Category: News

Asbarez – Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich will officially unveil a permanent Armenian Genocide monument at Grand Park’s Olive Court on September 17 at 5:00. Last year, Supervisor Antonovich sponsored the highly popular and well-received iWitness public rt installation at Grand Park and the Music Center. Moved by the great response, LA County has teamed-up with the iwitness project to install a permanent memorial to the Genocide. The unveiling will include musical performances and speakers.

The iWitness project is a collective made up of artists Ara Oshagan, Levon Parian, architect Vahagn Thomasian and other activists and artists.

The permanent monument is made of black volcanic tuff rock imported directly from the Ararat Valley of Armenia. Tuff is indigenous to the Armenian highlands and deep-rooted in that millennial history. It has been the material of choice for centuries and used to build hundreds of churches, historical buildings and artworks. The monument is a silent witness to that history as well as a witness to the Genocide itself. The sculpted angular shape of the iwitness monument is an echo and extension of the iwitness installation.

Sculpted by Vahagn Thomasian, the monument is both organic and conceptual. It is sourced from the earth itself and blends in with the natural flora and fauna of Grand Park. The monument is split in two, symbolizing the spiritual and physical rupture of the Armenian Genocide: a disruption of history and community not only for the Armenian nation but also for all of humanity.

“The idea that a rock can be a witness is perhaps unusual but very significant”, says artist Ara Oshagan. “It was there and that history is imbedded in it. A witness need not speak to be a witness. Just like the trees around Auschwitz are witnesses to the Holocaust.”

The juxtaposition of smooth and rough surfaces on either half of the iwitness monument further symbolizes the past and the present and re-emphasizes the disruption between the two realities.

Wrapped around the foot of the iwitness memorial are words by the Pulitzer Prize winning Armenian- American playwright and author, William Saroyan—urging a celebration of life and hope for the future. “This is a memorial to a horrible event,” says artist Levon Parian, “but Saroyan’s words elevate and remind us of the mysteries and joys of being alive. We remember the past, but live in the today- reaching for the future.”

The delegation headed by Vice-President of the Armenian National Assembly, Head of the Armenia-Argentina Deputy Friendship Group Edward Sharmazanov had a meeting with Rodolfo Zlauvinen, Argentina’s Undersecretary of State on Foreign Policy Affairs, Ambassador Gustavo.

The interlocutors emphasized the dynamic development of relations between the two countries. They attached importance to the further expansion and reinforcement of economic ties, which, they said, could be enhanced by the conduct of a business forum.

Edward Sharmazanov hailed the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the legislative, executive and judicial bodies of Argentina. He noted that “by condemning the Genocide, Argentina reiterates the indisputable fact of being a democratic country.”

During the meeting reference was made to regional issues, the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

Edward Sharmazanov said “the world has taken the triumphant path of self-determination. He said the lack of progress in Karabakh talks is a result of the non-constructive policy of Azerbaijan. He added that progress can hardly be achieved unless the agreements reached at Vienna and St. Petersburg summits are implemented.

Rodolfo Zlauvinen noted, in turn, that Argentina stands for exceptionally peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

In an about-turn, Germany plans to invest millions at the Incirlik NATO airbase in Turkey, according to “Der Spiegel” magazine. Planned are new German facilities for the international anti-IS mission in Syria and Iraq, reports.

“Der Spiegel” on Tuesday said defense ministry states secretary Gerd Hoofe had budgeted 58 million euros ($63 million) for a new runway and a portable command center at the key airbase near Syria’s northern border.

Particularly center-left Social Democrats (SPD) in Germany’s federal parliament, which has an ultimate say over German Bundeswehr deployments, had until a week ago demanded that the German mission should be ended because of Turkish strictures.

Since June, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has banned visits by German parliamentarians to Incirlik in reaction to a Bundestag resolution in May that declared 1915 massacres of Armenians by Ottoman Turkish forces to have been a genocide.

“Der Spiegel” said the German Bundeswehr wanted the investment urgently because since the mission started early this year its some 240 personnel have had to park its Tornado surveillance jets at US sites at Incirlik, sleep in provisional quarters – called the “Patriot Village” located near noisy runways – and depend on allies for technical support.

Of 58 million euros, 26 million would fund the laying a new airfield for the Tornados and appropriate Bundeswehr accommodation for soldiers. A further 30 million euros, awaiting budgetary clearance, would be spent to erect a command center. For this, foundations will be necessary, costing a further two million.

A defense ministry spokesman added that the transportable command center, comprising sophisticated equipment fitted inside large containers, was a useful purchase anyway, independent of Incirlik.

“The Public Radio of Armenia will always retain a leading role with its outspread, capacity, traditions and staff,” Arman Saghatelyan, Executive Director of Public Radio of Armenia, told reporters today.

He said two public opinion polls had been conducted to reveal the preferences of the public and review the broadcasting policy.

“What we found out is that the public needs social information, consulting, explanation. This refers to different spheres –healthcare, finances, agriculture, human and consumer rights, etc,” he said. Saghatelyan added that the new schedule in the new season will come to fill the gaps.

“Some programs will air live, which will provide the listeners with an opportunity to immediately interfere with the work of the radio station, ask questions and receive answers to issues of concern,” the Executive Director said.

“At the same time, the decades-long traditions have been maintained,” he said. “We have wonderful, beloved programs and authors. New voices will be heard along the familiar ones, which, I’m confident, will become no less beloved in a short period of time,” Arman Saghatelyan said.

Starting this school year, it will be mandatory for Michigan schools to add lessons about genocide to the social studies curriculum for grades 8-12, particularly teachings about the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide,  reports.

The mandate is part of bipartisan legislation that received near-unanimous support when the Legislature approved it in May. Gov. Rick Snyder signed it into law in June. Eleven other states already require instruction in genocide, according to the Genocide Education Project.

The new requirements “are not a lot of work for most districts” because genocide is already part of their curriculum, said Bill DiSessa, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Education. But “some districts may need to take a look at what’s in it.”

The Holocaust and Armenian genocide were specifically cited because the Michigan Legislature has already passed laws commemorating both, said Rep. Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Township, the primary sponsor of the legislation.

“This is something that should be a priority — teaching our children how to recognize genocide through past genocides,” Kesto said.

He said he has been discouraged by international studies that show large numbers of people have never heard of the Holocaust or have little knowledge of it. He said the motivation is that when people say “never again,” it actually means something.

The new law goes beyond mandating the teaching of genocide. It requires the state’s assessment system test students on genocide. It also requires the creation of a temporary commission, called the Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education, that will have a number of functions, including looking for ways to enhance genocide education, advising school leaders on those efforts, promoting genocide education in schools and the general population.

Snyder, when announcing he had signed the legislation, said the next generation of leaders “needs to have the wherewithal to recognize and help prevent widespread harm to their fellow men and women. Teaching the students of Michigan about genocide is important because we should remember and learn about these terrible events in our past while continuing to work toward creating a more tolerant society.”

Photo: Suren Stepanyan

 – The little robot makes odd beeps as it spins around the room, detecting fires with its thermal sensors and extinguishing flames with a strong blast of air.

Its mission accomplished, the beeps die down and the machine comes to an abrupt halt.

Rather than being the brainchild of experienced engineers in a hi-tech lab, the firefighter robot was designed by Armenian schoolboys Rafael and Sahak Sahakyan – brothers aged 18 and 14.

It is one of several inventions to come out of Armenia’s youth robotics programme, which aims to establish engineering groups in every school by 2019. Already there are 121 after-school clubs, catering for pupils between 12 and 18.

The government hopes the scheme will improve the quality of engineering education and encourage inventors of the future.

At the brothers’ school in Gyumri, one of the poorest cities in Armenia, more than 20 pupils gather after lessons every week to design and create robots.

For the full article click

A rescue dog who saved a girl from the rubble in the aftermath of the Italian earthquake has received a special audience with the Pope, the Daily Mail reports.

Pope Francis met Leo the black Labrador at the Vatican, along with his police handlers and other volunteers who helped rescue survivors.

He bent down to pet the hero dog, who rescued a four-year-old girl called Giorgia in the town of Pescara del Tronto, central Italy.

During the meeting, Leo even put out his paw, allowing the Pope to shake it.

The Pope also took time to speak to police officers Matteo Palladinetti and  Liborio Desimone, who gave him a police cap as a gift.

Giorgia was one of the last  people to be pulled alive from the rubble following the earthquake.

Georgian Government delegation headed by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvli is due in Armenia today.

The Georgian PM is expected to meet with Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minster Hovik Abrahamyan.

Members of the delegation will visit the Tsitsernakaberd memorial to pay tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.

On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Public Radio, President Serzh Sargsyan visited today Armenia’s Public Radio Company.

First, the President of Armenia familiarized with the activities of the Mass Media scientific and educational center whose main goal is to train high-level professionals for the TV and Radio. Later, at the Alley of Devotees of the Public Radio he was present at the unveiling of the personal plagues for the RA People’s Artists Nara Shlepchian and Ruben Matevossian as well as at the opening of the memorial dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Public Radio and 60th anniversary of the Armenian TV.

Accompanied by the leadership of the Council of the TV and Radio Company, the President visited the air studio where the digital production of the Public Radio was launched. According to the responsible officials, Public Radio from now on will be available on the entire territory of Armenia for any modern digital TV.

Serzh Sargsyan familiarized with the policy for the new season of the Public Radio, with the schedule of the programs aired on September 1 and the reviewed schedule which according to the administration of the Radio Company has been augmented with over 20 new political, social, health care related, economic and other programs. It will also provide for a feedback from the audience, offer social programs, and will be mostly society oriented.

The Executive Director of the Public Radio briefly presented to Serzh Sargsyan works carried out at the Radio, existing conditions, including renovation and reconstruction works at the Radio building which started in 2013 and development works at the adjacent territories.

On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Public Radio, President Sargsyan awarded a group of employees with medals and letters of commendation as well as honorary titles for their contribution to the area of culture and journalism, for the years-long and diligent work.

The President handed the awards, congratulated on the 90th anniversary of the Public Radio and on receiving high awards. “This is one of those jubilees when congratulations go to us all. Certainly, for long years the State Radio as the second, inner voice was waking us up every morning, charging us, infusing with good spirit and sending out for work or studies, also was informing us on the events happening in the world, was educating us, presenting to us the treasures of the Armenian and world literature and music. Today too, in the widespread din and hubbub the voice of the Public Radio is nicely discernible. And as a radio listener, I was delighted to learn that the Public Radio is back to people’s homes, that the Public Radio will be available to this time in a digital voice, much clearer. You know, there are at least two great forges at the Alec Manukian Street: One of them is the State University – for the science and education, and the second one is the Public Radio – for the journalists. It was very nice to see at the Mass Media center that new and good conditions have been created to train new cadre; it is also very nice and symbolic that every morning our students, walking down the Alley of Devotees, will be inspired by their example and will ensure the continuity of our journalism.

Personally knowing the people, who have dedicated themselves to the development of the Public Radio, I am confident that using modern technologies, new methods, we will undoubtedly be able to preserve and uphold our traditions. I once again congratulate you all and wish every success,” said President Sargsyan at the festive event dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Armenia’s Public Radio.