Category: 2022

Rally in Yerevan: Protesters block North-South road under construction

Vanyan Gary
NEWS.am
Armenia – July 12 2022
19:11, 12.07.2022

A large number of people blocked the North-South Road under construction in two directions from the Silikyan quarter to the Haghtanak quarter as a sign of protest, Shamshyan.com reported.

The protesters complain that construction works have been carried out on the above-mentioned section for over a month, and as a result, dust rises up. According to the protesters, they were recently told on behalf of Yerevan mayor that the problem will be solved, but no one is solving anything.

According to the website, the road is blocked on both sides and the traffic jam is several kilometers long.

I feel so at home here: Oscar-winning screenwriter, director Terry George is in Yerevan for Golden Apricot film festival

Ani Kharatian
NEWS.am
Armenia – July 11 2022


14:31, JULY 11

By Syune Arakelyan

Oscar-winning screenwriter and world-known director Terry George is in Armenia.  "The Promise" director is the head of the jury at the Golden Apricot international film festival the opening ceremony of which took place the day before at Aram Khachatryan concert hall in Yerevan. NEWS.am STYLE met the director on the red carpet and asked about his emotions for being in Armenia.  

It's the third time that the director visits Yerevan, "I came here for research for "The Promise", then I came here for the premiere of the movie and now I'm back again for this wonderful festival".  

Terry George yet didn't have chance to watch all the movies included in the program of the festival, but he knows for sure what he is looking for, "I have watched only one movie yet and we will see 11  movies over the next 8-9 days, so I'm looking forward to all of those. And also several of my movies will be showing-"Hotel Rwanda", "Some Mother's Son" and "The Shore", so I'm delighted that I got the chance to show them to the people of Armenia. I think that the films included are independent ones, so I'm looking forward to the movies that have great humanity and tell stories. I think there are too many Marvel movies at the moment, too many movies that have no story, that just are popcorn".  

The director also shared his impressions on Armenia, saying he sees some similarities between Armenian and Irish people, "What I like most here is the people, the food is great, the weather is excellent… I expected it to be much more humid.  And I think, that the Armenians are so similar with the Irish, that's why I feel so at home here. They have the same spirit, I really love Armenia".


Film: ‘Motherland’ Documentary Feature Premieres To Rave Reviews at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood

Adrine Hakobian
July 12 2022

‘Motherland,’ which HuffPost’s Thom Senzee called ‘Most Anticipated Documentary Film of 2022,’ by Vic Gerami, premiered on Thursday night to a standing ovation. The red-carpet event was held on Thursday, July 7, at the historic Raleigh Studios Hollywood. 

One hundred and forty guests included elected officials, celebrities, and other high-profile public figures. They were there to support the film that brings attention to Azerbaijan’s, Turkey’s brutal invasion of Artsakh in 2020, the massacre of 5,000+ indigenous Armenians, and the two nations’ ongoing campaign of hate, violence, and disinformation. 

Director, producer and writer Vic Gerami opened the program with a moment of silence for the 5,000+ Armenians martyred in 2020. Congresswoman Judy Chu gave a speech before the curtain and presented commendations to the filmmakers. Other elected officials were Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, LA County Assessor Jeff Prang, Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian, and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who could not attend, sent commendations to the filmmaking team. 

Other notable guests were Shant Sahakian, executive director of the Armenian American Museum, Alex Mohajer, President of the Stonewall Democratic Club, LA Sheriff Candidate Eric Strong, actress Kat Kramer, producer Larry Kasanoff, Levon P. Thorose with Knights of Vartan, and Western Regional Director of the Armenian Assembly of American Mihran Toumajan.

Sponsors of the premiere included Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Councilmember Paul Koretz, renowned attorney Mark Geragos, Davit, Asatryan, CA State Commissioner Sam Kbushyan, and Gary Shkhrdumyan. 

Produced and directed by Los Angeles-based Armenian American journalist and activist Vic Gerami, ‘Motherland’ is a new feature-length documentary film about the genocidal assault and the violent ethnic cleansing unleashed on September 27, 2020, by Azerbaijan and Turkey on the Republic of Artsakh. The 120-minute documentary film focuses unwavering attention on the coordinated, systematic, and wholly unprovoked genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against the Armenians of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh.

‘Motherland exposes the unprovoked genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing that nations of Azerbaijan and Turkey unleashed on the independent Republic of Artsakh in 2020 and massacred more than 5,000 indigenous Armenians while world leaders watched in deafening silence,’ said Vic Gerami. He added, ‘This largely ignored crime against humanity against Russia’s neighbor was partly Putin’s dry-run and a precursor to his brutal invasion of Ukraine.’ 

Congresswoman Judy Chu expressed her support on the red carpet by saying, ‘It is so wonderful to be able to have this documentary. I did go to Artsakh. I was able to witness what a beautiful and charming place it is. And when I heard about the attack by Azerbaijan, I was just horrified to hear about the many thousands that died, the refugees that were created that cannot go back home, and the prisoners of war that are still there. So, we are doing what we can in Congress. But what is really disturbing is the world doesn’t know enough about this. That’s what this documentary can do. It can provide a light on what is going on in Artsakh.’

About Vic Gerami, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian said, ‘Thank you for producing a resource that honors the memory of those who have been lost while raising awareness about the invasion and its subsequent impact on world affairs.’ 

Glendale Mayor stated, ‘Your {Vic Gerami’s} work elevates the voices of those fighting for human rights around the world.’

Cecile Keshishian said, ‘Congratulations for your beautiful ‘Motherland Documentary’… shook us to the core… Proud to have an Armenian of your talents and caliber.’ 

Producer Larry Kasanoff commented, ‘Really fast paced and well done… I travel a lot, have been to Central Asia, know all about the Armenian holocaust in 1915, and honestly, never heard of Artsakh. So it was eye opening.’

Vic Gerami is an award-winning journalist, columnist, media commentator, and the host of his prime-time headline news + politics radio program THE BLUNT POST with VIC (TBPV) on Independent + Progressive Radio KPFK 90.7 FM (Pacifica Network). Vic is also the editor + publisher of The Blunt Post. 

Gerami founded the Truth And Accountability League (TAAL), a 501©3 non-profit organization that advocates for Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Armenia. TAAL monitors & addresses Armenophobia, extremism & bigotry around the globe on the level of media, including social media, public policy, academia, and intelligentsia. 

In 2015, Gerami was referenced in the landmark Supreme Court civil rights case, Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the Court held in a 5–4 decision that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process and the Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Please click here for more information about Vic Gerami.

https://indieentertainmentmedia.com/motherland-documentary-feature-film-premieres-to-rave-reviews-at-raleigh-studios-in-hollywood/

Also Read:

Film: Motherland Documentary World Premiere Red Carpet Interviews

Ani Kharatian
July 12 2022



Bionic Buzz® got to cover the world premiere of the documentary Motherland at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA. Motherland is a 90-minute documentary feature film about Azerbaijan’s, Turkey’s unprovoked genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against Armenians of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, starting on September 27, 2020. Azerbaijan with the declared assistance from Turkey reawakened the conflict from dormancy by launching a large-scale offensive against Artsakh. In its war effort, Azerbaijan relied on thousands of Turkish-paid jihadist mercenaries airlifted from terrorist camps in Syria, Libya, and Pakistan, and brought to fight alongside the Azerbaijani Army. The 2020 invasion opened a new chapter in the history of regional warfare and involved unmatched suffering of the civilian population. For 44 days, the world largely watched in deafening silence as over 4,000 Armenians were massacred.

It took 106 years before the United States formally recognized the Armenian Genocide of 1915 at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. On April 24,2021, President Joe Biden became the first US president to officially recognize the Armenian genocide and to recommit preventing such an atrocity from occurring again. Tragically, history is repeating itself with Turkey’s ongoing genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against Armenians as we’ve witnessed recently in Artsakh. “Motherland” tells the story of this ongoing tragic chapter through the lens of Armenian-American journalist and LGBTQ+ activist, Vic Gerami.

With illegal and banned weapons, including cluster bombs and white phosphorus munitions, the aggressors destroyed towns and villages, indiscriminately killed people mainly between the ages of 18-21, and occupied approximately 80% of Artsakh.

By November 9, 2020, when a new ceasefire was declared, 100,000 people, 2/3 of Artsakh’s population was driven out of their ancestral land and made refugees. Despite calls from bipartisan Congress members to intervene, most of the world stayed silent. Many nations, mainly in Europe, are heavily invested in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas and the Caspian pipeline that delivers it to Europe.

Through a journalist and activist’s lens, Motherland focuses the world’s attention on the atrocities, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed by Azerbaijan and Turkey against Artsakh and Armenia. It chronicles the struggle of the Armenian people to come to terms with its fate, mourn the loss of almost 5,000 people, and pick up the pieces and carry on as they have for millennia. It includes interviews with war heroes, displaced refugees, American and Armenian high-profile elected officials, and ordinary people.

The film also accounts for the apathy of the greater world community, the hypocrisy of public figures who preach about human rights but show inaction when reality hits, and how the press is easily manipulated by a rogue nation’s campaign of hate, disinformation, and propaganda.

On the red carpet, our host Rachael Fisher got to interview, Vic Gerami (Writer, Director & Producer), Jeffrey Prang (LA County Assessor), Nicole Goesseringer Mij (Publicist & Writer), Henrick Vartanian (Producer), Chris Damadyan (editor), Oshin Hartootoonian, John Dennem, Judy Chu (Congresswoman), Eric Strong (LA Sheriff Candidate), Mitch O’Farrell (LA Council Member), Shant Sahakian and Kat Kramer (actress & producer).

Our throwback interview with Vic Gerami from from October 28, 2020.

Connect:

https://motherlanddoc.com
https://www.twitter.com/MotherlandDoc
https://www.facebook.com/MotherlandDocFilm/
https://www.instagram.com/MotherlandDocFilm


Turkish press: Armenian foundation hails Erdoğan, Pashinian phone call

Meline Chalian
 ANKARA JUL 13, 2022 – 12:07 AM GMT+3

An illustration of Armenian and Turkish flags. (Shutterstock File Photo)

The Association of Armenian Foundations in Türkiye (ERVAP) on Tuesday hailed the recent phone call between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to improve bilateral ties.

Commenting on the positive atmosphere revolving around both countries' relations, the association said in a statement that the discussion between Erdoğan and Pashinian has turned into a development that determines the agenda of the Armenian community in Turkey.


"All institutions and organizations follow the exemplary leadership with hope and appreciation," the statement said.

While the process of normalization between Turkey and Armenia has led to great expectations recently, the setting created by the direct contact of the two leaders through the phone has added a new dimension to optimism, it said.

Stressing that the normalization of bilateral ties would pave the way for a positive climate, which would benefit social life and institutional activities, the statement further noted that the opportunities for dialogue and empathy to appear in line with the normalization were significant for the future of both peoples.

"Our community, symbolizing the continuity of the tradition of co-existence of two ancient peoples, passionately backs this process of normalization with its rich network of institutions," it said, adding that the leaders of foundations were determined to mobilize all of their experience in this "historical turning point."

Bedros Şirinoğlu, the head of ERVAP, said all segments of the Armenian community in Turkey welcomed the phone conversation between the two leaders, adding the steps to be taken by Ankara could potentially not only change the fate of the South Caucasus but also open a gateway to reshape the international balance.

"The anticipated full normalization is the primary goal that requires patience," he said and called on all pro-peace people in both Turkey and Armenia to support the vision set by the leaders.

In a social media post on Monday, Archbishop Sahag II Mashalian welcomed the leaders' phone talk, saying it built up people's hopes for peace at a time when the world was disturbed by warfare.

"I pray that the peaceful methods of diplomacy become the winner, not death and wars," he said, hoping that the discussion of leaders would open a new chapter in Turkish and Armenian relations.

On Monday, the Turkish presidency said in a statement that Erdoğan and Pashinian expressed their expectations for the immediate implementation of the issues agreed upon during the talks held on July 1 by the special representatives of both countries.


The first round of normalization talks was held in Moscow on Jan. 14, where both parties agreed to continue negotiations without any preconditions, according to a statement released after the meeting.

The Turkish and Armenian envoys met for the second time in Vienna on Feb. 24, and the third meeting was held on May 3 in the same city.

Also, a historic bilateral meeting took place between the foreign ministers of Turkey and Armenia on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on March 12.

As part of the efforts, Turkey and Armenia have also resumed commercial flights as of Feb. 2 after a two-year hiatus.

Turkish press: Armenian foundations in Türkiye welcome growing momentum of ‘normalization process’

Aram Torosian
Semra Orkan   |12.07.2022


ISTANBUL

Monday's phone talk between the Turkish president and the Armenian premier on the normalization of ties took the growing optimism to a new level, said the Association of Armenian Foundations in Türkiye (ERVAP). 

Commenting on the positive atmosphere revolving around both countries’ relations, the association said in a statement that the discussion between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has turned into a development that determines the agenda of the Armenian community in Türkiye.


"All institutions and organizations follow the exemplary leadership with hope and appreciation," the statement said.

While the process of normalization between Türkiye and Armenia has led to great expectations recently, the setting created by the direct contact of the two leaders through the phone has added a new dimension to optimism, it said.

Stressing that the normalization of bilateral ties would pave the way for a positive climate, which would benefit social life and institutional activities, the statement further noted that the opportunities for dialogue and empathy to appear in line with the normalization were of huge importance for the future of both peoples.

"Our society, symbolizing the continuity of the tradition of co-existence of two ancient peoples, passionately backs this process of normalization with its rich network of institutions," it said, adding that the leaders of foundations were determined to mobilize all of their experience in this "historical turning point."

Bedros Sirinoglu, head of ERVAP, said all segments of the Armenian community in Türkiye welcomed the phone conversation between the two leaders, adding the steps to be taken by Ankara could potentially not only change the fate of the South Caucasus but also open a gateway to reshape the international balance.

"The anticipated full normalization is the primary goal that requires patience," he said and called on all pro-peace people in both Türkiye and Armenia to support the vision set by the leaders.

In a social media post on Monday, Patrik Sahak II – the 85th patriarch of Armenians in Türkiye – welcomed the leaders’ phone talk, saying it built up people's hopes for peace at a time when the world was disturbed by warfare.

"I pray that the peaceful methods of diplomacy become the winner, not death and wars," he said, hoping that the discussion of leaders would open a new chapter in Turkish and Armenian relations.

On Monday, the Turkish presidency said in a statement that Erdogan and Pashinyan expressed their expectations for the immediate implementation of the issues agreed upon during the talks held on July 1 by the special representatives of both countries.


The first round of normalization talks was held in Moscow on Jan. 14, where both parties agreed to continue negotiations without any preconditions, according to a statement released after the meeting.

The Turkish and Armenian envoys met for the second time in Vienna on Feb. 24, and the third meeting was held on May 3 in the same city.

Also, a historic bilateral meeting took place between the foreign ministers of Türkiye and Armenia on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on March 12.

As part of the efforts, Türkiye and Armenia have also resumed commercial flights as of Feb. 2 after a two-year hiatus.  

* Writing and contribution by Ali Murat Alhas in Ankara

Armenpress: New village to be built in Armenia to be ready in 2026

Arbi Tashjian

New village to be built in Armenia to be ready in 2026

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 09:36, 12 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. A new village will be built in Armenia’s Shirak province. The cause is the construction of the Kaps Reservoir, as a part of Jradzor village will appear under water after the construction of the reservoir. Therefore, the village, that will be built for the resettlement of the village residents, will be ready in spring 2026, and the residents will be provided with houses as a compensation. The government will provide renovated modular houses, they will be earthquake-resistant, energy-saving. The village will have a pedestrian path and a cattle road.

Recently Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan talked about the construction of this new village at the Cabinet meeting.

Ashot Khachatryan, director of water economy program implementation branch at the Armenian Territorial Development Fund (ATDF), which implements the village resettlement program, presented details about the initiative in an interview to ARMENPRESS.

“As a result of the construction of the Kaps Reservoir, a part of the village of Jradzor will appear under water, therefore, a decision was made to move the whole village to another place, that is about 5km away from the village, near the reservoir”, he said.

The works on transferring the village have started since December 2021. At the moment the designing works of the new village are underway. The initial master plan of the new village is already ready, and the main designing works will launch after its examination. The designing works will last for 18 months, and the construction of the village will last for another 2 years.

“We expect we will end the designing works in July 2023. And the construction tender will last for a few more months, and the construction will begin at the end of 2023. There are winter pauses during construction, so we believe that the village will be ready in spring 2026”, Ashot Khachatryan said.

During public hearings different territories were presented to the village residents and they approved that territory. Khachatryan said the village residents wanted to move to a new village and they all denied the offer of getting financial compensation.

He stated that the new village will be bigger in size than the current one. “According to the project, the compensation will be a house for a house, in other words, all those people who have houses in that village, will get houses in the new village. At the moment, 74 families are registered in the village, but only 39 actually live in the village. All these 74 families will be provided with houses”, he said, adding that the village residents will be provided with renovated modular houses.

The new village will have a road to the old village because the cemeteries in the old village will not appear under water, they will be preserved and people will have a chance to visit cemeteries.

Khachatryan said that the new village will have a residential zone, a rest zone, a production zone, a teaching zone, as well as its clear road network, a separate road for cattle, and pedestrian paths.

The village will be have water supply, drainage and a biological sewage treatment plant.

It is also planned to create a production zone where there will be a milk procurement plant.

The new village will have a view to the reservoir. According to Ashot Khachatryan, there is a very good opportunity to develop agrotourism and tourism there.

“The construction of the Kaps Reservoir started back in 1985 [later it stopped]. And the village residents have been waiting for the reconstruction of the reservoir, for the construction of a new village so that they can move. And this situation is reaching its end, and the residents are very excited for these works to end soon”, he said.

He said that the village residents will also be provided with compensation for the lost corps. If there will be other territories than houses, compensation will also be provided.

Asked whether other people can also move to live in the new village, he said that the project also envisages expansion of the village. “Everyone can use it, buy a land in the village and build”, he said.

The village resettlement program is implemented with the state budget funds. 4 billion 950 million drams will be spent on the project.

 

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan

Biden’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Armenia sent to Senate

Emil Lazarian

 

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 09:45, 12 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. U.S. President Joe Biden has recently nominated Kristina A. Kvien for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Armenia and sent the nomination to the Senate, the White House said in a news release.

The respective committee of the Senate will appoint a day of hearings during which Kristina A. Kvien will answer to the questions of legislators. This will be followed by a voting in the upper house to approve her candidacy for the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.

Kristina Kvien arrived at U.S. Embassy Kyiv in May 2019.  From 2016 – April 2019, she served as Acting DCM/Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at U.S. Embassy Paris.    

Previously, Kristina served as Acting DCM and Economic Counselor at U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand; Economic Counselor at U.S. Embassy London; and Director for European Union, Ukraine, and Belarus Affairs at the National Security Council in the Executive Office of the President.  Kristina has also served at U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia; the U.S. Mission to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium; and the U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines.  At the Department of State in Washington, DC, Kristina worked on European Union issues and on bilateral relations with Slovenia.

Preserving Armenian identity through church: General Secretary of Bible Society in Gulf visits Yerevan

Nyrie Kalashian

Preserving Armenian identity through church: General Secretary of Bible Society in Gulf visits Yerevan

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 10:05, 12 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. Hrayr Jebejian, General Secretary of the Bible Society in the Gulf, recently has paid a visit to Armenia. According to him, church, schools, religion and Bible play a key role in the preservation of the Armenian identity in the Diaspora.

Sharing their activities aimed at preserving Armenian identity in Armenian communities in the Gulf, Hrayr Jebejian told ARMENPRESS that 160 nations live in the Arab states of the Gulf, including Armenians. “We have an Armenian community in Kuwait reaching 3000, as well as our church and school. There are two Armenian churches in the United Arab Emirates, the one is in Abu Dhabi, and the other in Sharjah. And we teach Armenian language, history, religion, Armenian culture in colleges. The Armenian colony in Bahrain is very small, there are not so many Armenians in Qatar as well, and very few in Oman. Armenian language is taught in all colonies”, he said.

Hrayr Jebejian noted that they try to preserve the Armenian identity in these countries through church, as the church unites the colony. “Christians in Muslim countries are a guest: there is no absolute freedom, but ceremonies are taking place in churches, and the life concentrates around church and school. Numerous events relating to Armenia are being organized”, he said.

The Bible Society in the Gulf operates in 200 countries, including in Armenia. The main purpose is to translate, publish and spread the Bible. The Society is cooperating with all churches regardless of community belonging.

“We implement the “Commitment of the Bible” program. Bible is sometimes left in bookshelves, but it’s important for the people to read and understand it. When you read the Bible, the language, culture, policy and history impact the perception. Various events are being organized in order to encourage people to read it in their mother tongue and understand its meaning”, he said.

According to him, Diaspora is very complex and colorful. “We have not become a Diaspora by our won will, it is an imposed reality. I was born in Beirut not by my choice. My father has been one year old when they were deported, came to Aleppo and then Beirut. I am a Lebanese-Armenian, the other is French-Armenian and so on. And so what does it mean to be Armenian in this situation? I am trying to reveal this”, he said.

Hrayr Jebejian said currently there are gaps in the Armenia-Diaspora relations, but he stresses the need to do everything possible to fill these gaps, know each other and work.

 

Interview by Anzhela Hambardzumyan




Marukyan calls Pashinyan-Erdogan telephone talk an important step in Armenia-Turkey normalization process

Jhanna Virabian

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 10:36, 12 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador-at-Large of Armenia, leader of the Bright Armenia party Edmon Marukyan commented on yesterday’s telephone conversation between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In a statement on social media, Marukyan said that the last direct contact between the leaders of Armenia and Turkey took place 10 years ago, adding that “this is a very important step in the normalization process of the Armenian-Turkish relations”.

“We should understand that constantly having closed borders and zero diplomatic relations with Turkey will take us nowhere, especially taking into account also the realities of the last war. It’s important for the dialogue to continue and have its successful conclusion, in the form of opening of borders and establishment of diplomatic relations. Armenia continues the productive diplomacy”, he said.