Category: 2020

The idea of giving up the use of natural resources altogether is actually not reasonable, Pashinyan says

Garnik Tadevosian
Panorama, Armenia
July 31 2020

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan introduced newly appointed Minister Romanos Petrosyan to the staff of the Ministry of Environment, the government press service reported.

The Premier congratulated Mr. Petrosyan on his appointment and thanked Erik Grigoryan for his valuable efforts as Minister of Nature Protection and then as Minister of Environment.

“Mr. Petrosyan is being transferred from the post of Kotayk Marz Governor. We should state that he lived up to his mission and carried out effective activities as Marz Governor. And we have to express hope and confidence that his efforts will be as effective or perhaps more effective in the capacity of Minister of Environment,” said Pashinyan.

Speaking of the country’s environmental policy, Pashinyan said there are  sometimes extreme approaches to the environment or nature not only in Armenia, but also around the globe. “On the one hand, we can see nature worship; while on the other hand, we are faced with complete contempt for nature. And our task is to find such a balanced approach between nature and human civilization that could offset the existing contradiction,” said the PM

The Premier emphasized that the Government Program is based on the concept of Green Armenia. In other words, the Executive envisions Armenia as a country that meets the highest environmental standards. And the biggest challenges start from everyday life and end at the industrial level in this sphere.

“Our daily life, our industry, and our mining industry must meet such standards as we can call balanced. To say that we should give up the use of natural resources altogether is actually not reasonable, and even impossible. But on the other hand, we cannot go the way of environmental disasters: it is not the right path, besides we will not allow it,” Nikol Pashinyan said.

Coming to the results registered in recent years, Nikol Pashinyan noted that during Erik Grigoryan’s tenure, poaching considerably decreased in Armenia. He mentioned the fact of serious, tangible success in terms of forest protection.

“While it is true that environmental problems develop over several years, in the meantime nature responds very quickly to the steps taken to protect it. Environment is also important from the point of view of Armenia’s political, tourism and economic image. This is a strategic direction, and here we must achieve tangible success,” the Prime Minister said.

Armenia’s transformation until 2050, which states that doubling Armenia’s forested areas is a strategic issue,” the Premier said.

Music: Around 45,000 people followed Music 20 International Festival in Armenia

Ani Tigranian
Public Radio of Armenia
July 31 2020


<img width=”1643″ height=”1080″ src=””https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/xLUS_4569-scaled.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Hqq09KOj2M.jpg” class=”attachment-full size-full wp-post-image” alt=”” srcset=”https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/xLUS_4569-scaled.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Hqq09KOj2M.jpg 1643w, 300w, 1024w, 768w, 1536w, 2048w” sizes=”(max-width: 1643px) 100vw, 1643px” data-pagespeed-url-hash=”1776253439″/>

Almost 45 thousand music lovers from Armenia, Russia, Germany, Malta, UK and many other countries were following the “Music 20” online international festival, held on July 10 through 28 in Armenia. The official website music20.am was created to broadcast the performances throughout the festival days.

Along with local Armenian artists, a large number of celebrated musicians were hosted in Armenia as guest performers of the festival – cellists Alexander Ramm, Boris Andrianov, violinists Andrey Baranov, Francesca Dego, Haik Kazazian, conductors Marius Stravinsky, Rustem Abiazov, Alan Chircop, Gianluca Marciano, pianists Nikita Mndoyants, Alexander Gindin, Gloria Campaner and clarinet Igor Fedorov.

<img src=””https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/xLUS_4741-1-1024×678.jpg.pagespeed.ic.8qsrtNwZ4I.jpg” alt=”” class=”wp-image-116986″ srcset=”https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/xLUS_4741-1-1024×678.jpg.pagespeed.ic.8qsrtNwZ4I.jpg 1024w, 300w, 768w, 1536w, 2048w, 1630w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” data-pagespeed-url-hash=”668343157″/>

The festival was organized owing to the joint efforts of the European Foundation for Support of Culture and the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex. The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra was the official orchestra of the festival.

The invited musicians were sharing their emotions on the “Music 20” festival “feeling like a breeze of fresh air amid the limitations of the Covid-19 pandemic, introduced by the organizers and allowing thousands of listeners to savor high-quality music”, as was shared by many of them.

<img src=””https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/LUS_5098-1-1-1024×678.jpg” alt=”” class=”wp-image-116989″ srcset=”https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/LUS_5098-1-1-1024×678.jpg 1024w, 300w, 768w, 1536w, 2048w, 1630w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” data-pagespeed-url-hash=”3242312795″/>

Rustem Abiazov, the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Kazan “La Primavera” Chamber Orchestra, admits his disbelief that “Music 20” would even be possible to carry out. “Of course, I knew that the President of the European Foundation for Support of Culture, Konstantin Ishkhanov, always achieves the goals he targets. Despite this, I was traveling to Armenia with certain concerns over the possibility to organize something like this under the present conditions. However, I arrived in Yerevan to witness a festival with an unusual format. A large number of orchestras around the world are streaming their concerts online these days, and I am thrilled that Armenia is in leading position in this respect”, Rustem Abiazov said.

Violinist Haik Kazazian emphased that there is no other festival of a similar scale held across the world which demonstrates the big love of Armenia for classical music.

Sergey Smbatyan, the Principal Conductor and the Artistic Director of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra sums up the outcomes of the “Music 20” festival, stating that today highly demanded artists around the world admit to be given a second breath with this initiative presented by Armenia. “For me it is valuable to show the paramount importance of classical music for Armenia. We had brilliant concerts. The Symphony Orchestra overcame challenges with world-scale artists. Remarkably, the events in the cultural life of Armenia have been exposed to the whole world for the past two weeks. Around 45,000 views evidence that what we offer to the global cultural life is highly demanded, meaning that amid the cultural standstill of the world  something is being created in Armenia that goes against the flow and works out well”, Sergey Smbatyan said.

All anti-pandemic security measures were ensured during the festival.

Karen Ghazaryan, the Director of the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex, emphasized that under these challenging circumstances we were able to carry out the “Music 20″ festival successfully, with all safety measures in place. “We had a large number of views, and, most importantly, no cases of infection were reported during the festival. This shows that with proper organization and operational responsibility it is possible to hold events that present no threat to public health”, Mr.Ghazaryan noted.

To diversity concert program included 19 symphony and chamber concerts, as well as a series of recitals featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Skryabin, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Grig, Shor, Khachaturian, Ghazaros Saryan, Alexander Arutiunian, Edward Mirzoyan, John Ter-Tadevosian, Stepan Shakaryan, Tigran Mansurian, Eduard Hayrapetyan and other composers.

Film: Stories of resilience: Documentary focuses on Armenian genocide and the 100 years since

Frangulian Shushan
Albuquerque Journal
July 31 2020
Friday, July 31st, 2020 at 12:02am

Crew members Joseph Myers and Stephanie Ayanian film in Armenia with John Sweers. (Courtesy of Stephanie Ayanian)

As a filmmaker, Stephanie Ayanian never knows what to expect.

She can plan all she wants, yet it always takes a different course.

Take, for example, her film “What Will Become of Us.” When starting the project, she wanted to tell a history of the Armenian genocide, which began in 1915. During a short time, 1.5 million Armenians were killed or expelled by Ottoman Turks.

What she found along the way were stories of all kinds – though mostly of resilience.

“We wanted to have a broad geographic demonstration of stories,” she says. “We wanted there to be different age groups. They all have different stories. It was important to look at all the aspects of culture.”

Ayanian traveled to Armenia to document many of the stories, though most were conducted in the United States.

The film is getting a national PBS premiere on Thursday, Aug. 6.

Read more here: https://www.abqjournal.com/1480704/message-of-hope.html

It’s not often that an actor gets a huge gig right out of the gate. Brandon Gilpin is the exception. The Morehouse College student snagged a role on the Starz series “P-Valley.” Read more about Gilpin’s journey here: https://www.abqjournal.com/1480689/women-empowerment.html

As health orders continue to keep people at home, museums continue to churn out new material for online learning.

The New Mexico History Museum not only started a “Quarantine Diaries” writing series, but there is a New Mexico map curriculum ready for download. Read more here: https://www.abqjournal.com/1480736/virtual-growth-new-mexico-history-museum-has-vastly-expanded-online-offerings.html

Studios are also adjusting to change and releasing movies to streaming services.

The first of the reviews is “The Rental” starring Dan Stevens. Read a review here: https://www.abqjournal.com/1480730/stay-home.html

The second review is the Marie Curie story called “Radioactive,” from Amazon Pictures. The reviews is here: https://www.abqjournal.com/1480721/bold-biopic.html

Another week has passed, and I thank you for continuing to turn to Venue for what’s happening around the state.

Stay tuned for what we have in store in coming issues.

Respectfully,
Adrian Gomez
Venue editor


Armenpress: Philanthropist George Pagoumian to provide 250,000 USD to My Step Foundation for Armenian soldiers

Badalian Vardan

Philanthropist George Pagoumian to provide 250,000 USD to My Step Foundation for Armenian soldiers

Save

Share

 16:09, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenian prime minister’s spouse Anna Hakobyan had a telephone conversation with American-Armenian entrepreneur, PMA Venture Capital Group’s founder, philanthropist George K. Pagoumian.

The phone conversation took place in the evening of July 15 during which Mr. Pagoumian told the PM’s spouse that he is going to provide 250,000 USD for the Armenian soldiers.

“I thanked Mr. Pagoumian for the support, although I am sure that I could not express what I felt exactly after he said that. I proposed him that we will think about various programs, will present them to him and he will choose in what way to deliver that money to our soldiers”, Anna Hakobyan said on Facebook, adding that Mr. Pagoumian in response stated that there is no need to present him anything as he trusts here.

The money will be transferred to the My Step Foundation soon.

Anna Hakobyan said that currently the My Step Foundation discusses what direction to choose concretely for providing that sums to the soldiers and officers.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenpress: Nearly 30 Azerbaijanis attack hookah bar owned by Armenian businessman in Cologne, Germany

Toneyan Mark

Nearly 30 Azerbaijanis attack hookah bar owned by Armenian businessman in Cologne, Germany

Save

Share

 16:24, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. A group of 20-30 masked people threw chairs around and smashed the windows of a hookah lounge belonging to an Armenian businessman in the German city of Cologne on July 24 night, Zartonk Media reports citing Haypress.

According to preliminary reports, the group met in smaller groups before entering the bar at around midnight.

The Armenian owner of the bar revealed that one of the masked men who identified himself and the entire group as Azerbaijanis asked him if he was Armenian.

The attackers then attempted to break into the hookah bar, breaking the bar windows with chairs.

The police said considerable damage to property has been caused, but provided no more details. Law enforcement authorities are also assuming the incident was politically motivated and are now investigating the matter.

In response to ARMENPRESS inquiry over the incident, Armenian foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan said the Armenian Embassy in Germany, the Armenian community of Cologne, the Armenian Diocese of Germany, the German relevant authorities and the Cologne city police have been notified about the incident. “They are aware of the situation. Investigation is underway”, Anna Naghdalyan said.

After the recent escalation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Azerbaijanis living in different countries are regularly conducting provocative actions, attacking Armenians or their property.




Armenpress: Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 30-07-20

Garnik Tadevosian

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 30-07-20

Save

Share

 17:26, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, 30 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 30 July, USD exchange rate up by 0.74 drams to 485.16 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.02 drams to 570.26 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.09 drams to 6.60 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 2.27 drams to 630.76 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 202.15 drams to 30430.63 drams. Silver price up by 12.88 drams to 379.58 drams. Platinum price down by 24.36 drams to 14662.36 drams.


Russian MFA expresses readiness to continue efforts for restoring Yerevan-Baku talks

Maral Takmazian

Russian MFA expresses readines to continue efforts for restoring Yerevan-Baku talks

Save

Share

 19:02, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. The Russian authorities have taken all necessary measures for preventing further escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border, Aleksey Zaytsev, an official at the Russian foreign ministry said during a weekly briefing.

”Russia was greatly concerned to hear about the border escalation between two our friendly countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and we are confident that the long-lasting Karabakh conflict, as well as any other conflict should be solved exclusively peacefully through diplomatic talks. Our position is shared also by the other OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries – the USA and France, as well as the UN, the CIS and other international organizations’’, ARMENPRESS reports Zaytsev as saying.

According to him the Russian authorities have taken all the necessary measures for preventing future escalation. Zaytsev reminded that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov held telephone conversation with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts. ”We are ready to continue efforts for establishing political dialogue between Yerevan and Baku”, he said.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Romanos Petrosyan appointed Minister of Environment

Arbi Tashjian

Save

Share

 19:26, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed the decree appointing Romanos Petrosyan Minister of Environment, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office.

Earlier today, Petrosyan had been relieved of the post of Kotayk Governor.

 Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

American Hellenic Institute condemns Azerbaijani threats to strike Armenia’s nuclear power plant

Ani Tigranian

Save

Share

 18:52, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) expresses concern regarding the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ARMENPRESS was informed from AHI website. Violence broke out at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border earlier this month, and now at least 16 individuals have been killed in various clashes.

The American Hellenic Institute believes in upholding the rule of law, and has condemned Turkey’s blatant disregard of the rule of law in Cyprus and throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, in addition to its neo-ottoman ambitions. It is in this vein that AHI condemns Azerbaijan’s threat to bomb Armenia’s nuclear power plant. On July 16th, Vagif Dargahli, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman, stated that Azerbaijani missiles could strike the Metsamor nuclear plant in Armenia, which, in his own words, would result in a “catastrophe.” Such an action would be a modern day reconstruct of Chernobyl, and not only pose an existential threat to Armenia, but to the region, and would completely contravene the rule of law.

According to AHI President Larigakis “Armenia is a democratic ally of the United States, and a stabilizing force in the region. There have always been strong people-to-people ties between Armenians and Greeks. This is now reflected on a government-to-government level in the tri-lateral alliance developing between Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia, which we support. We believe that the rule of law needs to be upheld in this situation, and we encourage a de-escalation of the severe tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. For this to happen, Azerbaijan needs to stop its use of incendiary and unacceptable rhetoric, and engage in good-faith confidence building measures with Armenia to come to a peaceful resolution to the current crisis.”

Larigakis also added “I am deeply concerned about Azerbaijan’s increasingly close ties with Turkey, and I caution the leadership of Azerbaijan not to be influenced by President Erdogan’s irredentist posture, radical Islamist ideology, and disregard for the rule of law.”

Russia attentively following joint Azerbaijani-Turkish military exercises – Foreign Ministry

Hovhannisian John

Save

Share

 19:05, 30 July, 2020

YEREVAN, JULY 30, ARMENPRESS. Aleksey Zaytsev, an official at the press service of the Russian foreign ministry, referred to the large-scale Azerbaijani-Turkish joint military excercises near the Armenian border. ARMENPRESS reports TASS news agency asked Zaytsev how Russia assesses the military excercises taking place near the border of Armenia.

”We attentively follow the regional situation, particularly considering the recent confrontation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. We strongly urge the sides to demonstrate restraint, including in their ongoing military activities”, Zaytsev said.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan