Author: Ara Felekian

Armenian American Museum Kicks Off Virtual Stakeholder Meetings

Ara Felekian
Press Contact:
Shant Sahakian, Executive Director
Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California
(818) 644-2214
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARMENIAN AMERICAN MUSEUM KICKS OFF VIRTUAL STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS

Glendale, CA () – The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California has kicked off a series of virtual stakeholder meetings to provide donors, supporters, and community members with a progress report on the landmark center and historic groundbreaking year.

The series of virtual stakeholder meetings kicked off with the museum’s Benefactors, Legacy Council, and Founder’s Circle members in March 2021.

“It has been a pleasure to meet with our valued stakeholders and have an opportunity to engage in a dialogue on the exciting future of the Armenian American Museum,” stated Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian. “We look forward to the upcoming stakeholder meetings to connect with our donors, supporters, and community members with the community-wide celebration of the historic groundbreaking on the horizon.”

The initial meetings have covered a wide range of topics including the museum’s collaboration with the City of Glendale, the museum’s refined building design, the selection process for the General Contractor, the formation of the new Board of Governors, the advancement of the permanent exhibition on the Armenian American experience, the formation of the new Exhibition Committee, upcoming donor opportunities for supporters, and the Groundbreaking Ceremony planned for Summer 2021.

The initial meetings featured presentations by the Board of Trustees, Executive leadership, staff, and architects of the project and concluded with Q&A sessions for stakeholders to ask questions and provide feedback on the museum project.

The museum plans to host several virtual meetings and presentations for the greater community throughout Spring 2021.

For more information on the museum, visit https://www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org.

The mission of the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The vision is 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.

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Photo Captions:

First Row:
Board of Trustees Co-Chair Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Board of Trustees Member Dr. Nazareth E. Darakjian
Board of Trustees Co-Chair Rev. Berdj Djambazian

Second Row:
Board of Trustees Co-Treasurer Talin Yacoubian
Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian
Executive Vice Chairman Zaven Kazazian
Board of Trustees Co-Chair Avedik Izmirlian

Third Row:
Architect Aram Alajajian
Major Gifts Director Mary Khayat
Executive Director Shant Sahakian

Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California
116 North Artsakh Avenue, Suite 205, Glendale, CA 91206
Office: (818) 351-3554
www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org
Confidentiality Notice: This communication and any documents, files, or previous e-mail messages attached to it constitute an electronic communication within the scope of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 ISCA 2510. This communication may contain non-public, confidential, or legally privileged information intended for the sole use of the designated recipient(s). The unlawful interception, use, or disclosure of such information is strictly prohibited under 18 USCA 2511 and any applicable laws.




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Armenpress: Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 09-04-21

Ara Felekian

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 09-04-21

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 17:33, 9 April, 2021

YEREVAN, 9 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 9 April, USD exchange rate down by 4.58 drams to 532.78 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.00 drams to 633.58 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.07 drams to 6.90 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 8.32 drams to 729.96 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 42.98 drams to 30070.44 drams. Silver price up by 2.23 drams to 433.88 drams. Platinum price down by 491.07 drams to 20949.1 drams.

Putin, Aliyev discuss Nagorno-Karabakh in phone call, Kremlin reports

Ara Felekian
TASS, Russia
April 8 2021
The presidents discussed, in particular, issues of ensuring peace, security and progressive social-economic development of the region, as well as the course of work to restore transport communications

MOSCOW, April 8./TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation on Thursday with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, in which the developments concerning Nagorno-Karabakh were discussed, the Kremlin press service reports.

"Discussion was continued of the situation surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, its further stabilization in line with the statements of the Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders of November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021," it said.

According to the press service, the presidents discussed, in particular, "issues of ensuring peace, security and progressive social-economic development of the region, as well as the course of work to restore transport communications," it said.

The results of the Russian-Armenian summit talks in Moscow on April 7 were taken into account, it added.

The presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan agreed "to give a boost to contacts in various formats," the press service said.

On Aril 7, Putin held talks at the Kremlin with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in which Nagorno-Karabakh was also the focal point.

Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, 2020, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988, when the region declared secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic.

On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh. Under the document, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stopped at the positions that they had maintained, and Russian peacekeepers were deployed along the engagement line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin Corridor that connects Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

After the deployment of Russian peacekeepers, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has stabilized. Tens of thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh residents who left their homes during the hostilities came back with the help of the peacekeeping force.

RF Prosecutor General says will spare no efforts for solving POWs issue meeting with PM Pashinyan

Ara Felekian

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 19:05, 8 April, 2021

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Prosecutor General of Russia Igor Krasnov, who is in Armenia on a working visit, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Pashinyan welcomed the visit of the Russian Prosecutor General to Yerevan and expressed confidence that it will foster the future development and strengthening of relations between the Prosecutor's Offices of the two countries. Pashinyan highlighted the close cooperation between the two law enforcement bodies for fighting against crime and withstanding the existing challenges. PM Pashinyan highly appreciated Igor Krasnov’s efforts for returning the Armenian POWs, hostages and other detainees from Azerbaijan for which PM Pashinyan handed a certificate of appreciation to him.

The Russian Prosecutor General thanked the PM for the appreciation and noted that the cooperation with the Armenian partners is trustworthy. According to Igor Krasnov, the Prosecutor General’s Offices of the two countries are in constant touch, which fosters the effective cooperation for the fight against crime. The Russian Prosecutor General highlighted the full implementation of the 8th point f the November 10, 2020 trilateral declaration, according to which exchange of POWs, hostages and other detainees should take place. Igor Krasnov emphasized that he will spare no efforts for the solution of the issue.

Pashinyan noted that the Armenian government attaches special importance to the continuous development of long-term strategic cooperation with the Russian Federation and in that sense effectively assessed the results of the negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 7.

Young Turks Changes Name Over Resonance With Armenian Genocide – Rolling Stone

Ara Felekian
Rolling Stone Magazine
April 6 2021
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By Jon Blistein
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Young Turks, the British indie label that’s home to the xx, FKA Twigs, Kamasi Washington, and more, announced it will change its name to “Young” due to its original moniker’s resonance with the Armenian genocide.

Label founder Caius Pawson announced the decision on Instagram Tuesday, April 6th, saying the change “follows a long period of reflection.” He went on to discuss why he chose Young Turks as the name for his label, but also the historical significance of the term.

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Unsurprisingly, Pawson cites Rod Stewart’s 1981 hit, “Young Turks” as his initial inspiration. “The name intrigued me,” Pawson said, “evoking the solidarity of youth. In 2005, it seemed to perfectly sum up what we were: teenagers, wanting and waiting to do something, anything.”

Pawson acknowledges, however, that those involved with the label were “unaware of the deeper history of the term, and, specifically, that the Young Turks were a group who carried out the Armenian Genocide from 1915 onwards.” Pawson said he and others at the label have grown to realize that the name was “ a source of hurt and confusion for people,” adding: “We loved the name for what it meant to us, but in retrospect should have listened more carefully to other voices and acted more quickly. We have always tried to affect positive change and knowing what we do now, it’s only right that we change our name.”

Along with announcing the name change, Young said ahead of April 24th — the day to commemorate the 1915 Armenian Genocide — it had made a charitable donation to the Armenian Institute in London. The name change also applies to Young’s other entities, including its management company, now Young Artists, and publishing company, now Young Songs.

President Sarkissian receives Chairman of parliamentary standing committee on state-legal affairs

Ara Felekian

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 17:27, 6 April, 2021

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received today Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on state-legal affairs Vladimir Vardanyan, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The meeting touched upon the legislative package on making changes and amendments to the Judicial Code which has been adopted recently by the Parliament and submitted for the President’s signing.

Issues relating to the cooperation between the Presidential administration and the parliamentary standing committee were discussed during the meeting.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Catholicos of All Armenians visits Yerablur Military Pantheon

Ara Felekian

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 14:09, 5 April, 2021

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS. His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, visited the Yerablur Military Pantheon, accompanied by clergymen.

His Holiness Garegin II delivered a mass for the memory of all heroes fallen for the defense of the Homeland.

The Catholicos of All Armenians also laid flowers at their tombs.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Graffiti or homage? Hi-tech imaging sheds light on Holy Sepulchre wall crosses

Ara Felekian
Hindustan Times, India

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Revered in Christian tradition as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial, Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre usually bustles with worshippers and clergy. That has made study of the sacred markings difficult.
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Reuters | , Jerusalem
PUBLISHED ON MAR 31, 2021 08:11 PM IST
Father Samuel Aghoyan, the Armenian superior at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre looks up as he stands at the Saint Helena chapel inside the church which is revered in Christian tradition as the site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial, during his interview with Reuters, in Jerusalem's Old City February 24, 2021. Picture taken February 24, 2021. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun(REUTERS)

Crosses etched in mysterious abundance across the walls of Christianity's most sacred church were long assumed to be graffiti, but they may be the work of mediaeval masons paid to carve them by pilgrims, research suggests.

Revered in Christian tradition as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial, Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre usually bustles with worshippers and clergy. That has made study of the sacred markings difficult.

But renovations in 2018 at one of its chapels featuring thousands of the close-bunched and hand-engraved crosses gave Israel's Antiquities Authority and Hadassah Academic College Jerusalem an opportunity for research.

In coordination with the Armenian Orthodox Church, which controls the chapel, the scholars used digital cameras and three-dimensional imaging to map out, compare and date the crosses.

"This unique phenomenon always baffled us: Is it graffiti of the pilgrims, or rather, something else?…," said Amit Re'em, Jerusalem regional archaeologist for the Authority.

"We saw that all of them (crosses) have the same depth and even the marking of the mason," he said, provisionally dating them to the 15th century.

"Maybe two or three hand artists made these crosses," Re'em said. "…So it's not graffiti, it's something more organised."

He suggested an intercessionary purpose.

"Let's say that you are an Armenian pilgrim, so you pay something to the priest, you pay something to this special artist and he carved for you, for the benefit of your soul and your relatives' souls, …a special cross in the most sacred place for Christianity on earth," Re'em said.

Father Samuel Aghoyan, the Armenian superior at the Holy Sepulchre, saw benefits to the church from the research, especially as it struggles to emerge from COVID-19 lockdowns‮ ‬and prepares for Easter.

"Now there are no pilgrims here, (but) still their spirit is here, we know, I believe in that," he said.

Two more bodies found in search operations for war casualties, Artsakh authorities say

Ara Felekian
Panorama, Armenia

Two more bodies of killed in the Nagorno-Karabakh war were found during search operations held in the Azerbaijani-held areas of Artsakh, the State Service of Emergency Situations said on Wednesday.

One of the bodies was found preliminary in the area of Ukhtadzor community of Hadrut region, the other was handed over to the Armenian side by Azerbaijanis.  The identity of the killed will be established after the forensic medical examination.  

To note, since the start of the ceasefire, a total of 1,526 bodies of fallen troops and civilians have been recovered from the former combat zones.

Biden will take a stronger stance on Turkey and Russia – Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte

Ara Felekian
Tert.am, Armenia
17:15 • 26.03.21

POLITICS

The United States is expected to take a more active stance on the region under President Joe Biden, especially towards Turkey and Russia, according to Anna Astvatsaturian-Turcotte, a member of the Westbrook City Council (Maine).

In an interview with Tert.am, the US-Armenian politician also shared her positive expectations from the Biden administration's success in "swaying the conflict to the US advantage”.

Ms. Astvatsaturian Turcotte, I would like to know your opinion about the West’s role in the conflict settlement process. Do you see their interest and active involvement process?

I certainly think the West has a strong interest in the conflict but the only involvement, as we have seen during the war and after the agreement was signed, is limited to areas of their own national interests. It is outrageous for them to continue to preach European values and democratic principles while turning a blind eye to Turkey blatant violations of international law, especially the United States’ intolerance of international terrorism since 2001. So these standards and ideals are only relevant to these superpowers when convenient for their political purposes.

At the meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Anne Linde, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian announced the need for a strong co-chairmanship of OSCE Minsk Group. What role do you think the OSCE Minsk Group played during and after the war in Karabakh?

It is perhaps a tired assessment or opinion but it’s pretty clear the only co-chair that was active in the conflict and during the war has been Russia. Russia has its own strategy in the region and acted in its own long term interests. This left a huge vacuum that allowed the events to unfold the way they did and the crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression by Azerbaijan and Turkey were left completely unchecked.

The US was not very active during the war as it were busy with its presidential election. What policies do you think the Biden administration pursues in relation to Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as our region?

It was the election and the devastation of COVID. But it is also important to note the lack of care of the Trump administration about the aggression of Turkey and Azerbaijan that played a direct role on the US inaction during the war. I believe Biden will take a stronger stance on the US role in the region, especially toward Turkey and Russia. I do not believe the US will take an overly active role in Artsakh or Armenia on the ground. US will never get involved in Artsakh and Armenia on the ground. I believe that the Biden administration will sway the conflict to the US advantage (or opposing Russia’s) by imposing its diplomatic and economic influence.

How do you evaluate the actions by the Armenian leadership? How do they work with the international community in this process towards the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

It’s nonexistent. We have yet to get out prisoners of war back home safely; we continue with the endless concessions to benefit Azerbaijan. The Status of Artsakh’s independence is not even on the leadership’s radar; Syunik is in continued threat and fear and the leadership both current and past is navel gazing and clawing at power as Azerbaijan is doing everything in its power to continue its victories in villainize Armenia as the aggressor on the world stage and shake Diaspora’s resolve and political capital. Wake up, Armenia.

You are conducting a full census of the post-war damages in Artsakh. I would like to know about the results. Do you envision any plan as to how they can be recovered?

Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation (www.Astvatsaturian.org) organized the project to conduct a full census on medical, psychological, economic and financial impact of the war on every citizen of Artsakh, both in Artsakh and in Armenia. The data collected will be utilized by the Artsakh and Armenian ministries of labor, human rights ombudsmen’s offices and various NGOs for Humanitarian and rebuilding efforts, as well as a legal framework for potential litigation. The Foundation employed and trained 100 staff members in Artsakh to conduct this extensive survey. Up to date we interviewed close 5000 families. We are still fundraising to ensure the project completes all reviews and anyone can donate on the Foundation’s website. When the data is collected it will be analyzed by experts in a detailed legal, human rights and humanitarian report which will be drafted for a final assessment. This final assessment will be available for humanitarian efforts in Artsakh, as well as for legal and academic purposes.