and museum leadership, Asbarez reported.

“My staff was enlivened by the progress and vision of the Armenian American Museum,” stated Governor Newsom when expressing his support for the historic project during a recent interview. “We have to continue supporting the museum to raise more awareness of the extraordinary contributions of the Armenian community and to reflect on their history.”

In early May, the museum’s Board of Trustees, Construction Committee, and Alajajian Marcoosi Architects met with Governor Newsom’s Legislative Secretary Anthony Williams. Initiated by State Senator Anthony Portantino, the meeting was an important opportunity for museum leadership to present its vision for the cultural and educational center, provide a guided tour of the museum site at Central Park, and have a productive discussion directly with the Governor’s team.

“I’m very pleased that Governor Newsom has proudly embraced the Armenian American Museum and put his support behind this amazing project,” stated Senator Portantino. “The Governor clearly recognized the significance of the project to the State of California for all of California to embrace and Mr. Williams left the board briefing quite impressed with this historic effort.”

“We are grateful to Governor Newsom as well as to Senator Portantino and the State of California for supporting the Armenian American Museum,” stated Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian. “We have reached a historic milestone for the project and look forward to the historic groundbreaking of the landmark center.”

The City of Glendale, home to one of the largest Armenian diaspora communities, has dedicated a premier location for the museum in downtown Central Park.

The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is a developing project in Glendale, CA with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. 

All sewage and wastewaters of Gegharkunik province flow into Lake Sevan

Hovhannisian John
ARKA, Armenia
July 4 2019

YEREVAN, July 4. /ARKA/. All sewage and wastewaters of the Gegharkunik province fall into Lake Sevan, Armenian Environment Minister Erik Grigoryan told journalists on Thursday. He said there are only three mechanical wastewater treatment plants in the region, whose operation does not change the quality of the sewage and wastewaters.

According to the minister, the amount of chemical waste has increased because of the increasing number of washing machines used by local households. He said temperature also plays an important role in changing the lake’s ecosystem.

He said this past June has already been officially declared the hottest month in history. Precipitation in May was little in the Sevan region, however, additional 36 million cubic meters of water arrived, while the historically minimum is 33 million,” said Grigoryan.

On clean-up work, the minister said it has been decided that shore cleaning could be carried out with the help of local communities.

“The wetland areas have been fully explored – they make about 77 hectares. This year we have already announced a competition for shore cleaning, which should be larger than last year. We plan that this whole area will be cleared in 2020-2201,” he said.

Lake Sevan is the largest body of water in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is situated in Gegharkunik province at an altitude of 1,900 m above sea level. Its’ basin’s total surface area is about 5,000 km2, which makes up 1⁄6 of Armenia’s territory. The lake itself is 1,242 km2. It is fed by 28 rivers and streams. Sevan has significant economic, cultural, and recreational value. Its only island (now a peninsula) is home to a medieval monastery. -0-


Film dedicated to oldest Yerevan district to screen at Golden Apricot

Khondkarian Raffi
Panorama, Armenia
July 4 2019
Culture 11:24 04/07/2019 Armenia

The screening of “Kond”, a film directed by Harutyun Khachatryan and dedicated to the oldest Yerevan district, will be held under “Kond that was, Kond to be’’ project cooperated by Ayo! organization and Kond Gallery within the scope of the Golden Apricot Film Festival.

The film screening is scheduled for 11 July, at 9pm, Panorama.am learned from the festival’s official Facebook page.

The project is aimed at contributing to the transformation of the oldest district in Yerevan – Kond: the place with cultural and touristic significance.

Admission is free.

The 16th edition of the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival will be held from 7 to 14 July. 

Sports: Armenian journalists’ team to compete in football tournament in Tbilisi

Arpi Talalian
MediaMax, Armenia
July 4 2019
Armenian journalists’ team to compete in football tournament in Tbilisi

Other countries represented in the tournament are Georgia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Turkey and Azerbaijan. All teams will play against each other and every game is to last 20 minutes.

The event is organized by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and the Football Federation of Georgia.

The Armenian journalists’ team has gained vast experience in international tournaments. Over the recent years, the team took silver in two competitions and won four bronze medals.



Sports: Unforgettable victory: Marcos Pizzelli

Jagharian Tania
MediaMax, Armenia
July 4 2019
Unforgettable victory: Marcos Pizzelli

Marcos Pizzelli has had quite a few victorious moments in Armenia’s national football team.

Having played 65 games for Armenia since 2008, Marcos Pizzelli recalls the most noteworthy episodes from his career in this edition of Mediamax Sport’s Unforgettable victory column.

I’ve had a number of impressive games that I will never forget. I did not play in the 4-0 win over Denmark, but it is one of the matches that impressed me the most.

Armenia beat Slovakia with the same score, and it made the Republican Stadium go wild with excitement. Everyone was so happy! It was truly a night to remember.

Another moment that stands out for me is the penalty I converted in the game against Portugal. Unfortunately, Ronaldo’s hat-trick gave the three points to the Portuguese team. Our 4-1 and 4-0 wins over Macedonia are something I will never forget too.

The most dramatic moment for me was the last game against Ireland in the Euro 2012 qualifier, when our goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky was sent off and we were down to 10 men. We had a real chance to reach the next stage of the tournament, the squad was the best one in years, so that moment stuck with me.

I don’t celebrate wins anymore, because it is my job. I train year-round without days off to be ready to play and do everything to secure a win for the team. That is how I feel I’ve done everything right. But big wins like the ones I mentioned, are to be celebrated, and they definitely make me very happy.

Hasmik Babayan talked to Marcos Pizzelli


Sports: Summer Universiade: Artur Avetisyan reaches final

George Mamian
Panorama, Armenia
July 4 2019
Sport 19:37 04/07/2019 Armenia

The 30th Summer Universiade has kicked off in Napoli. Gymnast Artur Avetisyan was the first of the Armenian athletes to start the competition, the National Olympic committee reported.
In the rings qualification round he scored 14,750 points and qualified for the final on the second position. The young athlete conceded with a slight difference to Turk Ibrahim Cholak (first place) who was a 2018 Universiade and 2018 European silver medalist.

Sports: Armenia’s Artur Avetisyan reaches Universiade final

Emma Nadirian
MediaMax, Armenia
July 4 2019
 
Armenia’s Artur Avetisyan reaches Universiade final
 
 
Photo: Mediamax
 
The 30th Summer Universiade has kicked off in Naples, Italy.
 
Gymnast Artur Avetisyan (rings) was the first Armenian athlete to enter into the competition. He finished 2nd in the qualifying stage with 14.750 points and reached the final.
 
Armenia is represented by 14 athletes in 7 sports in this Universiade: shooting, fencing, gymnastics, athletics, taekwondo, judo and diving.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Iran, Armenia ink MOU on energy cooperation

Kajoyan Gevork
Tehran Times
July 3 2019
July 3, 2019

TEHRAN – Iran and Armenia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Tehran on Tuesday to expand economic cooperation, especially in the field of energy, Tasnim news agency reported.

The MOU was signed by Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian and Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan at the end of the 16th Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Committee meeting.

Based on the MOU, the two sides agreed to complete the construction of Iran’s third electricity transmission line to Armenia by 2020 in order to increase the country’s electricity exports to Armenia to over 1000 megawatts (MW).

Construction of a 100-MW hydroelectric power plant in Armenia was also agreed in the meeting. The power plant will be funded by Armenia’s private sector in collaboration with other interested countries and the produced electricity will be purchased by Iran at a guaranteed price.

The MOU also covers cooperation in a variety of areas including road and railway transportation, customs, standardization, establishing free trade zones as well as industry, mining and trade.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Ardakanian said that the two sides have agreed that quadripartite talks would continue among Iran, Armenia, Georgia and Russia regarding electricity exchange under the North-South corridor agreement.

The official further mentioned Iran’s gas exports to Armenia, saying that Iran has the capacity to increase its gas exports to Armenia and in this regard the two sides agreed to take necessary measures in order to provide infrastructure in this regard.

Iran and Armenia use a barter system to exchange gas for electricity and other basic goods.

In the industry, mining and trade sector, it was agreed to form a joint working group and hold meetings every six months in both countries.

“It was decided to hold joint business conferences in accordance with the Eurasian Economic Agreement to discuss trade and identify potential commodities for bartering in order to make necessary arrangements to exchange the two sides’ required goods,” Ardakanian said.

Regarding customs cooperation, the two sides agreed for installation of systems for electronic data exchange and also to follow up on the previous agreements in this area.

Moreover, the officials underlined the need for holding joint events in their free zones to encourage investment and trade in the two countries.

The two sides also agreed on establishing a joint road transportation committee which also includes representatives of insurance companies from the two countries in order to reduce barriers and facilitate transportation between the two sides.

Held on May 1-2, the 16th Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Committee meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides including Iran’s Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, Iranian Deputy Energy Minister for International Affairs Farhad Yazdandoust, Armenian Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Infrastructure Hakob Vardanyan, as well as businessmen, entrepreneurs and representatives of the private sector.

Head of CoE Office in Yerevan on Armenia signing Istanbul Convention

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
July 3 2019
Head of CoE Office in Yerevan on Armenia signing Istanbul Convention Head of CoE Office in Yerevan on Armenia signing Istanbul Convention

19:25, 03.07.2019
                  

The signing of the Istanbul Convention by Armenia is a big step in the fight against domestic violence. This is what Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Natalia Vutova said in her speech during the launch of the Warning of and Punishment of Domestic Violence in Armenia: Continuation of Work for Ratification of the Istanbul Convention Project today.

According to Vutova, the understanding that men have to be leaders in everything and women must only be passive in society is widespread in not only Armenia, but also other parts of the world.

Vutova added that the EU has created appropriate tools and mechanisms against domestic violence and violence against women.

“Increase of the role of women is in the interests of the whole society. I am glad to mention that the Armenian authorities are widely engaged in the development of the relevant provisions, and this goes to show the existence of political will,” she explained.

World Bank releases 13.4 million euros for road repairs in Armenia

Hambardsumian Paul
ARKA, Armenia
July 3 2019

YEREVAN, July 3. /ARKA/. The government of Armenia has received 13.4 million euros from the World Bank for the renovation of 65 kilometers of roads in Aragatsotn, Ararat, Gegharkunik, Lori and Syunik regions, the press service of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure reported.  

It said Minister Suren Papikyan had a meeting today with a World Bank group of transport experts.

Papikyan was said to highly appreciate the long-term and effective cooperation between Armenia and the World Bank, emphasizing the interest of the Armenian side in the dynamic development of relations with the bank and shifting them to a new level.

The Minister noted that a program designed to improve Armenia’s vital roads jointly with the World Bank is creating important prerequisites for the economic development of Armenia and the modernization of infrastructures.

WB transport expert Nargiz Riskulova reported that the allocation of 13.5 million was approved by the WB Board of Directors in May. In the first stage of the program some 170 km roads were repaired. Moreover, thanks savings, additional 41.1 km roads were repaired. A total of 360 km long roads are to be repaired in the first and second stages of the program. — 0–