Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
Thursday
Canadian-Armenian couple says Armenia is the only homeland for Armenians
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. Canadian-Armenian couple Margar and
Eliz Sharapkhanyan say Armenia is the only homeland for Armenians.
The couple lives in Ushi village of Aragatsotn province since 2007.
They have renovated the village’s school, the culture house with their
own resources.
Margar Sharapkhanyan was born in Greece, studied in Italy, and lived
in Canada for 40 years, but he told Armenpress that he feels good
himself only in Armenia.
“I have been in different countries, but I didn’t feel myself an
Armenian neither in Greece, Italy nor Canada, I feel my identity only
in Armenia. The person, who was born, grew up and lived abroad, needs
to live in Armenia. Whether we want or not, we are foreigners in all
countries, the only country that we consider as ours is Armenia”,
Margar Sharapkhanyan said, adding that Armenia is not only Yerevan,
but also the provinces and villages. “I believe in Armenia’s villages,
and the rural economy should develop. Ushi is a small village, I
bought a land here and built a house, now I and other people are
working in the land. We have renovated the school and constructed a
culture house”, he said.
Speaking about visiting Armenia with his wife, Margar said he and his
wife are from Ushi village. “She didn’t complain, and now doesn’t
complain as well. Your wife must also have a desire to visit Armenia”,
he said.
Today as well the couple has many plans in connection with the
village. They have no plans to return to Canada. They are impressed by
the village and consider it as their only home.
Armenuhi Mkhoyan
Khodikian: When I received a letter from Andranik Khechoumian, the relentless translator of my plays, two different feelings overwhelmed me: happiness due to the performance of Arsen in Tehran, which is an honor for me; and a sad regret for I could not be
Saturday,
Arsen opened August 4 at Tehran City Theater and was planned to run for a month. But it came to a halt due to an incident for one of the thespians, Khatereh Hatami, ISNA reported.
The group will resume the performance on August 13, with film actress Aylar Noshahri, 35 as the substitute thespian for Tahmasebi. Other cast members are film actress Maedeh Tahmasebi and acclaimed actor Farhad Aeesh, Tahmasebi's husband whose presence on the stage will be in the form of video projection.
Arsen is the story of Arsen, a young boy and Annette, a middle-aged woman on one day. It is translated into Persian by Iranian-Armenian author, literary translator and theater director Andranik Khechoumian, 62, who has served as a cultural bridge between Iran and Armenia.
A product of Sepanta Theater Group, the play is directed by Behzad Sediqi, 48, head of the Association of Playwrights at Iranian Theater Forum (ITF). The play is his adaptation of the original Armenian work.
"Greetings my dear friends, Behzad Sediqi, Maedeh Tahmasebi, Khatereh Hatami, Aylar Noshahri and Mr. Farhad Aeesh," wrote Khodikian in her letter.
"When I received a letter from Andranik Khechoumian, the relentless translator of my plays, two different feelings overwhelmed me: happiness due to the performance of Arsen (also known as 'Have You Ordered Grandchild?') in Tehran, which is an honor for me; and a sad regret for I could not be present on the opening day of the play.
I'm impressed by your great work. I believe, your skills and dedication will find a place in the hearts of the audience … Now that you read my thanks, know that from Yerevan, I'm applauding your group and bow out of respect for the audience. May the God protect us all."
Except Thursdays, Arsen will run through September 6, starting at 8:45 pm. Tickets are available at Tiwall (tiwall.com), a local website on cultural events.
Yelyzaveta Glybchenko / 29th July 2017 at 16:02 / Et cetera / Armenia
Iveta Mukuchyan and Aram Mp3 are now working on a series of songs about their native land – “Hayastan Jan” – or lovely Armenia. Both of them are former Eurovision representatives. Iveta took part last year, and Aram back in 2014.
Two of Armenia’s Eurovision contestants Iveta Mukuchyan and Aram Mp3 who shook Europe with their songs LoveWave and Not Alone respectively, have now joined forces in a music project that aims at coming back to the origins of the Armenian culture.
The project is called Dashterov – it is a 40 minute long music project, featuring revamped traditional Armenian songs from Al Eghnim to Nazan Im Yary. Iveta and Aram Mp3 are mixing traditional with modern and hopefully creating something truly special.
First came Al Eghnim, followed by the second Qamin Zana and the third is Ghapama. The project is full of club bangers with it’s unique fusion of folk music and techno/house beats.
At the first song Al Eghnim, Iveta and Aram Mp3 use a snippet from Daft Punk’s famous ’00s anthem Around the World as well as Earth, Wind & Fire’s ’80s disco classic Let’s Groove. Dashterov takes the Armenian cultural themes to a new level of modernity and internationality, which sounds like something Eurovision fans will enjoy.
The new project is not the only work that Iveta Mukuchyan has dedicated to Armenia. Hayastan Jan (Lovely Armenia), composed and performed by Iveta, is a song that tells a story of coming back to the origins of the singer.
She should be able to relate to that as she lived away from her native land in Hamburg, Germany, and travelled all over the world as a Eurovision contestant. She returned to Armenia and rediscovered her native land.
The video for Hayastan Jan is even composed around Iveta’s Eurovision experience.
The mountains’ wind is kissing the poppy field, My heart is calling you, oh my lovely Armenia!
Gonna say ‘bye’ to far-far-away shores, Gonna say ‘hello’ to my native land, my lovely Armenia!
Oh, my mountains’ world, you’re the best for me, For me, you’re the fairest and the most native.
There’s a part of me in your mountains, There’s a part of me in your apricots,
There’s a part of me in your name, Oh, my lovely Armenia!
(Go to the full lyrics and translation of Hayastan Jan)
For the upcoming songs of Dashterov as well as other Armenian cultural music projects, keep an eye on the Facebook pages of Iveta Mukuchyan and Aram Mp3.
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
Monday
Primate of Shirak Diocese among candidates for Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul
GYUMRI, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian patriarchal elections of
Istanbul will be held in December, 2017, and there are already 8-9
candidates: Garegin Bekchyan, Aram Ateshyan, Sahak Mashalyan, Sepuh
Chuljyan, Khajak Parsamyan, Sevan Gharibyan, Navasard Kchoyan.
Primate of Shirak Diocese Bishop Mikayel Ajapahyan is also among the
likely candidates for the upcoming patriarchal elections, patriarchal
locum tenens Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan said while in Armenia.
“Any bishop can be a candidate for any seat. In case of Turkey, the
circle of those candidates is somewhat narrow since you need to have
roots there, either you or your father should have been born there. In
my case, my father was born there. There is a list of candidates, and
all from this list can be elected. It’s not that if we are candidates,
we will definitely be elected. At the moment there are 9 candidates,
one from them will be elected”, Bishop Mikayel Ajapahyan told
Armenpress.
Commenting on the difficulties of the Istanbul’s Armenian
Patriarchate, the Bishop said there are difficulties. “It’s not easy
anywhere, there are difficulties, but if I am elected, I will serve”,
he added.
Armenuhi Mkhoyan
Analyst: Karabakh people realize Azerbaijan is not a party to arrange with
16:57, 21.07.2017
STEPANAKERT. – People in Karabakh realize that they do not have a partner to hold talks with, Armenian analyst alexander Iskandaryan told reporters.
“The Armenian sides have an understanding that the current Azerbaijan is not a side to hold serious negotiations with. The Karabakh society understands that the outbreaks that occur from time to time are not accidental,” the political scientist said.
As Iskandaryan noted, in his opinion, in the Karabakh society, unlike in the Armenian one, the opinion on the Karabakh problem is more or less the same.
SYDNEY: Armenian Genocide epic, The Promise has surpassed the four-week mark in Australian cinemas and is still continuing in certain theatres across the country.
The film, which is the legacy project of the late Armenian-American benefactor Kirk Kerkorian and stars Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac and Charlotte Le Bon, was brought to Australia by distributors, eOne in mid-June. The Promise Australia Committee was formed – by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the Armenian Youth Federation – to help market the film, detailing an important chapter in Armenian history.
After organising a successful red carpet Premiere in Sydney, followed by a Premiere in Melbourne, the Committee embarked on an #OperationOpeningWeekend campaign, to help the film’s chances for lasting over one week in movie theatres.
Having achieved that goal, special screenings were also organised by the Uniting Church in Australia, the Jewish Board of Deputies, the Australian Hellenic Council and the Assyrian Universal Alliance.
In subsequent weeks, AYF-AU attracted sponsor-purchases of tickets and free giveaways of said tickets at movie theatres to attract a wider audience to witness the romantic story set against the backdrop of the suffering of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915.
Collective expectations have been surpassed, with the film entering its fifth week with certain cinemas around the country – including Macquarie Event Cinemas, Collaroy Cinemas and Hoyts Entertainment Quarter – still showing limited sessions in week five. The film has remained in the top 30 films shown across the country, despite a release in only 50 theatres and competition including blockbusters like Spiderman, Baywatch, Despicable Me, Wonder Woman and Cars.
In total, the film has amassed over $480,000 at the box office.
Panos Borghonzian (AYF-AU) of The Promise Australia Committee praised the community’s efforts in promoting the film, and thanked all contributors.
“The Promise tells an important story, and for Armenians, it is our story,” Borghonzian said. “We thank eOne for bringing this film to Australian audiences, and all sponsors, organisations and individuals who ensured it would be seen by as many pairs of Australian eyes as possible over the last month.”
Please find the attached press release of the Ministry of Diaspora.
Sincerely,
Media and PR Department
(+374 10) 585601, internal 805
----------------------
Հարգանքով`
Մամուլի և հասարակայնության հետ կապերի վարչություն
(+374 10) 585601, ներքին 805
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.westernprelacy.org
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL IN MONTEBELLO
- REQUEIM SERVICE FOR ARCHBISHOP SUMBAT LAPAJIAN
On Sunday, July 16, 2017 H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy
Cross Cathedral in Montebello.
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will preside over
requiem service in memory of Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian on the 7th
anniversary of his passing.
***
PRELATE DELIVERS OPENING MESSAGE AT ARS 96TH REGIONAL CONVENTION
On Friday, , the Armenian Relief Society's 96th
Regional Convention convened at Homenetmen Glendale "Ararat" Chapter's
center. The three-day convention will review the organization's biennial
activities and draft endeavors for the new term.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, accompanied by Vicar
General, Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, attended and delivered the opening
message.
In attendance were ARF Western Region Central Committee member Garo
Ispenjian, ARS Central Executive members Nyree Derderian, Rita Hintlian, and
Maral Matossian, members of the Regional Executive and chapters, delegates,
and guests.
His Eminence began his message by greeting the members of the
Central and Regional Executives, delegates, and honored guests and wishing
for productive deliberations as they assess past activities and lay the
groundwork for future endeavors. The Prelate lauded the subsequent
generations of diligent members who have served in the ranks of the worthy
organization to provide for the needs of our compatriots in need and in
crisis with a loving and compassionate heart, with the full awareness that
the wellbeing of our larger collective family is as important as the
wellbeing of their individual families. "We are assured that the ARS will
continue to thrive and endure owing to its dedicated members and generous
supporters," he stated. The Prelate recalled that the Prelacy honored ARS
members on the occasions of the Year of Service, stating, "Indeed you are
worthy of every commendation and appreciation," and stated that this year,
the Year of Renewal, is an invitation to all, individuals and organizations
alike, to renew our faith in our Lord and our Church, and to renew our
commitment to serving our nation and our homeland. Finally, His Eminence
again commended the exemplary service of ARS members for the benefit of our
people and nation, and wished them continued successes in their valuable
work.
Remarks were delivered by Western Regional Executive Chair Mrs.
Rebecca Berberian, Mr. Ispenjian, and Mrs. Matossian.
***
Armenia lawmaker: Karabakh was not part of independent Azerbaijan for single second
14:44, 12.07.2017
YEREVAN. – The Armenian side should continue its stern policy in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict.
Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia, Eduard Sharmazanov, noted the abovementioned at a press conference on Wednesday.
He recorded that the conflict has entered a new phase, as Azerbaijan refuses the Vienna and Saint Petersburg agreements, periodically aggravates the situation, and uses its own population as a human shield.
In this connection, Sharmazanov stated that the Armenian side should continue its stern policy, and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries (Russia, US, and France) need to seek avenues for convincing—or pressuring—Azerbaijan into implementing the said agreements.
“The problem shall be resolved pacifically, within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, based on the three well-known precepts,” he stressed. “[But] the precept of territorial integrity has nothing to do with the conflict in general, since Karabakh was not part of independent Azerbaijan for a single second.”
Also, the deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament pointed to the role of Turkish political elite, especially of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in the aggravation of the Karabakh conflict.