Author: Kalashian Nyrie

Armenia to celebrate World Tourism Day
26.09.2009 13:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On September 28, Yerevan will celebrate World
Tourism Day. People who have made their contribution to the sphere
will receive awards, RA Economy Ministry’s press service reports.

The event will be attended by RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan who
will bestow Government’s acknowledgement awards upon the outstanding
representatives of the sphere, says the Ministry’s release.

Economy Minister Nerses Yeristsyan will in turn bestow Ministry’s gold
medals (released for the first time) and acknowledgement awards upon
several tourism industry representatives.

The event will also be attended by Ministers, MPs, people working in
tourism sphere, as well as representatives of public and private
sector, international organization and media.

Traditionally celebrated on September 27, World Tourism Day is aimed
at raising public awareness of international tourism development.

European Union Imposes 5 Year Tariff on Armenian Aluminum
2009/09/26 | 10:11

economy

A ccording to Bloomberg.com, The European Union imposed five- year
tariffs on aluminum foil from China, Brazil and Armenia to help EU
producers compete against cheaper imports.

The duties as high as 30 percent punish Chinese, Brazilian and
Armenian exporters for selling the wrapping in the 27-nation EU below
cost, a practice known as dumping. The tariffs are 17.6 percent on
Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio and any other Brazilian exporters,
13.4 percent on Armenia’s Rusal-Armenal and any fellow exporters and
as much as 30 percent on Chinese manufacturers.

The EU accepted an offer by Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio to sell
at a minimum price in return for an exemption from the anti-dumping
duty while rejecting a similar proposal by Rusal-Armenal.

The duties against China, Brazil and Armenia are the outcome of a
probe opened in July 2008 after a dumping complaint by the European
Association of Metals.

REPUBLICAN-ARF DEBATE

14:20:28 – 25/09/2009
hos15306.html

In his debate on September 25 with the Republican member Gagik
Melikyan, the ARF member Artsvik Minasyan said in connection with the
Armenian and Turkish protocols that the ARF considered the principle
of self-determination the only on which the Karabakh issue had to be
based. But little by little it was replaced by the principle of
territorial integrity which means that we are regressing and it is
dangerous for Karabakh.

Gagik Melikyan, as all the other Republican members and the
governmental supporters refuses that the Armenian and Turkish
protocols may be determined by the precondition of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Gagik Melikyan in general thinks that all the
concern which the political forces including the ARF voice after the
release of the protocols have no real ground.

He stated that we are not demanders but we demand our homeland but no
one is going to offer it to us. We have to struggle having a strong
country, strong government and strong people, says Gagik Melikyan.

According to him, Turkey cannot impose preconditions `Second, do not
ever think that Turkey will ever recognize the Armenian genocide, even
after singing of not signing these protocols. I do not think the Turks
have documents refuting the fact of genocide. If they had they would
have released them long ago’, says Gagik Melikyan.

Artsvik Minasyan replied that Gagik Melikyan was telling a dangerous
thing. `I am sure you do not think this way. You just want to defend
that protocol. Without demanding, you cannot create homeland said
Artsvik Minasyan adding that it is offensive for him that those
protocols deprive the Armenians from their historical right, their
homeland.

By the way, Gagik Melikyan said they are also concerned with the
protocols, which will be seen after signing. According to Melikyan,
this worry concerns to the tax and customs services. Artsvik Minasyan
told Melikyan that in connection with the Armenian and Turkish
relations, they do not need to ignore the opinions of a party which
has an experience of more than 100 years.

ARMENIAN VICE PRIME MINISTER PAYS A WORKING VISIT TO SYUNIK

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS:Armenian vice prime minister,
territorial administration minister Armen Gevorgyan paid today a
working visit to the Armenian province of Syunik. Press office of the
ministry told Armenpress that accompanied by the governor, Armen
Gevorgyan visited and got acquainted with the Yerevan-Meghri highways’
sector near Karahunj village which has partially collapsed because of
landslide. A number of measures are being undertaken to make the road
sector passable. The vice prime minister got acquainted with the
construction of the collapsed part of the road.
Afterwards Armen Gevorgyan visited the Goris school # 4 which is
being reconstructed with the funds of Armenia’s Social Investments
Foundation and got acquainted with the construction process.
A consultation also took place in Goris headed by the vice prime
minister with the participation of heads of communities and active of
governor’s office. During the consultation the participants discussed
social-economic issues of the province, construction process.
Armen Gevorgyan got acquainted with the "Goris 1" experimental
program which was implemented in Armenia by the Swiss cooperation
office. Within the framework of the program two buildings were
built. It is also expected to implement "Goris 2" program according to
which a new district of social apartments will be built.
Today a trilateral contract will be signed between Armenian
Territorial Administration Ministry, Syunik Governor’s Office and
Swiss Cooperation Agency.

Summer Inspiration project participants awarded in Ashtarak
24.09.2009 22:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ VivaCell-MTS announced the closing of the 2009
Summer Inspiration project for regional culture houses and arts and
crafts schools of Armenia, the company said on its website.

The closing ceremony was hosted by Ashtarak Culture House, one of the
winners of the contest, which brought together 175 pupils and
instructors from winning Houses of Culture and Schools of Arts from 10
marzes of Armenia.

The event started with the welcoming speech of Ashtarak Cultural House
Director Anahit Gevorgyan who expressed tokens of appreciation to
VivaCell-MTS for the project aimed at stimulating inspiration by
national and world art. The opening ceremony was followed by
exhibition of the best works of children, after which the awarding
ceremony for winners of the national contest took place.

VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian presented the winning
House of Culture of Art School from each marz with a certificate. The
winning educational centers of the contest received their respective
prizes: computers, musical instruments, microphones, speakers, pieces
of furniture, video cameras, as well as cash for renovation and
improvement of the premises they are located in. VivaCell-MTS provided
each winning Culture House and Art School with the prize based on
their reported needs.

`All unpredictable accomplishments of Armenian art with its
soul-shaking impact on Armenian people and on the whole world have
come to prove that Armenian people has been rich in its own
talents. Under our VivaCell-MTS to Children agenda, we want Armenian
children to embrace the whole beauty of the world and have it
expressed in their works. Creativity and innovation ` here are the
pillars on which our young generation will develop the world-outlook
of modern artist,’ said VivaCell-MTS General Manager. `By revealing
young talents, sponsoring classical music festivals environmental and
film festivals and many other things we do, we ai
show and prove that nowadays and forever, Armenian art, will not
vanish as long as it is alive under the worthy fingers of our
children.’

Summer Inspiration project was aimed at revealing and promoting the
creativity of young talents in the regions of Armenia. The vivid
imagination was the theme for the contest. The artwork was judged on
originality, clear expression, and reflections of cultural traditions
in the work of art. Works were presented in a variety of mediums
including folk dance, singing, painting, needlework, acting, craft and
photography associated with VivaCell-MTS or displaying VivaCell-MTS
corporate brand logo.

Summer Inspiration project brought lots of memorable moments of joy
and inspiration to the children of Armenia. The main moral of this
project was to stir the feeling of responsibility among the children
for their school, their town, and region.

The Summer Inspiration project started on August 19 in Lori, and
reached all ten marzes of Armenia including Aragatsotn, Armavir,
Ararat, Vayots Dzor, Syunik, Kotayk, Gegharkunik and Shirak regions,
and was finalized in Tavush. Over 2 thousand children took part in the
project.

Central bank of Armenia approves budget and investment program for 2010

YEREVAN, September 25. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia has approved
the budget and investment program for 2010 at the Council meeting,
headed by the Chairman of the Central Bank of Arthur Javadyan.

This has been reported by the Service of Public Relations of the
Central Bank today. `0-

ARMENIAN DRAMATIC ARTS ALLIANCE
Sunset Gower Studios, 1438 N. Gower St., Box 24, Courtyard Suite 43
Hollywood, CA 90028 USA
323 315 9415
, [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Anahid Shahrik, Steel Grey Productions
310-405-3243

ERIC NAZARIAN WINS ADAA’S LILLIAN & VARNUM PAUL 2009 SCREENWRITING AWARD

LOS ANGELES, California (September 18, 2009) – Screenwriter Eric
Nazarian has won the 2009 $10,000 Lillian & Varnum Paul Screenwriting
Award for his screenplay, `Music for Strangers.’ The award was given
at the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA) 2nd Biennial Paul Awards
Celebration, Saturday, September 12 at Sunset Gower Studios in
Hollywood.

The celebration, hosted by famed London actor/comedian Kev Orkian,
kicked off with a presentation of the Armenian Star Award to Producer
and former CEO of Sunset Gower Studios, Robert Papazian, for his
contributions to Armenians in the industry. The Emmy-Award winning
producer’s credits include the HBO Series Rome, the NBC film Inherit
the Wind, and more than 80 other television movies, series and
miniseries. The Star Award was presented to Papazian by Sunset Gower
Studios Vice President Terri Melkonian, who was mentored by Papazian.

Guests at the ADAA event included many high-level professionals from
the industry and renowned actors of Armenian decent, including Ken
Davitian (Get Smart, Borat), Marty Papazian (Jarhead) and Angela
Sarafyan (A Beautiful Life).

The Lillian & Varnum Paul Screenwriting Award was established in 2007
by the late Mr. Varnum Paul and his wife, Lillian, through their fund
at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, facilitated
by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. The Award, administered
by ADAA, recognizes outstanding screenplays based on Armenian themes
and is given biennially.

The other finalists of the Paul Screenwriting Award were Levon
Minasian with Ester Mann, for the screenplay, `Moskvitch, My Love’=3B
and David Deranian and Anthony Zanontian for their screenplay, `The
Bedouin,’ based on the book of the same title by Araxy Tatoulian.

Contest Administrator and ADAA Board of Trustees member Kristen
Lazarian thanked this year’s Honorary Jury: Oscar-nominated filmmaker
Atom Egoyan, theater director/former literary agent Michael Peretzian,
and Alcon Entertainment Vice President Steven P. Wegner. She also
shared the synopses of the top three scripts and acknowledged the
finalists, all of whom were present.

Actress, ADAA founding board member and daughter of Lillian and Varnum
Paul, Karen Kondazian, shared vivid memories of her parents and
invited His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian to announce the
winner.

`Music for Strangers’ is a poignant and haunting depiction of
modern-day Armenia that tells the story of a lonely painter, Zhora,
who has a chance encounter with Anna, a woman who has been ostracized
by society after being forced into trafficking. When Anna disappears,
Zhora embarks on an odyssey through the streets of Yerevan to find
her. Born in Armenia, Eric Nazarian immigrated to the United States
with his family in 1981 and studied at the USC’s School of Cinematic
Arts.

The Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance’s mission is to make the Armenian
voice heard on the world stage through the dramatic arts of theatre
and film. The organization accomplishes this mission by supporting
playwrights and screenwriters with production opportunities, annual
industry events, networking resources, film festivals and writing
awards.

ADAA, now in its fifth year of operation, recently opened its new west
coast office at Sunset Gower Studios, the original home of Columbia
Pictures and many of its Oscar-winning films. The Oscar winning film,
>From Here to Eternity, was written in the new ADAA office. The
historic studio courtyard was the venue for the Paul Awards
celebration. `ADAA has come a long way and looks forward to
developing even more resources for the encouragement and assistance of
Armenian artists,’ said ADAA founder and President, playwright Bianca
Bagatourian, during her event remarks.

In addition to the $10,000 Lillian and Varnum Paul Screenwriting
Award, ADAA administers the William Saroyan Prize for Playwriting on
Armenian themes — the deadline for which is February 15, 2010.

Donations to ADAA can be made at or by mail to
ADAA, Sunset Gower Studios, 1438 N. Gower St., Box 24, Courtyard Suite
43, Hollywood, CA 90028. For questions, contact
[email protected] or 323 315 9415.

###

AZERBAIJAN SEEKING TO HAVE GOOD RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS, BUT ARMENIA SHOULD ALSO TAKE STEPS IN THIS DIRECTION: FM

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Sept 23 2009

The gaps between Israel’s rich and poor continued to grow throughout
2007, with more people than ever falling into poverty, a report
published Monday by the Central Bureau of Statistics revealed.

Released ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty, which takes place on October 17, the report shows that some
40 percent of the country’s children were subjected to poverty-like
conditions in 2007, and the socioeconomic gaps between Jewish and
Arab populations and between the religious and secular have sharply
increased in recent years.

"It is a very sad situation, but I’m not at all surprised by these
statistics," said Eran Weintraub, director of the humanitarian aid
organization Latet, which regularly distributes food packages to
the needy.

"It’s very simple: Israel has no national program to tackle poverty,
and with the markets now in recession the numbers joining the cycle
of poverty has increased dramatically," he said, adding that his
organization experienced an increase of 20% in requests for food aid
before Rosh Hashana, coupled with a 30% drop in donations.

"Obviously the situation is more difficult for those who don’t
work, but it has also become hard for those who do work," continued
Weintraub. "Many employers have cut back on salaries and benefits,
while prices for basic goods are still rising."

Entitled, "The Face of Society: Objective and Subjective Indices
of Poverty and Social Exclusion," the CBS report examines eight
basic socioeconomic parameters: social, economic and employment
hardship, poverty and social exclusion, welfare, education, health
and transport. Poverty risk is defined as a household with disposable
per capita income of less than 60% of the national median.

According to the report, the economic difficulties faced by some
segments of the population are much more extreme than for others.

For example, in the Arab-Israeli community more than 70% of children
were listed as at risk of poverty, compared to only 27% of Jewish
children. And 26% of women are more likely to be at risk of falling
into poverty, versus 24% of men.

The CBS also looked at the rate of people foregoing food due to
economic reasons. It found that between 2003 and 2007, the number
of children foregoing food increased by 7%, while 23% of women said
they’d given up food compared to only 18% of men.

In the ultra-Orthodox community, more than twice as many people (30%)
had to forego food due to the economic situation, compared to the
secular population, which stood at 15%.

And the situation in the Arab sector was more severe, with the rate
of foregoing food more than doubling between 2003 and 2007 (21%
versus 50% respectively).

INTERNET PROVIDERS CRITICIZE PROPOSED NET NEUTRALITY

Tert
Sept 22 2009
Armenia

US proposals to ensure that all traffic on the internet is treated
equally have drawn strong criticism from providers, reports technology
reporter Maggie Shiels of BBC News.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants rules to
prevent providers blocking or slowing down bandwidth-heavy usage such
as streaming video.

Providers claim a two-tiered system is essential for the future
vitality of the net. But many consumer groups argue that so-called
net neutrality is at the very heart of what the web is about.

"This is a tremendous day for millions of us who have been clamouring
to keep the internet free from discrimination," said John Silver,
executive director of advocacy group Free Press.

FCC Chair Julius Genachowski said the increasing number of people
who went online using their mobile phones could not be ignored.

"The revolution in wireless technologies and the creation of
path-breaking devices like the Blackberry and iPhone have enabled
millions of us to carry the internet in our pockets and purses."

The FCC’s proposals are meant to ensure that internet service providers
cannot block or slow down traffic, such as bandwidth-hogging video
downloads. Operators must also be transparent about network management,
it said.

"This is about fair rules of the road for companies that control
access to the internet," said Genachowski.

PRESS RELEASE
Glendale Public Library
222 East Harvard Street
Glendale CA 91205
Tel: 818-548-2030
Web:

Please join us at the Glendale Public Library Auditorium for

Centennial Memorial of the Adana Massacres

On Sunday, October 11, 4 p.m. at the Glendale Central Library
Auditorium, 222 East Harvard Street. Admission is free.

For more information please check the attachment.

Thanks,

Elizabeth Grigorian
Glendale Public Library
(818) 548-3288