GERALD PAPASIAN IS BACK FROM OPEN-AIR TOURS OF SHAKESPEARE/BROOK ‘MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’
Translated from the French by Irma Tyler
AZG Armenian Daily
31/08/2006
What happens when you want to bring theatre to places where it
is least expected, such as the gardens of Hermitage in Lausanne,
the Château le Bailly in Montigny/Canne, the Neiderstinzel Castle
or the Gallo Roman ruins of Bliesbruck in Alsace? What happens when
you want to perform an entire Shakespeare play with only six [male]
actors? What happens when it is summer and France and Switzerland
are swinging with festival fever?
What happens is Irina Brook (daughter of the illustrious Peter Brook,
well known to all for her award-winning production of Beast on the
Moon) and six of her loyal company members, who bring Shakespeare’s
Midsummer Night’s Dream to your backyard.
Spurning big budget glamorous productions to which she had accustomed
us, Irina Brook draws upon the complicity and confidence of her
trustworthy actors, to create a joyful and sparkling show with a
minimum of costumes and props, where improvisation lurks at every
corner. The actors excel themselves in this free style where pure
pleasure replaces conceit and pretentiousness.
“Irina Brook explores a different way to summon a spirit of festivity
that accompanied theatrical productions of the past.” Official Festival
Journal – Lausanne
The talented actors (Vincent Berger, Jerry Di Giacomo, Cyril Guei,
Gerald Papasian, Christian Pelissier and Augustin Ruhabura) interpret
21 roles, involving quick changes of cross-gender dressing, miles of
crossing uneven ground, braving wind and rain, scorching temperatures,
poison ivy, mosquitoes and even a hornet’s nest!
The brilliant company, which includes a child actor played
enthusiastically by Irina’s own son Prosper, entertains and enchants
thousands of French and Swiss theatregoers over the summer months of
June and July 2006. Created in 2005 the production is scheduled for
a third season of tours in Europe and, if we are good boys and girls,
may even come to the States!
Gerald Papasian plays the demanding role of Bottom as well as the
‘young lover’ Demetrius in this third collaboration with Irina
Brook. His interpretation of the roles, a highly energetic Demetrius
and a wonderfully ‘ham’ but lovable Bottom, are acclaimed both by
critics and boisterous audiences from 7 to 77 years old. “It is the
best interpretation of Bottom I have seen,” says Bruce Meyers, long
time member of Peter Brook’s company.
Next month, Gerald Papasian embarks on his fourth collaboration with
Irina in her production of Haendel’s Julius Caesar at the Theatre
des Champs Elysees in Paris where he had rehearsed the first of their
collaborations, Brecht’s The Good Person of Schezuan playing opposite
French stage and film star Romane Bohringer.
“…All this is nothing but a Dream! If we [the actors] have
offended…we will make amends!” says Puck, one of the characters in
the play. Isabelle Viong of the Courrier (Switzerland) rightfully adds,
“No need to make amends, they are already excellent!”
–Boundary_(ID_dhzE44vwjduNk+6pg SO8NQ)–

ROAD POLICE OFFICIAL AND PRIME MINISTER CONTRADICT EACH OTHER
Panorama.am
16:29 30/08/06
Haik Sargsyan, analytical department head at the road police, said
drivers will be prohibited to smoke in cars in public transport and
that security belts will be required. Drivers will also be prohibited
to talk on phone while driving. However, he did not specify when these
requirements will be effective, saying he cannot say any deadlines
until the normative acts are approved.
Asked about the corruption in road police, Sargsyan said he does not
know any such case and “no road policeman has ever been dismissed
from work for such reason.” Interestingly enough, Andranik Margaryan,
Armenia prime minister, was interviewed by Haikakan Jamanak newspaper
in which he said, “You may apply to the Road Police and learn that
hundreds of policemen have been dismissed because of corruption
on roads.”
Obviously either road police official or the prime minister does not
tell the truth.

ARMENIAN WINES CAN WIN EUROPEAN MARKET
Armenpress
Aug 31 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS: Armenian wine-makers will have to
drastically improve the quality of their produces in order to win a
place in European markets, Romano Tiogo, the secretary general of
the Venice Trade Chamber, said to a news conference in Yerevan on
August 30.
One of the ways to do so, he said, is to introduce in Armenian wineries
state-of-the-art technology. He said chief managers of 15 Armenian
wineries had visited Italy in July to see modern technology used by
wineries there.
Tiogo said installment of Italian technology in Armenia would not
cost much. He said the demand for wines in Europe grows 5-6 percent
annually and more young people prefer to pay 10-20 US Dollars for a
bottle of a good wine than to buy cheap beer.
He called for more efforts to develop trade between Armenia and Venice
which now stands at only $13.8 million.

KARABAKH RECEIVES LETTERS OF CONGRATULATION ON THE OCCASION OF THE 15TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY
Armenpress
Aug 31 2006
STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS: The foreign ministry of the
Nagorno-Nagorno Republic (NKR) said in connection with the 15th
anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s proclamation its
authorities have been receiving letters of congratulation.
“I wish the people of Artsakh (Karabakh) peaceful, secure and free
future and send my warmest congratulations on occasion of the 15th
anniversary of Artsakh’s independence”, – is said in the letter of
first Ambassador of the USA to Armenia (1993-1995) Garry Gilmor.
“I sincerely congratulate the brave people of Artsakh, NKR President
and the Government on occasion of the 15th anniversary of independence
of Artsakh and wish all the best”, – is said in the message of
publisher and editor of ‘California Courier’ newspaper Harout
Sasounian.
Congratulations from social and political figures of different
countries of the world on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of
independent statehood of Nagorno Karabakh are coming, the foreign
ministry said.

PARTIES IN NK CONFLICT WILL COMPROMISE – US CO-CHAIRMAN OF OSCE MG
Author: À.Ismayilova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Aug. 30, 2006
The parties in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will compromise as this is
the only way to solve the problem. There may be no military solution,
said Matthew Bryza, U.S. Co-Chairman of OSCE Minsk Group, Trend
reports with reference to ANS TV Channel.
Bryza added that the Co-Chairmen delivered the parties new principles
that might be called “road map”. These are the best offers, said
Bryza, and the Co-Chairmen is waiting for proposals from Presidents
and Societies.
The U.S. diplomat informed the journalists of the forthcoming meeting
in Europe between Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia and
suggested both the parties display their constructive opinions he
has seen during his visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia.
–Boundary_(ID_vL3HyXISaTPEEKa6dCP6OQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GERMANY ALWAYS WILLING TO ASSIST IN SETTLING NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT
Author: S.Agayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Aug. 30, 2006
Germany upholds the peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem,
said Peer C. Stanchina, the new German Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
He said Germany’s position that has been maintained for many years
is already known to the Azeri Government.
“We, as well as Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, are committed to peaceful
discussions and we consider it unacceptable to use force to solve
the conflict”, said the German diplomat.
The Ambassador said Germany is always willing to assist in settling
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DOGU PERINCEK: “WE’LL NEVER CONSENT TO ATTEMPTS TO CONSOLIDATE SOME PART OF AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIES WITH ARMENIA”
Today, Azerbaijan
Aug. 30, 2006
“We’ll never cosent to the attempts to consolidate some part of
Azerbaijani territories with Armenia,” leader of Turkey’s Working
Party & chief coordinator of Talat Pasha Movement Dogu Perincek told.
Attending the opening of the exhibition “Maps dividing Turkey”,
Perincek told journalists that it high time to challenge the maps
aiming to divide Turkey.
“This map shows some part of the brotherly Azerbaijani lands as
Armenian territory. We’ll never consent to this, Karabakh will be
liberated, Turkish lands will not be given to foreigners. The power
to wipe out these maps exists in Turkey,” Mr.Perincek underlined.
The chief coordinator of the Talat Pasha Movement stated that the
West aims to distribute lands to the puppet regimes it uses in the
Middle East. He underlined that even Turkish provinces of Ruze and
Artvin were shown as Kurdistan lands on the map.
“If you remember, there was a project called “Armenia from the sea to
the sea” on the eve of the World War I. They were instigating Armenians
against us promising a great country to them. What is the result? It
cost so many troubles for Armenians. They admitted later on that they
were deceived. Such territorial claims will have the same result,”
Perincek underlined.
Turkish first Diaspora project Talat Pasha Movement was established on
January 18, this year. Rauf Denktash, first President of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus is the chairman of Consulting Council of
the Movement.
The Consulting Council has two Azerbaijani members-scientists-Arif
Ajaloglu, professor of Bilgi University in Istanbul and Aygun
Hashimova, professor of Dumlupinar University in Kutahya, APA reports.
URL:

OSCE CHAIRMAN: SERIOUS OBSTACLES STILL REMAIN TO THE RESOLUTION OF THE NK CONFLICT
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 30, 2006
“Though 2006 is the promising year for the resolution of the Nagorno
Garabagh conflict, Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents failed to
reach an agreement in Paris and Bucharest,” OSCE Chairman, Belgium
Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht told Russian media, APA reports.
“The Presidents should demonstrate wisdom and political courage
in order to overcome these obstacles. Belgium is ready to take all
possible steps together with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
to continue the negotiating process for the settlement of the conflict.
However, OSCE efforts are not enough to solve such conflicts,” the
OSCE chairman underlined.

RAMIL SAFAROV’S FAMILY LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE SUBSTITUTED
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 30, 2006
Lawyer Adil Ismayilov, legal representative of Azerbaijani Army
officer Ramil Safarov was substituted. Ramil Safarov was sentenced
to life in jail for murdering Armenian Army officer Gurgen Markaryan.
Parliamentarian Zahid Oruj, member of the Coordination Board to Defend
Ramil Safarov’s rights told the APA. The Coordination Board was not
satisfied with his activity. He said the Board came to agreement with
other lawyer to represent Safarov’s family.
“This lawyer is very professional and patriotic. We will not name
him as it might harm the process,” he said.
The Bar said they will sign a contract with the new lawyer soon.
Ikram Shirinov will defend Ramil Safarov in the Court of Appeal, APA
reports. But the lawyer said he has not received an official appeal
for defending Safarov in the Court of Appeal. He was only asked to
analyze Hungarian legislation and to give an expert opinion.
“There is not any official agreement. I am getting acquainted with
Hungarian laws. It is early to give any opinion,” Shirinov said.

SERIOUS OBSTACLES STILL REMAIN IN REGULATION OF NK CONFLICT – OSCE CHAIRMAN
Author: P.Kasamanski
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Aug. 30, 2006
Belgian representatives of OSCE makes all efforts for the solution
of unsettled conflicts: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan
and Armenia, confrontation in Moldova and South Osetia in Georgia,
the Chairman of OSCE, Belgian Foreign Minister Karl de Guht said in
his interview with Russian newspaper “Novie Izvestiye”, Trend reports.
“I arrived in these Countries, met with their heads and leaders and
offered them all possible services. However, it is impossible to
resolve these conflicts only through efforts of the OSCE Chairman.
The success depends on the determination and efforts of conflicting
areas to make a decision that could ensure peace and security,”
he emphasized.
According to the Chairman of OSCE this year, the sides might appear
as a “window” for the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
However, during the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents
in Paris and Bucharest, it was not possible to achieve.
“Serious obstacles still remain, and both Presidents should demonstrate
wisdom and boldness. The Belgian representatives, together with the
Co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group, will to their best to promote this
process,” he underlined.
Speaking about the Georgian-Osetia conflict, Guht called for all sides
to return to the table of talks and stay away from any one-sided
action that may worsen the situation. “Recently, a conference of
donors was held in Brussels. The countries participating at the
conference promised to allocate more than 10 million Euros for the
restoration of economy in conflict area of Georgian-Osetia. We hope
that the support at the Conference may establish confidence between
sides.” Guht concluded.