19:17,
YERERVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan's visit to Moscow is being prepared, ARMENPRESS reports, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, told "RIA Novosti",
"The visit is being prepared," Zakharova said, answering the relevant question.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia will visit Moscow in the near future.
Red, blue and orange bolts of cloth at various metro Philadelphia JoAnn fabric stores were recently transformed into a 30-yard-long Armenian tricolor banner through the work of four women who accepted the challenge to create the symbol of Armenian freedom and resistance for last month’s Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Eastern Region protest to cut US military aid to Azerbaijan.
The idea to include a tricolor banner at the February 2 Washington, DC protest was inspired by recent mobilizations in Artsakh and Armenia featuring yards-long banners of red, blue and orange, sewn together and lifted toward the sky by demonstrators to put the Aliyev regime and its aiders and abettors on notice that efforts to strip Artsakh’s people of their protected self-determination rights will be resisted.
Stepanakert, December 25, 2022 (Photo: Weekly contributor Vahagn Khachatrian)
ARF Central Committee member Sevag Shirozian volunteered to investigate the price and logistics of ordering the tricolor for the protest from a commercial vendor and concluded that there might be a better way to avoid cost and timing issues if he turned to a reliable contact for the work: his wife Taline.
“I was upstairs in my bedroom,” Taline recalled. “He texted me the information and asked, ‘Can we do this?’” When Sevag informed Taline of the desired size of the banner envisioned, her first reaction was, “No, what are you talking about?”
Her second reaction was, “Let me think about it.”
Taline conducted her own online investigation of fabric options and drove to a local fabric store to see and feel the cloth. She settled on a satin-looking polyester material and informed her husband, “Okay, maybe with your mom and aunts, I can do this. If we can do something, let’s do it.”
With less than a week to work on the banner, Taline began the fabric gathering process, spending nearly six hours driving to five JoAnn fabric stores to amass the quantity of red, blue and orange cloth needed for the project.
With her mother-in-law Anahid Shirozian, Taline spent an evening sizing and cutting the fabric. The following day, they went to their old dry cleaning and alteration store to use the industrial sewing machine that Anahid had operated for years when the business was still open.
“At the beginning, it was just me and mom,” said Taline. “Then, the horkours heard about the process and said they wanted to help too.” Mary Shirozian Hatsakordzian and Vartouhi Shirozian Koumroukian joined Taline and Anahid for a six-hour day to start sewing the red, blue and orange cloth panels together. A final eight-hour day was spent at the shop to finish sewing the banner, and then pressing and winding it onto a roller for safe transport to Washington, DC. Taline estimated that the entire banner project took 20 hours to complete.
“From the first minute, my answer to help was ‘yes,’” said Anahid Shirozian, remembering her daughter-in-law’s call for help. “I respect the flag. This is my responsibility. We still have the store and the machines, so we were able to go there and do the work. I knew it was being used for an important purpose.”
Mary Shirozian Hatsakordzian, Vartouhi Shirozian Koumroukian and Anahid Shirozian hard at work on the Armenian flag (Photo: Sevag Shirozian)
“My sisters-in-law came to help because we needed more than two people for the ironing and folding,” she continued. “It wasn’t work for just two people. The flag has always had an important part in our lives and we have always displayed it in our home. It is the same for my children and grandchildren. It was a great honor to do this work. It was a joy.”
At the protest site outside the US Capitol, Taline stood before the gathering crowd and watched protesters slowly unwind the tricolor banner and take their place to hold it front and center.
“From the first moment, I looked at it and told them not to let it hit the ground,” she said. “I think it was new to see a banner of this size for the people who were there. It was the first time they were holding something like that.”
“We see in Armenia that type of long flag, but we don’t see it here,” added Koumroukian. “We were very glad to help with this. Taline and Anahid were brave to take on this project, and we were there to help.”
ANCA Eastern Region brings together hundreds of activists for Artsakh, February 2, 2023 (Photo: Sevag Shirozian)
The impact of seeing the finished product of their labor also deeply touched the four women, because the protest was occurring on the death anniversary of Kevork Shirozian – their father-in-law, husband or brother – who died unexpectedly two years ago.
“I thought, ‘My brother loved the flag,’” Hatsakordzian recalled. “When he got sick, it hurt me so much. I thought, ‘I should do this in his memory.’ That’s when I decided that whatever expense there was, I would donate it.”
Hatsakordzian’s promise to herself was fulfilled when her nephew Sevag recently delivered his aunt’s $1,000 check to the ARF Central Committee office without fanfare.
“I said I would go and stand in his place in Washington,” she added, remembering the cold day in February at the protest.
“I’m 80 years old, and I wonder now, ‘How did we do that work?’ But at the protest, it was a proud moment to see the tricolor being used, and I was satisfied. My heart was at peace that I could help.”
Armenian Airlines performed the first flight to Moscow from Yerevan.
“We are pleased to announce that a new air carrier, Armenian Airlines, has entered the Armenian market, which on March 11 made its first flight on the Yerevan-Moscow-Yerevan route on an Airbus A321-200 aircraft. The flights will be operated five times a week – on Mondays , Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays – from Zvartnots International Airport to Sheremetyevo International Airport,” the message on the airport’s Facebook page says.
In addition, from March 13, the airline will start operating flights on the Yerevan-Sochi-Yerevan route on Mondays and Fridays, and from March 19, it will operate Yerevan-Samara-Yerevan flights on Sundays.
After February 24, almost all international airlines left the Russian market. However, 40 international airlines still operate flights to Russia.
17:30,
YEREVAN, 10 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 10 March, USD exchange rate down by 0.31 drams to 388.18 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.44 drams to 411.00 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 5.11 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.04 drams to 464.88 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price up by 170.35 drams to 22856.38 drams. Silver price down by 0.02 drams to 251.10 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
Armen Mazloumian is a medical doctor who was born in Egypt after his grandparents came to the country in the wake of the 1915 Armenian genocide.
The Mazloumians and thousands of others joined an existing Armenian community in Egypt, one that flourished over the centuries as skilled craftspeople, traders, and cultivators of crops including tobacco and oranges.
“Living in Egypt gave us the freedom to learn our language, and build churches and clubs,” Mazloumian says.
The Armenian community was famous for its abilities in goldsmithing, jewellery making, watchmaking, photography, zinc graphs, and in the fur industry.
“Egypt embraced Armenians, now it’s time for us to preserve our identity and traditions,” he adds.
Long history
Armenians have a long history in Egypt that dates back to the time of the Fatimid dynasty in the 11th century.
Over the centuries, the Armenian community has made significant contributions to Egyptian society, from crafts to cuisine and various other industries.
Egypt saw a particularly large influx of Armenian refugees following the 1915 Armenian genocide, in the final years of the Ottoman Empire in World War 1.
Juice pedlars stand with their carts outside the Bab al-Nasr (Gate of Victory), which was built in 1087 during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al-Mustansir (AFP)
Around 1.5 million Armenians were killed at this time, in what historians established, and many countries accept, was a genocide.
Louis Dartige du Fournet, a French admiral, was responsible for organising the evacuation of over 4,000 Armenians who were resisting the genocide and defending Musa Dagh, meaning "Moses Mountain", in what is now the Hatay province of Turkey.
The French transported the Armenians to Egypt’s Port Said on six vessels. Here they established a refugee camp where Armenians were able to get access to food, medical care, and education.
Although the camp was dismantled by 1919 and many of the people returned back to Musa Dagh, in the Hatay province of Turkey, some remained in Egypt.
The influence of Egypt's Armenian community can be seen across Egypt.
“The number of Armenians in Egypt during [the 11th century] was around 30,000,” explains Mohamed Refaat Imam, professor of modern and contemporary history at Egypt’s Damanhour University.
“Six of them held high positions, from viziers and provincial governors. Badr al-Jamali was the most famous Armenian vizier at the time,” he tells Middle East Eye.
Armenian refugees in the Port Said camp in 1915 (Public domain)
Jamali was responsible for the refortification of Cairo in the 1080s, which was intended to protect the city from a possible attack from the Seljuk Turks.
He replaced old brick walls with stone walls, which can still be seen today. Bab al-Fatuh, Bab al-Nasr, and Bab Zuweila are the three remaining gates in the city wall of the old city of Cairo, which all feature elegant stonework and engravings.
The Armenian community also flourished under Mohamed Ali Pasha, who was the Ottoman governor of Egypt and its de factor ruler from 1805 to 1848.
“The era of Mohamed Ali is considered a golden age for Armenians. Although their population did not exceed 2,000 people, they were able to contribute to building modern Egypt economically, socially, politically, and administratively,” Imam says.
Armenians were able to establish links with Indian, Ottoman, and European markets, and paved the way for a number of trades to thrive in the country.
“The Armenians contributed to the cultivation of indigo, a coloured dye, for export to Europe, as well as opium, which Egypt used to export to pharmaceutical factories in Europe,” Imam says.
Armenians were also responsible for introducing mandarin orange cultivation to Egypt.
An Armenian merchant, Yusuf Effendi al-Armani, brought mandarin bushes from Malta and planted them in Mohamed Ali Pasha’s orchard. Today, Egyptians still call the mandarin orange ‘Yousfi’ or ‘Yusuf effendi’, in honour of the merchant.
Mandarin oranges in Egypt are named after the Armenian merchant Yusuf Effendi (Supplied/Mohamed Refaat Imam)
Van Leo, an Armenian-Egyptian photographer born in 1921, became famous for his ability to manipulate light and shadows, and as a result, was asked to photograph many film stars and other well-known figures during his 50-year-long career.
Prior to WW1, Armenians also ran much of Egypt's tobacco industry. Brands such as Coutarelli and Sarkissian had thousands of employees and the cigarettes and tobacco they produced were sold at an affordable price around Egypt and in Sudan.
Today, the Armenian community in Egypt is working hard to preserve their ancestors’ legacy.
According to Mazloumian, around 8,000 Armenians remain in Egypt today and they have been preserving their heritage in three main ways. “Through schools, clubs, and the church,” he exclaims.
Egyptian Armenians take part in Christmas mass in the Armenian Catholic Church of the Assumption in Cairo (AFP)
The clubs run various activities for young Armenians, from football to basketball and scouts. There are also sessions on Armenian folklore and workshops on Armenian embroidery.
In Cairo at the Kalousdian-Nubarian Armenian school, which was established in 1854, students have the opportunity to learn the Armenian language, religion, and history alongside the traditional Egyptian school curriculum.
“We usually hold events to introduce Armenian culture to the public. They aren’t frequent, but we hold it whenever we can,” says Mazloumian.
"Through blood and tears, the Armenian people have managed to not only hold on to their heritage but to strengthen their resolve and values," he added.
"Preserving the Armenian language, family life and rituals has a powerful role in helping Armenians around the world uphold a strong sense of identity and heritage."
13:27, 7 March 2023
YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will hold a meeting with visiting United States Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Louis Bono on March 7, the United States Embassy announced.
“The U.S. Embassy in Armenia welcomes Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Louis Bono to Yerevan. During his visit on March 7, SACN Bono will meet with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other Armenian government officials and others to advance the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” the embassy announced in a statement posted on social media.
We are supporters of the principle of right to self-determination as well as of territorial integrity, and we must improve general security in the region. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced this Thursday during the joint news conference with visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Berlin, answering a question about the situation in the Lachin corridor.
Scholz, in fact, bypassed the subject of the Lachin Corridor, only stating: "We talked about that issue in detail. I am glad that the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, participates, mediates. We also invest our efforts and have our role. In this difficult situation, my colleague's leadership is really difficult."
19:00, 2 March 2023
YEREVAN, MARCH 2, ARMENPRESS. Germany is concerned about the unstable situation on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Germany attaches importance to reaching a peaceful settlement from the point of view of the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the right of self-determination of the citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh, ARMENPRESS reports, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz announced at a joint press conference after the meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.
Scholz said that during the meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister, they exchanged ideas regarding the deepening of bilateral relations. He mentioned the fact that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has started a process of comprehensive reforms in Armenia. Germany wants to continue assisting Armenia on this way, within the scope of its capabilities. Scholz considered it important that last year Germany started cooperation with Armenia in the field of development.
Scholz also emphasized that Armenia and Azerbaijan should go step by step to a long-term solution. The Armenian Prime Minister presented Sholts with the latest developments in Nagorno-Karabakh. "We are concerned about the unstable situation on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The status quo cannot continue and a long-term solution must be found for the good of the people. From this point of view, it is necessary to reach a peaceful resolution, from the point of view of the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the right of self-determination of the citizens of NK. Moreover, all these principles are equal," said the Chancellor.
Germany supports the mediation efforts of the President of the European Council Charles Michel. Scholz emphasized that Germany did this by also sending German personnel as part of the EU civilian mission. Moreover, that mission will be headed by a German federal police officer.
Scholz considered the exchange of ideas between Pashinyan and Aliyev in Prague and Munich as an encouraging step for the resolution of the conflict.
Referring to the question and the observation that Azerbaijan does not even comply with the decision of the Hague Court to ensure free movement through the Lachin Corridor, Scholz reaffirmed. "We support the right to self-determination, as well as the principle of territorial integrity." He emphasized the improvement of security in the region.
Scholz and Pashinyan also talked about the countries' economic relations. The Chancellor of Germany encouraged Prime Minister Pashinyan to continue his fight against corruption.
Scholz also thanked the Armenian Prime Minister for his visit to Germany.
12:24,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan says that by blockading the Lachin Corridor Azerbaijan actually inflicted greater harm on itself politically than on Armenia and Artsakh and now Baku is in a deadlock.
Commenting on the world court ruling, the Speaker said that Armenia will maximally make use of this decision in all international organizations.
“We are achieving rather big success internationally and we will continue to work in this direction. I think that the closure of the Lachin corridor inflicted greater harm on Azerbaijan than on Armenia and Artsakh politically. Yes, we suffered, indeed, we are taking it hard, yes, our compatriots are blocked, we have problems. But by my evaluation, politically Azerbaijan has appeared in a deadlock,” Speaker Simonyan said when asked by ARMENPRESS to comment.
Asked whether or not lifting the blockade, fulfilling the world court’s order, could be a precondition in the negotiations, the Speaker reiterated that Armenia does not negotiate over Lachin corridor because a negotiated and signed agreement on the Lachin corridor already exists, i.e., the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement.
The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice – ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.
The Lachin Corridor is blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022.