Lara Chatinian – Page 59 – Armenian Directory & News

Azerbaijani press: Onur Oymen: Armenian president’s remarks on protocols were like ‘funeral’ – INTERVIEW

March 4, 2018March 4, 2018 Lara Chatinian

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Former Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former Member of Turkish Parliament representing Republican People's Party (CHP) and well-known specialist on international relations Onur Oymen’s interview with APA

– A few days ago, Armenian president stated that protocols signed with Turkish government on August 31, 2009 in Switzerland have been abrogated. You had been against the signing of the Zurich protocols on October 9, 2009 and had continued this fight even after it was signed. What would you want to say about this after nine years?

- We have repeatedly said that normalization of relations with Armenia is absurd because it has so groundless claims against Turkey, and has committed Khojaly massacre and has been keeping Azerbaijan’s territories under occupation for long years. Zurich protocols were dead-born child. A few months later, Armenian Court of Constitution made a decision that the protocols will not be fulfilled because they were in contradiction with spirit of Declaration of Independence of Armenia and thrown them into a rubbish bin. At the time, I had repeatedly offered to withdraw the Zurich protocols from the agenda of The Grand National Assembly of Turkey. It was meaningless to keep the issue, which the people don’t accept, on the agenda of the parliament. Statement by the Armenian president looks like the burial of the dead. There is no meaning in signing protocols with a country which erects monument commemorating members of ASALA terrorist organization, which murdered Turkish diplomats, to try to normalize relations. Armenian president announced the decision that we forecasted nine years ago.

– You mean those who want to ‘normalize’ the relations between Turkey and Armenia must not forget results of Zurich protocols, don’t you?

- Of course. How can we talk about normalization of relations with a country which does not recognize Turkey’s territorial integrity, claims lands from us, slanders us with the claims of so-called ‘genocide’, keeps Azerbaijan’s territories under occupation and committed genocide against Turks?

– How will Armenia's decision to abrogate the Zurich protocols affect the integration of forces of Turkey and Azerbaijan?

– We must combine our forces in all fields. Turkey must bring the issue on Azerbaijan’s occupied territories and Khojaly genocide committed by Armenia up for discussion every day. Turkey should not allow this issue to stay out of world’s agenda. Turkey must do its best for fulfilment of UN Security Council’s resolutions. Fate of occupied seven regions must be focused on.

– How would you comment on Holland’s decision on recognition of so-called ‘Armenian genocide’ and Swedish court’s decision on refusal of municipality’s demand to erect monument of ‘Armenian genocide’?

– Before Holland, German Bundestag passed a decision to recognize so-called ‘Armenian genocide’ in early June 2016. All of these decisions are in contradiction with the international law. Despite Holland considers itself as a centre of international criminal law, parliament’s decision is groundless. Because for recognition of an event as the genocide, it’s needed a verdict by any local court or independent international court defined by the UN. As there is not any decision on 1915 events, the European Court for Human Rights had also hinted on the Perincek-Switzerland case that 1915 events cannot be characterized as ‘genocide’. Therefore, those decisions by parliaments are meaningless. Swedish court made a correct decision. Municipalities cannot pass a decision on ‘genocide’, they don’t have authority to erect monument of ‘genocide’. Europe and the world will understand it better.

Azerbaijani Press: Armenia FM had nothing to share with UN Council on human rights: Azerbaijani mission

March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 Lara Chatinian

Trend, Azerbaijan

March 1 2018

1 March 2018 17:06 (UTC+04:00)

Music: A place to belong: Folk singer Bedouine draws on her Syrian, Armenian and American roots to find her voice

March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 Lara Chatinian

The Age (Melbourne, Australia)
 Wednesday


A place to belong

by Bruce Elder


Folk singer Bedouine draws on her Syrian, Armenian and American roots
to find her voice, writes Bruce Elder.

What's in a name?

When an artist takes on a single name - think of Cher, Sting, Madonna,
Bono - their real, full name tends to disappear.

But when Azniv Korkejian took on Bedouine (a feminised version of
Bedouin - the North African Arabic nomads) she found she still
couldn't avoid her full Armenian name. Everything written about her
was prefaced by variations of "Azniv Korkejian, who makes music under
the name Bedouine".

The solution, as she explains from Los Angeles in a broad American
accent, is that "Bedouine is a band name. My actual name is Aznif."
With a quiet laugh she adds: "You can call me Aznif."

Just as The Undertones, who came from Northern Ireland, could never
escape questions about the politics of "The Troubles", so Azniv - who
was born in Aleppo, Syria, grew up in Saudi Arabia and won entry to
the United States through the famous "green card lottery" - can't
escape questions about her back story.

She was born in Syria because her mother returned to Aleppo to give
birth. At the time Azniv's father was the manager at an American
compound in Saudi Arabia. Azniv spent the first three months of her
life in Syria and has been back regularly to visit relatives, but for
most of her life she has been surrounded by Americans.

Her views about Syria's war are seen through the prism of that
country's Armenian minority.

"As a minority in Syria my family always felt pretty tolerated and
accepted by the government," she says. "So it was confusing to hear
about these war crimes and things like that."

But when it comes to Trump's immigration clampdown she has no doubt
about the US hypocrisy towards Muslims.

"The whole Muslim ban thing really doesn't make sense and it is
clearly not about ethics. Especially, when Saudi Arabia, the one
country that is not on the ban ... when you are talking about fighting
terrorism and you are not including the one country that is associated
with Wahhabism which is the idea behind the terrorist groups and the
attacks, then it really has nothing to do with ethics."

Although she is happy to talk about her country, she rarely allows
politics to enter her music.

"I don't think I have a direct political agenda but there are a couple
of songs that are reactions to things that are political," she says.
"The song Summer Cold is the reaction I had to hearing that arms,
which had been funnelled through by America, were getting into the
hands of terrorists.

"It's a very loose interpretation. You hear the lyrics, 'I've had
enough of your guns and your ammunition' and you might think it has
something to do with the war."

What makes Aznif/Bedouine musically interesting is that she has
eschewed both her Arabic/Armenian roots and the modern exponents of
folk music and reached back, quite consciously, to early Leonard Cohen
and Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake and, quite exotically, the great Astrud
Girl from Ipanema Gilberto.

"A lot of the older stuff I was digging into ... really paying
attention for the first time ... I don't want to call it the 'golden
age' but I do feel that music focused more on the song writing and the
melodies.

"I think the opposite is true for more modern music. The production
process has become more complicated. Artistically, I like it when most
of the grunt work is done on the front end - in my case the actual
song writing, the writing of the melodies, the writing of the lyrics -
and then it tapers off. There's not a whole lot of production work to
do, not a whole lot of mixing to do.

"Nowadays, it seems like a lot of the grunt work is done after ... I
don't have anything against it ... I am not a luddite ... but I do
feel when you are presented with too many options you get away from
what you started with."

At points on the Bedouine CD the listener would be forgiven for
thinking Aznif is channelling her heroes.

Solitary Daughter sees her sounding like the early Leonard Cohen. On
Louise, if you shut your eyes, you would swear Astrud Gilberto was in
the room.

The result, overlaid with strings which give everything a subtle
lushness and restrained sophistication, is a collection of songs that
reaches reach deep into the complexities of the modern world.

Ask Azniv if she sees herself as American, Syrian or Armenian and she
replies: "I think that is one of the overarching themes of the record.
This feeling of detachment and displacement ... not really belonging
to any one place."

Bedouine plays the Northcote Social Club on March 8.

Fire in downtown of Tbilisi, aliq.ge (video)

February 27, 2018February 27, 2018 Lara Chatinian

11:50 | February 27,2018 | Politics
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After midnight, a major fire broke out in one of the central streets of Tbilisi, near the Tsereteli Avenue. According to eyewitnesses, warehouses near the “Kidobani” neighborhood, which is one of the most visited shopping centers in the city, burned down.

40 fire brigades are involved in fire extinguishing. There is no information on the causes of the fire at the moment. The police do not allow firefighters to approach store owners who are trying to check whether the products themselves are preserved. Eyewitnesses are publishing videos from social networks.

Entertainment: Kev Orkian Entertains the Detroit Armenian Community

February 21, 2018February 21, 2018 Lara Chatinian

The Armenian Weekly

Feb 20 2018

By Contributor on

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.—The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) “Tzolig” chapter of Greater Detroit, celebrated the Paregentan (Mardi Gras) weekend on Feb. 10, with comedian and entertainer Kev Orkian, at the Armenian St. John’s Church Banquet Hall in Southfield.

The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) “Tzolig” chapter of Greater Detroit, celebrated the Paregentan (Mardi Gras) weekend on Feb. 10, with comedian and entertainer Kev Orkian, at the Armenian St. John’s Church Banquet Hall in Southfield (Photo: ARS “Tzolig”)

In spite of a snowstorm and blistering cold weather, the community had come out to see—and laugh with—the London-based entertainer.

A shot of the crowd at the capacity event (Photo: ARS “Tzolig”)

The evening started with the blessing of the food by Der Hrant Kevorkian. After dinner, ungerouhi Tamitza Dakessian opened the program by inviting ungerouhi Helena Bardakjian to sing the American, Armenian, and ARS anthems.

Kev, during his piano performance (Photo: ARS “Tzolig”)

Ungerouhi Dakessian then welcomed attendees and thanked them for being present despite the unfavorable weather conditions. She then gave a brief report about the organization’s various projects and the “Tzolig” chapter’s involvement in regional and international ARS efforts. The ungerouhi then thanked all the chapter’s supporters and members, who worked hand in hand to make the event a success for the ARS.

Part of the proceeds from the event will be donated to an ARS-funded military hospital in Yerevan

Chess: The country breeding a generation of chess whizz kids

February 19, 2018February 19, 2018 Lara Chatinian

BBC, UK

Feb 18 2018

Since 2011, all children in Armenia from six to eight years old have had compulsory chess lessons. For one boy it's paying off, reports Emma Levine.

I was trapped. Surrounded on all sides, and there was no escape. The king's capture was imminent – and my bishop was of no use this time. "Shakh yev mat," Mikhael announced triumphantly. Check mate – and my victor was just 11 years old.

It wasn't surprising – a few days earlier Mikhael had been crowned the national schools' chess champion, adding to his other trophies.

He'd been playing since he was five.

"I learned from my father and grandfather – and then, weekly lessons in school," he told me in the family's apartment in Yerevan, Armenia's capital.

Image captionMikhael beat Emma in just eight minutes

One of his heroes is compatriot Levon Aronian. This charismatic 35-year-old, one of Armenia's many grandmasters, was once number two in the world – a superstar and national hero in a country not accustomed to sporting success.

Mikhael's mum, Nara, proudly shows me her son's trophies and medals.

"Mikhael wants to be a world champion. He watches international games to perfect his chess," she told me over tiny cups of soorj – strong Armenian coffee. "We don't put pressure on him – it's what he loves doing and that's the most important thing."

Nara travels with her son to all his tournaments, including going abroad.

Image captionGrandmaster Levon Aronian was number two in the world in 2014

"I can't beat him any more!" his older brother, Khachatur, tells me ruefully.

"Mikhael has this amazing knack of getting inside an opponent. If he gets beaten he'll analyse their moves and their game, and knows instinctively how to beat them next time.

"And," he adds, "he memorises every game, and recreates it on the board."

The child is constantly making strategic decisions, assessing the situation before making a move – I think this is a great benefit for society

Smbat Lputian, President of the Armenian Chess Academy

Mikhael's perseverance is paying off. He's racing up the national chess rankings for youth players. In a couple of years he could be one of the world's youngest-ever grandmasters.

Since 2011, all children in Armenia from six to eight years old have compulsory chess lessons. It's the first country in the world to include it on the national curriculum.

To see more young stars I head to Chess House on a packed marshrutka – or minibus.

Yerevan has an ancient history – it's actually 28 years older than Rome. But there's little evidence of that now. The marshrutka weaves through Republic Square, which is encircled by elegant 20th-Century government buildings and museums built from pink volcanic tufa stone.

But in construction-mad Yerevan, you're never far away from a crane or deafening drill. Recent years have seen the government reneging on its promise to protect historic buildings – embarking instead on urban development on a mammoth scale.

I jump off the marshrutka at Circular Park, a leafy respite.

Here, I join a handful of spectators watching several elderly men perch at rickety wooden tables, playing chess with their pals. I head past them to Chess House and the real hub of activity – upstairs in the main hall, rows of long tables are lined with chess sets, with about 200 children deep in play.

The room is silent, the children's behaviour impeccable, with no tantrums or raised voices. All look utterly immersed in the games – which last up to two hours – their faces wearing the serious expressions of professionals. The children record every move in their notebooks.

Image captionA supervisor watches children playing games at the chess school

But when 10-year-old Davit makes a blunder, there are tears – and then a motherly arm around his shoulder from Maria, one of the supervisors. "They are just children, after all!" she says, smiling.

Downstairs in the waiting area, scores of parents, grandmothers and a few uncles wait patiently for the children to emerge from the hall, once their matches are over. You can feel tension mounting as each one walks slowly down the carpeted steps to greet their mum. Win lose, or draw, each gets a hug.

Image captionWin, lose, or draw, each child gets a hug when they come out

In the main entrance is a bust of Tigran Petrosian, the chess world champion from 1963 to 1969.

"Armenia has always enjoyed a strong link with chess, but Tigran's victories were the revolution for us," explained Smbat Lputian, president of the Armenian Chess Academy. He shows me around the academy, a smart three-storey building in dazzling white, in a neighbourhood otherwise dominated by Soviet-era grey apartment blocks.

"Since our independence from the USSR in 1991, we have made fantastic progress," he says proudly. With a population of a little over three million, Armenia has one of the highest numbers of chess grandmasters, per capita, in the world.

Image captionChess academy teacher Tigran congratulates a young opponent

Lputian was the driving force behind making chess mandatory in schools, with the support of the Armenian President, Serzh Sargsyan.

"So what was the main reason?" I asked him.

"The most important quality of chess is that it's a fair game, so young children start learning a game which is clean and honourable, and it teaches them good behaviour. The child is constantly making strategic decisions – assessing the situation before making a move." He paused. "I think this is a great benefit for society as a whole."

Armenia now has more than 3,000 qualified trained chess teachers in its schools. Many other countries want to follow suit, according to Lputian. He tells me excitedly about a new chess scientific research institute, due to open in Yerevan later this year, where scientists and psychologists will research the impact of chess in the learning process.

Through their dedication, Mikhael and thousands more children here have helped put Armenia on the chess-playing map. And at least I can console myself that I was beaten by a potential grandmaster.

All photographs by Emma Levine

L1 – Montpellier : Michel Der Zakarian écope de trois matches de supension

February 19, 2018February 19, 2018 Lara Chatinian

Boursorama-

16 févr. 2018

L1 – Montpellier : Michel Der Zakarian écope de trois matches de supension

SPORT365 le 16/02/2018 à 18:14

Expulsé pour contestation auprès de l'arbitre, Michel Der Zakarian écopera de trois matches de suspension et manquera notamment la réception lyonnaise.

Dans un communiqué paru ce vendredi, le MHSC annonce la suspension d'une durée de trois matches de son entraîneur Michel Der Zakarian. Une sanction faisant suite à la contestation du technicien héraultais dans le temps additionnel du match contre Lyon en coupe de France la semaine dernière (1-2). Le club montpelliérain précise notamment que cette peine sera effective à partir du déplacement à Strasbourg vendredi prochain. Le Franco-Arménien manquera notamment la réception de Lyon et le déplacement à Lille.

Azerbaijani Press: Amb. Kanellos: Linking TAP with TANAP will serve as a ‘bridge’ of friendship between Greece and Azerbaijan

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018 Lara Chatinian

Azeri-Press news agency (APA)
 Monday


Ambassador Kanellos: Linking TAP with TANAP will serve as a 'bridge'
of friendship between Greece and Azerbaijan



APA presents an interview with Mr. Nicolaos D. Kanellos, Ambassador of
the Hellenic Republic to Azerbaijan

Q: Greece underwent an economic crisis some time ago. At the time,
some said the crisis had resulted from Greece's membership of the EU
and entry into Eurozone. It was even proposed that Greece exit the EU.
How is the current situation in your country? Is there going to be a
'Greek version' of the Brexit?

A: After many years of recession the Greek economy is recovering,
boosted by exports and tourism (30 million arrivals in 2017 or
all-time high). We have achieved a positive GDP growth rate in 2017,
with even better prospects for 2018. Unemployment has fallen 6
percentage points from 2014 to 2017 and the Greek government has
succeeded in surpassing fiscal targets for primary budget surpluses.
These macroeconomic and fiscal and achievements rule out completely
the possibility of GREXIT. They are the outcome of the great effort by
the Greek government to exit bailout program by August 2018.

Q: How do you feel about the level of cooperation between Greece and
Azerbaijan? What was last year's trade turnover between the two
countries? What steps can be taken to improve bilateral relations
further?

A: Bilateral trade data for 2017 are still expected. Trade turnover
for 2016 was rather small at about 16 million USD, consisting almost
entirely of Greek exports of goods to Azerbaijan (as the Azeri oil
exports to Greece virtually disappeared during that year, amounting
only to about half a million USD). Excluding oil, which is a very
special commodity traded under its own rules, the two countries
produce more or less similar products, and therefore increasing trade
volume is not easy. However our common will with the Azerbaijani
authorities is to increase trade volume in the near future.

Q: Are there any Greek companies interested in Azerbaijan's new oil
and gas fields? Azerbaijan is implementing the TANAP and TAP projects
together with its partners. What are Greece's expectations from these
projects?

A: Greek companies have shown no interest in the Azerbaijani
'upstream' sector so far, because they are focusing primarily on
hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation in the area of Greece itself
(with the single notable exception of North Africa and the Eastern
Mediterranean). TAP, of course, is a great 'engine for growth' in
Greece since its construction started in 2016, being the largest
Foreign Direct Investment in my country's history. 65% of the project
in Greek soil has already been completed and the direct amount of work
contracted to Greek companies (e.g. the steel pipes) is about 1
billion USD. Last but not least, linking TAP with TANAP at the
Greek-Turkish border will serve as a 'bridge' of friendship and
cooperation between the two countries.

Q: Last year Athens hosted a meeting of the Azerbaijan-Greece Joint
Intergovernmental Commission. Next meeting is expected to be held in
Baku. Is the date fixed?

A: Indeed, the last meeting of the Joint Commission took place in
Athens in May 2016 and it was very successful. The Azerbaijani side is
expected to formally propose a date for the next meeting (in Baku) in
due time.

Q: Are there going to be any high-level official visits between the
two countries this year? In what areas are new agreements going to be
signed?

A: Mr. Kotsonopoulos Loudovikos (Head of Minister's Cabinet, the
Ministry of Energy and Environment of the Hellenic Republic), Mr.
Verriopoulos Michail (Secretary General for Energy and Mineral
Resources of the Ministry of Energy and Environment of the Hellenic
Republic) will participate in the 4th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory
Council and MPs will visit Baku in the framework of the VI Global Baku
Forum. We are in the process of elaborating visits on a Ministerial
level. Moreover, there is a broad array of ongoing negotiations for
the signing of bilateral agreements in various fields like Education,
Culture, E.U. affairs, Sports, cooperation in Military issues,
judicial affairs and more.

Q: As you know, the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has
been going on for many years. What is Greece's stance in respect of
this conflict?

A: Greece actively supports the peaceful resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the provisions of international law
and the relevant UN/SC resolutions.

Armenia celebrates Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain

January 28, 2018January 28, 2018 Lara Chatinian

Panorama, Armenia

Jan 27 2018

Society 12:21 27/01/2018 Armenia

By the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain and his soldiers-companions is proclaimed day of blessing of the youth.

Captain St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved saints among the Armenian nation. Together with his 14 soldiers-companions he was martyred for the sake of Christian faith.

As the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church reported on its website, during the period of reign of the king Kostandianos the Great (285-337) St. Sarkis, being very courageous, was appointed the prince and General in chief of the region of Cappadocia bordering Armenia. When during the period of reign of the king Julianos the Betrayer (360-363) the persecutions against Christians started by God’s will St. Sarkis and his only son – Martyros, came to live in Armenia, and the Armenian king Tiran, grandson of Tiridates, received them very well. From Armenia St. Sarkis and his son went to Persia, and started serving in the army of the Persian king Shapouh as the captain of regiments.

Becoming aware of the fact that Sarkis was Christian, Shapouh ordered him to worship the fire and offer sacrifice to the heathen gods. But the captain immediately refused to obey the order saying, “We should worship one God – the Holy Trinity, which has created the earth and the heaven. Whereas fire or idols are not gods and the human being may destroy them.” After these words the saint destroyed the temple. The annoyed crowd fell on the saint and his son. First the son of the saint was martyred. The saint was put into prison and remaining unshaken in his faith was beheaded. After the martyrdom of the saint light appeared over his body. 14 soldiers-companions of the saint also were martyred for the sake of Christian faith.

For the Armenian nation St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved. It is no coincidence that St. Mesrop Mashtots brought the relics of the saint to the village Karbi (Ashtarak Region) and the Church of St. Sarkis was later built over his relics.

In Armenia it is accepted to celebrate the Feast of St. Sarkis not only according to church rites and prayer, but also according to various folk traditions. St. Sarkis the Captain is considered the patron of youth. Many miracles happen thanks to his intercession. On the day of the feast, young people pray the saint asking him to make their prayers audible to God. St. Sarkis is the realizer of the love longings.

On the eve of the feast, young people eat salty cookies and relate the appearance of their future bride or bridegroom in their dream to eating of the salty cookie. Also, on the night preceding the feast of St. Sarkis the faithful people place a tray full of gruel before the door believing that while passing near their door at dawn St. Sarkis will leave his footprint on the gruel symbolizing the fulfillment of their dreams.

People in love present each other cards, flowers or sweets on the occasion of the feast.

On the day of the feast, a Divine Liturgy is celebrated in all churches named after St. Sarkis. Following the Liturgy a special ceremony of blessing of young people is offered.

Հոբելյանական շնորհանդեսներ՝ նվիրված Թուրքիայի «Ժամանակ» օրաթերթի 110 ամյակին

January 26, 2018January 26, 2018 Lara Chatinian

Please find the attached press release of the Ministry of Diaspora.

Sincerely,
Media and PR Department
(+374 10) 585601, internal 805

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Հարգանքով`
Մամուլի և հասարակայնության հետ կապերի վարչություն

(+374 10) 585601, ներքին 805

15. Հոբելյանական շնորհանդեսներ՝ նվիրված Թուրքիայի «Ժամանակ» օրաթերթի 110 ամյակին.docx
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