15:42,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan will participate in the inauguration ceremony of newly elected President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the parliament of Armenia.
Simonyan will leave for Uruguay from February 28 until March 3.
“Gate to Heaven”, a feature film about Artsakh directed by Jivan Avetisyan, will premiere in Canada on 4 and 5 April.
The film screening is scheduled to take place at York Cinemas of Toronto, the film's team told Panorama.am.
The Canadian premiere of the Armenian drama is being held at the initiative of the Armenian Club of Toronto.
Before that, on March 21, the film will be screened at Alex Theater in Los Angeles in attendance of world-famous Italian composer Michele Josia, who wrote the score of the film.
The Armenian and Artsakh premiere of the film was held in October 2019.
“Gate to Heaven” centers on Robert Stenvall, a European journalist, who returns to Artsakh in 2016 to cover the Four-Day April War. During his time in Artsakh, Stenvall meets Sophia Martirosyan, a young Opera singer and daughter of a missing photojournalist Edgar Martirosyan whom Robert left behind in captivity in the village during the fall of Talish in 1992.
“Gate to Heaven” is a co-production of Armenia, Lithuania. Finland and France.
ArmInfo.Former director of the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia Arthur Vanetsyan, heading a new center-right political party, intends to act in opposition to the government of Nikol Pashinyan.
In an interview with Interfax news agency, former head of the NSS of Armenia Artur Vanetsyan stated that the new political force will be centrist – center-right, and that traditions and progress will be harmoniously interwoven in the basis of ideology and programs. <At the moment, there is a process of extensive consultations with like-minded people and possible partners, and only after all possible discussions we will put forward specific program provisions and a roadmap for further actions. The new political force will be the opposition, "Vanetsyan said. According to him, currently there are many problems in Armenia that need to be resolved, and the government has moved away from the goals of the" velvet revolution "in spring 2018. The ex-director of the NSS believes that there can be no return to the past in Armenia. At the same time, Vanetsyan is against tough political demarcation in society on the principle of "who is not with us, that is against us."
"This postulate today, obviously, has become a convenient rule for the current government, which is unacceptable from the point of view of building a rule of law, separation of branches of power and a balanced civil society. To my extreme conviction, radicalism and extremes should not have a place in today's Armenia. An alternative there is a black and white political field, because the world is actually full of colors, and even with dozens of shades. And we intend to create our spectrum in a common political palette, "Vanetsyan said. "Instead of widespread social consolidation, without which Armenia cannot overcome the threats hanging over the country and society, we have received new internal" trenches ", dividing into" black and white "," old and new "," consonants and not so ", mercilessly fighting each other with a friend in an atmosphere of universal hatred. A separate topic is the inadmissibility of involving power structures in all this, "Vanetsyan said.
He emphasized that Russia remains and will be a strategic ally of Armenia, in the interests of the two countries to remain reliable and predictable partners. According to him, Yerevan and Moscow should preserve the centuries-old history and the accumulated potential of fraternal and strategic relations, steadily develop them both in the bilateral and in the multilateral formats of the EAEU and CSTO.
"Today, many of those who were in the opposition's leadership and aggressively took anti-Russian positions, right up to the legislative initiative on the withdrawal of Armenia from the EAEU by Nikol Pashinyan himself, are at the helm of power in Armenia. They stated that the EAEU is a threat to the sovereignty of Armenia. Meanwhile, today they use every opportunity to emphasize the importance of Armenia's membership in the EAEU and the need to deepen cooperation with the organization, "Vanetsyan emphasized, adding that" real politics and populism incompatible. "
Meanwhile, at the request of ArmInfo to comment on the political application of the former head of St. Petersburg, the director of the Caucasus Institute, an independent political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan noted that demand for opposition to the ruling regime is now forming in Armenia. There was no serious proposal to date. According to him, the configuration of parliamentary parties reflects the post- revolutionary expectations of more than a year ago, which does not fully correspond to the current public mood.
Under these conditions, Iskandaryan said, an application for the formation of a serious extra-parliamentary force is natural. Such a force could unite in itself many disparate groups of people who are skeptical of the new regime, including representatives of past elites. On the other hand, public support for the ruling "My Step" is still quite large, and the natural downgrade is highly dependent on the number of mistakes that the new government has made and will continue to make. <Usually in Armenia the opposition could not be united, it was always divided into different, rival groups. The formation of a new, serious political force is not easy, it is still difficult to expect instantaneous successes, but the appearance of such political applications already indicates, at a minimum, the formation of a political request>, the political scientist noted. To recall, Arthur Vanetsyan was appointed to the post of director of the National Security Service of the republic on May 10, 2018, after Nikol Pashinyan was elected prime minister. September 16, 2019 Vanetsyan was relieved of his post. On February 6, 2020, he announced his intention to create a party and begin a political career.
21:14, 7 February, 2020
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, ARMENPRESS. 4 contractual servicemen were left under avalanche in the positions of a military regiment located in Armenia’s Syunik Province at about 16:50, February 6.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Defense Ministry of Armenia, the bodies of 3 servicemen have been found.
The other serviceman was rescued with minor injuries.
The Defense Ministry expresses condolences to the family and friends of the victims.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
Participants of the ARS of Western USA’s first Leadership Development Series Seminar of 2020, held on Jan. 25
GLENDALE—The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA held its first Leadership Development Series Seminar of 2020. Invited to this unique event geared toward empowering the existing and up-and-coming leadership were ARS chapter executives, members, and various ARS regional and committee members, as well as members of other organizations based in Southern California. Also in attendance were current and former Central Executive members, including ARS Central Executive Chairperson Dr. Nyree Derderian. The seminar was held on Saturday, January 25, at New York Life’s conference center.
Greeted by the tunes of classical Armenian music as they checked in, attendees received an ARS branded swag bag, t-shirt, seminar folder, and an “I am ARS” card to use in photos as they entered the seminar venue.
The program opened with a music video and vintage footage of the ARS at its start 110 years ago. ARS Regional Executive Board member Anita Altounian welcomed the attendees and introduced Steve Artinian as the seminar’s main presenter. Artinian is currently Vice President of Marketing for a national company with locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The first topic was about leadership, different styles, and differences between effective and ineffective leadership. Topics presented throughout the day included: team building, public relations, social media, fundraising, estate planning, planned giving, grants, marketing, and event planning.
Additional presenters at the seminar included: Krestina Torossian (Public Relations and Social Media), Christina Malyan, Esq. (Estate Planning and Planned Giving) and Suren Seropian (Grants).
As the ARS enters its 110th year, some of the discussion during the seminar focused on effective ways of attracting the next generation to get more involved and help shape the future. “We must involve our next generation, while we stay true to our identity and who we are. We must do all that we can to let our lifelong members lead, while we work towards increasing our reach,” remarked ARS Regional Executive Chairperson Silva Poladian.
Two of the presenters, Torossian and Malyan, were young American-born professionals who do not have backgrounds in organizational work – a part of the “next generation” that the ARS is hoping to attract as members. Both women expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome they received.
The organizers surprised the audience with a number of raffles throughout the day, which were announced as guests returned from the seminar breaks. Emily Samvalian and Sarelle Janoian assisted with both the raffles and the audio and video used throughout the event. Halfway through the seminar, Samvalian and Janoian announced to attendees, in Armenian and in English, that they were going to become future “Homouhies” – future ARS members.
Following the presentations, attendees were asked to participate in a breakout session. The nine groups were given different topics to analyze and discuss, after which they presented their findings to the entire group. The topics included fundraising, community outreach and programs, perception of ARS, chapters and membership base, and the ARS in future decades – 2020, 2030, and 2040. Based on the reports, the general thinking was that the ARS and its membership should embrace growth, contemporary methods, and inclusiveness.
In closing, ARS Regional Executive Chairperson Silva Poladian thanked the presenters, the public relations committee members, the volunteers that helped organize the event, and the attendees. The presenters were given Certificates of Appreciation for their vision and support in helping make the event a success.
Ardy Kassakhian instructing a Political Science course he teaches at Glendale Community College
Major Endorsement Solidifies Kassakhian’s standing as the Clear Choice for Teachers and Education Leaders
GLENDALE—Glendale Teachers Association announced that it has endorsed Ardy Kassakhian’s Glendale City Council campaign. With more than 1,250 members, GTA is Glendale’s local voice for public education, and has led the charge in protecting and promoting the well-being of Glendale teachers and students.
“Our schools are one of the most important reasons why people decide to move to Glendale and set down their roots here. It’s why my family moved to Glendale over 30 years ago,” said Ardy Kassakhian. “Our city needs to support our schools – including our teachers, staff, and administrators who help make GUSD the great district it is. I’m proud to stand with our teachers who work hard every day on behalf of our community and its most vital resource – our children.”
GTA President Taline Arsenian states, “Ardy Kassakhian is a long time community and labor activist who has spent many years working to serve our city in a multitude of roles. He has a clear and unique understanding of the issues facing Glendale, and a plan to address these issues with new and innovative ideas, including shared uses for both city and school properties. We are excited to have him serve as our next city council member.”
Ardy Kassakhian grew up and attended public schools in Glendale. He was first elected Glendale City Clerk in 2005. As Clerk, he has reduced government waste by introducing environmentally sound practices, made election information easier to access and worked to increase voter participation. Ardy graduated from UCLA and the Executive Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He lives with his wife Courtney and their young son in Glendale.
Ardy Kassakhian is running for Glendale City Council. The election will be held on March 3, 2020. To learn more about Ardy Kassakhian, visit his website.
An elderly woman is seen at her home in Armenia. Catholic Near East Welfare Association has launched a campaign, partnering with Caritas Armenia, to provide heat to more than 700 Armenian households. (Credit: CNS photo/Caritas Armenia, courtesy CNEWA.)
NEW YORK – Poor, elderly Armenians will receive an extra hand in staying warm during the upcoming frigid winter weather under a three-year-old program developed by two Catholic charitable agencies.
Called Warm Winter, the effort of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and Caritas Armenia will open Dec. 1 and will provide fuel to more than 700 households.
Recipients will receive firewood or gas or electric heat through their local utility company. The fuel will be supplemented by food, hygienic supplies, first aid supplies and medicines.
Gagik Tarasyan, director of Caritas Armenia, said extreme weather conditions and poor housing stock make life difficult for thousands of the country’s elderly citizens.
“(To keep warm), they burn whatever is flammable, pasteboard, cardboard, garbage, paper, plastic, old clothing, shoes and young tree saplings,” Tarasyan said in a statement released by CNEWA.
Some of the materials produce toxic fumes, endangering the health of people – and at times leading to death – while damaging the environment, he said.
Social workers and volunteers have identified people most in need in 125 locations around the country. The most vulnerable people are those living in crumbling temporary housing in rural and urban regions that date to the country’s devastating 1988 earthquake, CNEWA said.
Aid agencies have determined that about 300,000 Armenians 65 years old and older – about one-third of the country’s elderly – live in poverty. CNEWA said most elderly people live alone.
Msgr. John E. Kozar, CNEWA president, said in a statement that the program is part of a broader effort to support the churches in Armenia and Georgia.
“Despite their relative obscurity and poverty,” he said, “these churches witness the Gospel in so many beautiful ways, upholding the dignity of all human life, especially in their commitment to the marginalized among them, the abandoned, the powerless, the impoverished.”
In Mantash, residents of the community complain that they got nothing from this year's harvest. They planted carrots and potatoes, but did not see the bar.