Author: Andranik Taslakhchian

Pep Guardiola is to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season and will be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, the BBC reports.

Guardiola, 44, has been linked with Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

The former Barcelona coach has won two league titles and the German Cup since joining Bayern in summer 2013.

Ex-Chelsea boss Ancelotti, 56, has been on a break since being sacked by Real Madrid in May 2015 and has signed a three-year deal with Bayern.

The German champions are eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and will play Italian club Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League.

“We are grateful to Pep Guardiola for everything he has given our club since 2013,” said Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“I am convinced that Pep and our team will now work even more intensively towards achieving our major sporting goals – especially as it is now confirmed that Pep is to leave FC Bayern.”

Ancelotti has won the Champions League three times, twice with AC Milan and once at Real Madrid, and guided Chelsea to the Premier League title and FA Cup in 2010.

He recently suggested a preference to return to the English top flight but has instead decided to join Bayern.

“I am very honoured,” said Ancelotti.” I’ll be in next season to coach the great FC Bayern.”

Rummenigge added: “Carlo is a calm, balanced expert, who knows how to deal with stars and favours a multifaceted style of play – we were looking for this, and we have found it.

“We are looking forward to working with him.”

If Ancelotti wins the Bundesliga with Bayern next season, he will become the second coach to have won league titles in four of Europe’s top six leagues.

Jose Mourinho has won league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.

More than 20 years after the ceasefire agreement, families still do not know what happened to relatives who went missing during the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says.

As part of efforts to find answers, the ICRC has handed the parties to the conflict an updated list containing the names of 4,496 people registered as missing by its delegations in Baku and Yerevan and its mission in Nagorno Karabakh.

The previous edition of the list dates from 2004, and since then the ICRC has worked closely with the Commissions on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing People and with families of missing persons, registering and following up the cases of people who disappeared during the armed conflict.

Under international humanitarian law, the parties to a conflict must do all they can to clarify the fate of missing persons. The ICRC believes that the new version of the list will help the authorities to consolidate information and intensify their efforts towards this objective. As a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization, the ICRC will continue to support the parties with its expertise, and by acting as a neutral intermediary between the sides.

The ICRC has been active in the region since 1992, and clarifying the fate of people missing in relation to the conflict is one of the organization’s priorities.

Europa Nostra, the leading European heritage organisation, and the European Investment Bank Institute(EIBI) announce today the 14 monuments and sites shortlisted for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ programme 2016 by an international panel of experts in various fields. These endangered landmarks from 14 European countries are: Archaeological site of Ererouyk and village of Ani Pemza, Armenia; Palace of Justice in Brussels, Belgium; Patarei Sea Fortress in Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki-Malmi Airport, Finland; Colbert Swing Bridge in Dieppe, France; Castle in Divitz,Germany; Kampos of Chios, Greece; Venice Lagoon, Italy; Castle Rijswijk, the Netherlands; Y-block in Oslo, Norway; Valflores Palace and Estate, near Lisbon,Portugal; Convent of St. Anthony of Padua, Extremadura, Spain; Ancient city of Hasankeyf and its surroundings, Turkey; and Mavisbank House, near Edinburgh,the United Kingdom. Some of these sites are in danger due to neglect or inadequate planning / development, others due to lack of resources or expertise.The final list of 7 most endangered heritage sites in Europe will be unveiled at a public event in Venice on 16 March 2016.

The 14 shortlisted monuments and sites were selected taking into account their outstanding heritage and cultural value as well as the grave danger that they are facing. The commitment of various public and private stakeholders and the engagement of the local communities to rescuing those sites were also considered essential. Another important criterion was the potential of these sites to serve as a resource and a driver of sustainable development for the wider region in which they are located.

Nominations for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ programme 2016 were submitted by civil society or public bodies which form part of Europa Nostra’s vast network of member and associate organisations from all over Europe. Fourteen sites were shortlisted by a panel of experts in history, archaeology, architecture, conservation, project analysis and finance. The final list of 7 most endangered heritage sites in Europe will be selected by the Board of Europa Nostra.

‘The 7 Most Endangered’ programme was launched in January 2013 by Europa Nostra with the European Investment Bank Institute as founding partner and the Council of Europe Development Bank as associated partner. It was inspired by a successful similar project run by the US National Trust for Historic Preservation. ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ is not a funding programme. Its aim is to serve as a catalyst for action and to promote “the power of example”. ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ has the support of the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, as part of Europa Nostra’s 3-year Network Project ‘Mainstreaming Heritage’.

“Europa Nostra welcomes the growing recognition by EU Institutions, including the European Investment Bank, that Cultural Heritage indeed counts for Europe: it is a driver for sustainable development and a cohesive force for our multicultural societies. Our advocacy programme ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ has a great significance, but its goals can only be achieved with widespread support from EU Institutions and with joint action by different public and private partners. We therefore count on them to assist Europa Nostra and our members to rescue and give a new life to our shared heritage,” stated Denis de Kergorlay, Executive President of Europa Nostra.

“Experts from the EIB Institute will visit and analyse the selected 7 most endangered heritage sites in Europe and will contribute to the formulation of realistic action plans. The case in favour of those sites will thus become more visible and more credible. Experience over the last few years shows moreover that the local and national ownership and involvement is particularly crucial when it comes to mobilising support to save the selected endangered sites,” added Guy Clausse, Dean of the European Investment Bank Institute.

14 sites shortlisted for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ programme 2016

Sitting on a rocky plateau close to the Turkish‐Armenian border, Ererouyk was once one of the most important centres of worship in the region. Despite some restoration works undertaken in the last two decades, the 6th century basilica remains highly endangered. The surrounding archaeological area is at risk of being lost before it can be comprehensively studied. The Centre of Studies and Documentation of Armenian Culture in Italy (CSDCA), which made the nomination for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016, proposes a multidisciplinary project in order to study and rehabilitate the site and the establishment of a transnational archaeological park along the Akhurian River. The village of Ani Pemza, built in 1926 and located a few hundred metres away, could serve as a cultural tourism centre, thus contributing to the socioeconomic revitalisation of the area.

The Palace of Justice, home of Brussels’ courts of Justice, was the largest building erected in Europe in the 19th century. Designed by the Belgian architect Joseph Poelaert, this monumental piece of eclectic architecture employed the most advanced industrial iron technologies. Despite its outstanding architectural, historic and civic value, the building has remained underappreciated. The scaffolding installed on the front facade and the portico some 30 years ago has now become unusable. Many areas in the Palace are empty while offices are rented in adjoining buildings to perform judicial functions. The nomination for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016 was made by Patrimoine Culturel Immobilier. Widespread (inter)national know-how and support are needed to rehabilitate the building, which has also been included on the 2016 World Monuments Watch list.

Built in 1840, Patarei Sea Fortress is the largest classical style defence ensemble in Estonia. Between 1920 and 2005, the fortress was converted into a prison in which political prisoners were detained. Today, this site is a “lieu de mémoire” and a powerful symbol of national resistance to both the Communist and Nazi regimes. The main threat to the ensemble is its rapid deterioration due to the harsh climate and the lack of maintenance. Several areas are closed for safety reasons. The Estonian Heritage Society, which submitted the nomination for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016, proposes the regeneration of this large ensemble and its reuse as a museum complex, a centre for creative industries, a hotel, or offices and apartments. Patarei has the potential to become a major tourist attraction in the Baltic Sea Region, in combination with the adjacent Tallinn Seaplane Harbour (a Grand Prix winner of the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award in 2013), the Old Town of Tallinn and also with the Suomenlinna Fortress in Helsinki.

Built in the mid-1930s in the functionalist architectural style, the Helsinki-Malmi Airport is one of the best‐preserved still active pre‐World War II international airports in the world. With about 40.000 landings per year, Malmi is by far the busiest airport in Finland after Helsinki‐Vantaa International. The terminal and hangar are in good shape thanks to good maintenance over the years. The airport is now under serious threat from a new development project. The City of Helsinki’s new General Plan proposes that the site be used for new residential development to be constructed in the early 2020s. Europa Nostra Finland, supported by the Friends of Malmi Airport (FoMA), submitted the nomination for ‘Th
e 7 Most Endangered’ 2016, advocating that the site can continue as a training and commercial airport with added value from cultural tourism and its free-schedule services, which are otherwise unavailable within a 150km radius.

Contemporaneous with the Eiffel Tower and using the same building techniques and materials (puddled iron), the Colbert Bridge is the last large swing bridge still operating in Europe with its original hydraulic mechanism. It is crossed by 12,000 vehicles and 1,800 pedestrians every day. In 2014, the Syndicat Mixte du Port de Dieppe (SMPD), which owns the bridge, decided to replace the 1889 bridge with a new structure. In its turn, Dieppe’s Colbert Bridge Protection Committee has demonstrated not only that the bridge’s restoration is technically and financially feasible, but also that this could be carried out at a considerably lower cost than the plan put forward by the SMPD. The Fondation du Patrimoine, which nominated the site for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016, proposes the restoration of the bridge and the modernisation of its mechanism.

Schloss Divitz is a historic moated castle in northern Germany. The oldest surviving parts of the mansion date from the 15th century while its present appearance is the product of several renovations, from 1785 until the 1850s. The 12-hectare garden is a representative example of 19th century landscape gardening. After many years of total neglect, the estate is in a poor state of conservation. According to a concept study commissioned by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), the Castle in Divitz possesses all the attributes of a nationally important monument justifying immediate measures towards its rehabilitation. The study proposes the restoration of the site and its conversion to an “excursion castle” with a museum, a hotel and a summer theatre. The nomination was made by Europa Nostra Deutschland.

The Kampos of Chios is a semi‐rural area within the city limits of Chios that exemplifies the coexistence of Byzantine, Genoese and local architectural styles and influences. It used to consist, principally, of more than 200 estates containing orchards (typical agro‐eco‐systems), mansions and churches. The existing urban tissue includes buildings from the 14-18th centuries as well as neoclassical buildings from the beginning of the 20th century. The site is under permanent threat due to the inability of the owners to maintain the properties and to unsuitable uses and provisions introduced by the 2008 Urban Plan for Chios. Elliniki Etairia ‐ Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with The Society of Friends of the Kampos of Chios nominated the site for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016, putting forward a number of actions for its preservation and enhancement.

Covering 550km², the Venice Lagoon is the best-known lagoon in Europe and one of the most important transitional ecosystems in the Mediterranean. It is protected by a range of EU and national regulations and has been inscribed, together with the city of Venice, on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987. Despite these recognitions, the Lagoon faces great threats – increased traffic flow, particularly of large-scale container and cruise ships, the dredging of ever deeper channels, erosion of the seabed and salt marshes, pollution, and industrial fishing – which are jeopardizing its integrity and very existence, thus putting the historic city of Venice at higher risk. The nomination for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016 was submitted by Italia Nostra, which proposes a series of measures towards the much needed preservation of the Lagoon of Venice.

Located near the village of Groessen, Castle Rijswijk is a 14th century manor house. Although significantly altered in the 19th century, the castle retains some of its original elements, such as the thick walls, the remains of the tower, the arched basement and the stairs. It was classified as a National Monument in 1966. The conservation state of the manor house has deteriorated considerably over recent years. In 2012, the Dutch Government announced a plan to build a new highway that will cut across and, therefore, destroy the site. The Dutch Association for Heritage Protection and The Dutch Castles Foundation, which jointly made the nomination for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016, strongly advocate an alteration of the trajectory of the highway, so that Castle Rijswijk can be preserved, rehabilitated and given a new function compatible with the highway. The house could offer leisure facilities and/or host a small museum.

Forming a unified ensemble, the H‐block (1958) and the Y‐block (1969), designed by the Norwegian architect Erling Viksjø, are key works of modernist architecture in Norway. The construction technique is also unique. The Y-block is famous for its major murals by Pablo Picasso. The Government Quarter was one of the targets in the 22 July 2011 terrorist attacks. The Norwegian Cabinet decided to redevelop the existing area but to demolish the Y-block, arguing that part of the building is situated over a road and that this is a real security threat. The nomination for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016 was submitted by Fortidsminneforeningen – the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments, which firmly advocates that it is feasible to strengthen the security of the Government Quarter and hence the urban space while preserving the Y-block.

The Valflores Palace (1558) is a fine example of 16th century residential architecture in Portugal and a rare case of such a building with Renaissance style characteristics. Integrated in a 4.5-hectare estate, the palace is prominently located in Santa Iria de Azoia, close to the Tagus estuary. Despite its classification as a Property of Public Interest, the palace is today in a pitiful state. Most of the ten arches and Tuscan columns of the loggia in the south facade have collapsed. The historic garden and the aqueduct pertaining to the estate also need urgent repair. The Centro Nacional de Cultura made the nomination for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016. The restored site could serve as a cultural centre, with a school of arts and crafts and a small museum, thus fostering sociocultural cohesion and re-establishing the palace within the region’s urban development.

Located in the village of Garrovillas de Alconétar, the Franciscan Convent of St. Anthony of Padua was for centuries a religious and cultural landmark in western Spain. Built in the late 15th century and greatly renovated and expanded in the mid-17th century, it featured a Gothic church and a Renaissance cloister. Although it was classified as a Monument of Cultural Interest in 1991, the Convent is now in an advanced state of disrepair. The nomination for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016 was made by Hispania Nostra, which puts forward an emergency intervention plan based on volunteer work managed by experienced professionals. With this proposal, the nominator aims not only to mobilise the public authorities at various levels of governance to carry out the rehabilitation of the monument, but also to set an example for similar cases throughout the country.

The 12,000-year-old settlement of Hasankeyf is located on the banks of the Tigris River in south-eastern Turkey. From Neolithic caves to Roman ruins and Medieval monuments, Hasankeyf is a living museum of epic proportions. Despite its exceptionally rich multicultural history and heritage, 80% of Hasankeyf will be flooded if the Ilısu hydroelectric dam project is implemented as planned. There is no internationally recognised scheme for the relocation and preservation of the monuments. The m
ost urgent action is to formulate an independent strategic plan that balances conservation and sustainable development. Hasankeyf was nominated for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016 by the Cultural Awareness Foundation whose campaign is supported by a range of national and international bodies.

Designed by the Scottish architect William Adam and Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, owner of the house, Mavisbank (1726) is one of the most significant works of architecture of early 18th century Scotland. It is essentially a Palladian villa adapted to northern European conditions, with a centre block and two pavilions creating an extraordinarily picturesque composition. Despite its historical and architectural significance, the house is in an advanced state of disrepair. It is hoped that the nomination for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2016, submitted by theMavisbank Trust, will raise awareness of the building’s plight to an unprecedented level, helping to draw further support for its restoration within Scotland and potentially from much further afield.

Asbarez – The Armenian American Museum unveiled its conceptual design at the Glendale City Council meeting on Tuesday. The Project Development Committee presented the developments of the first phase of the master planning process and shared concept design for the new museum.

“The concept for the museum is rooted in creating a place of inspiration and hope for the community” stated the Museum Project Development Committee Chairman Berdj Karapetian. “We have submitted all of the requirements to the City of Glendale in our exclusive negotiating agreement and are now ready to proceed to securing the ground lease agreement, further developing our master plan, and organizing fundraising initiatives that will enable us to bring this project into fruition.”

The Armenian American Museum concept designed by Alajajian Marcoosi Architects will include exhibitions space, resource center, a performing arts theater, and classrooms. The museum building will be surrounded by an outdoor plaza and peace garden on the City owned property next to the Glendale Civic Auditorium. The 1.7 acre property on the corner of Verdugo Road and Mountain Street will also serve as the location for a memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

The Museum’s vision is a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity while speaking out against prejudice.

Glendale City Mayor Ara Najarian applauded the work of the museum team following the design presentation by stating, “Just one year ago this was a dream for our community and I feel very excited to see things come to this level. I know there will be some milestones ahead but I have no doubt that you will work diligently to create a wonderful design plan that will put Glendale on the map nationwide.”

Councilwoman Paula Devine relayed her support by highlighting the cross-cultural and education component of the museum and invited selected architects Aram Alajajian and Sako Marcoosi to share their inspiration for the design.

“The inspiration lays within the museum itself to serve the Glendale community at large and create a place for visitors to learn about Armenian culture through the permanent exhibit while also hosting diverse traveling exhibits.”

Councilmen Vartan Gharpetian and Zareh Sinanyan further noted the multi-functionality of the museum by echoing the education opportunities it will bring to the community and the significance of building it adjacent to the Glendale Community College campus.

The overarching support of the Glendale City Council was emphasized by Councilwoman Laura Freidman in stating, “You have a very supportive Council and a great sense of passion from the community to make this happen. I am happy to learn that you have hired a local entity to bring this bold vision to Glendale.”

The next stage for the Museum project will be to secure a Ground Lease Agreement with the City of Glendale and commission a master plan that will provide operational direction on programming, business strategy, facility development, and governance.

The Museum will launch a wide-range of outreach programs in the coming months with City of Glendale government, businesses, homeowner associations, and community members to ensure collaboration, feedback, and community-driven opportunities to raise awareness about Armenian American Museum.

The mission of the Armenian American Museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experiences.

The Armenian American Museum is a developing project in Glendale, CA, with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. When completed, it will serve as a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

The governing board of the Armenian American Museum consists of representatives from the following nine regional Armenian American institutions and organizations: Armenian Catholic Eparchy, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian General Benevolent Union – Western District, Armenian Relief Society – Western USA, Nor Or Charitable Foundation, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Qatar Airways will start operating Yerevan-Doha regular flights in 2016. “Armenia” International Airports” CJSC has successfully completed negotiations with Qatar Airways. Recently the negotiations were most active after Etihad Airlines announced its intention to suspend flights to Armenia.

Qatar Airlines has been awarded the Best Airline of the Year for three consecutive years.

Qatar Airways is one of the largest air companies in the Middle East, with very extensive network operating flights to more than 140 destinations.

Qatar Airways fleet is equipped with more than 340 modern aircraft, including: Airbus A350, Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-300, Boeing 787-8 (Dreamliner) etc.

Doha International Airport can be a convenient transit point for those who travel to the USA, the Middle and Far East from Armenia.

Photo: Reuters

One of the world’s last four remaining northern white rhinos has died in a zoo in the United States, teh BBC reports.

The condition of Nola, a 41-year-old female, had deteriorated after surgery and she was put down on Sunday.

Nola had been a popular attraction at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park since 1989.

The remaining three northern white rhinos – all elderly – are kept closely guarded at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.

Nola underwent surgery on 13 November to drain a hip abscess. However, her health deteriorated a week ago and worsened again over the weekend and it was decided she should be put down.

The northern white rhino population was decimated by poachers seeking their prized horns, and was declared extinct in the wild in 2008.

San Diego zoo has recently brought in six southern white rhinos, hoping to use them as surrogate mothers for northern white rhino embryos.

There are about 20,000 southern white rhinos in the world, but studies are still taking place to determine whether the subspecies are genetically similar enough for the surrogacy to work.

Zoo researchers say that, if successful, the programme could see a northern white rhino calf born within 10 to 15 years.

Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl / Reuters

President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan attended today the re-consecration ceremony of one of Tbilisi’s oldest churches, Armenian Cathedral of St George, which was led by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The ceremony was joined by Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Georgian Diocese, the donors of the church restoration program, by numerous guests and religious people of the Georgian Diocese, as well as by church benefactor Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia’s former prime minister, who was awarded by the Supreme Patriarch high decorations of the Armenian Apostolic Church together with the other benefactors.

The ceremony was followed by the opening of a memorial plaque bearing the names of the benefactors of the church reconstruction program.

The restoration project of the Cathedral of St George (XIII ct.) of the Georgian Diocese started in 2012, becoming one of the most important programs of the Initiative for the Development of Armenia (IDeA) and receiving the blessings of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the support of Georgian authorities.
The same year, the Foundation for the Reconstruction of the Cathedral of St. George was established with the aim of getting donations, managing financial resources, as well as of supervising the technical works to restore the church and its frescos.

During the three-year restoration works, a close eye was kept on the fortification of the church, since underground waters posed a real danger to the church, wrecking the church foundation and undermining the brick wall.

During the works, the church foundation was fortified and replaced with a waterproofing foundation, a drainage system was installed, the walls and dome were reinforced, the external coating was removed and the church’s initial appearance with bricks was restored.

Special attention was paid to the restoration of the frescos and sacred images inside the Cathedral of St George. Its entrance and by-sacristy walls, arch niches and columns are decorated with the paintings of the Hovnatanians, Gevorg Bashinjaghian and unknown masters. The restoration works of frescos and sacred images were carried out by the employees of the Research Center for Restoration of Monumental Painting under the leadership of Arzhanik Hovhannisyan and with the consultative support of Fabrizio Iacobini, head of the Center for Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage of Florence.

The Cathedral of St George has been restored through charitable donations. The total cost of the restoration program amounts to 3.5 million dollars. The main donors of the program are the Vardanian family, Albert Avdolyan, Sergey Sarkisov and Rusudan Makhashvili, Danil Khachaturov, as well as Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The Cathedral of St George (or the Great Church of Berd) is one of the oldest churches in Tbilisi. It was one of the Armenian spiritual, cultural and enlightenment centers of medieval times. From 14 to 15 centuries, numerous manuscripts were created in the church school which are kept in the Matenadaran. The church has been repeatedly damaged by invasions and fires and has been restored.
The yard of the Cathedral of St George houses the tombs of Sayat-Nova, Gevorg Bashinjaghian, Mikhail Loris-Melikov, Arshak Ter-Gukasov, Ivan Lazarev and Boris Shelkovnikov.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will leave for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to participate in the ceremony at the Westminster Abbey commemorating the canonized martyrs of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

The Mass will be led by Dr. Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

A multi-national inspection group of the Republic of Turkey is carrying out inspection in Armenia deom October 11 to 14 under the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, Press Service of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Reports.

The inspection aims to check the authenticity of information provided by the Republic of Armenia on the quantity of armaments, equipment and military staff restricted by the CFE Treaty, the scheme of the military units and plan of the buildings.