PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
August 20, 2004
___________________

Week of August 13 to August 20, 2004

* * *

PRIMATE URGES FAITHFUL TO HELP VICTIMS OF “ANOTHER GENOCIDE”

“To us Armenians, ‘genocide’ is more than just a word,” reads a
directive sent this week from the Eastern Diocese to all its local
parishes. “Through hard experience, we Armenians have learned to
recognize genocide… But we have also learned, by the grace of God,
how critical it is for the wider world to stand up, take notice, and
lend support to the victims–whenever and wherever genocide appears.”

In response to the continuing tragedy of death and displacement in the
Sudan, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America, is appealing to all Diocesan parishes,
to send humanitarian relief to the victims of this latest attempt at
genocide. To read the full text of the appeal–and find out how to
contribute to Sudan genocide relief–click to our website, at
;selmonth=8&selyear04

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/19/04)

* * *

9 PARISHES SEND SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS TO DIOCESE FOR TRAINING

Ten Sunday School educators from nine parishes around the Eastern
Diocese are currently in New York City, taking part in the “Helen and
Edward Mardigian Institute,” organized by the Diocese’s Department of
Youth and Education. The teachers and superintendents arrived on
Tuesday, August 17, and will proceed through a schedule of seminars,
activities, an overnight retreat at St. Nersess Seminary, and finally
a Divine Liturgy celebration at St. Vartan Cathedral, before returning
home on Sunday, August 22. An account of their early adventures is
available by clicking onto our website, at
;selmonth=8&selyear04

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/19/04)

* * *

LEARN ARMENIAN

Preserve your heritage — and have a lot of fun — this fall by taking
an Armenian language course. Classes aren’t just for kids; many
parishes have adult classes at nights or on the weekends. And classes
are for everyone: beginners who can’t say parev or more skilled
speakers who want to learn to read. Check with your local parish
today to see if it offers Armenian classes. For a list of parishes,
click to our website:

If you’re in the New York City metro area, the Diocese is offering 15
weeks of classes on Wednesday nights starting September 22. For more
information click here:

* * *

TEACH ARMENIAN

If you speak Armenian, volunteer in your parish to be a teacher. Or,
if your parish doesn’t have an Armenian language class, start one!
You can pass on your love for your culture and make new friends. Call
your parish pastor or chairman today to volunteer your time and
skills. You don’t have to be an expert to be a teacher, just be
energetic about sharing your love of Armenian.

To volunteer, call your parish or contact Sylva der Stepanian,
coordinator of ArmenianARMENIAN CHURCH ONLINE BULLETIN studies at the
Diocese, by e-mailing [email protected].

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/9/04)
* * *

FIND INSPIRATION IN THE WORDS OF PRAYER

Click to our website for prayer. Each day you can find a new prayer
from the beautiful words of St. Gregory of Narek. Visit our website
every day for an inspirational prayer:

# # #

PRESS RELEASE
August 20, 2004
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]; Web:

Exhibition in Remembrance of 9/11

In remembrance of the third anniversary of 9/11, the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues and the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the United
States are launching an exhibition of paintings by the children of Armenia,
entitled “Message of Freedom and Hope,” on September 13, 2004, in Rayburn
House Office Building on the Capitol Hill. The exhibition reflects the
feelings and senses of the children and carries their message of freedom and
hope to the people of the United States. The paintings are generously
granted by “Kamk” Benevolent Fund and Children’s Center of Fine Arts of
Armenia.
Proceeds will benefit The American Red Cross Liberty Fund (9/11 families).

Date and Time of the Exhibition:
Monday, September 13, 2004
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Room 2325
Rayburn House Office Building
(Independence Ave. & South Capitol St., SW)
Washington, DC 20515

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected]
Website;
August 20, 2004

JOYOUS FIRST ANNUAL YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO ST. CATHERINE’S

Georgina Sarkissian

Saturday, August 14th was a glorious day for those who attended the
First Annual Youth Pilgrimage to St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in
St. Catharine’s. As the youth arrived, sleeping bags in hand, they
were greeted warmly. This historic event was under the auspices of His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian.

The day began with a sight-seeing tour of the Niagara area and
returned to a barbecue prepared by Julia Sarkisian-Dumanian and her
husband Loris. Later, the group sat around a campfire with Serpazan
Hayr, Der Gomidas and Der Datev. During the night, His Eminence held
a prayer session that was an emotionally moving time for everyone.

The morning dawned on a weary, but happy group of youth, ready to
devour a breakfast prepared by the dinner crew. Following their early
morning program the youth participated in the church service with the
flocks of faithful in attendance.

The Blessing of the Grapes took place in the park of the church with a
processional of the youth carrying flowers and candles. His Eminence
BishopBagrat Galstanian blessed the grapes and all those present with
his prayers and sprinkled them with rose water according to the
tradition of the day.

The afternoon consisted of food, fun, dancing to a live Armenian band
and cementing friendships for the following year. What a great
beginning to an annual event that will hopefully draw more youth to
celebrate together the traditions of the Assumption of Mary, Mother of
God and the Blessing of theGrapes. The First Armenian Church in Canada
proudly welcomes all the faithful youth of our diocese to attend next
year, sleeping bag in hand.

* * *

TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY
MOTHER OF GOD IN MONTREAL

The feast of Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God (Verapokhoumn Sourp
Asdvadzadzni) is one of the five major holidays (Daghavar) of the
Armenian Apostolic Church. It is held each year on the Sunday closest
to August 15. This year it was celebrated on Sunday August 15, in the
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral of Montreal.

Prior to the Divine Liturgy, the traditional ceremony of Antasdan was
held, whereby prayers are raised to the Lord to bless the four corners
of the earth. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Vazken
Boyadjyan, Pastor of the Cathedral. In his sermon Fr. Boyajyan
highlighted the Feast of Assumption as a major Christian holiday in
the entire Christian world, and related the historical Biblical
representation of the Assumption, when Jesus’ Disciplesfound
St. Mary’s tomb empty, indication the Mother-of-God’s ascension to
Heaven. Fr. Boyajyan then stressed the sanctity of motherhood as
exemplified by St. Mary, and talked about the Armenian tradition of
blessing of grapes at this time, symbolizing fruition of God-given
blessings. At the end of the Badarak, grapes were blessed, which were
then distributed to the faithful.

Following the ceremonies, an open-air luncheon was held on the church
grounds, instead of the banquet usually held in the church hall.

* * *

THE FEAST OF ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD IN TORONTO

On Sunday, August 15, 2004 the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church
of Scarborough, Ontario celebrated the Feast of Assumption of Holy
Virgin Mary. Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian celebrated the Divine
Liturgy.

During the liturgy Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian asked all women who
bear the name Mary or similar names which characterize the Holy Virgin
Mary to come forward and be blessed as it was their name day. Each
was given candles and a special prayer of blessing was said over them.

Immediately following the Divine Liturgy (badarak) the “Blessing of
the Grapes” ceremony was performed on the church grounds in front of
the Genocide Memorial.

The Annual Assumption Day Picnic organized by the Parish Council of
Holy Trinity Armenian Church was held immediately following the
Blessing of the Grapes ceremony. Those present enjoyed delicious
Armenian foods, Armenian music and the fellowship of the Armenian
Church community.

* * *

AN UNPRECEDENT EVENING TO HONOR THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES 2004

It is with deep spiritual joy that we announce to the faithful of the
Armenian Church Canadain Diocese that the Armenian College Ministry
Department in conjunction with a group of young Armenians called
“Armenians for Higher Education” have been working hard over the
summer, planning an unprecedented event for all High School graduates
in the greater Montreal area to publicly showhow proud the Armenian
community is of the accomplishments of the Class of 2004.

The event will take place on Sunday, September 19th (6:00 pm), at the
Bolsahay Cultural Center. There will be a separate cocktail for the
graduates and another one for the accompanying family members. Each
graduate will receivea certificate of merit from the Primate, His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian.

For more information please visit the website at or
contact the Diocesan office at 514-276-9479.

* * *

BISHOP GALSTANIAN MEETS WITH THE MAYOR OF MISSISAUGA

On Monday August 9, 2004 the Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada
H. E. Bishop Bagrat Galstanian met with the Mayor of the City of
Mississauga Honorable Hazel McCaillon in the Mayor’s office. Present
to the meeting were Der Zareh Zagarian, Der Komidas Mirzakhanian,
Mr. Les Hamlin, Mr. Vartegez Simonian, Mrs. Lilian Sevadjian.

During the meeting discussions were focused on the future plans and
projects of the Saint Vartan Armenian Community of Mississauga. Bishop
Galstanian mentioned the importance of having a church and community
center in order to organize Youth activities within the church, thus
shaping a new portrait for the coming generations. The Honorable Mayor
Hazel McCaillon agreed that building churches and community centers
are vital and important factors for the growth of a healthy
community. His Eminence then thanked the Mayor and presented a stone
cross (khatch- kar) and a book on the History of the Armenian Church.

* * *

DIOCESAN ARARAT SUMMER CAMP 2004 A FUN-FILLED WEEK HAS COME TO AN END

Taline Baltayan

During the week of August 9-14, forty-seven campers from the Toronto,
Mississauga and Montreal parishes attended Camp Ararat at Woodland
Trails, just north of Toronto. The children, who were between 7 and
14 years of age, spent an active and educational week at camp where
new friendships were made and old ones were strengthened and renewed.
The camp was led by Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanyan and run by a crew of 13
dedicated counsellors and staff members. The camp’s delicious meals
were prepared by Mrs. Maro Menengitchian.

What was a typical day at camp? After a 7:30 am wake-up, campers
began their day with morning exercises before eating a hearty
breakfast. Next, time for morning worship and bible study class.
After a bit of free time, campers headed for arts & crafts and sports.
Lunch time! Following lunch came the highlight for most campers â=80¦
swimming! After a few hours in the pool, campers would have some
group time and free time before dinner. The camp evening program
usually consisted of a guest speaker or a group activity, a campfire
complete with singing and marshmallow roasting, and then evening
prayers. Once campers headed back for the dorms, it would be time for
a bit of journal writing and then bed!

In keeping with the Olympic spirit, the campers were placed in their
own Olympic teams where they earned points for various activities
during the course of the week. Congratulations go to Team Yellow for
bringing home the gold!

Visitors to Camp Ararat included Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Mrs. Maida
Icliates, Rev. Blain MacLeod, and circus performer Souren Torosyans .
Our Primate, Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan also visited the camp on a few
occasions to speak and spend time with the campers.

Once again, Camp Ararat was a great success this year. Stay tuned for
details regarding Camp Ararat 2005!

* * *

GENERAL ELECTIONS HELD AT THE DIOCESE OF DAMASCUS

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of Damascus announces that on
Sunday, August 15 2004 Diocesan Council meeting (Central Governing
Body) has been held at St Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in
Damascus.

Under the auspices of the Primate of the Diocese of Damascus Very
Reverend Father Armash Nalbandian the delegates have elected eleven
new Diocesan Council members who, together with the Primate of the
Diocese, would lead and serve the needs of the Armenian Community of
Damascus.

We pray the Almighty God to grant the newly elected Diocesan Council
members good health and many successes in their future undertakings.

* * *

ANNUAL SUMMER BARBEQUE WITH THE BOYAJYAN FAMILY

Saturday August 7, 2004, continued the tradition set by the members of
the Boyajian family who organize a summer barbeque each year in the
backyard of their residence This tradition began in 1992 and has
continued once a yearwhen the Boyajian family graciously opens their
home and hearts to His Grace Bishop, Bagrat Galastanian, Primate of
the Canadian Diocese, Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of Holy
Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Mr. Hratch Shishmanian, Chairman of
the Parish Council, Deacon Vrej Berberian and the members of the
Ladies Sewing Circle of Holy Trinity Armenian Church. Mrs. Zevart
Boyajian is the Chairperson of Ladies Sewing Circle. Through the years
they work voluntarily sewing and providing the beautiful vestments
worn by Primates and Priests as well as the deacons and choir robes
and the alter coverings for Holy Trinity Armenian Church as well as
churches in Armenia.

The party started in early afternoon and continued until
evening. Those in attendance enjoyed a delicious Armenian barbecue and
good music. The gathering came to a close with a prayer offered by His
Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyanand Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian.
They thanked the Boyajian family on behalf of all present and
expressed their gratitude for their hospitality.

Secretariat of the Diocese

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: [email protected]

ASSEMBLY ACTIVISTS ASSURED OF CONTINUED SUPPORT BY SENATORS VOINOVICH AND
DeWINE

Washington, D.C. – Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH), reiterating his
support of issues of concern to the Armenian-American community, will
co-sponsor a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, his key field
office staffer told a group of Armenian Assembly activists during a meeting
in Cleveland Friday.

“We were very encouraged by the positive news that came out of our very
successful meeting with Michael Kobylka of Voinovich’s staff in Cleveland.
We appreciate his understanding and support of our core issues that impact
the Armenian-American community and Armenians in general,” Assembly
Grassroots Director Nancy Yerian Hiteshue said after the meeting which was
also attended by Cleveland state chair Anita Kazarian and activists Hovig
Tumasyan, Dick Arslanian and Zahn Askaryan.

Also on Friday, the Armenian Assembly group visited the Cleveland district
office of Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) to discuss issues of concern to the
Armenian-American community including military aid parity between Armenia
and Azerbaijan in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 Foreign Operations bill and
legislation granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Armenia.

Sen. Voinovich, who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
has supported restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until it lifts
its illegal blockades against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, by voting in
1999 to retain Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Sen. DeWine has supported
congressional efforts to reaffirm the Armenian Genocide and has also
repeatedly pressed for increased levels of U.S. assistance to Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh. He has also favored restrictions on U.S. assistance to
Azerbaijan by casting one of the decisive votes in 1999 to retain Section
907 of the Freedom Support Act.

“August being the month when both the Senate and House are in recess and
legislators are back in their home states, it is a great opportunity to
involve our members and activists in the political process in support of
Armenian issues and express their concerns to the elected officials who
represent them in Washington,” she said.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2004-076

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 20 2004

Presidents of Russia and Armenia Meet In Sochi

Russian and Armenian Presidents are to discuss issues of recovery of
situation in the Caucasus during their today meeting in Sochi.

According to Russian media, Moscow and Yerevan are seriously
concerned with aggravation of situation in the Southern Osetia. That
is why Putin and Kocharian plan to have “a thorough exchange of
opinions” with aim to apply regional mechanisms and also peacemaking
possibilities of CIS.

It is planned to examine interaction issues within frames of
organization of Agreement on collective security, and joint measures
in the struggle against terrorism just as well.

Besides, Parties are to consider the issues of realization of
bilateral agreements in the sphere of trade and investments, in the
spheres of energy and transport.

Athens2004, Greece – Olympics official website
Aug 20 2004

Men’s 85kg : Dimas goes for fourth Olympic gold

ATHENS, 20 August – Pyrros Dimas, of Greece, will try tomorrow
(Saturday) to become the first weightlifter to win four consecutive
Olympic gold medals.

The 33-year-old dominated the light heavyweight (85kg) category in
Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney and now seeks victory in front of his
fans in Athens. But the task will not be easy as Dimas is recovering
from knee and shoulder injuries and more recently he’s had a problem
with his wrist.

Australia’s Sergo Chakhoyan has the highest entry total among the 11
competitors with 392.5kg and that’s 7.5kg more than Dimas. However,
at their last meeting in Sydney the Armenian-born Chakhoyan finished
in sixth place, 12.5kg behind gold medal winner Dimas.

In 2000 three athletes lifted the same weight (390kg), but the Greek
won gold on bodyweight difference from Mark Huster (GER), now a
television commentator, and George Asanidze (GEO) who will be
competing tomorrow after recovering from an elbow injury.

YUAN Aijun (CHN) will be a strong contenter, having won silver in the
world championships in Vancouver last November.

The gold medallist in Canada was Valeriu Calancea (ROM) who a few
weeks later was seriously injured in the Olympic Games’ test event at
Nikaia Weightlifting Hall. He dislocated his elbow and damaged bones,
but has had a remarkable recovery and now is a medal contenter.

Turkey’s Izzet INCE and Aleksandr Anishchanka, of Belarus, could
figure among the place getters, while 22-year-old Georgios Markoulas,
seen as Greece’s succesor to Dimas, cannot be ignored as he won
silver in the Clean and Jerk in Kiev’s European Champioships.

Meanwhile, in Women’s competition, two Sydney medallists, Agata
Wrobel (POL) and Cheryl Haworth (USA), will meet again in the Women’s
Super-Heavyweight +75kg class in the Athens Olympic Games.

Wrobel won the silver medal in 2000 when she was only 19 and today
(Friday) she celebrated her 23rd birthday. Haworth, at 17, was even
younger in Sydney and in Athens she carries America’s hopes for a
medal in weightlifting.

Between them and gold is China’s TANG Gonghong, holder of world
records for total (302.5kg) and Clean and Jerk (175kg).

Albina Khomich (RUS), who will be 28 next week, has been a
place-getter over the past decade in all major championships in which
she’s competed.

South Korea’s Jang Mi Ran and Hungary’s Viktoria Varga who lifted the
same weight in Vancouver will be challenging for a place in the top
five.

Greece’s hopes rest with Vassiliki KASAPI who is expected to
establish new personal best and national records.

Tomorrow’s program:
10:30 Men’s 85kg Group B
16:30 Women’s +75kg Group A
20:00 Men’s 85kg Group A

Eurasianet Organization
Aug 20 2004

GEORGIAN FILM: STILL WAITING FOR A COMEBACK
Elizabeth Owen: 8/20/04

Two years ago, hopes ran high that Georgia’s once-celebrated film
industry was finally on the cusp of a comeback. Now, with little sign
of an economic upturn in sight, filmmakers tend to be pessimistic
about the future. Many are hoping the beleaguered and distracted
Georgian government will come to the rescue. A few, however, say
hopes for a revival will depend on filmmakers’ own ability to adapt
to the times, paying attention not only to cinematic style, but also
to managing costs and marketing.

“In 10 years, everything has been destroyed,” filmmaker Nana
Janelidze, a scriptwriter for the 1987 glasnost sensation
“Repentance,” said in a phone interview from Tbilisi. “To develop
again, it will take years and years. We need money and the desire,
and no one’s interested in that.”

Younger, more market-oriented directors blame that failure on an
inability to realize that filmmaking depends as much on business
savvy as artistic acumen. Other filmmakers, who gained acclaim during
the Soviet era, still look to the government to pick up the slack,
arguing that just like Georgian tourism or wine — the state has a
responsibility to promote a national industry.

“There’s a Georgian saying: ‘Show me a problem, and I’ll show you how
to run,'” said Giorgi Dolidze, dean of the Georgian State Institute
of Theater and Film, about the ongoing debate.

In 2002, it was all supposed to turn out differently. Under a 2000
law, parliament allocated 500,000 lari (about $250,000) for creation
of a National Film Center, associated with the Ministry of Culture,
to fund promising film projects. An additional 80,000 lari, or
$40,000, was set aside for a competition for young filmmakers.

At the time, the news was heralded as a sign that the stagnation
which had handicapped Georgian filmmaking since the collapse of the
Soviet Union was at an end. But, as corruption and tax arrears ate
into the state budget, film financing slowed to a trickle. In an
interview in April, National Film Center Director Zaza Urachavadze
said that he was still waiting for the state to hand over funds for
the previous year.

“[President Mikheil] Saakaskhvili said that he would increase the
amount, but we haven¹t seen any of it,” said Urachavadze.

The 2004 budget of $450,000 is meant to support five documentaries,
five feature films and five shorts, but Urachavadze conceded that the
funds will only allow the center to help low-budget films. The total
allotted to each director is expected to defray less than 6 percent
of their estimated costs. They will be on their own to come up with
the remainder of financing for film projects.

To find the funds to keep their projects alive, directors rely on
family and friends, contest award money, or, for better known
Georgian filmmakers, co-production deals with foreign film companies.
It is a hand-to-mouth existence that some film professionals blame on
the past, when Georgia Film, a powerhouse for Soviet filmmaking,
freely funded projects without considering costs or, sometimes, even
reading a script. Exploring new forms of cinematic technique was the
focus, not the mechanics of bringing a film to market.

“The problem is that filmmaking is not a pure art. It’s an industry,”
noted Rusudan Pirveli, whose short film “Neighbors” won the 2001
Grand Prix at the Locarno Video Art Festival. “The film industry
should be revived with the help of economists and lawyers, not just
filmmakers.”

Sitting in an editing suite darkened by one of Tbilisi¹s temporary
blackouts, Irakli Metreveli, a partner in the privately run Griffon
Film Studios, agreed. He cited the Czech Republic as the model for
Georgia’s film revival. In 2003, Prague’s film studios earned an
estimated $300 million from American and European companies, which
were attracted to the country as a low-cost, market-friendly filming
location, according to the entertainment industry journal Variety.

“We have a strong filmmaking tradition, beautiful locations and it’s
possible to make films all year long,” Metreveli said. “The only
problem is that Georgia is a small point on the big map of the world.
Nobody knows that there exists such a country as Georgia.”

To learn how to make that mark, filmmakers are focusing on a
$1.2-million film training program for Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation (SDC). In a bid to encourage what SDC spokesperson Thomas
Jenatsch terms “a culture of debate within the emerging civil
society,” the AVANTI program this spring allocated $420,000 in
funding for six short films, three documentaries and six feature
films proposed by Caucasian filmmakers. The agency also plans to set
aside roughly $500,000 for a regional film center.

Meanwhile, as film contracts dry up, television has become the
profession of choice. Imedi A Holding, owner of one of the country¹s
largest private television channels, now runs Georgia Film. But while
television films and series may provide work opportunities, some
filmmakers worry that the emphasis on “low quality” television
undermines the tradition of Georgian cinematography.

“That quality that Georgian films had, that lightness, that humor,
will be lost,” said Janelidze, who saw work on a television film
project she was overseeing grind to a halt when the sponsoring
station shut down earlier this year. “There’s a whole generation of
people who do not know Georgian film. … This is a matter for the
state to resolve.”

Looking to the government to take the initiative after the false
starts of the past may seem an unlikely scenario, but filmmakers who
rose to prominence in Georgian cinema’s cash-rich Soviet days
maintain that no other option exists.

“It’s not like Hollywood, where if one studio closes no one notices,”
said Rezo Chkeidze, the longtime general manager of Georgia Film, and
a veteran industry player whose own distribution of state funds for
studio film projects has been the subject of some controversy. “We’re
a small country. The arts have always been at the center of our
identity, and for us to survive they must continue.”

Still, even in an industry that has seen many of its finest directors
leave Georgia in search of work in France, Germany or Russia,
optimism dies hard. With an enrollment “boom” underway at the
country¹s film school — 131 new students are expected for the
2004-2005 academic year — a state-sponsored turnaround is just a
matter of time, stressed Dolidze.

“Right now, the new government is very focused on restoring Georgia’s
territorial integrity. But once that integrity is restored, without a
doubt, in the near future we expect big changes,” Dolidze said. [For
background see the Eurasia Insight archive]

Others are not holding their breath.

“At a funeral not long after the collapse of the Soviet Union, I saw
a well-known film director and asked him what he was working on. He
just said ‘I’m waiting,'”Chkeidze recalled. “More than a decade has
gone by, and still, we’re all waiting.”

Editor’s Note: Elizabeth Owen is a freelance writer specializing in
political issues in the Caucasus.
From: Baghdasarian

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Aug 20 2004

Levitin to co-chair Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission

SOCHI, August 20 (Itar-Tass) — Russian investments in the Armenal
Armenian Company will total $36 million within 12-14 months,
President Vladimir Putin said after Friday negotiations with his
Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan.

`I have spoken to some of the Russian participants in the project. It
is the matter of not so much financing as technical decisions. The
work has been on for four months, and it will be done on time,’ Putin
said.

The president also said he expected bilateral trade and economic
cooperation to intensify with the help of the Russian-Armenian
intergovernmental commission. He said he had appointed Transport
Minister Igor Levitin as the Russian cochairman of the commission.

Agence France Presse
Aug 20 2004

Putin To Visit Armenia Early Next Year

MOSCOW, Aug 20 (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will
visit his Armenian counterpart, Robert Kocharian, in Armenia early
next year and has renewed offers to mediate the decade-old conflict
in Nagorny Karabakh, the Russian media reported Friday.

Russia is ready to act as a “mediator and guarantor” of a negotiated
settlement in Nagorny Karabakh, an ethnically Armenian enclave of
Azerbaijan, Putin said according to Russian news service Interfax.

A 1994 ceasefire after a bloody four-year conflict left Armenian
forces in control of the enclave and surrounding Azeri regions.
Azerbaijan has said it is determined to force Armenian troops out of
the territory.

Along with France and the United States, Russia is part of the
so-called Minsk Group seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict.

No specific date was set for Putin’s trip.

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Aug 20 2004

Armenian president satisfied with negotiations with Putin

SOCHI, August 20 (Itar-Tass) — Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
said he was satisfied with the negotiations with Russian counterpart
Vladimir Putin, including the quick and efficient decision-making.

`Vladimir Putin got in touch with his ministers and gave them
instructions during the negotiations. I think that this style is very
efficient,’ Kocharyan said.

Putin confirmed that he had spoken to Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov,
Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin and Transport Minister Igor Levitin by
phone during the negotiations. `We had that possibility thanks to the
local conditions for the press and the presidents,’ Putin said with
the smile looking at the new press center opened at the Bocharov
Ruchei residence earlier this month.