PRESENTATION OF RA EMBASSY BUILDING TAKES PLACE IN GREECE
Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006
ATHENS, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. A reception dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of the independence of Armenia as well as the presentation
of the new Embassy building took place at the Embassy of the Republic
of Armenia to Greece on October 26. Representatives of the Greek
authorities, of the Armenian and Greek clergy, business circles,
Armenian community and mass media, diplomats accredited in Greece
participated in the event. According to the information submitted
to Noyan Tapan by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information
Department, the official opening of the Embassy building took place
in November 2005, within the framework of the RA President’s official
visit to Greece.
Then, some necessary works were done, and only during this summer
it became possible to promote the Embassy’s complete activity in the
new building.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF BOOK ENVISAGED TO BE ORGANIZED IN ARMENIA NEXT YEAR
Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. Participation of Armenian publishing
houses in different international exhibitions became oftener during
the recent years. As Eduard Militonian, the Chief of the Publishing
Affair Agency of the RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Issues informed
at the October 27 press conference, besides the participation in the
Moscow and Frankfurt international exhibition-fairs, books published
with the assistance of the agency and a number of Armenian publishing
houses, were presented in the U.S., Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Turkey,
enjoying visitors’ attention and high estimation. E.Militonian
emphasized that the Armenian literature and culture are not only
presented and propagandized with the help of those exhibitions,
but practical ties are established among Armenian and foreign
publishers. In E.Militonian’s words, the number of books being
published by the state order was added during the recent years: 261
titles of historical, encyclopedic, fiction, children’s and other books
were published only in 2004-2005. It was also mentioned that the RA
Government allocated 20 mln drams (about 50 thousand U.S. dollars)
for translating Armenian literature into different languages. The
modern Armenian prose has already been published in the Russian,
English, French languages, and will be published soon in Persian and
Spain as well. The Chief of the agency stated that Armenian publishers
envisage to hold in Armenia an international exhibition of book the
next year. It was also mentioned that it was proposed to annouce a
year of young readers in Armenia in 2007.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LITERARY CRITIC EDUARD TOPCHIAN’S MEMORIAL PLAQUE OPENED IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. State-public figure, publicist,
literary critic Eduard Topchian’s memorial plaque opened on October 27
in the address of Kasian 3, Yerevan, where the literary critic lived
in 1960-1975. The author of the memorial plaque is architect Samvel
Burkhajian. In words of Levon Ananian, the Chairman of the Writers’
Union of Armenia (WUA), talent and humane merits are combined in few
people, E.Topchian was one of those few. He was the first secretary
of the WUA and headed it for 21 years. “E.Topchian headed the WUA in
a period of time when the Central Committee of the Communist Party
created problems in many issues. It was also a period when great
people like Avetik Isahakian, Derenik Demirchian, Nairi Zarian, Stepan
Zorian, Gurgen Mahari and others were in the political field, it was
not easy to work with them as each of them has his literary views,”
L.Ananian mentioned. According to prose-writer Perch Zeytuntsian’s
characteristic, E.Topchian managed to head the WUA wisely and keeping
balance. He was engaged in organization works of the WUA as much that
there was almost no time for creating. But, as P.Zeytuntsian mentioned,
E.Topchian was the first literary critic who presented analyses of
Franz Werfel’s and Levon Shant’s works to the Armenian reader.

10th ANNIVERSARY OF “YERKRAMAS” NEWSPAPER OF ARMENIANS OF RUSSIA TO BE MARKED IN KRASNODAR
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 30 2006
KRASNODAR, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 10th
anniversary of the “Yerkramas” (country) newspaper of Armenians
of Russia to be marked in Krasnodar on November 15 with a gala
concert. The concert program involves performances of Armenian
ensembles and performers from towns and regions of Kuban. Those are
winners and laureates of international and Russian competitions. The
Anelik RU commercial bank assists in organization and holding of the
concert. Presence of official guests: representatives of the Embassy
of the Republic of Armenia to the RF, of the Consulate General of
the Republic of Armenia to the NFR, administration of Krasnodar and
the region of Krasnodar, Russian and regional public organizations,
is expected at the holiday. Numerous congratulations are got on
the occasion of the jubilee at the newspaper editorial office both
from state structures and from different international, Russian and
Armenian organizations. According to the newspaper, Armen Smbatian,
the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the RA to the
RF, Levon Mkrtchian, the Minister of Education and Science, Victor
Krivopuskov, the Chairman of the Society for Friendhsip and Cooperation
with the Republic of Armenia, Levon Chakhmakhchian, the Chairman of the
“For Self-Government of the Working People” Russian public movement,
Chairman of the Association of Russian-Armenian Business Cooperation,
and others are among people sent congratulations.
Earlier, the newspaper editorial office received a gold medal “For
the Sake of Humanity” on behalf of the “Elita Mira” (World Elite)
International Charity Fund of World Humanity (the fund chairman is
count Pyotr Sheremetev). The medal is given to organizations having
had considerable contribution in the life in favour of the society
and founded public-useful affair.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UNION OF CALIFORNIA’S ARMENIAN WRITERS CONGRATULATES AGBU ON OCCASION OF ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 30 2006
LOS ANGELES, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Union of
California’s Armenian Writers sent a congratulatory message to the
Board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) on the occasion
of the 100th anniversary of Union’s creation wishing AGBU long-lasting
prosperous future. “This is a unique anniversary by national standards,
which in the course of years reflects many moral and material, devotion
and effort, loyalty and sacrifice, love and belief donations. They
colored the rainbow over AGBU’s 100-year merit for the sake of the
Armenian nation and Armenian homeland,” the message read mentioning
AGBU’s great role in the last 100-year history of the Armenian people
and homeland. The message also emphasized AGBU’s complete devotion
and assistance to Diasporan Armenians with foundation of its charity,
educational and healthcare institutions.

EXHIBITION “ARMENIAN ART” OPENS IN MOSCOW
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 30 2006
MOSCOW, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Solemn opening of
exhibition “Armenian Art. XX Century” took place on October 27 at
State Tretiakov Gallery within the framework of Year of Armenia in
Russia. The exhibition consists of works kept in the collection of the
Tretiakov Gallery. As the Yerkramas newspaper informs referring to the
Press Service of the Embassy of RA in RF, painting and sculpture of
brightest representatives of Armenian art of the middle and second
half of XX century, in total, about 50 exhibits, are demonstrated
within the framework of this project. Key painting works at the
exhibition are canvases of Martiros Sarian (1880-1972), outstanding
representative of not only Armenian, but also European culture, and
one of M.Sarian’s pupils, Minas Avetisian, as well as other Armenian
painters and sculptors.
Paintings and sculptures presented at the exhibition are united by
peculiar features of Armenian painting school – recognizable color,
light, characteristic eurhythmics, many of which were determined
by the unique nature of Armenia. The exhibition will operate until
November 26, 2006.

YOUNG BALLET OF KUBAN HEADED BY BALLET-MASTER FROM ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 30 2006
KRASNODAR, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Well-known
ballet-master from Armenia, Vigen Galstian, headed a new troupe
created in Krasnodar Philharmony. According to the Yerkramas
newspaper of Armenians of Russia, the young troupe is named Young
Ballet of Kuban. The collective includes both Krasnodar dancers and
Galstian’s compatriots. By the way, Galstian is also the head of
Yerevan Choreographical School. Divertissement from various ballets,
including from “Don Quichotte” by Ludwig Minkus are in the troupe’s
repertoire today.

DEMONSTRATION OF COMPLAINT IN DEFENCE OF VAHAGN CHAKHALIAN HELD IN AKHALKALAK
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 30 2006
AKHALKALAK, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A demonstration
of complaint in defence of Vahagn Chakhalian, a member of the
chairmanship of the “United Javakhk” democratic alliance, arrested
on October 11 in Yerevan, took place in the Freedom square of
Akhalkalak. As Javakhk-Info states, population of settlements
neighbouring to Akhalkalak also participated in the demonstration of
many thousands held on October 27. The rally participants expressed
their indignation on the occasion of the “absurd” accusation of
“illegally breaking the RA border” towards V.Chakhalian and demanded
to immediately set free Vahagn Chakhalian. A statement was adopted
at the end of the rally, where it was particularly, mentioned that
they will take other means in the case of not setting free Vahagn
Chakhalian within a short term.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE DEVELOPS NEW MILK-CLOTTING ENZYME PREPARATION
Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The scientific research institute
Biotechnology is developing a new highly-efficient milk-clotting
enzyme preparation, which will also have slight protein destruction
properties. Hakob Karagulyan, senior staff member of the institute,
said this. According to him, the indicated properties are necessary
for production of European kinds of cheese with long maturation. In
H. Karagulyan’s words, after achieving a certain degree of purity,
it is envisaged to introduce the production of the new milk-clotting
enzyme preparation in Nane CJSC (Armenia). The annual demand for the
new milk-clotting preparation may be 1-1.5 tons but there are also
opportunities to produce such preparation to meet the total demand
of 5-6 tons in Iran, Georgia and the south of Russia. H. Karagulyan
said that prices of 1 kg of low-quality milk-clotting preparations
currently used in Armenia range from 120 to 150 US dollars, while
prices of high-quality ones – from 180 to 200 USD.
According to him, the price of the milk-clotting enzume preparation
developed by Biotechnology may be up to 100 USD, while the annual
profitability of production of 1 ton – 25-30 thousand USD.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATO CONSULTING GROUP WELCOMES DRAFT BEING WORKED OUT ON RA NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY
Noyan Tapan
Oct 30 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. Serge Sargsian, the Chairman of
the interdepartment commission coordinating works of working out the
draft to the RA National Security Srategy, the Secretary of the RA
National Security Council attached to President, met on October 26 with
members of the NATO international consulting group. As Noyan Tapan was
informed RA Defence Ministry’s Information and Propaganda Department,
at the beginning of the meeting, representative of Great Britain,
Major General John Drewienkiewicz mentioned that the consulting group
welcame all the provisions of the draft being worked out on the RA
National Security Strategy concerning development of state and civil
society of Armenia. Touching upon issues relating to security, the
group members spoke about difficult geostrategic situation of Armenia,
facting that two of the four neighbouring countries, Azerbaijan and
Turkey, implement blockade towards Armenia, and the vital path tiing
with the foreign world pass through Georgia and Iran appeared in the
difficult geopolitical situation. Speaking about the foreign policy
of Armenia, the group members mentioned that it is greatly provided
by existence of the two most important problems for every Armenian,
Nagorno Karabakh and the Armenian Genocide. At the end of the meeting,
the guests facted that in such a situation Armenia made a decision
on leading balanced policy from both strategic or global and military
or regional viewpoint.