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Category: 2021

Pashinyan introduces new Governor of Armavir province to Cabinet members

Emma Jilavian

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 11:44, 2 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan introduced today newly-appointed Governor of Armavir province Eduard Hovhannisyan to members of the Cabinet at today’s session.

“Until summer of this year Eduard Hovhannisyan was serving as the Chairman of the State Revenue Committee. Congratulations, Mr. Hovhannisyan, on your appointment, I wish you success”, the PM said.

In his turn Eduard Hovhannisyan thanked the PM for such an opportunity.

“The effective provincial, territorial administration is one of the key directions of the development of our country’s economy, the state-building”, Hovhannisyan said.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

EU to provide support to Armenia to improve aviation safety performance

Kajoyan Gevork

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 11:55, 2 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. In view of the enhanced aviation relations between Armenia and the EU evidenced by the signature of the Common Aviation Area Agreement (CAAA), the European Commission will provide support to Armenia in dealing with the identified deficiencies and to improve its aviation safety performance”, the EU Delegation in Armenia said in a statement.

The EU has recently signed new assistance project “EU support on strengthening safety oversight of Civil Aviation Committee in Armenia in air operations (OPS) and continuing airworthiness (CAW) domains.”

Armenian journalists improve their reporting of violence against women and domestic violence

Chmshkian Vicken
Council of Europe
Dec 3 2021
YEREVAN 26-27/11/2021

Within the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, a two-day online training seminar for journalists representing different TV channels, online and print media of Armenia was organised.

This was the third training organised for media representatives of Armenia to enhance their knowledge and skills on the principles of media reporting on the topics of violence against women and domestic violence on how media can help raise awareness about violence against women and domestic violence. Topics included techniques for  interviewing victims/survivors of violence, use of background information and statistics to present violence against women as a societal problem rather than as an individual or personal tragedy, facts and reality vs. myths and stereotypes, existing national legislation, policies and practices, as well as international instruments, such as the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the Istanbul Convention).

Sophie Bostanchyan, Head of the Human Trafficking and Women issues Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Armenia said: “It is of utmost importance that all institutions, including the media, unite their efforts to ensure true and unbiased attitude to the victims of violence against women. Coverage of this topic requires a sensitive approach, proper awareness raising of the legal framework and facts, as well as avoiding secondary victimisation”, added Ms Bostanchyan.

The training was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe project “Path towards Armenia’s ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence” in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Armenia.



Top 15 Attractions in Yerevan, Armenia

Ani Tigranian
Dec 5 2021

By Vic Gerami

 

Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia, established in the 8th century B.C., is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Yerevan celebrated its 2,800th anniversary in 2018. Although it has a western European ambiance, lined with wide boulevards and sidewalk cafes, remnants of Soviet-era buildings still exist following Armenia’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Armenia grants citizens from a long list of countries, including the United States, visa-free entry. There are no fees or paperwork for visitors as long as they have a valid passport, and tourists can stay in the country for up to six months.

Expect exceptional hospitality. In Yerevan, hospitality is king, and residents abide by the adage ‘A guest has a place over the host’s head,’ meaning the guest is more important than the host.

Yerevan’s water is touted to be some of the tastiest and purest drinking water in the world. The city built 2,750 water fountains for its residents—and you can drink from them. Great food is a big part of Yerevan’s culture. It is hearty, delicious, diverse, and affordable. Traditional dishes include dolma (grape leaves stuffed with meat or rice), mante (baked meat dumplings served with yogurt), lavash (thin wood-fired bread), lahmajun (thin dough topped with spicy mincemeat), dolma, and stewed meat cooked in wine.

You can see Mount Ararat, the resting place of Noah’s Ark, from many parts of Yerevan, which has a rich music tradition-classical, jazz, and rap. The city is host to 50 museums. Even metro stations look like museums. Yerevan’s ten metro stations are decorated with walls covered in white marble, sculptures, and paintings. Built during the Soviet era, the Metro, 100 drams a ride (25 cents), also provides relief during hot summer months. Keep an eye out for the Sasuntsi Davit Metro stop, which has bronze reliefs of animals and symbols from Armenian epic poems around the ticket booth.

Brady is to Armenia what whiskey is to Ireland. During the 19th century, Armenia established a thriving brandy industry, partly to meet Russia’s demand for cognac. According to popular legend, Winston Churchill acquired a taste for Armenia’s famous brandy, Ararat. The wine scene in Yerevan is also growing as more wine bars open up along Martiros Saryan Street. Armenia is considered one of the first wine-producing countries. Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest winery here, which dates back 6,000 years, and it’s become a big business over the last few years.

Armenia offers a great deal to different types of tourists. Some come for their ancient history, archeological sites, and monuments. In contrast, others are adventure travelers who choose to bike or hike through its nationwide trails, see the highlands, the waterfalls, and enjoy its ski resorts. Don’t miss the following ten attractions if you go to Yerevan.


REPUBLIC SQUARE

Republic Square is the heart of Yerevan. It is to Armenia what Times Square, the Washington Monument, and the Capital Building Lawn are to American combined. This is where many demonstrations have taken place, including Armenia’s ‘Velvet Revolution’ in 2018. It is also a popular space for large-scale concerts, hosting the band ‘System of a Down’ several times.’

They call Yerevan the ‘Pink city’ for nothing. As you stand at the Center of Republic Square, you will notice that most buildings are built from volcanic bricks of varying shades of pink. I think the color reflects the fun and vibrant vibe of the city very well.

At night, the square’s spectacular water fountain show is a popular attraction. The water show is synchronized with epic music from classical masters, famous Armenian musicians, and contemporary artists.


CAFESJIAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND THE CASCADE COMPLEX

The Cafesjian Center for the Arts, located in The Cascade Complex, is dedicated to bringing the best of contemporary art to Armenia and presenting the best of Armenian culture to the world. Inspired by the vision of its founder, Gerard L. Cafesjian, the Center offers a wide variety of exhibitions, including a selection of important work from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection of contemporary art.

Having celebrated its grand opening in November 2009, CCA exhibits unique works of modern and contemporary art and offers a diverse program of lectures, films, concerts, and numerous educational initiatives for adults and children. Over one million people have visited the Center annually since its opening.

The building that now houses the Cafesjian Center for the Arts is well known to the Armenian people, especially those living in its capital city of Yerevan. Known as “The Cascade,” the complex was initially conceived by Alexander Tamanyan (1878–1936).

Construction of Torosyan’s design of the Cascade was launched by the Soviets in the 1980s but abandoned after the Armenian earthquake of 1988 and the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Cascade is a giant stairway showcasing different fountains and sculptures on each level. You need to see for yourself to know the accurate scale of the Cascade. It is massive. At the top, you will be able to get an unobstructed view of Yerevan and Mount Ararat.

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TSITSERNAKABERD ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL COMPLEX 

Yerevan’s Tsitsernakaberd Memorial complex is dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the first Genocide of the 20th century at the hands of the Turkish government. Completed in 1967, the Genocide Monument has since become an integral part of Yerevan’s architecture and a pilgrimage site. Set on a hill and dominating the landscape, it is in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Its austere outlines convey the spirit of the nation that survived a ruthless campaign of extermination.

The Museum and Institute were opened in Tsitsernakaberd in 1995 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

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NORTHERN AVENUE

If you want to visit Yerevan’s answer to New York’s 5th Avenue, Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive, and Paris’ Avenue Montaigne, then head over to Northern Avenue. Opened in 2007, the pedestrian-only street is located in downtown Yerevan and is home to luxury residential buildings, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and designer boutiques, including Armani, Burberry, and Ermenegildo Zegna.

In March 2019, a section of Northern Avenue was dedicated as Europe Square to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Council of Europe. The Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, stated, “Over the past 28 years following its independence Armenia, adhered to the pan-European values, continues building its cooperation in the European direction”.



MUSEUM COMPLEX OF THE MATENADARAN

Matenadaran, also known as the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, has one of the largest and most valuable collections of manuscripts that include Armenia’s and other nations’ priceless documents.

The word ‘Matenadaran’ means ‘holder of manuscripts’ or ‘manuscript collector.’ Today, the Armenian public associates the word ‘Matenadaran’ with the nation’s spiritual and cultural richness and pride, embodied in the structure of the manuscript repository.

The Matenadaran has consolidated about 23,000 manuscripts, including almost all ancient and medieval Armenian cultural and sciences – history, geography, grammar, philosophy, law, medicine, mathematics, cosmology, chronology, divination literature, translated and national literature, miniature painting, music, and theater. The Matenadaran also holds manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Greek, Ethiopian, Syrian, Latin, Tamil, and other languages. Many originals, lost in their mother languages and known only by their Armenian translations, have been saved from medieval translations.

The Matenadaran museum complex is in the institute’s old, original building. What was formerly a single exhibition hall now consists of fifteen halls in which thousands of temporary, changeable, and exclusive exhibits are on display. Manuscript, fragments of manuscripts, documents, old, printed books, precious bindings, individual miniatures, and more are shown from Matenadaran’s database of roughly 23,000 manuscripts.

Matenadaran.am



ARARAT BRANDY FACTORY 

Get to know the art of creating the legendary ‘Ararat’ brandies by visiting the museum in Yerevan. During the tour, you will get acquainted with the history of brandy-making that made Armenia famous and see the main stages of production. The tour ends in a tasting room, where you can taste several iconic brandies.

The history of the oldest brand of Armenian brandy began more than 130 years ago, in 1887, when the first brandy production in Armenia was founded. And today, ‘Ararat,’ presented in 35 countries, is the first global brand of Armenian cognac.

AraratBrandy.com



VERNISSAGE OPEN-AIR MARKET

Vernissage open-air exhibition market is one of the most enjoyable places to visit in Yerevan. Aside from souvenirs, you’ll find great Armenian folk art, unique jewelry, carpets, old paintings, and exclusive handmade masterpieces.

From the French word for ‘varnishing,’ Vernissage means preview or launch an art exhibition. Considering how many artists and craftsmen showcase their work here, it’s no surprise the market bears this name.

It was formed during the 1980s by Armenian artists who started to display their artworks in the square next to the Artists’ Union of Armenia (the current Charles Aznavour Square). Others have used the park next to Komitas State Conservatory to show their works. Later, the Vernissage was moved to Martiros Saryan garden in front of the Opera House. The exhibition market was gradually enlarged and finally moved to Aram and Buzand streets, starting with the Republic square metro station and ending with the statue of Vardan Mamikonyan. However, painters are still using the Saryan park to show their painting works.



OPERA HOUSE

Another wonder of Armenian architecture is the Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet building, named after Alexander Spendiaryan. Located in the heart of Yerevan, this building is another masterpiece of Alexander Tamanyan that was awarded the Grand Prize at the World Exhibition in Paris. The building is considered the symbol of music culture expressed through the architectural grace and classic splendor.

The Theatre of Opera and Ballet was officially opened on January 20, 1933. The building is round in shape. It consists of two concert halls with 1,400 seats and Aleksandr Spendarian Opera and Ballet National Theatre with 1,200 seats.

There is a round square in front of the Theatre of Opera and Ballet named ‘Azatutyun,’ meaning freedom, with the statue of the great Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanian and composer Aleksandr Spendarian. The ‘Freedom square’ is a favorite with the locals.

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EREBUNI FORTRESS & MUSEUM 

Erebuni is one of the oldest existing fortresses, built in 782 B.C., and is the precursor to Yerevan. 2018 was thus the 2,800th anniversary of Erebuni-Yerevan.

Erebuni Fortress was founded by the king of Urartu, Argishti the First, who left written testimony upon building the castle. The fortress has not yet been fully explored and undoubtedly has secrets of the city’s history. Some major part of the 2800-year-old fortress did not endure to this day and was impossible to restore.

Erebuni museum displays the findings of excavations conducted on the remnants of the fortress. The permanent exhibitions of the museum showcase artifacts from the Urartu era, including but not limited to cuneiforms, weapons, belts, bracelets, and other pieces of jewelry made of gold and silver, statues, bronze ware, tableware, etc.

Diggings and archaeological excavations discovered areas where grain processing and wine practices had taken place. The jars and other pottery pieces had wine traces on them, affirming the high level of culture and traditions of the Urartian dynasty.



SAINT GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL 

The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, also known as the Yerevan Cathedral, is the largest cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is in the Kentron District (Central District) of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. It is one of the largest religious buildings in the South Caucasus, along with the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (known as the Sameba Cathedral). Adjacent to the General Andranik metro station, it is visible from many areas of Yerevan.

The cathedral’s consecration took place on September 23, 2001, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia. The cathedral houses the relics of Saint Gregory the Illuminator and the Holy Remains of St. Gregory, brought from Naples, Italy. Shortly after the consecration of the cathedral, Pope John Paul II paid a visit to the cathedral.



HISTORY MUSEUM OF ARMENIA

The history museum of Armenia, regarded as Armenia’s national museum, was founded on September 9, 1919. It was called Ethnographic-Anthropological Museum-Library at first and opened its doors on August 20, 1921.

The museum has collections in archaeology, numismatics, ethnography, modern history and restoration. It has a national collection of 400,000. 35% of the main collection is made up of archaeology related items, 8% of the collection is made up of Ethnography related items, Numismatics related items make up 45%, and 12% of the collection is made up of documents. The state financially supports the museum and owns both the collection and the building. The museum carries out conservation and restoration work and publishes works on Armenian architecture, archaeology, ethnography, and history. They also have published a series of reports on archaeological excavations since 1948.

HistoryMuseum.am



MOTHER ARMENIA MONUMENT

Mother Armenia monument is one of the most popular in Yerevan. It was founded in 1967 as a victory memorial for World War II. The sculpture has a special symbolism – from its height, Mother Armenia seems to guard the peace of the city with a sword and shield.

Before the memorial construction, there was another monument, the symbol of socialism – the statue of Stalin. It was demolished and replaced by the sculpture symbolizing Armenia. Mother Armenia is a symbol of the power and unity of the Motherland.

A huge sculpture is one of the highest in Yerevan. The height of it is 22 meters, plus it has a pedestal of 51 meters high. The pedestal is a museum of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, exhibiting documents, photographs and everything related to the Great Patriotic War and the Nagorno-Karabakh War.

The monument is located in Victory Park near the Eternal flame, on an observation deck with a breathtaking view of the city.



LOVERS’ PARK

The Park dates to the 18th century, known as Kozern Park named after the Kozern district, a northwestern suburb of old Yerevan. It was well known for its medieval cemetery and its chapel.

After the World War II, the park was redesigned in 1949 and renamed Pushkin Park by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the renowned Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Later in 1970, the park was named Barekamutyun (Friendship) as a tribute to the friendship of all Soviet Union member nations. In 1995, following the independence of Armenia, by the decision of the presidency of Yerevan City Council’s civil representatives, the park was renamed Lovers’ Park Yerevan, based on the fact that the park had been a favorite rendezvous for many couples, during the second half of the 20th century.



GUM MARKET

GUM Market is a vast indoor space where different vendors sell dried fruits, sujukh, basturma, aromatic herbs, fresh fruits-vegetables, fresh meat, fish and ingredients for Armenian khash.

The GUM Market Armenia takes its name from the Russian abbreviation for ‘Main Universal Store’, the title given to the main department stores in former Soviet Union cities.

The store is broken down into different departments. The dried and candied goods, the butcher shop and fishmongers, the fruits and veggies, the spices, the clothing, and the oddities. The front part of the GUM Market Armenia is devoted to dried and candied fruits, nuts, spices and our all-time favorite Armenian snack, sujukh. They also love calling this ‘Armenian Snickers’. It’s a treat made of walnuts that have been dipped in grape jelly. They make for excellent edible Armenian souvenirs to bring home.



THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ARMENIA

The National Gallery is the largest art gallery in Armenia, and one of the most outstanding among the countries of the former union. The collection of the National Gallery now has a total of about 26,000 items of fine and applied arts; it is represented in 56 exhibition halls. The museum’s collection includes canvases of Armenian, European, Russian artists, as well as works of decorative and applied art.

The collection of Armenian art includes masterpieces by Ivan Aivazovsky, Martiros Saryan, Arshile Gorky, and Jean Jansem. The European collection includes works by Rubens, Rodin, van Goyen, Jacob Jordan and Rousseau.

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GRAND HOTEL YEREVAN

I would typically give you a few options for hotels, but it would do you a disservice. I’ve been to Armenia before and stayed at fine establishments, but nothing can compare to the Grand Hotel Yerevan.

It is an elegant and modern hotel for travelers, sightseers, and those who are ready for an unforgettable experience. The charm of the 1928 neoclassical building that houses the hotel is timeless. The luxury hotel is in the center of Yerevan. Due to its prime location, Grand Hotel represents the embodiment of modern and ancient Armenian history and culture. Despite being an exceptional hotel and ideally located in the heart of town, their rates are very reasonable.

Grand Hotel Yerevan is an elegant and refined hotel with a long and storied history. Its excellent location, within a short walking distance from Yerevan’s central Republic Square, makes it possible to fully enjoy the city and reach all the main attractions of the capital. The spacious and comfortable rooms, the inner yard bar, the rooftop pool with panoramic view, and the spa create a luxurious experience with relaxing accommodations.

Grand Hotel Yerevan is only a 15-minute drive (12 km) from the Zvartnots International Airport. It is within easy walking distance to the Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the National Gallery, the Republic Square, and Cascade, a monumental travertine stairway decorated with the sculptures of the most prominent contemporary artists. Northern Avenue, the famous pedestrian street replete with bars and elegant boutiques, is just nearby.

The “smorgasbord” breakfast in the Nairi by Grand Hotel Yerevan offers a wide range of sweet and salty dishes. Fine cocktails are accompanied by live music in the Winter Garden Bar, which is open 24/7. So, prepare yourself to enjoy their excellent service, high-quality food, and fresh design.

The hotel’s spa center offers you a wide range of beauty procedures and massages with carefully chosen Armenian products. In the open-air rooftop pool, fitness center, or sauna bath. The private open-air pool (seasonal), situated on the hotel’s roof, is a perfect place for relaxation. Here you can enjoy the sunny Yerevan while lounging in comfortable deckchairs, having a cocktail, and trying delectable hot and cold dishes from the bar. This magical place with a beautiful and picturesque view of Yerevan is ideally suited for romantic dinners, private events, and cocktail parties.

The hotel’s spa center offers you a wide range of beauty procedures and massages with carefully chosen Armenian products. In the open-air rooftop pool, fitness center, or sauna bath.

The luxurious rooms of Grand Hotel Yerevan, with their stylish furniture and attention to the smallest detail, provide you with all the services necessary to have an unforgettable trip. The staff is incredibly professional, friendly, and the service is top-notch. If you are planning a trip to Armenia, look no further than the Grand Hotel Yerevan.

GrandHotelYerevan.com

 

Top 10 attractions in Yerevan barely scratches the surface of what this ancient city has to offer. There is a good reason why Armenia is major tourist destination for people interested in history, religion, archeology, adventure travel, a well as for foodies, wine connoisseurs, and music lovers.

https://thebluntpost.com/top-15-attractions-in-yerevan-armenia/ 

Armenian Aussie volunteer braves war zone

Emil Lazarian
Australia – Dec 5 2021
World

 Despite the ever-present threat of violence, young children in Armenia continue to learn and play.

Just weeks after the heaviest fighting this year in the mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Europe claimed 22 lives, 55-year-old mother of two Milena continues running kindergarten programs in the Armenian capital, Yerevan.

Previously, when tensions escalated, she has been forced to take cover in basements. Her fear makes her reluctant to identify herself in the media.

Iranian-born, Milena moved with her parents to Australia in the 1970s to be among what is the world’s largest English-speaking Armenian diaspora community. Most are settled in Ryde in Sydney, others in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.

Since then, however, she has spent more than three decades volunteering in Armenia and currently works with independent humanitarian group the Armenian Relief Society.

“We had 12 kindergartens, a few closed because the numbers of children attending became less, we lost four of them because of Azerbaijan taking over the Artsakh (also known as Karabakh) territory and now we are down to four that are still operating,” she tells AAP.

Despite being an Australian citizen and her parents still calling Sydney ‘home’, most of Milena’s life has involved travelling between the two countries.

“I feel like I am that one drop extra in the ocean and I feel like everyone has got to do something, if everyone does something to help, the country will be a better place,” she says.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are locked in a decades-old dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory that lies within Azerbaijan but is controlled by ethnic forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994.

Moscow brokered a peace deal last November to end six weeks of fighting. The truce allowed Azerbaijan to reclaim large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.

Tensions on the border with Armenia have been building since May, when it protested an incursion by Azerbaijani troops.

The Armenian Relief Society raises money around the world to help the families of dead and missing soldiers.

Armenia’s low wages and pensions means $A170 a year can help buy a uniform and school books for a student.

At the height of fighting in 2020, Milena volunteered in hospitals at Yerevan.

“We would bring clothing, food supplies, medicine and newspapers to the wounded and their families,” she says.

As the region continues to experience daily gunfire, she remains on standby to again help with casualties.

“A farmer was shot driving his tractor … just the other day and so it is continuing and there is no guarantee of security for Armenians in those border regions,” she says.

Tension continues for Armenian communities who believe their prisoners of war are being mistreated and there is a growing appetite among some to reclaim the land and homes they lost in the settlement deal.

“Armenians are stuck in the middle of this war,” Milena says.

“We used to think it was a religious issue before but it is not, it is a territorial one and it doesn’t matter who is blocking the way, the other side will just rampage in and that’s not right.”

Despite the ever-present threat of violence, children at Milena’s kindergartens continue to learn and play. Youngsters can be seen laughing and happy on the streets of Yeraskh, just kilometres from military bases.

Extra reporting by AP.

Australian Associated Press


Armenian Artist Actually Selling Her Reproductive EGGS As An NFT At Art Basel

Hagop Kamalian
Dec 5 2021



by Mike Walters Posted on December 5, 2021 at 11:19 am

An artist is taking the saying “priceless piece of art” to a whole new level —  after deciding to sell one of her reproductive eggs as an NFT, during this year’s Art Basel.

Armenian artist Narine Arakelian says she has created a painting entitled ‘Live’ — which will include an embedded contract promising one of her eggs to the buyer willing to hit a certain price point. This will be her first NFT and is being offered at this year’s Art Basel in Miami, Florida. That’s right, along with the painting, the buyer will get an actual egg to which can be used to conceive a child.

As you know, NFT’s (Non-Fungible Tokens) are a type of digital art, which is verified and confirmed as a unique piece of are using blockchain authentication. The NFT’s are bought and sold using cryptocurrency like Ethereum.

Instagram

Shockingly, Narine claims she fully expects the person who buys the NFT to conceive a child from the egg that she is selling. But, she is not doing it as a stunt that might cause issues for the said unborn child — she is hoping it will be purchased by a couple who is having trouble conceiving a child of their own.

“My artworks are all my children and the fact this one will actually produce a child is wonderful. The art will always mean so much to the buyer because it brought them their child! It will always carry that special memory,” Arakelian said. 

She continued, “I am so happy to bring a child into the world through my artwork, It’s a beautiful act of creativity to give the gift of art and life.”

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It should be noted, Narine is a mother and has a 21-year-old son.

The good news, the artist is fully aware of the implications of something like this, and wants everyone to hear that the child will be a child once they are born, NOT a piece of art.”

If you are interested, Arakelian is exhibiting a triptych titled ‘Love, Hope, Live’ at Art Miami — which is a satellite fair near the Art Basel Miami Beach.

Again, this is a hard question for anyone considering buying this priceless piece of “art,” so we are going to ask it for you…Who is Narine Arkelian?

Well, she is a Siberian-born Armenian artist who spends time in both Los Angeles and Moscow, Russia. She is a college graduate who completed a year-long internship at the Digital Arts Department at the Los Angeles Academy of Art.

This isn’t the first time she has made waves in the art world. In 2019, the artist transformed the iconic 15th-century spiral staircase of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo in Venice into a colorful lighthouse. She then performed, passing through each room and discarding elements of her clothing, until she was completely naked.

So…do we have any takers??

https://theblast.com/136805/armenian-artist-actually-selling-her-reproductive-eggs-as-an-nft-at-art-basel/

Also at 

Identity of the Azerbaijani serviceman who killed a civilian in Karabakh was established

Boshkezenian Garik

Dec 5 2021


    JAMnewsYerevan

The prosecutor’s office of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic reports that the identity of an Azerbaijani serviceman who killed a 65-year-old civilian Seyran Sargsyan in Nagorno-Karabakh has been discovered. On December 3, it was reported that the man was engaged in animal husbandry, lost his way, and ended up in the territory controlled by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. He was detained by the servicemen of Azerbaijan, taken to the position where the armed forces were stationed, and killed there.

The Azerbaijani side did not refute this information but stated that the shot was fired by the serviceman after he was attacked while on duty at one of the positions of the Azerbaijani army.

However, on December 4, the Armenian side reported additional details, which became known during the investigation. It has been reported that the killed man did not get lost, but was forcibly abducted from the territory which is considered a neutral zone. Moreover, there are “convincing and irrefutable facts, including the video, proving the commission of premeditated murder”.

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The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that a serviceman who was on duty at one of the positions of the Azerbaijani army in the Khojavend region was attacked by a person of Armenian origin on December 3 at about 13:00:

“[This] person tried to seize a weapon. After shooting in the air,  with the aim of self-defense Azerbaijani serviceman neutralized the provocateur who had attacked him.
The incident was reported to the Command of the Russian peacekeeping forces and the Russian-Turkish Joint Monitoring Center.
The investigation is underway”.

Armenian law enforcement agencies report that there is irrefutable evidence of the murder of a civilian and they will be transferred to the Russian side for a full investigation of the circumstances of the incident.

However, at that moment, in cooperation with the prosecutor’s office of the peacekeeping forces of Russia, it turned out that “the murder of the citizen of Artsakh was committed by the citizen of Azerbaijan, private Rahimzade David Gabil oglu”.

As part of the agreement reached between the Prosecutors General of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, the prosecutor of the Russian peacekeeping contingent arrived at the scene. He has already had the opportunity to meet witnesses of the incident from the Azerbaijani side and talked with Rakhimzade.

It is also reported that at this moment “the possibility of holding a working meeting with the leadership of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia” is being considered with the mediation of the Russian side.

All Armenian publications remind that this is the third case of the murder of a civilian since November 10, 2020, that is, since the establishment of the ceasefire in Karabakh.

The press secretary of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Vahan Hunanyan made a statement in which he condemned the killing of a civilian by the Azerbaijani servicemen:

“It is noteworthy that the attacks and acts of intimidation against the Armenian civilian population of Artsakh have systemic manner, which is due to the baseless justification by the official Baku of similar crimes committed by the Azerbaijani armed forces, leading to repetition of such behavior.

“The recent atrocities committed by the Azerbaijani armed forces against the civilian population of Artsakh are a continuation of the policy of Armenophobia, annihilation and ethnic cleansing of Armenians of Artsakh by the Azerbaijani authorities, which once again proves that guaranteeing the physical security and the right to life of the Armenians of Artsakh is impossible under the Azerbaijani jurisdiction.

“Proper investigation of this and previous attacks on civilian population and bringing the perpetrators to justice can create preconditions for the prevention of such crimes in the future”.

The Foreign Ministry of the unrecognized NKR also condemned the “terrorist policy of Azerbaijan” and called on the international community to adequately assess the actions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The ministry’s statement says that Baku’s policy sent “a treacherous blow to the peacekeeping mission of Russia”.

Documentary: Thinking out loud – War and life in the aftermath. A movie from Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Dec 5 2021


    Sofi Tovmasyan

What does war mean to you? How do you envision happiness? Tell us about your dreams. What is love for you? How about death? Do you believe in peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? What future awaits the two countries? How to achieve prosperity in the country and in the region? What should the authorities do for this? Should ordinary citizens do anything, and if yes, what?

We asked these questions to four residents of Armenia – linguist Amalia Soghomonyan, mathematician Smbat Gogyan, khachkar maker Ambik Ambartsumyan, and actress and dancer Kristina Danielyan.

The film was produced in partnership with the Public Journalism Club of Yerevan and JAMnews.

Thinking Out Loud is one of four documentarу films produced in Armenia and Azerbaijan in the aftermath of the 44-day war (September 27 – November 10 2020) that claimed the lives of over 7,000 people from both the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides. Thousands were injured or disabled, and their lives have drastically changed after the war. The ceasefire agreement of November 9, 2020 has been repeatedly violated, and a number of post-war humanitarian issues remain unresolved. These movies tell stories of local people whose lives have been affected by the second Karabakh war.

https://jam-news.net/thinking-out-loud-war-and-life-in-the-aftermath-a-movie-from-armenia/

The Documentary can be watched at 

Bob Dole, former Senator and a great friend of Armenians, dies at 98

Emma Nadirian
Public Radio of Armenia
Dec 5 2021
December 5, 2021, 21:55

 1 minute read

US statesman, former Senator, 1996 Republican presidential nominee, and a great friend of Armenia and Armenians, Bob Dole has passed away at the age of 98.

Senator Dole advocated for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in 1980-90s, but was never able to achieve that goal because it was blocked by his Senate colleagues.

But Dole had planted a seed and finally lived to see the House of Representatives, Senate, and the Executive Branch end the longest-lasting foreign gag rule in American history and dealing a major setback to Turkey’s century-long obstruction of justice for this crime against humanity.

Senator Dole always remembered his great friend, Doctor Hampar Kelikian, who saved his life during the WWII and shared his tragic family history amid the horrors that began in 1915 when the Turkish Ottoman Empire undertook a years-long campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Azerbaijani press: U.S, UK ambassadors visit liberated Aghdam [PHOTO]

Jalatian Sonya
3 December 2021 11:30 (UTC+04:00)
562

By Ayya Lmahamad

U.S. and UK ambassadors Lee Litzenberger and James Sharp have visited Azerbaijan’s liberated Aghdam region, the U.S. embassy reported on its Twitter page on December 2.

During the visit, the ambassadors met the Azerbaijani president’s special representative for the liberated territories, Emin Huseynov, and “saw first-hand the status of Aghdam city”.

Litzenberger expressed his condolences for the loss of lives and noted the challenges to rebuild the city.

Meanwhile, Emin Huseynov tweeted that during their joint visit to Aghdam, the ambassadors were shown the destroyed monuments and were informed in detail about the reconstruction plan of the city.

The country’s war-torn Aghdam region is seen as a glaring example displaying Armenia’s hatred and enmity towards Azerbaijan. Known as Hiroshima of the Caucasus, Aghdam shocks delegations from various countries with notorious scenes of destruction.

Aghdam was occupied by Armenian forces in the war in 1993. Azerbaijan regained control over the region under the November 10, 2020, trilateral ceasefire deal that ended last year’s war.

Under the general plan, the territory of Aghdam city is 1,750 hectares and gardens will be created around the city on a 2,450-hectare-area. The smart social infrastructure will be established, 15 schools and kindergartens will be built in the city.

Initially, a big forest park stretching 125 hectares will be laid out in Aghdam. The Aghdam Canal, which is being restored, will pass through the city and water will drain into the lake that will be created here.

The creation of the Industrial Park is already underway under the general plan in Aghdam. It will be divided into social and technical zones and will have the food, light industry, services sectors, and big industrial enterprises. The bases for the sale of building materials and a park for vehicles will be created in the Industry Park.

It is planned to open the enterprises producing building materials, meat and dairy factories, establish a wine and feed production, produce and process fertilizers, organize the packing of agricultural products, produce canned fruits and vegetables.

Aghdam’s strategic and geographical location will expand the possibilities to turn it into an industrial center of the Karabakh region.