Charles Aznavour, Tigran Hamasyan and Andre Manoukian performed at Grand Concert de la Francophonie in Geneva

Panorama, Armenia
Culture 11:02 15/03/2018 Armenia

Prominent Armenian-born French singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour, famous jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan and French-Armenian songwriter, jazz musician Andre Manoukian shared the stage at the 'Grand Concert de la Francophonie' held in honor of Armenia, the upcoming host country of the 17th Francophone Summit of the International Organization of French speakers.

The concert with around 2,000 in attendance took place on Tuesday at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

To note, Armenia will host the 2018 Summit of International Organisation of La Francophonie in October 2018.

‘Kids should take interest in Hindi; it’s a beautiful language’

Hindustan Times, India
March 9, 2018 Friday
'Kids should take interest in Hindi; it's a beautiful language'
 
New Delhi
 
New Delhi, March 9 — Many might think that the interest of Hindi language is waning among the youth, but Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) ambassador Anita Verma begs to disagree. On the contrary, she is making sure that people learn and love the language worldwide. Beginning her career as a teacher in Municipal Corporation of Delhi schools, it was her love for Hindi that made her promote the language in different spheres.
 
She wrote books for children, worked in media, and taught students the value of mother tongue. Verma's passion was noticed by ICCR and she was sent to the First Republic of Armenia as a Hindi teacher. "When I went to Armenia, I realised that students were learning 40 different world languages, but not Hindi. It was hard to instil interest in people who couldn't differentiate between Hindi and Hindu," says Verma. Verma's first batch comprised 10 students."My tenure in the Yerevan State Linguistic University was supposed to be of two years, but with the rise of interest, it was extended by a year. My students embraced the language and took keen interest in Indian culture. They translated my poems in Armenian and Russian. They even learnt to drape saris. Such was the effect of Hindi," she says, adding that it was no less than an achievement that "At the end of my term, I had over 50 students. I also created a dictionary which had translation among three languages – Hindi, English and Armenian. I taught them stories from the Ramayana. It's a great feeling to see them sing our national anthem!" For her contribution in Yerevan, Verma was presented the International Foreign Language Teaching award by the ministry of Armenia. The embassy of India published her poetry book for children and translated it to Armenian. Thereafter, she went on to teach Hindi in University of Bucharest for two years. "My articles on Romania got published in local newspapers, too," she says. While she has done her bit for her mother tongue, Verma doesn't want to stop here. She says, "I want kids to take more interest in their mother tongue. Hindi is a beautiful language and I'm always up for teaching it."

Sports: Vic Darchinyan to start a promotion agency for Armenian boxers

PanArmenian, Armenia
March 6 2018

PanARMENIAN.Net – Professional boxer Vic Darchinyan is planning to open a promotion agency in Armenia, the former world champion revealed himself on Monday, March 5, according to Novosti Armenia.

“There are good athletes in Armenia who can succeed but it won’t hurt for them to gain experience, say, in bouts against Mexican fighters in the United States,” Darchinyan was quoted as saying.

“By opening the agency, I will give them such an opportunity.”

According to him, such fixtures may even receive American TV coverage.

“You should fight at least 20 bouts for them (the TV – Ed.) to notice you, and I will help our fighters to obtain such opportunities in the very beginning of their careers,” he added.

Darchinyan is a former two-weight world champion, having held the IBF flyweight title from 2004 to 2007, and the unified WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and lineal super-flyweight titles between 2008 and 2010. Additionally, he has held a record four IBO titles at flyweight, super-flyweight, and twice at bantamweight between 2005 and 2011.

Sports: Fansided: Would Henrikh Mkhitaryan make a difference in City clash?

PanArmenian, Armenia
Feb 27 2018

PanARMENIAN.Net – One theory is that midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan would have made a difference in Arsenal's latest clash against Manchester City, Fansided says in an article, claiming that the defeat was a clear result of not having enough attacking force.

The Armenia international was cup-tied, having made a substitute appearance for Manchester United and was unavailable for the match.

As such, Mesut Ozil didn’t have his creative mate there with him, and with both Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey sitting deeper, there was pure isolation that, hypothetically, could have been alleviated by Mkhitaryan.

"It’s hard to say what different Mkhitaryan would have made. Chances are we would have benefited from a few more chances, but one guy isn’t enough to change a game that got that lopsided. Not by a long shot," the article says.

Sports: An Armenian Teenager’s Small Olympic Triumph

Transitions Online, Czech Rep.
Feb 22 2018

When his skis broke, hopes for the country’s only Alpine skier to compete in Pyeongchang looked dim.

Armenia’s Ashot Karapetyan (pictured) finished 42nd in today’s men’s slalom event at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics held in South Korea.

For 18-year-old, merely competing was something of a miracle. Unlike American skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin, who brought 35 pairs of skis, he arrived with just some borrowed skis, and they broke during a training run.

 “I often have problems with equipment,” Karapetyan told News.am, Eurasianet.org reports. “In previous [events] in Turkey and Iran, as well as here in Pyeongchang, I have been using my friend’s skis.”

 Karapetyan, the only Alpine skier in Armenia’s three-person Olympic squad, said new equipment promised by the Armenian Olympic Federation failed to arrive in time for him to begin training. He was not even given a team uniform.

By the time two new pairs of skis and one pair of boots arrived last week, thanks to the national Olympic committee and the Armenian Ski Federation, it was too late to train for the men’s giant slalom event.

He managed to get in enough training to start today’s slalom, and although he finished only one place above last, Karapetyan managed to complete both runs, unlike some 60 other racers.

  • One Yerevan political analyst told Eurasianet Karapetyan’s equipment issues were likely linked to bad feelings over his being chosen to compete ahead of the nephew of the Armenian national head ski coach, Syran Harutyunyan. A flood of social media complaints about Karapetyan’s plight probably goaded the authorities into seeing that he got new skis, analyst Styopa Safaryan said.
  • Cross-country skiers Mikayel Mikayelyan and Katya Galstyan are also competing for Armenia at the games, which wrap up this weekend.

Azerbaijani press: Historical truth on Azerbaijan scares Armenian gov’t and Russian media

17:52 (UTC+04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

By Fikret Dolukhanov – Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev touched upon many actual topics of both internal and external nature, addressing the 6th congress of the New Azerbaijan Party on Feb. 8.

Mentioning the success of Azerbaijan on the international scene, the head of state spoke about the reasons for the disastrous situation in neighboring Armenia.

Fairly calling Armenia “a political, economic, energy and transportation dead-end”, Ilham Aliyev once again reminded that Azerbaijan and its people haven’t forgotten their historical lands – Irevan Khanate, Zangazur and Goycha, and marked the return to these lands as “our political and strategic goal”.

President Aliyev’s speech caused a painful reaction in Armenia, which got used to unpunished attacks to its neighbors with territorial claims and convinced many sympathizing in its delirious “anciency” and “indigenousness” demagogy.

His speech triggered a reply in the form of big "ancient and great Armenia" lie bag. This kind of reaction from the Armenian authorities was expected: they received a clear message that Azerbaijan’s patience wears thin and promises no good for Armenia, thus their statements aren’t even worth mentioning.

But some representatives of Russian media began selectively collecting certain parts of these lies and pretentiously republishing them as “analytics”.

Those articles, which have no trace of scientific ground and include no credible sources to support their (or maybe Armenian? can’t tell – too similar) delusional claims, literally accumulate all political and historical nonsense of the latest Armenian agitprop.

Author of one of the first articles holds his discourse hopping from Chechen historiography to Alans, from Greek Homer to Croatians and trying to give himself credibility with such “scientific” and “solid” notions as “trolling”, “internet hype” and Armenian anecdotes.

At the same time he blames Baku of “war-mongering” and “history falsification”. But the incompetence of the author is clearly seen as soon as he claims that Caucasian Albanians, “who, it seems, however were not Turks”, were some kind of Proto-Iranians.

It is sad to see such absurdity challenging reader’s attention and time, because the author, “who, it seems, however” has no idea of the topic, should’ve read at least a few related Wikipedia articles, if he was in such a hurry to please someone with his commissioned writings. In foreign historiography (the author doesn’t trust Azerbaijani sources, does he?) the Caucasian Albans are considered the ancestors of today’s Caucasian-speaking nations. They also participated in ethnogenesis of Azerbaijani nation.

An author of another article retells the Armenian version of history of Yerevan and Armenia (or Hayastan, how the author calls it, not touching upon the reasons for the difference), omitting the period of Irevan and Karabakh Khanates and hypocritically calling the Ottoman and Safavi rule “occupation”.

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye," – anyone remembers this one?

Armenia, whose historical revisionism has never been doubted by anyone, is not getting tired of talking about its homemade “sea-to-sea country” concept based only on feverish fantasies and claiming lands of its neighbors. But such theories as well as the revanchist attitude don’t worry the bribed authors.

They prefer not to mention the Armenian state policy aimed to raising of new generations in the spirit of hatred towards everything Turkic and claims on vast areas of neighbors’ territories. For some reason, they don’t consider these policies to be a source of racism and aggression.

Never mind the state policy and historiography. The 30-year long occupation of Azerbaijani lands, which began with demonstrations of enraged crowd, worked up by the Armenian agitprop machine, putting the ideas of “long-sufferance” and “due revenge” into the heads of their people for decades, is out of sight of such scribblers. Everything mentioned is so clear that nothing new can be said to justify the true aggressor.

How did it come, that those, writing long meaningless opuses worth of the 20th century propaganda leaflets, don’t mention four resolutions of the UN Security Council, where Russia is a permanent member?

How come that those, foolish enough to blame president of the neighboring country, with whom even according to Armenian media Russian President Vladimir Putin has very amiable relations, didn’t find time to read at least one solid scientific source on the history of the region to see that the lands they write about had been belonging to Azerbaijani rulers and people for centuries?

Maybe demagogy covering the naming of historical khanates and states in Caucasus has been circulating for so long that made some unable to differentiate between black and white? Then I’d advice them to consider the history of Germany, Italy, Japan and even Russia itself – countries formed by the consolidation of feudal states.

Demagogy, however, has become a popular tool in the hands of Russian media outlets. The recent hysteria around Ukraine, the US and earlier – Turkey, habituated some authors to solve certain tasks by idle talk and populism.

Historical revisionism of modern pseudo-historians dropping unpleasant mentions of everything Scandinavian, Turkic or Mongolian is not seen, revanchist sentiments gaining momentum in the last years are not seen, demonization of West is not seen too. But as soon as there is an order for a few anti-Azerbaijani lines – with great pleasure!

Everything forgotten in Armenia – necessity of stayaway from aggressive calls, inadmissibility of revisionism and revanchism and undesirability of political and historical antagonism are all applied only to Azerbaijan.

I’d suggest looking at the situation from a bit different angle though, for it only emphasizes vulnerability and weakness of Armenian government and everyone involved. We all know that small dogs tend to bark louder. But the Arabs say, "The dogs may bark, but the caravan moves on."

To sum it all up – the patience is running thin. Azerbaijani president once again pointed to that. Hopefully, to some people this will serve as a wake-up call.

ICRC: Our work in Armenia in 2017

The ICRC supports people to pursue alternative income opportunities. ICRC/Margherita Marcia/Noyemberyan

In Armenia, the ICRC focuses on civilians living in exposed communities along the international border, missing people and their families, mine victims and people deprived of their liberty.

We also spread knowledge of the international humanitarian law among national authorities, academics and armed forces. Our key partner is the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) with whom we coordinate activities aimed at assisting people affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In 2017, we prioritized two villages in the border region of Tavush, where socioeconomic situations are particularly challenging. Through a detailed survey, the ICRC and local Red Cross volunteers identified 57 vulnerable households who then received financial assistance to start small-scale businesses. Additionally, we provided multipurpose cash assistance to 19 extremely vulnerable families. We supported three border communities through rehabilitation of water supply pipelines, building of metal fencing for a water reservoir, and installation of technical components. We continued to construct safer spaces, wall in exposed windows and build protective walls for kindergartens, schools and other public buildings.

Part of this work was done thanks to the ICRC's new partnership with the ARCS and the German Red Cross.

Highlights of our work in Armenia in 2017
• 1,545 people restored or improved their access to water with the ICRC support for upgrading of water supply networks.
• 1,131 individuals benefited from reduced exposure to conflict-related hazards due to safer rooms, protective walls and closing-in of windows.
• 537 schoolchildren and 60 teachers were briefed about safer behaviour to adopt in case of shooting or shelling, as well as danger of mines and first aid basics.
• 315 people (76 households) in two border communities benefited from increased family income due to participation of a family member in projects, or received cash grants for immediate needs.
• 500 relatives of missing people were offered psychological support and problem-solving counselling.
• 205 members of the Armenian civil protection rescue service in ten border communities received first aid training and first aid kits.
For more information please read our overview of activities in 2017.


Georgetown Univ.: Armenian Students Association Remembers Genocide

Georgetown University The Hoya
Feb 12 2018
 
 
Armenian Students Association Remembers Genocide
by Katrina Schmidt —
 
The Armenian Students Association staged a silent demonstration in Red Square on Feb. 8 to raise awareness about the 1915 Armenian genocide and its global legacy today.
 
Seven representatives of the ASA, which is in the process of becoming a university-recognized student organization, distributed 400 flyers about the history of the genocide throughout the demonstration. The students wore black tape over their mouths to protest in silence.
 
The Armenian genocide occurred in 1915, when leaders of the Ottoman Empire developed a plan to kill or forcibly push out Armenians living in the region. Nearly 1.5 million Armenians were killed during the genocide, which did not end until the early 1920s.
 
ASA FACEBOOK PAGE
Members of the Armenian Students Association participated in a silent protest in Red Square on Thursday.
 
The genocide is widely recognized as such by many historians and governments. The United Nations defines genocide as the “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group,” combined with the use of certain destructive methods, including killing, to eliminate that group.
 
The event commemorated the annual national ASA “Stain of Denial” protest, when chapters at dozens of universities organize silent protests to spread awareness about the genocide, according to the Daily Bruin. The demonstration aims to condemn denial of the Armenian genocide, particularly by the Turkish government.
 
Haik Voskerchian (COL ’19), president of the ASA, said the demonstration was well-received by the student body.
 
“Students have been very welcoming and active,” Voskerchian said about the demonstration. “Most people have been very interested.”
 
However, the Turkish Government denies the genocide, particularly its scope and extent, Voskerchian said. Turkey does not deny that deaths occurred, but refuses to refer to it as a genocide and estimates the number of Armenian deaths to be around 600,000.
 
“We’re trying to commemorate the genocide and condemn it,” Voskerchian said.
 
The United States does not consistently refer to the events as genocide, though in several capacities it has.
 
The U.S. House of Representatives passed resolutions acknowledging the genocide in 1975, 1984 and 1996, according to the Armenian National Committee of America. On April 22, 1981, President Ronald Reagan lamented the Armenian genocide in a proclamation in remembrance of the Holocaust. In addition, 48 out of 50 states have officially recognized the genocide, with the only exceptions being Mississippi, Alabama and the District of Columbia.
 
Recent presidents, however, have refrained from using the word “genocide” when referencing the massacres. Former President Barack Obama abstained from referring to the Armenian Genocide as a genocide on the 100th anniversary in 2015, CNN reported. Similarly, President Donald Trump was criticized when he did not use the term “genocide” in a statement released April 24, 2017, on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day and the 104th anniversary of the genocide.
 
ASA is a national student organization with chapters at 31 colleges and universities, including Harvard University, Brown University and Stanford University, according to the ASA website. Georgetown University’s chapter has 12 active members, though there are around 30 people on the listserv, according to Voskerchian.
 
For Armenian students like Nareg Kuyumjian (SFS ’21), an ASA member, the demonstration had personal meaning.
 
Kuyumjian said his great-grandparents on both sides of his family were the only survivors of the genocide in their families. His great-grandparents on his mother’s side were able to escape to Syria, while his great-grandparents on his father’s side left for Lebanon. Eventually, both families made it to the United States and settled in Los Angeles.
 
“I’ve had the privilege to grow up as an American citizen, but I owe it to my ancestors and the struggle they went through,” Kuyumjian said. “I’ve had the opportunity to grow up in such a great nation, and I realize that it is because of their sacrifices that I have been able to do so.”

Հայաստան կժամանի Բուլղարիայի նախագահ Ռումեն Ռադևը

  • 10.02.2018
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Նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանի հրավերով փետրվարի 11-ին պետական այցով Հայաստան կժամանի Բուլղարիայի Հանրապետության նախագահ Ռումեն Ռադևը:


Այցի շրջանակներում նախատեսված են Բուլղարիայի Հանրապետության նախագահի հանդիպումները ՀՀ բարձրագույն ղեկավարության՝ նախագահի, Ազգային ժողովի նախագահի, վարչապետի հետ:


Նախագահ Ռումեն Ռադևին Մայր Աթոռ Սուրբ Էջմիածնում կհյուրընկալի նաև Ն.Ս.Օ.Տ.Տ. Գարեգին Բ Ամենայն Հայոց Կաթողիկոսը: Վեհափառ Հայրապետի հետ հանդիպումից հետո Բուլղարիայի նախագահը կայցելի Մայր Տաճար և գանձատուն:


Հանրապետության նախագահի նստավայրում հայ-բուլղարական բարձր մակարդակի բանակցությունների ավարտին նախագահներ Սերժ Սարգսյանը և Ռումեն Ռադևը ԶԼՄ-ների առջև հանդես կգան հանդիպման արդյունքներն ամփոփող հայտարարություններով: Նախատեսվում է նաև Հայաստանի և Բուլղարիայի միջև մի շարք ոլորտներում երկկողմ համագործակցության ընդլայնմանն ու խորացմանն ուղղված փաստաթղթերի ստորագրման արարողություն:

ՌԴ նախագահի ընտրության օրը ՀՀ-ում կգործի երկու հիմնական ընտրատեղամաս

  • 05.02.2018
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Ռուսաստանի քաղաքացիները ՌԴ նախագահի ընտրություններին Հայաստանում կկարողանան մասնակցել երկու հիմնական ընտրատեղամասերում: Այս մասին հաղորդում է ՀՀ-ում ՌԴ դեսպանատանը:


«ՌԴ նախագահի ընտրության օրը՝ մարտի 18-ին, 08:00-20:00-ն Հայաստանում մշտական կամ ժամանակավոր բնակություն ունեցող ՌԴ քաղաքացիները կկարողանան քվեարկել երկու հիմնական ընտրատեղամասում՝ № 8026 Երևանում՝ ՌԴ դեսպանատանը, և № 8031 Գյումրիում՝ ՌԴ հյուպատոսությունում», – ասվում է հաղորդագրության մեջ:


Գորիս, Կապան և Սիսիան քաղաքների բնակիչների համար մարտի առաջին տասնօրյակում արտահերթ քվեարկություն կիրականացվի № 8026 ընտրական հանձնաժողովի կողմից:


Քվեարկությանը մասնակցելու համար ընտրողը պետք է անձամբ ներկայանա և ներկայացնի իր ռուսական անձնագիրը:


Հիշեցնենք, ՌԴ նախագահի ընտրությունները կկայանան մարտի 18-ին: