Author: Lena Karagyozian

 

 

 

World-known film director, actor and musician Emir Kusturica will perform in Armenia today with the “No Smoking Orchestra” in a concert organized within the framework of the events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide Centennial.

Earlier today he visited the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute to pay tribute to the memory of the 1.5 million victims.

Speaking to reporters today, Kusturica referred to the similarities and differences of the Armenian and Serbian peoples and expressed his opinion about the geopolitical events.

The Serbian director said he’s happy to return to a country, which is very much like his homeland.  The difference, he said, is that the Armenian nation, which has survived genocide, is united and has clear demands, while the Serbian history is different, Serbians are seen as criminals, not victims.

 

FIFA will debate a proposal to expand the World Cup from 32 teams to 40, the bBC reports.

The change can be approved by FIFA’s executive committee without consent from the 209 member associations, and could come into effect from 2026.

The proposal will be discussed later on Thursday in Zurich, where a meeting is taking place focused on reforms of world football’s governing body.

Earlier, two high-ranking FIFA officials were arrested in the Swiss city on suspicion of taking bribes.

The arrests came on the opening day of Fifa’s Exco meeting, at which the potential expansion of the World Cup for the first time since 1998 will be discussed.

France ’98 featured 32 teams, up from the 24 that had qualified for every World Cup since 1982.

An additional eight entrants would create an extra 32 matches, which could require the month-long tournament to be extended by a week.

The first round of the tournament, which sees teams split into eight groups of four, would also need to be adjusted.

The European Championship – to be held in France in June – will include 24 teams, a rise from the 16 to have taken part in every tournament since 1996.

Recalling the genocide on Armenians perpetrated by the Osmanian Empire a century ago, an orchestra of German, Turkish and Armenian musicians is performing world premieres in Berlin, reports.

The mass execution of Armenians in 1915 is considered the 20th century’s first systematic extermination of an ethnicity, with massacres and death marches resulting in the death of approximately 1.5 million persons.

As a sign of reconciliation, the Dresden Symphony Orchestra launched a project titled “Aghet.” Deriving from the Turkish word “ağıt,” the word translates as “catastrophe” and is synonymous of the century-old genocide. The playbill for the concerts on November 27 and 28 at the “Radialsystem V,” a venue in Berlin’s Friedrichshain district, includes works by Zeynep Gedizlioğlu (Turkey), Vache Sharafyan (Armenia) und Helmut Oehring (Germany).

Guitarist’s initiative

Conducted by Andrea Molino, the Dresden Symphony is joined by musicians from Turkey and Armenia as well as members of the “No Borders Orchestra.” The latter, consisting of instrumentalists from the former Yugoslav states, was formed after the civil wars in the region in the 1990s and is itself a reconciliation project.

“Aghet” was initiated by Marc Sinan together with the orchestra from Dresden. Sinan’s Armenian grandmother lost her parents in the events following the deportations that began on April 24, 1915. The guitarist of German, Armenian and Turkish heritage performs the solo part in Helmut Oehring’s piece “Massaker, hört ihr MASSAKER!” (Massacre, do you hear MASSACRE!) for guitar solo, voice, women’s chorus and strings.

On his compositional approach, Oehring writes: “The score is meant to depict a force field that transforms the injuries and devastation suffered into a new energy, a kind of emotional reserve for those who come afterwards.”

Also given its world premiere is “Isimsiz / Notes for the Silent One” for strings. This is not the first work written by the young Turkish composer Zeynep Gedizlioğlu on the subject; her string quartet titled “Susma” (Don’t Be Silent!) was dedicated to the Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, murdered by a Turkish nationalist in broad daylight in Istanbul, in January 2007. Gedizlioğlu, who had been nearby, heard the shot.

The duduk, or the ‘Armenian flute’

At the “Aghet” concert project, a work by the Armenian composer Vache Sharafian is given its first performance in Germany. In “Surgite Gloriae,” a double concerto for viola and duduk, Armenian duduk soloist Araik Bartikian and German violist Matthias Worm play solo. Known as the “Armenian flute,” the duduk is considered the country’s national instrument.

Sharafian, who lives as a music instructor in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, has attracted worldwide attention for his compositions, including works for the Silk Road Ensemble, a much-noted intercultural project by American cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Following “Hasretim” and “Dede Korkut,” “Aghet” is the third and final installment in the Dresden Symphony Orchestra’s trilogy dealing with the history and culture of Anatolia and the Caucasus region.

Following the performances in Berlin, the concert will be repeated on April 29, 2016 in Dresden before going on tour to Belgrade, Yerevan and Istanbul later in the year. The latter performance is certain to spark controversy, as the genocide of Armenians is still denied in the official reading of history in Turkey.

 

On 27 October Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Igor Popov (the Russian Federation), Pierre Andrieu (France), James Warlick (the USA), personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk and accompanying them individuals.

Issues related to the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement and situation along the borderline were discussed during the meeting.

President Sahakyan noted that Azerbaijan’s aggressive policy and gross violations of the ceasefire regime, rejection of any constructive proposals by official Baku endangered stability and peace in the region, as well as the mediatory mission carried out in the direction.

The President underlined that it’s necessary above all to give new impetus to the maintenance of the ceasefire regime and particularize responsibility mechanisms for its violation, adding that official Stepanakert is ready to take an active part in that process.

On a visit to Athens, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, had a meeting with Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos.

His Holiness praised the organization of the conference on “Peaceful religious and cultural co-existence in the Middle East.” He stressed the important role of Greece as a bridge between the East and the West.

Aram I hailed the Greek President’s support for the Armenian Cause since the start of his political career, which continues during his presidency.

President Pavlopoulos, in turn, expressed his respect for the Armenian people and reiterated his support for the Armenian Cause.

The President also praised the Armenian community of Greece, which makes n important contribution to the prosperity and development of the country.

“GDP growth in Armenia accelerated to 4.0% in the first half of 2015 from 2.6% in the same period in 2014 and to 3.5% for all of 2014. All major sectors contributed to growth, but a 4.2% slump in trade slowed growth in services to 1.8% from 3.7% a year earlier,” the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said in a new “Asian Development Outlook 2015” report.

Agriculture saw double-digit growth at 15.5%, and industry including construction expanded by 3.7%. On the demand side, private consumption and investment declined, while public consumption showed only modest gains. The drag from the deficit in external trade and services moderated significantly, as exports fell much less than imports.

Despite strong growth in the first half, the growth forecasts are trimmed for 2015 and 2016, as problems in Armenia’s major trading partners continue to reduce trade, remittances, and investments and so depress economic growth.

Agriculture is still foreseen as the primary driver of growth, along with a modest contribution from industry and services. On the demand side, the pattern of growth is expected to continue for the rest of the year, with a larger deficit in external trade and services, along with weaker investment and private consumption. The lagged pass-through of currency depreciation at the end of 2014 caused average annual inflation to accelerate to 5.0% in the first 7 months of 2015 from 3.4% in the same period in 2014 and 3.0% in all of 2014.

The 12-month inflation rate of 4.2% in July remained within the central bank’s target band of 2.5%–5.5%. Despite these developments, inflation forecasts remain unchanged for 2015 and 2016, as strong growth in agricultural supply, weak domestic demand, and tight monetary policy should cause inflation to recede in the months ahead.

The current account deficit narrowed to 7.3% of GDP in 2014 from 7.6% in 2013. A slight improvement in the goods and services trade deficit was partly offset by a larger deficit for primary and secondary income, reflecting the drop in remittances. In line with this improvement, the projections for the current account deficit are narrowed for 2015 but kept unchanged for 2016.

On September 22, 2015, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan met with China State Council Chairman (Prime Minister) Li Keqiang in Beijing, RA Government’s Press Service reported.

Welcoming the Prime Minister of Armenia, the Chairman of the State Council of China thanked him for accepting the invitation to visit China and attend the Eurasian Economic Forum. Highly appreciative of the Armenian-Chinese relations, Li Keqiang expressed confidence that his Armenian counterpart’s visit might help promote the development and strengthening of bilateral cooperation.

Thankful for the warm welcome, Prime Minister Abrahamyan pointed out that the development of relations with China is a foreign policy priority for Armenia. Stressing that there is great potential for cooperation in the economic sphere, Hovik Abrahamyan expressed conviction that his visit would give fresh impetus to bilateral ties and economic cooperation.

Stating that a high-level political dialogue had been nurtured by the two countries in recent years, the interlocutors hailed RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s State visit to China in March, 2015, which elevated the two nations’ friendly relations to a qualitatively new level and boosted the momentum of the Armenian-Chinese interaction.

“I wish to emphasize that strong with the outcome of the meeting held between the leaders of Armenia and China, we are actively working toward boosting bilateral relations and implementing the agreements reached,” Hovik Abrahamyan said.

Both sides stressed the importance of continued cooperation in the fields of infrastructure development, energy, transportation, chemical industry, agriculture, tourism, science, education, culture and civil aviation. In this context, they noted the importance of the Armenian-Chinese intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. Prime Minister Abrahamyan said to be pleased with the fact that bilateral trade had been on the upgrade in recent years leading to a significant increase in trade turnover (more than half a billion dollars).

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang noted in turn that cooperation was developing effectively in all sectors – political, economic and humanitarian, and his country was keen to deepen and strengthen them ahead.

As the two prime ministers discussed Iran-Armenia Railroad and North-South Road Corridor investment programs, the Chinese Premier reiterated his country’s interest in them. He expressed readiness to implement joint projects in infrastructure, industry, humanitarian and other spheres. Li Keqiang advised that Armenian students’ scholarship was going to be raised in China next year.

At the end of the meeting, Hovik Abrahamyan invited his Chinese counterpart to make an official visit to Armenia. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.

On the occasion of the holiday, President Francois Hollande of the French Republic has sent a congratulatory message to President Serzh Sargsyan:

“Mr. President,

I am glad to send you and the entire Armenian people my wishes of happiness, well-being and success as you celebrate the national holiday of the Republic of Armenia.

I am happy that I joined the Armenian people in Yerevan on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Centennial on April 24.

That exciting ceremony fraught with an atmosphere of wisdom and unity showed Armenia’s willpower to create a brilliant future without burying in oblivion its historical tragedies.

I would like to reassure you that imbued with its special ties with the Armenian people, France will continue its friendship, solidarity and support of Armenia. Particularly, as a Minsk Group Co-Chair, France will continue its consistent mediatory efforts aimed at the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, hoping that the progress made at the Paris summit in October 2014 will contribute to the urgent settlement of the issue.

Please accept, Mr. President, the assurance of my highest consideration,” reads the French President’s congratulatory message.

Greece’s Alexis Tsipras has said his left-wing Syriza party has a “clear mandate” after winning a second general election in less than nine months, the BBC reports.

But he said Greeks faced a difficult road and recovery from financial crisis would only come through hard work.

Syriza won just over 35%, slightly down on its previous result and still short of an overall majority.

But it will renew its coalition with the nationalist Independent Greeks. Opposition New Democracy gained 28%.

Far-right Golden Dawn came in third with 7%, slightly up on January’s poll.

Syriza was first elected in January on an anti-austerity mandate, but was forced to accept tough conditions for Greece’s third international bailout.

Sunday’s snap election was called after Mr Tsipras lost his majority in August.

Some of his MPs who had opposed the new bailout conditions split to form a new party, but it has failed to get into parliament. Turnout was low.

Asbarez – Having now represented the Los Angeles community of Little Armenia in the Legislature for a decade, Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León said it is only natural that he becomes the first Senator to join the California Armenian Legislative Caucus.

“It has been a great honor to serve thousands of Armenian-Americans living in my district,” said Senator De León (D-Los Angeles). “It is only fitting that I become a member of Armenian Caucus where I feel right at home.”

Senator De León said his membership in the Caucus, comprised until now of only Assemblymembers, will help him identify key issues to develop and further empower California’s Armenian-American community. “This is why I am excited about joining the Caucus,” Senator De León said, “because it provides an official platform to better serve these valuable constituents.”

Officially recognized in 2000, Little Armenia is a culturally-rich, thriving community in East Hollywood populated with Armenian bakeries, restaurants, churches, public art, and one of the oldest Armenian schools in the region – the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School and Social Service Centers.

Senator De León announced his Caucus membership on the eve of the 24th anniversary of Armenian Independence Day, marking the birth of the Republic of Armenia in 1991. Last year, he was named by the Armenian National Committee as its Legislator of the Year.

“The California Armenian Legislative Caucus is a non-partisan Caucus that encourages California Armenian Americans to advocate and participate in cultural, educational, legislative, and community efforts in California. Through advocacy, the Caucus strives to ensure that California Armenian American’s voices are heard and given a platform. Founding members of the Caucus include Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, and Assemblymember Scott Wilk,” said Natalie Bruton-Yenovkian, chief executive officer and board member of the Caucus.

Formed in March by Assemblymembers Katcho Achadjian (R), Adrin Nazarian (D), and Scott Wilk (R), the California Armenian Legislative Caucus is a bi-partisan, non-political Caucus that encourages California Armenian-Americans to advocate and participate in cultural, educational, legislative, governmental, and community efforts in California.

The Caucus introduced Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR 2), designating this year as California’s Year of Commemoration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. In an unprecedented show of support from previous resolutions, AJR 2 was jointly-authored by a majority of the 80-member Assembly and unanimously approved by the Legislature.

The Caucus also opened a special exhibit this year at the California Museum in Sacramento, the “Armenian Journey: From Shattered Past to Prosperity.” The exhibit explored the historical and cultural contributions of Armenians to California, home to the nation’s largest population of Armenian Americans.