Category: 2020

The essence and character of the Armenians is such that they try not to lose sight of any achievement or success of their compatriot, wherever he is. And it should be noted that we have many reasons to be proud of. It has already become a usual thing that we learn about many success stories of our compatriots living in different parts of the world.

However, there are cases when stories and legends about some outstanding personalities spread abroad without reaching the Armenian audience or reaching it in a distorted form. Today's article is about such a case and refers to one of the most widespread names in the European cultural sphere.

Konstantin Ishkhanov of Armenian descent had to leave his house during the days of the massacre of Armenians in Baku and first move to Moscow, and then to distant Malta. The road was a long one, but during this time an art lover, who had already achieved success in business, witnessed an unacceptable phenomenon for him. There were many talented musicians, some of whom were powerless in the face of a seemingly overpowering reality and got broken of not being able to continue their careers. In an interview about these events, he admitted: “Lost talents are my greatest fear.”

This is what prompted Konstantin Ishkhanov to create the European Foundation for Support of Culture (EFSC) after moving to Malta. The foundation created by our compatriot took on a mission of supporting cultural and educational projects that will coordinate the work of young talents and allow worthy musicians to express themselves on international platforms.

In April of this year, Ishkhanov became the only foreigner to receive the highest national award in the field of culture in the nomination “Exceptional Contribution to the Cultural Life of Malta”.

“Throughout the evening, awards, congratulations and words of thanks sounded in Maltese. There was only one exception. The words of gratitude were spoken in English when Konstantin Ishkhanov, president of European Foundation for Support of Culture, entered the stage,” The Maltese Herald wrote.

In early December, Konstantin Ishkhanov was also awarded a medal for his contribution to the development of musical culture as part of a grand charity concert held in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. The medal was handed to Ishkhanov by rector of the State Musical Pedagogical Institute Valery Vorona.

Having settled in Malta, our compatriot began to actively engage in deepening the Armenian-Maltese relations and popularize the Armenian culture in his country of residence.

“Foreigners are interested in Armenia, its culture. A deeper awareness of this came to me when my son was invited to play at the “New Names” festival in Yerevan at the age of five. Once he returned he showed interest in learning the native language and Armenian dances. After returning to Malta, his first question was: “Can I learn the Armenian language?”, Ishkhanov said.

The foundation of Konstantin Ishkhanov has been engaged in cultural life of Armenia for many years and has been organizing a number of events. These are classical music festivals held in Armenia, and tours of many famous and young Armenian musicians (Hayk Ghazazyan, Nare Aghramanyan, Khachaturian Trio, Armenian State Symphony Orchestra) around the world.

“As an Armenian, I strive to involve my compatriots in all events in Malta as much as possible. Famous musicians are the cultural ambassadors of Armenia in the world. Our rich culture is of great interest in Europe. I consider this extremely important,” Ishkhanov said in an interview.

The main events, that EFSC supported in Armenia last year are the “Contemporary Classics” Composers' Festival and the ballet “Crystal Palace”, which have turned Armenia into a cultural center, by their scale, uniqueness and the involvement of world-famous guests like Yuri Bashmet, Krzysztof Penderetsky, Karl Jenkins, Alexey Shor, Gidon Kremer.

Doctors at the Nork Infection Clinic Hospital in Yerevan refused to conduct coronavirus diagnosis tests for citizens of Armenia who have returned from China, saying they need to have several symptoms at once and have grave health condition. This is what Gayane Aprunts, who returned from China three days ago, wrote on her Facebook page.

Aprunts added that she and the other citizens of Armenia had passed all tests at the airports, but decided to undergo another checkup today. However, they found out that the coronavirus diagnosis tests are for those who have several symptoms at once and have grave health condition. They didn’t receive any response today and will have to take a blood test tomorrow. Aprunts added that an X-ray or blood test can’t diagnose coronavirus.

YEREVAN. – Both the statement by the PACE co-rapporteurs and the statement by the president of the Venice Commission are addressed to the Armenian authorities, and both statements contain a certain call to the authorities in different terms. Edmon Marukyan, head of the opposition Bright Armenia faction, said this at today's meeting with reporters in the National Assembly.

"The first was aimed at preserving the recommendations on passing to the early retirement system [for the serving Constitutional Court judges], and the second was on the tension that exists today," Marukyan said. “Both statements were misinterpreted by the authorities and were interpreted in their favor. That is, when the authorities say 'we welcome that statement,' they want to cover up that whole part of the concern. I shall call it trolling. The power trolls the PACE co-rapporteurs at a high level, and then the president of the Venice Commission. They make fun of these people. And why do they make fun? Because if you compare how statements of this kind have been perceived before, it will be clear, too, because power is a legitimate power and is not constrained in any way, it shows that ‘I am a legitimate power and I don’t care about your statements;’ that is how I perceive it.”

He noted that the former Armenian authorities, for example, were afraid of such statements, they were trying to make some corrections, whereas these authorities are simply trolling and making fun of these people.

"But I must say that these people are also to blame, because if there is an opportunity in the statements to interpret them in different ways, then maybe our colleague is doing the right thing and making fun at a high level. (…). (…) they say to the authorities, 'the actions you take, and that is a bouquet of actions, it's an aura, a series of events and actions, that series,' they say, 'don't do it, you are creating tension with it between the two wings power and more, it contradicts our previously selected recommendations regarding passing to the voluntary early retirement system.’ But they interpreted the call as saying that the call is addressed to [Constitutional Court president] Hrayr [Tovmasyan], that they have called on Hrayr to behave, 'you’re going too far, already, it seems you are meddling too much there.'"

YEREVAN. – We have learned from open sources that Armenian President and Great Britain citizen Armen Sarkissian has a share in Azerbaijan's [natural] gas and oil infrastructures. That person's personal financial interests conflict with the national security interests of the Armenian states. Artur Danielyan, a member of the Adekvad congregation, which is holding a protest in front of the presidential residence today, told this to reporters.

According to him, they want to meet with the president to discuss the issue of his abandoning those infrastructures.

"How do we get the answer to our question?" Danielyan asked and continued. "Is that man ready to at least discuss whether to give up his money being received from Azerbaijan, we somehow compensate for it?"

The Adekvad members have brought oil barrels with them to the presidential residence and plan to hand them over to President Sarkissian.