Author: Ani Kharatian

Sports: 10th Pan-Homenetmen Games Kick off in Yerevan

Ani Kharatian
Asbarez Armenian News



YEREVAN—The 10th Pan-Homenetmen Games kicked off Saturday with a parade of athletes in the center of the city setting the stage for the centennial celebrations of the founding of the athletic and scouting organization, which was founded in 1918.

Some 1,250 athletes representing 19 Homenetmen chapters from around the world, including Tehran’s Ararat and Nairi organizations, paraded from Liberty Square in Yerevan’s city center to Republic square led by the Homenetmen marching band and athletes carrying the Armenian tri-color, the flags of Homenetmen, the organization’s Armenia division, commonly known as HASK and the organization’s centennial flag.

Marching in alphabetical order by region, the athletes reached Republic Square where thousands of spectators had gathered to witness the tenth iteration of this biennial event.

With the singing of the Armenian national anthem and the official Homenetmen anthem, the official opening ceremonies of the 2017 games also kicked off the organization’s centennial celebrations, which will go well into 2018 as regional celebrations will mark the momentous occasion of the organization’s establishment.

The Pan-Homenetmen Games torch was lit using the eternal flame at Dzdzernagapert

Attending the opening ceremonies were representatives of the Catholicosates of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and the Great House of Cilicia; Armenia’s Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakopyan; deputy ministers of youth affairs and defense; the political representative of the Armenian Revolutionary Bureau, Armen Rustamian; ARF Supreme Council of Armenia chairman, Aghvan Vartanyan; the ambassadors of Lebanon and Egypt; a large delegation of the South Korea’s national scouting troupe; the honorary presidents of the 10th Pan-Homenetmen Games, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Alice Der-Bedrossian; Homenetmen Central Executive members, past and present; and representatives of Homenetmen regional executives.

Following remarks by representatives of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, chairman of the Homenetmen Armenia, Davit Hakopyan presented welcoming remarks.

This was followed by remarks by the 10th Pan-Homenetmen Games organizing committee chairperson Manuel Marselian, who is also the chairman of the Homenetmen Western Regional Executive.

Sarkis Der-Bedrossian, the honorary president of the games, said that Homenetmen is that singular organization that does not age and it is that unique movement that has educated generations of Armenians about the importance of being Armenian and advancing our national issues.

Also speaking at the ceremony were ARF Bureau member Armen Rustamian, Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakopyan and chairman of the Homenetmen Central Executive, Karnig Mgrdichian.

Before the parade of athletes, the participants gathered in front of the National Opera to become acquainted with the rules of the Pan-Homenetmen Games and to meet with organizers and leaders of th event. The athletes then marches to Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial, where the Pan-Homenetmen torch was lit from the eternal flame at the memorial complex.

The opening ceremonies concluded with an outdoor concert, featuring many popular Armenian singers and fireworks, which lit up the Yerevan sky.

Sex-selective abortions decrease in Armenia

Ani Kharatian
Public Radio of Armenia

16:12, 24 Jul 2017
Armradio

The number of sex-selective abortions in Armenia has decreased. If several years ago 115- 120 males were born against 100 females, today this ratio has changed, as 112 males were born against 100 females in 2016. Anyway, the ratio of 105-106 males against 100 females is considered to be normal.

Armen Galstyan, director of the “International Center for Human Development” NGO presented his 2017 study on this matter and mentioned that the attitude of the society towards the problem has changed to some extent. “The massive campaign of the recent years is bearing fruit. We received great support from the state structures, namely from the Ministry of Healthcare and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs”, he said during a press-conference at the Armenpress’ press hall.

The main purpose of the campaign was to raise the awareness of the sex-selective abortion problem among the society. The experts launched their studies back in 2016 and completed in the beginning of 2017. A survey has been carried in which 1920 randomly selected women participated each of whom has been pregnant at least once in their life.

“In 2011, 60% of women respondents mentioned that those were the surrounding people that preferred a boy, which means that the pressure, the influence came from there.  The latest survey showed that only 36,7% mention the preferences of the surroundings, that means that the issue arises more from the environment than the family itself”, Vahan Asatryan, chief of development and research department of the NGO said.

Despite some positive indicators, Asatryan emphasized that this issue remains concerning, especially in rural communities.

House Committee Approves Assistance for Nations Hosting Syrian Refugees

Ani Kharatian

ARMENIAN
ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA

PRESS
RELEASE

FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: July 24,
2017

Contact:
Danielle Saroyan

Telephone:
(202) 393-3434

[email protected]

Web:
www.aaainc.org

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES ASSISTANCE FOR NATIONS HOSTING SYRIAN
REFUGEES

  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the U.S. House
Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Bill, the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly) reported. In total, the bill provides $47.4
billion in funding for SFOPS, which is $10 billion less than FY17. The bill
maintains Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and includes language for aid
to nations hosting Syrian refugees.

 

The SFOPS
Report highlighted the need for additional assistance to "vulnerable
populations in Syria and in neighboring countries," comprised of Syrian
refugees, Christians, and other minorities affected by the Syrian civil war and
persecuted by the Islamic State (ISIS). The Committee raised concerns regarding
"the lengthy displacement of Syrians and the ongoing burden they face, as
well as the continued strain Syrian refugees are placing on host
communities."

 

"We
commend the House Appropriations Committee for emphasizing the importance of
humanitarian aid for both refugees and the nations hosting them," Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said. "To date, Armenia has welcomed over
22,000 refugees from Syria who have escaped with their families. As conditions
worsen in Syria, Armenia continues to serve as a sanctuary for persecuted
Christians and other at-risk groups escaping genocide and violence in the
Middle East. As the humanitarian crisis in Syria continues, we must ensure that
relief aid reaches those in need, which includes Armenia as a host nation for
refugee resettlement," he added.

 

Referencing
the designation of genocide committed against religious minorities in Syria and
Iraq by Islamist extremists made by Secretary of State John Kerry on March 18,
2016, the bill allocates funds to "be made available for programs to
protect vulnerable and persecuted religious minorities." This includes
programs authorized by H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief
and Accountability Act of 2017, which the Armenian Assembly strongly supported,
and was unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives on June 6, 2017.
The Committee recommends not less than $10 million to be made available for
programs to protect vulnerable and persecuted religious minorities. In
addition, the bill states that $10 million should also be made available for
international religious freedom programs.

 

The House
Report also incorporated a section on Genocide Victim Memorial Sites and
Tribunals, where funds are appropriated "to establish and maintain
memorial sites of genocide" in Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia.

 

"The
Armenian Assembly will continue to push for additional assistance. Despite
reductions across the board, it is imperative that Armenia and Artsakh have the
resources necessary to address the compelling humanitarian needs as a result of
the current refugee crisis as well as Azerbaijan's ongoing and deadly ceasefire
violations," Ardouny stated.

 

Although the
President's budget cut aid to Azerbaijan, it also sharply reduced proposed aid
to Armenia. The President's budget request for Armenia included $4 million in
Economic Support and Development Fund, $1.5 million for International Narcotics
Control and Law Enforcement, and $700,000 for Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism,
Demining, and Related Programs. The House Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and
Emerging Threats will hold a hearing tomorrow entitled “Examining the
President’s FY 2018 Budget Proposal for Europe and Eurasia” for further
discussion.

 

With action
in the House Appropriations Committee completed, attention turns to the Senate
Appropriations Committee, where a mark-up of its version of the bill is
pending.

 

The Assembly
submitted testimony earlier this year to the House Appropriations State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee highlighting key areas of
concern, including the ongoing Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, the need for
continued and robust funding as well as safeguarding of Christian minorities at
risk in the Middle East, and support for a second U.S.-Armenia Millennium
Challenge compact.

 

On March 17,
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and House Intelligence
Committee Ranking Member and Armenian Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
provided testimony in support of aid to Armenia and Artsakh as the
Administration first released the budget blueprint for FY18. They also signed a
bipartisan letter, initiated by Rep. Pallone, on March 30 advocating "to
advance U.S. interests by strengthening Armenia's independence, promoting peace
in Nagorno-Karabagh, and supporting Armenia as a regional safe haven for
at-risk Middle East refugees" with Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Jackie Speier
(D-CA) and 22 other Representatives.

 

Spearheaded
by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), 27 Members of Congress sent a letter last month to
House Appropriations SFOPS Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) and
Ranking Member Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) expressing concern about the 67 percent
reduction in foreign aid to Armenia.

 

"At a
time of tremendous global uncertainty, the U.S. should continue to foster the
progress of its allies, not retreat from its responsibilities as the world's
leading democracy. As the U.S. and Armenia commemorate the 25th anniversary of
diplomatic relations, we urge the committee to reject the harmful cuts to U.S.
aid to Armenia proposed by the President's FY18 budget," the
Representatives stated in the letter.

 

The FY 2018
State and Foreign Operations Bill – Full Committee Draft is available here.

 

The FY 2018
State and Foreign Operations Bill – Full Committee Report is available here.

 

The Armenian
Assembly of America's FY 2017 Testimony is available here.

 

Established
in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

 

###

 

NR#: 2017-055

 

Available
online:

Film: Armenian Movie Week in Iran to feature genocide-themed Map of Salvation

Ani Kharatian 
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Saturday


Armenian Movie Week in Iran to feature genocide-themed Map of Salvation



YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Genocide themed ‘Map of
Salvation’ documentary will be screened during the Armenia Movie Week
in Iran. The movie week will be held July 23 – 29 in Iran’s Tehran,
Mashhad and Shiraz, Financial Tribune reported.

During the course of the event, 10 Armenian modern films will be screened.

The Armenia Movie Week is organized by the Armenian Embassy and the
Art & Experience Cinematic Group.

Films will feature Aram Shahbazyan’s “Moskvitch, my love” and “Map of
Salvation”, as well as Aram Vatyan’s “The Clay Man”.

Map of Salvationis a feature-lengthdocudramafilm made to commemorate
the100th anniversaryof theArmenian Genocide.

The film tells about five European women,Maria Jacobsen(Denmark),Karen
Jeppe(Denmark),Bodil Biørn(Norway),Alma Johansson(Sweden),Anna Hedvig
Büll(Estonia), who were witnesses to the Armenian Genocide and
subsequently founded shelters for Armenian women and children.

Downtown Bucharest street hosts Armenian community event

Ani Kharatian
Romania-Insider.com



The yearly festival Strada Armeneasca takes place between July 28 and July 30 on the Armeneasca St. in the Romanian capital and on the premises of the Armenian complex, which includes the Armenian Church in Bucharest.

As was the case at previous editions, the Greek, Jewish and Roma communities will also join the event.

The program includes theater performances, traditional or contemporary music concerts, displays of Armenian customs, photography exhibitions, and traditional food. Those attending the event can also learn to decipher writing in Armenian characters, or watch demonstrations of dances pertaining to all participating cultures.

Children will get to choose between several dedicated theater performances, doll-making workshops, dance lessons or Lego creation workshops.

The Bazar spreading throughout the length of the Armeneasca St. will offer visitors products such as jewelry, ceramics, Armenian fabrics, hand-made objects, books, icons or illustrations.

The public can also visit the inside of the Armenian church throughout the three days of the even and learn more about the history of this Bucharest community.

The festival is open on July 28 between 18:00 and 22:00, on July 29 between 10:00 and 22:00, and on July 30 between 10:00 and 22:00. Entrance is free.

The full program of the event can be checked here.

(Photo by Mihai Raitaru. Photo source: Festivalul Strada Armeneasca)

https://www.romania-insider.com/armenian-event-bucharest-2017/

Armenia Places Third Out of 157 Teams at FIRST Global Youth Robotics Competition

Ani Kharatian
Armenian Weekly

By Harout Manougian on  

Special for the Armenian Weekly 

“We are few, but they call us Armenians.”  These words by Paruyr Sevak rang true at the FIRST Global youth robotics competition held at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., where Armenia’s TUMO Center for Creative Technologies team took home the bronze medal.

Armenia’s TUMO Center for Creative Technologies team took home the bronze medal (Photo: ANCA)

FIRST, an acronym meaning For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, was established in 1989 and has organized local robotics competitions for elementary and high school students for many years.  However, this year marked the first time they held a global competition, with teams representing 150 countries, six continents, and Team Hope, representing refugees.

“I am so proud of them!” exclaimed Hayk Voskanyan, the team’s mentor and TUMO Center robotics workshop leader, as he watched FIRST founder Dean Kamen bestow the medals on his protégés.  The TUMO Center in Yerevan was the home of Team Armenia where they designed, built, and tested their remote-controlled robot in preparation for the competition.

The initiative brought attention to the global challenge of providing clean drinking water.  Robots needed to collect plastic balls from the center of the field, sort the blue ones (representing clean water) from the orange ones (representing contaminants), and deposit them according to color.

Team Armenia poses with the tricolor and their medals (Photo: ANCA)

Although more students were involved during the preparation stage in Yerevan, seven 15-18-year-olds were selected to travel to Washington for the competition, including Levon Balagyozyan (Team Captain), Lilit Tarumyan (Spokesperson), Maria Ter Minasyan (Spokesperson), Ashot Tarumyan, Tigran Sahakyan, Davit Hovhanisyan, and Aram Madantsyan.  They shared the champions’ podium with Team Europe and Team Poland who won gold and silver respectively.

The event attracted national headlines when President Trump made an exception to the travel ban to ensure that Afghanistan’s all-female team would be admitted to the U.S. and able to participate.  It started with an Olympic-worthy opening ceremony on July 16, as teams entered with their national flags, cheered on by the many ambassadors and even one head of state, Canada’s Governor General-designate Julie Payette, who were in attendance.  The closing ceremony two days later was equally impressive and included a keynote speech delivered by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim.

Team Armenia with ANCA Interns, who cheered them on along the way (Photo: ANCA)

The TUMO students had a local fan club cheering them on, consisting of the staff and interns at the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) D.C. office.  Before the competition, they visited the ANCA headquarters to share their experience and career ambitions.

“It’s incredible what you guys are doing,” said Aram Hamparian, ANCA Executive Director. “When you’re done here, consider how your skills might contribute to the cause of Artsakh’s security by designing gunfire locator robots that can be deployed—as part of the Royce-Engel peace proposal along the border with Azerbaijan.”

The young robotics team took a brief respite from competition preparations for sightseeing, including a U.S. Capitol tour graciously hosted by Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), who had visited the TUMO Center in Yerevan in 2016.  The group was welcomed their first evening in D.C. by families of the local Hamasdegh Armenian School.

The second FIRST Global challenge will be held in the summer of 2018 in Mexico City.

BAKU: Protest held in German Bielefeld against Armenian provocation

Ani Kharatian
AzerNews, Azerbaijan

18:14 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijanis from all over the world continue to support their homeland in telling the truth about the Armenian aggression to the world. Yesterday, the German-Azerbaijani Culture Society “Bielefeld NR” held a protest on the main street of the German city of Bielefeld in connection with Armenia’s military provocation in Alkhanly village of Azerbaijan’s Fuzuli region.

This provocation resulted in the murder of two Azerbaijani civilians living in the village – a woman and her two-year-old granddaughter. This deadly incident once again proved that Armenia doesn’t stop on constant violations of ceasefire with Azerbaijan – the aggressor also targets Azerbaijani human settlements near the frontline.

During the protest in Bielefeld, its participants were carrying posters and banners reflecting the atrocities of the Armenian army. The protesters chanted slogans against Armenia’s aggression policy, such as “Sargsyan – the baby killer!”, “Say NO to terror and aggression,” “Justice for Zahra,” and others.

The protest participants also mentioned the victims of Armenia-committed Khojaly genocide against Azerbaijani civilians in 1992. Head of the German-Azerbaijani Culture House Tarana Tagieva, doctor Ruslan Jafarli and head of the Bielefeld branch of the Ataturk Thinking society Mehmet Ali Olmez told about the atrocities of the Armenians.

The protesters further called on the international community to take decisive action against Armenia in order to force it to withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani lands and to put an end to Armenia’s aggression policy.

Since signing the ceasefire with Azerbaijan in 1994, Armenia has been constantly violating it, thus killing Azerbaijani soldiers and civilians from time to time. However, the international community remained indifferent to all these violations of international law.

Today Armenia remains unpunished and therefore continues these deadly provocations, thus ruining the stability in the region and hampering the resolution of the prolonged Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.