Author: Christine Harutyunian

Famous American Chef Amanda Freitag Visited Armenia

Christine Harutyunian
June 7 2023


Copyright 2023 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved
2023-06-07

YEREVAN, Armenia, June 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ – Amanda Freitag, renowned American chef, star of Chopped TV show, visited Armenia. During her one-week visit aimed in emphasizing innovation, sustainability of the food value chain, entrepreneurship, and women's empowerment, she was hosted by the Yeremyan Projects' Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality to share her experience with the students.

Armenia's appeal as a gastronomic hub and the uniqueness of Armenian cuisine and products sparked Freitag's interest, which served as key motivations for her visit to the country.

"Passing on the knowledge and experience I've gained from my teachers is important to me. That's why I'm here in Armenia, to share my expertise globally. I'm captivated by the operations of this new culinary academy and the cooking practices here. The fresh, simple Armenian food and bread-baking culture have really impressed me. Local dishes are incredibly delicious. I believe New York needs a restaurant showcasing Armenian cuisine," stated Amanda Freitag.

Amanda Freitag organized a competition with the participation of future chefs of Armenia studying at Yeremyan Academy, following the format of the renowned American cooking show Chopped and was very impressed by the enthusiasm and creative approaches of the participants.

Freitag had a meeting with Davit Yeremyan, the Founder of Yeremyan Projects. She got an in-depth look at the Academy's state-of-the-art classrooms, kitchen facilities, and educational offerings.

Yeremyan, acknowledging the importance of such ventures, stressed that the Academy was founded to foster knowledgeable ambassadors for Armenian cuisine—one of the world's oldest.

"We founded this Academy in 2019 having a vision to educate a new generation of chefs who could rise to international standards. In pursuit of this goal, we carried out extensive research into global practices, carefully considering various factors before selecting the British model. Our educational programs bear the certification of Activate Learning Group, City of Oxford College, UK. Our alumni are not just competitive in the domestic market, but also make their mark in international spheres. Alongside their culinary education, students enhance their proficiency in English, apply their learning in practical environments, and seize numerous training opportunities actively."

Davit Yeremyan noted that Academy had 1500 graduates in the last four years. Some graduates work in different countries, including the USA and Europe. Twenty percent of the graduates work in the restaurants of Yeremyan Projects.

The famous chef's visit is a joint initiative of the US Embassy and Culinary Diplomacy Project. 



The little clown: How an Armenian performer became a beloved character at the Great Moscow Circus

Christine Harutyunian
Australia – June 8 2023
Telissa RyderSound Telegraph

He may be small in stature, but the ‘little clown’ in the Moscow Circus makes up for it with big laughs.

The popular Charlie Chaplin look-alike has had a colourful upbringing which thrust him to the spotlight in theatre, and eventually the circus stage.

Born in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, Gagik Avetisyan’s passion for the performing arts began at the age of 12 and saw him graduate from two theatre studios in the following years.

He then went on to play various characters with famous Armenian artists in film, where he leaned more towards comedy.

Mr Avetisyan’s flair for satire would soon see him invited to star in the Yerevan Circus and tour the domestic region as far as Uzbekistan.

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After participating in several festivals and circuses in Europe over a near three-decade career, Mr Avetisyan then made his way to Aussie shores in 2021 to begin work with the Great Moscow Circus.

Great Moscow Circus’ vocalist Diana Holt and clown Gagik Avetisyan. Credit: Lachlan Allen/Geraldton Guardian

When asked about his work as the little clown, Mr Avetisyan’s answer was simple.

“I really love this country and the Australian crowds,” he said.

The feeling is mutual, with Tour Marketing Manager Mark Edgley saying the crowds love Mr Avetisyan right back.

“This guys is amazing at what he does, he does about four or five acts during the show and ties it all together seamlessly,” he said.

“He’s one of the best clowns going around and he fits in perfectly here at the Moscow Circus.

“Gagik has perfected his craft and the crowd loves his character and interaction with them during the show.”

You can see the little clown perform at the Great Moscow Circus in Kwinana from June 9 to 25 at Calista Oval before the circus travels interstate.

For more information or to book your tickets, visit greatmoscowcircus.com.au.

Asbarez: Capacity Crowd Marks 105th Anniversary of Armenian Independence

Christine Harutyunian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 June 8, 2023

 

in Community, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Capacity crowd joined in marking the 105th anniversary of Armenian Independence


11 New Members Join ARF Ranks

A capacity crowd of more than 600 community members turned out to mark the 105th anniversary of Armenian Independence on June 3 at Ferrahian School’s Avedissian Hall, for an event organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western U.S. Central Committee.

The event featured famous Armenian singers Gaby Galoyan and Koko Tutunjian, who through their renditions of new and popular songs elevated the spirits of those in attendance.

Renowned singer Gaby Galoyan Patriotic and national singer Koko Tutunjian

The short program began with remarks by Ayana Hamamjian and Antranik Zobian who welcomed the guests and highlighted the spirit of May 28. They were followed by Sarkis Balkhian, who emphasized the important legacy of Armenian Independence and by drawing on the current situation embroiling Artsakh and Armenia stressed the critical need to preserve the principles of independence and self-determination.

Sarkis Bakhian Antranik Zobian and Ayana Hamamjian

The program also included a video presentation chronicling the history and legacy of Armenian Independence.

Prior to the gathering, during a separate ceremony at Ferrahian School’s Dickranian Hall, 11 new members joined the ranks of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

The hall was teeming with ARF members who had turned out to welcome the new members, who had completed a rigorous educational program, consisting of discussions about ARF history, ideology and the commitment to service to the Armenian Nation.

Officiating the ceremony was veteran ARF member Mardig Keushkerian, who in his remarks emphasized that key to serving the Armenian Nation as an ARF member is to have trust in one’s fellow “unger” and to work together to realize the goals of the organization.

“It is true that the ongoing political realities since Armenia’s second independence didn’t always go in our favor, especially as it relates to Artsakh; however, the ARF continues to remain unwavering and faithful to its mission of establishing a Free, United and Independent Armenia—a vision adopted by Armenia’s Parliament in 1919,” Keushkerian outlined in his remarks.

“The ARF is like a 133-year-old oak tree, while sometimes its leaves may fall, its roots remain unshakable and firmly embedded in the homeland, due in large part to its ranks and the unwavering conviction of its supporters,” added Keushkerian.

Dr. Harut Mkrtchyan delivered remarks on behalf of the ARF Western U.S. Central Committee and welcomed the new members to the ranks.

He explained that the new members took an oath to advance and honor the ARF Program, as it is that document that clearly denotes the ideology, principles and the crux of the organization.

“The ARF is not your typical party. It is an ideology in and of itself,” said Mkrtchyan.

He referred to the words of ARF leader Sarkis Zeitlian, who had said that ARF is a means to achieve our national aspirations and warned that the day the ARF becomes a goal rather than the means, it will turn into a sect.

“The ARF was borne from the people and in service to the Armenian people. It is patriotism and nationalism,” added Mkrtchyan.

950 hectares under Azeri control near Armenia’s Berkaber, says Governor of Tavush

Christine Harutyunian

 12:49, 6 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS. There is nothing new in terms of the enclaves in the Armenia-Azerbaijan talks and this issue will be solved during delimitation and demarcation, Governor of the Tavush Province Hayk Ghalumyan told reporters when asked on the matter.

“This issue has been discussed on numerous occasions both by the Prime Minister and the members of our political team,” Ghalumyan, who represents the ruling Civil Contract party, told reporters on June 6. “We all know this, there’s no secret, everything is transparent. There is nothing going on in terms of the enclaves in the negotiations, the public will be informed whenever something happens,” he added.

Asked whether there are enclaves that should be surrendered to Azerbaijan, Governor Ghalumyan said: “Just as we have territories under Azerbaijani control, they too have the same in the Tavush Province and other parts of the Republic of Armenia. This issue will be resolved during delimitation and demarcation. I have nothing to add at this moment,” he said.

“I can only say that in the Berkaber section some 950 hectares of land is under Azerbaijani control,” he added.

Pashinyan-Aliyev-Michel-Macron-Scholz five-sided meeting over

Christine Harutyunian

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 19:40, 1 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. The five-sided meeting of Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev ended in Moldova.

The correspondent of ARMENPRESS informs, the meeting lasted about 1 and a half hours.

The meeting was held within the framework of the second summit of the European Political Community.

On the morning of June 1, the second summit of the European Political Community started in the "Mimi" Castel. This year, leaders of 47 countries were invited to the summit.

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan meets Slovenian counterpart, Azeri illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor discussed

Christine Harutyunian

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 16:45,

YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan said he discussed the illegal Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin Corridor during his meeting with his Slovenian counterpart Urška Klakočar Zupančič on May 30. 

“During our meeting we discussed the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor,” Simonyan said in his statement for the press after the meeting. “For about a half year, the entire population of Artsakh is living in conditions of food crisis and humanitarian crisis. Given Baku’s growing aggressive rhetoric, we expect targeted reactions by our international partners,” Simonyan added.

Simonyan said that Armenia highly values the continuous development of relations and expansion of multi-sector cooperation with Slovenia.

“Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two states, and I think our bilateral cooperation has big potential for development. My colleague also mentioned this, we concur over this issue. We also attach importance to cooperation between our parliaments, pointing out the role of the friendship groups in the two parliaments,” he said.

The work for launching dialogue over visa liberalization was also discussed.

The parties also discussed the Armenian-Slovenian economic cooperation and emphasized the need for implementing economic and investment projects.

The Speaker of Parliament thanked Slovenia for supporting a group of children from Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh in October 2022 with the psychological and social rehabilitation program for children affected in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The program has been extended for another two years, Simonyan said.

During the meeting Speaker Simonyan reiterated Armenia’s readiness to consistently contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in the region.

Simonyan stressed that Armenia will continue to make efforts in the direction of further strengthening and enhancing the cooperation with Slovenia, expecting support from Slovenia in establishing peace in the region.

“During the meeting I said that Armenia doesn’t have any territorial claims against any of it neighbors and I asked my colleague to support Armenia’s steps aimed at peace in all international platforms. I am happy to note that I received a positive answer, because my colleague also attaches great importance to peace,” Simonyan said.

Armenian Delegation Visits Kansas Soldiers’ Home and Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery

Christine Harutyunian
Kansas –
Steve Smith

TOPEKA – Members of the Armenian Ministry of Defense and the Kansas National Guard were on site touring the Kansas Veterans’ Home and Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in Winfield to learn about the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office (KCVAO) mission to serve Kansas Veterans, learn about services provided, and facility operations. Also on the tour was a presentation from the KCVAO Mobile Services Unit, one of two buses outfitted to host Veterans and assist with VA Benefits and Claims.

“The KCVAO was privileged and proud to share information about how we continue to pay tribute to and honor our Veterans through the many services we provide here in Kansas,” commented Agency Director, Brigadier General (R) William Turner.

The Armenian Delegation spent four days in Kansas, included during the visit were presentations from Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam; Kansas State University Research and Extension, Kansas AgrAbility Project; and several area Veterans Service Organizations.

In 2003, Kansas and the Republic of Armenia were linked under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. The Kansas National Guard works closely with the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health, Rescue Service, and other governmental offices and agencies. Types of cooperation include military-to-military, military-to-civilian, and civilian-to-civilian events.

The Kansas-Armenia State Partnership was established to foster cooperation between the United States and Armenia, and to support the objectives of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. Each year, Kansas and Armenia conduct numerous joint exercises in both locations that span across educational, law enforcement, medical, military, and emergency preparedness endeavors.

https://newstalkkzrg.com/2023/05/27/armenian-delegation-visits-kansas-soldiers-home-and-kansas-veterans-cemetery/

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 05/19/2023

Christine Harutyunian 
                                        Friday, May 19, 2023


Russia Sounds Caution On Armenian-Azeri Peace Deal
May 19, 2023

Russia - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosts talks between his Armenian 
and Azerbaijani counterparts, Moscow, May 19, 2023.


The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan have narrowed their differences 
on a bilateral peace treaty, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on 
Friday after hosting fresh talks between them in Moscow.

But he suggested that the two sides need to restore Armenian-Azerbaijani 
transport links, start delimiting their long border and bolster the ceasefire 
regime in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone before they can finalize such a 
treaty.

Lavrov held separate talks with Foreign Ministers Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun 
Bayramov of Azerbaijan before sitting down with them in a trilateral format.

“Work on the peace treaty is undoubtedly fundamental,” he told the press after 
the trilateral meeting. “But our partners confirmed today that without solving 
the issues of delimitation, unblocking transport and economic links and an 
overall improvement of the security situation in both Karabakh and on the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border it’s very hard to make progress on concrete aspects 
of the peace treaty. We discussed all this together.”

Lavrov said in that regard that a Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani task force 
dealing with practical modalities of the transport links will meet next week 
after a long pause.

“We hope that a positive result will be achieved as a result. The parties are 
already very, very close to a final agreement,” he said without elaborating.

Lavrov further announced that a separate Armenian-Azerbaijani group working on 
the border delimitation and demarcation with Russian assistance will also resume 
its activities soon.

“Regarding the peace treaty, I think that on a number of articles which we 
discussed today we managed to bring the two sides’ understandings closer to a 
common vision,” added the top Russian diplomat.

As Lavrov spoke Bayramov and Mirzoyan continued their negotiations in his 
absence. Mirzoyan’s press office said afterwards that the two ministers had a 
“constructive exchange of views on issues on which the parties have 
differences.” It did not disclose those issues.

U.S. - Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosts talks between the Armenian and 
Azerbaijani foreign minsters in Arlington, Virginia, May 4, 2023.

According to the U.S. State Department, Bayramov and Mirzoyan made “tangible 
progress” towards the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal during their four-day 
talks held outside Washington earlier this month.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev 
tried to build on that progress when they met in Brussels on May 14. Pashinian 
afterwards reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness to recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial 
integrity through the document currently discussed by the two sides.

The two leaders are due to meet again in Moscow on May 25 at Russian President 
Vladimir Putin’s invitation.

Another Armenian-Azerbaijani summit is slated for June 1. Aliyev and Pashinian 
will be joined by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf 
Scholz and European Union chief Charles Michel. Analysts believe that the United 
States and the EU are pressing the parties to sign the far-reaching deal.

Moscow has repeatedly accused the West of trying to use the Karabakh conflict to 
drive Russia out of the South Caucasus. It maintains that Armenian-Azerbaijani 
agreements brokered by Putin are the only viable blueprint for settling the 
conflict.




Yerevan Elections Slated For September 17
May 19, 2023
        • Anush Mkrtchian

Armenia - A view of the Victory Bridge in Yerevan, February 28, 2023.


The next municipal elections in Yerevan will take place on September 17, 
according to Armenia’s Central Election Commission (CEC).

Speaking to state television, the CEC chairman, Vahagn Hovakimian, said the 
election date, which has to be confirmed by the Armenian government, is mandated 
by an Armenian law on local self-governance.

Yerevan residents will to go the polls to elect a new municipal assembly that 
will in turn appoint the city’s mayor.

Yerevan’s last mayor, Hrachya Sargsian, stepped down on March 17 after only 15 
months in office. The Armenian capital has since been effectively run by Tigran 
Avinian, a deputy mayor nominated by the ruling Civil Contract party for the 
vacant post.

Sargsian’s resignation is believed to have been designed to boost the party’s 
and Avinian’s chances in the upcoming polls.

Avinian has kept a high profile for the last two months, chairing meetings with 
municipal officials, issuing instructions to them and talking to ordinary 
citizens. Critics accuse him of abusing his position to prematurely conduct his 
election campaign.

The 34-year-old vice-mayor allied to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian dismissed 
these claims as he chaired a recent session of the current city council.

Unlike several fringe parties, none of Armenia’s leading opposition groups has 
nominated a mayoral candidate so far. Artsvik Minasian, a senior member of the 
main opposition Hayastan alliance, said on Friday that it clarify its intentions 
later this month.

The last Yerevan elections were held in September 2018. Pashinian’s bloc won the 
overwhelming majority of seats in the city council and installed TV comedian 
Hayk Marutian as mayor. The council ousted Marutian in December 2021 after he 
fell out with Pashinian.




French Firm To Halt Armenian Brandy Exports To Russia
May 19, 2023
        • Robert Zargarian

Armenia - Grapes delivered to a Yerevan Brandy Company facility in Ararat 
province, 7Sep2015.


Armenia’s leading brandy producer heavily dependent on the Russian market may 
face an uncertain future after its French parent company’s decision to stop 
exports of all its international brands to Russia.

The Pernod Ricard giant announced the decision, clearly linked to Western 
sanctions against Moscow, late last week.

“We will also cease the distribution of our portfolio in Russia, a process that 
we anticipate will take some months to complete,” it said in a statement.

Pernod Ricard’s worldwide subsidiaries include the Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC), 
Armenia’s largest brandy maker and wholesale buyer of grapes. The YBC could not 
be reached for comment on Friday.

The Russian news agency TASS quoted an unnamed YBC source as saying that the 
company is continuing brandy shipments to Russia for now. The source did not 
elaborate.

“I have not yet received official information, but it seems official: the 
Yerevan Brandy Company will stop its exports to Russia,” Armenian Economy 
Minister Vahan Kerobian told lawmakers on Thursday.

Most of the brandy produced by YBC and other Armenian firms is exported to 
Russia. These exports reportedly totaled $180 million in 2021.

Armenia - Export-bound brandy stored at the Yerevan Brandy Company.

According to Avag Harutiunian, the head of the Armenian Union of Winemakers, YBC 
has accounted for roughly one-third of grapes grown in the South Caucasus 
country and purchased by local producers of wines and spirits.

“There will now be very serious tensions in our market,” Harutiunian told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

“We have to wait and see what the situation will be,” Kerobian said in this 
regard. He acknowledged that Pernod Ricard’s decision will have an adverse 
impact on Armenian grape farmers.

The minister promised that the Armenian government will mitigate the anticipate 
fallout. But he did not specify concrete steps that could be taken by the 
government.

Other Armenian brandy makers already cut back on grape purchases last year, 
sparking protests by their suppliers. Some of those grape farmers said last fall 
that they will have to cut down their vineyards.


Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

AW: USAID Administrator Samantha Power continues dodging questions on humanitarian crisis in Artsakh

Christine Harutyunian
 ANCA ANCA News 0

WASHINGTON, DC –US House Foreign Affairs Committee senior members Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) called for concrete answers from US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power regarding the Biden administration’s two-year-long failure to operate any US humanitarian aid programs in Artsakh, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

During the May 17th House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) foreign assistance budget, Rep. Sherman asked Administrator Power, “We’ve got a blockade of Artsakh, part of an effort to ethnically cleanse the area. People need food, aid. Does this area meet the USAID’s definition of a crisis?”

Administrator Power dodged the question, instead referencing the US State Department’s non-earmarked funding for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which has been able to deliver limited assistance through the Azerbaijani blockade to Artsakh’s 120,000 indigenous Armenian population. US funding is available for all of ICRC’s global humanitarian efforts, but Artsakh aid is solely offered at the ICRC’s discretion.

Rep. Smith, referencing Azerbaijan’s Artsakh blockade, asked how assistance is getting to Artsakh’s Armenian population.

Administrator Power noted, “I gather that an ICRC convoy did, in fact, get in today. But access has been very, very limited. Many, many staples are in short supply. […] It should be coming in through commercial means as it always was, but since the road has been blocked and the checkpoints have been erected, commercial access has not been possible. So we understand it to have been a combination of Russian peacekeepers and ICRC deliveries when those can go in.”

Power touted, “USAID has sent two assessment missions to the [Nagorno Karabakh] region, and we are encouraging the UN to send an interagency assessment mission as well.” The most recent Artsakh aid assessment was in response to a provision in the Fiscal Year 2023 spending bill that directs the Department of State and USAID to provide Congress with an assistance strategy for addressing humanitarian and recovery needs arising from the Artsakh conflict and identifies the US “resources and programs,” available for this purpose. Though the assessment was due on March 1st, the results have not been made widely available to Congressional offices.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ), in a contentious exchange with Administrator Power two weeks earlier, asked USAID to send him the assessments.

The ANCA has been vocal in its calls for immediate humanitarian assistance to Artsakh in response to the forced displacement of over 100,000 Artsakh Armenians resulting from Azerbaijan and Turkey’s 2020 attacks on Artsakh and Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade. During Administrator Power’s time in office, USAID has not operated any US assistance programs in Artsakh.

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


Armenian premier, EC president discuss regional situation — Armenian government

Christine Harutyunian
 TASS 
Russia –
The sides also discussed the upcoming tripartite meeting of Nikol Pashinyan, Charles Michel and Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev

YEREVAN, May 14. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held an informal meeting with European Council President Charles Michel in Brussels on Saturday to discuss situation in the region, the Armenian government’s press service said.

"In the course of the informal meeting, the sides exchanged opinions about the current military, political and humanitarian situation in the region," the press service said. "Prime Minister Pashinyan touched upon the situation that emerged as a result of provocative and aggressive actions taken by the Azerbaijani armed forces against the sovereign territory of Armenia over the past days and aimed at disrupting the efforts to continue peace talks."

"Issues related to the humanitarian crisis that emerged in Nagorno Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor were also discussed," it said. "The sides have also touched upon questions related to reconciliation of Armenia and Azerbaijan."

The sides also discussed the upcoming tripartite meeting of Pashinyan, Michel and Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev, and the importance of holding a meeting with the participation of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Chisinau on June 1.

https://tass.com/world/1617131