Category: 2023

Armenian Oscar Entry ‘Aurora’s Sunrise’ Gets NorAm Release with Bars Media Films

Lilit Nahapetian
ByMercedes Milligan

109

Bars Media Films, the newly established Los Angeles branch of Armenia’s largest independent documentary production company,  announces its first-ever animated feature — the first-ever animated documentary film made in Armenia — and Armenia’s Official Selection for 95th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film: Aurora’s Sunrise. The film will begin is tour of North American theaters next month.

Directed by Inna Sahakyan (Armenia’s Last Tightrope Dance, Mel), Aurora’s Sunrise premiered in competition at Annecy Festival 2022 and went on to win more than 10 awards, including the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2022 for Best Animated Film, Movies that Matter 2023 Audience Award and Special Mention Winner, Audience Favorites at IDFA 2022, Audience Awards at Animation is Film 2022 and FIFDH Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights 2023 for Grand Prix, among others.

The film’s North American release schedule includes openings in New York City at Village East by Angelika and New Plaza Cinema on August 11, in Los Angeles at Laemmle Glendale on August 18 and in Toronto at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema on September 1, with director Inna Sahakyan in-person for Q&As at all three. The film will also roll out in other cities across the U.S. and Canada throughout August and the Fall.

Synopsis: In 1915, as WWI raged on, the Ottoman Empire singled out its entire Armenian population for destruction. Only 14 years old at the time, Aurora Mardiganian’s story was tragically relatable. Forced onto a death march towards the Syrian desert, she lost her entire family before being kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery. Four years later, through luck and extraordinary courage, she escaped to New York, where her story became a media sensation. Starring as herself in the silent epic Auction of Souls, an early Hollywood blockbuster, Aurora became the face of one of the largest and most successful charity campaigns in American history, as one of the first women activists fighting against the injustices of war.

With a blend of vivid animation, interviews with Aurora herself, and 18 minutes of surviving re-discovered footage from her lost silent epic, Aurora’s Sunrise revives a forgotten story of survival, hope and the endurance of the human spirit.

“The Armenian genocide is the enduring pain of my nation,” says Sahakyan. “I was afraid of telling stories that only confirmed Armenians as a nation of victims with no historical agency and nothing but tragedy running through our veins. That is, until I stumbled upon an interview with Aurora Mardiganian while going through archival interviews with Armenian Genocide survivors at the Zoryan Institute. Through her words and expressions, an incredible but ordinary heroism shone: this woman survived a genocide but refused to be a victim. This is the character I wanted to build in Aurora’s Sunrise, resilient, powerful and heartwarming all at once.”

The film was written and directed by Sahakyan, with Gediminas Skyrius as lead illustrator, Ruben Ghazaryan as live-action director & editor, Tigran Arakelyan as art director and music composed by Christine Aufderhaar. Producers are Vardan Hovhannisyan Christian Beetz, Justė Michailinaitė, Kęstutis Drazdauskas and Eric Esrailian.

A co-production between Armenia, Germany and Lithuania, Aurora’s Sunrise is produced by Bars Media Films, Artbox Laisvalaikio Klubas and Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion, in co-production with ZD, in collaboration with Arte. This film was made possible with the academic contribution of the Zoryan Institute and is based on its Oral History Archive.

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/07/armenian-oscar-entry-auroras-sunrise-gets-noram-release-with-bars-media-films/

5,000 Armenian teachers to participate in voluntary certification

Emil Lazarian
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Voluntary certification of teachers in Armenia

5,000 teachers in Armenia this year expressed their desire to undergo voluntary certification. Despite the unprecedented activity of school teachers this year, the Ministry of Education does not consider these figures to be satisfactory.

“There are 37,000 teachers in the republic, of which only 13 percent have passed voluntary certification,” the department reports and reminds that it is still possible to apply for participation until July 15. The next stage of certification will be organized in September.

In any case, a large number of applications compared to previous years, apparently, caused the statements of the Prime Minister of Armenia. Nikol Pashinyan has already said several times that education is a priority for his government: “The time will come when there will be no teachers in schools who have not passed certification.” But the prime minister has not yet named specific dates when this will happen.

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Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Araksia Svajyan said that this year certification will be held in all subjects, and class teachers will also be able to participate in it.

“Those who do not work anywhere now, but have a pedagogical education, will also be able to participate in the certification. If they get high scores, they will be able to get a job in schools and receive a high salary,” she stressed.

320 of the 5,000 people who applied for participation in the assessment are not currently working in schools.

Voluntary certification of teachers was first held in Armenia in 2021. Only teachers in grades 7-12 participated in the pilot program. They were given the opportunity to participate in testing in only seven subjects. Then the scope of the program expanded. At the same time, the salaries of teachers who passed the certification increased by 30-50%, depending on the results.

The aim of the program is to encourage the professional development of teachers, to promote the improvement of the quality and effectiveness of teaching. The Ministry of Education also expects high salaries to attract male teachers to schools.

How to overcome problems in the educational system? Teachers’ stories and analysis from experts

According to the decision of the government, teachers who have a secondary specialized education and have not received a university diploma will be able to work in schools until August 2023. This applies to 1300 people. However, they will not lose their jobs if they take part in a voluntary assessment.

“If the required threshold of knowledge based on test results is provided, they will be able to continue working in schools,” Svadzhyan said.

According to the deputy minister, those teachers who failed to pass the test satisfactorily last year can also apply for participation in the attestation. He says that to help them, 4 universities of the country conduct preparatory courses.

Araksia Svajyan said that 700 out of 760 teachers who did not receive enough points during last year’s attestation have applied again this year. And now they are taking training courses.

Why so many vacancies at universities, which professions are now most in demand, and an expert’s commentary on the situation as a whole

Mathematics teacher of secondary school No. 29 Naira Kosyan has already passed a voluntary certification. She is pleased that, “finally, the frozen, outdated system of paying teachers’ salaries has changed.” In general, she positively assesses the certification process, but believes that “the procedure can be improved”:

“In particular, 60 assignments for certification are too many, and it is difficult for a teacher to complete them in three hours. To test the teacher’s knowledge, 20 well-thought-out tasks are enough. In this case, he will have time to check his work again.”

Naira Kosyan says that certifications have changed the education system itself and existing stereotypes, many teachers have realized that “the requirements are different now.” In her opinion, teachers should not stop there, they should constantly develop, “even if the state did not put forward such requirements.”

Results of the pilot program of voluntary certification of teachers in Armenia were harshly criticized by pedagogues and education experts

Tigran Sardaryan, a teacher at the Special Physics and Mathematics School, agrees that the attestation program needs to be improved. In addition, he wonders whether the increase in salaries stimulates the flow of new teachers to schools, whether it improves the quality of education.

“The program has been implemented for two years now, but there is still a shortage of teachers in the country. Still, the salary and work of a teacher are not attractive to young people. The fact that only 13 percent of teachers expressed a desire to participate in the certification may mean the following: some are not confident in their knowledge, some simply do not believe in all this, while others think that they have a couple of years left until retirement – they will work them out and leave, ” Sardaryan believes.

https://jam-news.net/voluntary-certification-of-teachers-in-armenia/

Artlife Kempinski Residences Yerevan

Diana Dabaghian
Hospitality Net

Kempinski is thrilled to unveil its latest addition to the Eastern European portfolio with the introduction of . This prestigious development serves as the cornerstone of a mixed-use development valued at US $180 million, poised to bring the world's foremost luxury brands to the vibrant Armenian capital. Spanning over 100,000 square meters, the ArtLife Teryan project is taking shape in the heart of Yerevan, thanks to the visionary real estate developer Renshin Urban Investments, a group of companies with diverse interests in renewable energy, telecoms, IT, and finance.

The partnership between Kempinski and Renshin was officially inaugurated on July 7, 2023, through a spectacular "Gatsby-style" event that embodied the art-deco architecture of the ArtLife Kempinski Residences Yerevan. Esteemed guests at the event included government officials, prominent business figures, influential personalities from the arts, fashion and television industry. The occasion was marked by the presence of Kempinski's renowned Ladies in Red from Armenia, captivating jazz bands from both Armenia and abroad, fascinating dance performances, and an enchanting reception inspired by the glamour of the 1920s. All of these formed an exceptional celebration of this significant collaboration.

Europe's most experienced hotel operator will bring its 125 years of management expertise to the project via almost 300 beautifully designed apartments and 50-key extended stay suites that will set new standards for luxury in the Armenian capital when complete in 2024. Targeting affluent Armenians and the country's vast diaspora, the Residences are available for purchase as private apartments or income-generating assets that can be added to the hotel's rental inventory.

Inspired by a fusion of traditional Armenian architecture and modern Art Deco aesthetics, ArtLife was honored with the prestigious International Property Award for Best Mixed-Use Architecture in Armenia last year. The project also achieved an impressive "Five Stars" rating across three categories, solidifying its position as a top contender for Best Mixed-Use Development in Europe.

will overlook a central open-air boulevard and plaza adorned with an array of prestigious retail boutiques showcasing leading luxury brands. Additionally, the complex will house high-end restaurants, bars, cafes, a gourmet market, homeware stores, and a florist. will also feature extensive spa and wellness facilities, meticulously crafted by Kempinski Group's subsidiary Resense. These amenities include an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor rooftop pool and lounge, and a yoga platform.

ArtLife is envisioned as a cultural and lifestyle hub, catering to the needs of Yerevan's most discerning residents. The development boasts its own events center, hosting a calendar of year-round performances, an art gallery, a private members' club with a cigar lounge, children's entertainment facilities, a private cinema, a golf simulator, a barber shop, and an aesthetics clinic. The project will also provide ample parking facilities and a helipad for the utmost convenience.

Located at the downtown of Yerevan, ArtLife enjoys a prime position just in a couple of minutes away from the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Freedom Square, and several of the city's top museums. With a population of just over three million, Armenia is home to an additional 7-9 million Armenians living overseas. The luxury retail industry in Armenia is growing in a double-digit pace due to the steady increase in GDP, which reached $19.5 billion in 2022, while GDP per capita has almost doubled since the last year. Dram, the local currency is resistant to economic fluctuations and did not change its rate for several years.

Yerevan is considered one of the safest cities in the world, with extended summers and mild winters. The city has a special ambiance, which is complemented by many festivals and cultural events. Armenia has a rich centuries-old heritage covering various aspects of art.

https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41009752.html

Innoprom 2024 exhibition may be staged in Armenia — Eurasian Economic Commission

Ani Kharatian
 TASS 
Russia –
Such events will reportedly provide an impetus to an increase in cooperative supplies, improving the image of the Eurasian industry and promoting creation of joint ventures

YEREVAN, July 11. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov suggested holding the Innoprom exhibition in fall 2024 in Armenia at the meeting of the industrial policy council of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) said on its website on Tuesday.

"Relevant ministers of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia supported the Commission’s initiative to diffuse the practice of staging the Innoprom industrial exhibitions in EAEU countries. The new event staged in series in the Eurasian format in each country may become a central, a milestone show of EAEU’s industrial achievements. Russian Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov suggested holding the Innoprom in fall in 2024 in Armenia," EEC said.

Such exhibitions will provide an impetus to an increase in cooperative supplies, improve the image of the Eurasian industry, and will promote creation of joint ventures, participants in the meeting concur.

Armenian Woman-Owned Vegan Bakery Opens in Former Space of The Gray Zebra

Adrine Hakobian
VegOut

The Moody Vegan is your one-stop shop for vegan desserts in East Hollywood!

ALLIE MITCHELL / Jul 11, 2023

Looking for a new vegan dessert plug in East Hollywood? An Armenian woman-owned vegan bakery, The Moody Vegan, will open in the former space of The Gray Zebra this summer!

The Moody Vegan got its start in 2020 as a cottage bakery operating out of owner Melany Nazarian’s home. Nazarian and her husband delivered matcha crinkle cookies, lemon olive oil cakes, coffee cakes, and other baked goods to customers around the LA area until expanding to a food truck in September of 2022. But not even a month into operation, the Moody Vegan food truck unfortunately got damaged in an accident. Although fans were devastated, The Moody Vegan was working behind the scenes to secure a brick-and-mortar location.

“After the unfortunate event with the truck, I wanted to find a way to put myself out there again. Since we were not in operation for long with the truck, I feel like a lot of people who were interested in visiting never got the chance to. I missed interacting with customers and hearing about and seeing how my desserts made their moods better. I miss the reactions from non-vegans, ‘I can’t believe it’s vegan!’ A brick-and-mortar has always been a dream of mine, but now it’s coming to fruition,” Nazarian told VegOut.

This new space allows The Moody Vegan to expand offerings. Of course, they’ll be serving all of their fan-favorite items like vegan cookies, coffee cake, banana bread, blondies, and refreshing iced teas. In addition, the bakery will serve their namesake a la mode menu items—called Mood Swings. New items to grace the menu include fruit smoothies, protein smoothies, milkshakes, Armenian espresso, and savory dishes in the realm of breakfast burritos, loaded fries, and avocado toast.

The Moody Vegan will open in East Hollywood on the corner of Sunset and Normandie, in the former space of two vegan establishments—The Gray Zebra and Gegen. “I’m excited to join the community in East Hollywood and hope the area welcomes us kindly. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue keeping the space 100% vegan, but by introducing a new concept,” shared Nazarian.

Opening details are still in the works, but The Moody Vegan aims to soft open next month. Once they get a feel for what works for the customers and area, they will set official hours and continue to expand their menu. For more information, follow @themoodyvegan on Instagram.

https://vegoutmag.com/news/woman-owned-vegan-bakery-moody-vegan/

Armenpress: A genuine Baku-Stepanakert dialogue should start- Toivo Klaar

Eduard Nalbandian

 10:58,

YEREVAN, JULY 10, ARMENPRESS. A genuine Baku-Stepanakert dialogue should start with the aim of providing alternatives to violence, build much-needed confidence and ensure dignity. As reports ARMENPRESS, Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia wrote about this on his Twitter page. Klaar emphasized that the European Union looks forward to upcoming trilateral Brussels meeting with Armenia and Azerbaijan leaders.

“A day that began with promise again ended in disappointment and frustration. As reiterated many times by the EU, it is crucial that the flow of energy supplies be restored without restrictions, as well as the movement of people and goods via the Lachin corridor”, Klaar wrote expressing his feelings due to the suspension  of natural gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan.

The delegation led by Alen Simonyan leaves for Paris

Lilit Nahapetian

 16:24,

YEREVAN, JULY 10, ARMENPRESS. The delegation led by the President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan left for Paris on a working visit on July 10-13, ARMENPRESS was informed from the National Assembly of Armenia.

The delegation also includes Vladimir Vardanyan from the "Civil Contract" faction, who is also the head of the Armenia-France friendship group, Sargis Khandanyan, Arusyak Manavazyan, Tsovinar Khachatryan, and Armen Rustamyan from "Hayastan" faction.

Artsakh NGOs send an open letter to the international community regarding Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic cleansing

Meline Chalian

 19:27,

YEREVAN, JULY 10, ARMENPRESS. The civil society of Artsakh sent an open letter to the international community regarding the ethnic cleansing and genocide policy carried out by Azerbaijan, and appealed to international human rights organizations and civil society to bring the voice of Artsakh to the international community and demand practical steps from their governments to prevent further crimes against humanity by Azerbaijan.

ARMENPRESS reports, the letter is posted on the Facebook page of the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh.

“The people of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), facing the threat of genocide, appeal to all countries and peoples of the world, as well as to international organisations designed to ensure proper implementation of international law.

Since June 15, 2023, having resorted to a provocation on the Hakari Bridge, Azerbaijan has tightened the blockade of Artsakh, which lasts for almost 7 months, starting from December 12, 2022, and has blocked the humanitarian transportation carried out by the ICRC and the Russian peacekeeping contingent, including transportation of patients to medical institutions of the Republic of Armenia, supplies of food, medicines, essential goods, fuel, thereby sharply aggravating the humanitarian crisis in the country. A week later, on June 22, 2023, the Azerbaijani side installed concrete blocks on the bridge where an illegal checkpoint had been installed on April 23, 2023, literally blocking the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world. Since June 25, 2023, the transportation of patients to medical institutions in Armenia accompanied by the ICRC has been restored, however, knowing the destructive pattern of Azerbaijan, which uses humanitarian issues as a lever of pressure on Artsakh, there are no guarantees that it will not be interrupted yet again. These actions of Azerbaijan should not be considered as separate acts of aggression, but as a part of the consistent and systematic policy of ethnic cleansing against Artsakh and its indigenous Armenian population. On the night of June 28, 2023, Azerbaijan resorted to another military provocation against Artsakh using long-range artillery and a drone, resulting in the death of four Artsakh servicemen defending their Homeland and the peaceful population from the Azerbaijani aggression.

Ignoring the adopted resolutions of the European Parliament of January 19, 2023 and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) of June 22, 2023, the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) of December 21, 2022, the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the United Nations (UN) of February 22, 2023, Azerbaijan, as if mocking the authority of these organisations, stubbornly continues to conduct the policy of genocide and patriacide against the people of Artsakh, demonstrating criminal self-will, thereby opposing itself to the civilized world. In addition, the President of Azerbaijan openly allows himself to threaten representatives of the international community who do not share his approach to resolving the Artsakh issue, while believing that international law is entirely on the side of Azerbaijan.

Official Baku rejects the demand to provide guarantees for the security of the people of Artsakh and constantly insists that this is an internal problem of Azerbaijan, which it intends to solve at its discretion. Against the background of blatant Armenophobia, which has become part of the state policy of the authoritarian regime of Azerbaijan and completely permeates the Azerbaijani society. As there is plenty of evidence, it is not difficult to imagine what this "solution" might be if the people of Artsakh suddenly find themselves under the rule of Baku.

We welcome the growing international understanding that the people of Artsakh need firm international guarantees of protection. We thank the congressmen who spoke on this matter in the US Congress on June 21, 2023, calling a spade a spade and giving an objective assessment of Azerbaijan's policy, as well as all other international actors who have the courage to speak out loud about the existential threats posed by Azerbaijan and looming over the people of Artsakh.

We express our hope that more and more people in the world will understand the genuine causes of this conflict and understand why the people of Nagorno-Karabakh made a legitimate request to withdraw from the Azerbaijani SSR and join Armenia in 1988, which led to the beginning of Azerbaijani aggression and a bloody war in which Artsakh people were forced to defend themselves.

Now, when there are calls from various international platforms for a peaceful resolution of the conflict by including Artsakh in Azerbaijan, we suggest recalling the history of the Second World War and trying to imagine: would it be possible to call Jews to live under Hitler's Nazi government? Modern Azerbaijan is also a Nazi state in relation to the Armenians, and it is not difficult to make sure of that – in case of an objective look at this issue without unilateral consumption of the Azerbaijani propaganda.

Having survived the horrors of the three wars unleashed by Azerbaijan, pogroms, exile, psychological terror, human and material losses, continuing to live with the looming existential threat, the people of Artsakh are demanding to use all existing international mechanisms to prevent ethnic cleansing and genocide carried out by Azerbaijan.

In view of the current situation, we demand the presence of representatives of all relevant international organizations in Artsakh. Taking into account the violations of the agreements reflected in Point 6 of the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, according to which free and safe passage through the Lachin corridor should be ensured, we call on the international organizations, namely the UN, to send an international mission to the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Artsakh, strengthen and improve the functioning of the peacekeeping institute.

Also, due to the fact that Azerbaijan openly ignores the implementation of the decisions of the ECHR and the ICJ of the UN issued during the blockade, we appeal to the international community to impose sanctions against this country.

On behalf of the civil society of Artsakh, we appeal to the international human rights and civil society to help bring the voice of Artsakh to the wider international community and demand that their governments take real preventive measures in order to prevent Azerbaijan's next crimes against humanity.

While expressing our gratitude for being concerned about the fate of the people of Artsakh, we emphasize that the only reliable guarantee of our rights and security is the recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, which is based on the right of the people to self-determination, enshrined in international law, and the free will of the people of Artsakh.

Artsakh is not a “territory” inherited by someone by the right of the strong, but our Homeland, where we have a full and inalienable right to a safe life. Artsakh is not just a handful of 120,000 people, not counting about 30,000 forcibly displaced Artsakh residents, who were expelled from their homes as a result of Azerbaijan's military aggression in 2020. Today Artsakh is a test of the values declared by the democratic world and a litmus test of the world order. The essence of the value system of the changing world order will be defined by the choice made between lies, discrimination, violence, terrorism, authoritarianism on one hand or freedom, democracy and respect for human rights on the other”.

PM Pashinyan gets acquainted with the progress of the development projects implemented in various communities in Kotayk

Adrine Hakobian

 20:31,

YEREVAN, JULY 10, ARMENPRESS. During his visit to Kotayk Province, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan got acquainted with the progress of projects completed and still in progress in the communities funded by the Government and subsidy programs, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister first visited the Citizens' Service Office of the Hrazdan City Hall and got acquainted with its activities and services. It was noted that the goal of the office is to provide high-quality services to citizens on a "one-window" basis, to increase the efficiency, transparency and availability of local self-government bodies, to provide more affordable and easy communication between the citizen and the municipality. It was emphasized that the office significantly facilitates the processes implemented by the City Hall. The CSO was established with the co-financing of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Hrazdan City Hall. The total cost of the project was 16.6 million AMD.

Next, the Prime Minister familiarized himself with the works of major repair of the 1.7 km section of Hrazdan entrance highway, construction of sidewalks and drainage system. The total cost of the project is 771 million AMD. The funds were provided from the state budget, and the construction works will be completed in the coming months.

In Hrazdan, Nikol Pashinyan was also presented with the construction works of school No. 2, which will be completed in August 2024. 1.7 billion AMD were allocated for the construction of the earthquake-resistant school designed for 400 students. The project is implemented in cooperation between ADB and the Armenian government.

Then the Prime Minister headed to Tsaghkadzor, where he got acquainted with the reconstruction works of the 10 km long road stretching from the sports base to the Sevan highway. The Government allocated around 1.2 billion AMD for the implementation of the project. The construction works will be completed within the next month.

Next, the major repair works of the 17-19 km section of the Jrarat-Meghradzor-Hankavan national highway, which started in 2023, were presented to the Head of the Government. The total cost of the project is 463 million 696 thousand AMD.

The Prime Minister visited the water bottling plant at the foot of the Aknaler mountain of the Pambak mountain range, which was built by the "A&M Rare" company, and got acquainted with the latter's activities. The construction of the fully automated mineral and spring water bottling production complex was carried out in 2019-2020, it was commissioned in autumn 2020. The total cost of investments was 30 million euros. 90 jobs were created. It was noted that it is planned to switch to shift work, as a result of which the number of jobs will increase. The products are consumed in the local market, as well as is exported to the Russian Federation, Middle East countries, USA, Poland. Possible cooperation with a number of European countries is also discussed.

The major repair works of the 10 km section of the Nor Geghi-Argel-Arzakan-Hrazdan national highway started in 2022, about 80% of the works have been completed. The total cost of the project is 1 billion 290 million AMD. 8 km has already been built, the construction of 2 km started in 2023.

The 15.6 km section of the Yerevan-Yegvard-Aragyugh-Hartavan-/M-3/ republican highway is also being repaired. The works started in 2023. The total cost of the project is 2 billion 290 million AMD.

The Abovyan-Arzni-Nor Geghi road is also being repaired. The works started in 2022. The project is in the final stage. The total cost of the project is 498 million AMD. As a result, it is planned to repair the 1.4 km section of the entrance to Abovyan city, build sidewalks and a drainage system. Funds for the reconstruction of the above-mentioned roads were provided from the state budget.

The Prime Minister also got acquainted with the conditions of the Byureghavan community polyclinic repaired in the sidelines of 2019-2022 subsidy program. Along with the repair works, the necessary property was also acquired with the subsidy program. The total cost of the project was 112 million AMD. Almost 34 million AMD were allocated by the Government, and the remaining part was financed by the community.

The next stop of the Head of the Government was the primary school of Katnaghbyur, the construction of which is being carried out by the Urban Development Committee. It was reported that 95% of the work was done. Construction started in 2021 and is expected to be completed soon. The total cost of the project is AMD 306.7 million. The school will be able to accommodate 100 students.

In the Akunk community, Nikol Pashinyan got acquainted with the technical means acquired for the community. Within the scope of the subsidy program 2020-2022, 2 garbage trucks, 1 multi-functional road vehicle, 1 lifting crane and 160 garbage cans were purchased. The total cost of the project is 167.5 million AMD, which includes the co-financing of the state budget – 83.7 million AMD. Special equipment has been acquired for the needs of the community, through which most of the community's utility services are carried out.

In Garni community, the Head of the Government visited an intensive apricot and cherry orchard, which was established in 2022. The total cost of the project implemented by "Garni Food" company and with the state support program was 154 million AMD. Apricot and cherry orchards were established on the 16.5 hectares of land with the application of latest technologies.

In the same community, the Prime Minister got acquainted with the sub-project of "Improvement of the area near the Garni Cathedral" implemented by the Territorial Development Fund of Armenia. The works started in 2021, 95% of the works have been completed. The total cost of the project is 533 million AMD. Within the framework of the sub-project, restoration of roads and sidewalks is planned.

In Jrvezh community, Nikol Pashinyan got acquainted with the conditions of the community's newly built kindergarten. It was told that within the framework of the subsidy program, the  construction of a two-story kindergarten on a 4919 square meter plot of land has been completed under a subsidy program. The kindergarten was equipped with the necessary equipment. The total cost of the project was 707 million AMD, including the co-financing of the state budget in the amount of 347.27 million AMD. The kindergarten will be able to accept 190 students from August.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the memory of the Armenians who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland during the the 44-day war.