Author: Tania Jagharian

Voskan Yerevantsi: The epic first printing the Armenian Bible

Tania Jagharian
Aravot, Armenia

Aug 23 2017
Thousands of Armenian manuscripts were written prior to the 15th century, when Gutenberg’s invention of the printing-press provided a technological breakthrough for the future progress of mankind. Armenians at that time were not free, but they were able to harness the new technology to print books thousands of miles away in Europe. In 1512, Hakob Meghabard set up the first Armenian press in Venice.  Half a century later, Abgar Dbir, who came to Rome to seek support for the liberation of his homeland, developed the notion of “book – homeland” – a national identity sustained through print. Printing became a means of Armenian national rejuvenation.
The film, Voskan Yerevantsi, is about this epic struggle to produce Armenian books in the 16th-17th centuries. The central character of the film is Voskan Yerevantsi, who became the first Armenian publisher of the Bible. He set on his mission at Saint Sarkis Monastery of Ushi in Aragats (in present-day Armenia) and ended up in Rome, Amsterdam and Marseilles.

One of the results of these endeveavours was the spread of Armenian presses into Ottoman Turkey and Persia, predating those of Turks and  Persians.

The printing of the Bible in Armenian, between 1666 and 1668, raised the standing of Armenians to that of other powerful nations in the world. A magnificent illustrated copy of the book was sent as a gift to the Sun King, Louis XIV of France.

The Swinging Column of Tatev may have functioned as an observatory

Tania Jagharian
Public Radio of Armenia

Aug 18 2017


16:22, 18 Aug 2017
Armradio

Investigations have shown that the Monastery of Tatev is directed not from North to South, as other cruciform churches, but from North to East. This may mean that astronomical observations may have been implemented here, Armenia Sputnik informs.

Tatev is constructed so that it was possible to observe stars from it. This conclusion is made by an independent researcher Vazgen Gevorgyan and Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies professor Yelena Gienko.

«We have been to the monasteries of Tatev, Noravank, Ayrivank, Vorotnavank and Haghartsin. We found an interesting peculiarity in Tatev. The thing is that the basis of cruciform monasteries is an equilateral square with North-South and West-East directions. Tatev monastery is located in a diagonal, and on August 11 it is directed exactly at the sunrise and receives the first sunbeams», Gienko says.

The scientists suggest that the famous «Gavazan» (the Swinging Column) may have been a unique astronomical tool.

In turn, Vazgen Gevrogyan mentions that the Armenian historian of the 19th century Stepanos Orbelyan wrote that Tatev was an observatory – a watchtower.

According to Yelena Gienko, astronomical observations took place at the 10th century Vorotnavank as well.

Yerevan accuses tel Aviv in air strikes on their positions

Tania Jagharian
The Mice Times of Asia

Aug 17 2017
By

paradox

The Ministry of defence of Israel refused to comment on the incident

The Israeli defense Ministry conducts a review in connection with the accusations against the company Aeronautics Defense Systems – manufacturer of armed drones Orbiter. The representatives of Armenia, said that the company’s employees in testing drone attacked Armenian positions in order to demonstrate its capabilities to Azerbaijan. In Aeronautics Defense Systems charges categorically reject.

About the trials in Azerbaijan the Israeli UAV Orbiter 1K and told Israeli Newspapers.

According to “Haaretz”, citing a report from the newspaper “Maariv”, the representatives of Azerbaijan, is considering the purchase of a new Israeli drones, asked staff Aeronautics Defense Systems to demonstrate the capabilities of drone kamikaze Orbiter 1K. To do this, the operators of the UAV proposed strike on positions of the Armenian armed forces near the border between the two countries.

According to the newspaper, Israeli operators refused, after which the leaders of the Aeronautics Defense Systems has equipped drones and themselves led them to the goal. The goals are not hit, but one of the drones fell 100 meters from the positions of Armenian armed forces.

In Aeronautics Defense Systems categorically rejected the accusations in the trial drones on live targets. The company said that such demonstrations have not performed ever. The attack on the Armenian positions in the Aeronautics Defense Systems called the initiative of the buyer – Azerbaijan. The Ministry of defence of Israel refused to comment on the incident, but acknowledged that under the Ministry, the Agency on control over arms export checks in connection with the accusations Aeronautics Defense Systems.

Outer transfers help only improve nourishment of Armenian families

Tania Jagharian
Public Radio of Armenia

Aug 14 2017
14:05, 14 Aug 2017

Food prices rose in Armenia recently, while the prices of other kinds of commodities did not, news.am reports.

The inflation reached 0.9% in Armenia in July. It has been particularly evident in retail trade which increased for 6.2% from January to June. The favorable factors are supposed to be the outer financial transfers – substantially from Russia – to physical persons in Armenia. The purchasing capacity increase has entailed price increase of several commodities. The food prices rose for 3.3% in July. The increase of alcohol and cigarette prices is probably connected with the excise taxes for the cigarettes and not with the increase in number of the consumers.

However, the transfers did not change much. A limited supplement to the frugal family budgets has helped only to improve the nourishment. The prices of other kinds of commodities have not increased and even dropped to some extent.

The prices of communication services decreased but only for 0.1%. There is a negative tendency in the sphere of mobile services (24.7% fall). The situation is almost the same with landline phone – profits dropped for 18%. On the contrary, the physical availability of internet connection increased for 34.8%.

Internet provides large opportunity for communication, as for example video-communication by Skype and social networks, as well as Viber. It is natural that free video-communication is more attractive than paid talk. Thereby, the shift from paid phone communication to internet is not ruled out.

 

Armenian MFA Deputy Minister: US has always been sympathetic to the friendly relations of Armenia with Iran

Tania Jagharian 
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
 Thursday


Armenian MFA Deputy Minister: US has always been sympathetic to the
friendly relations of Armenia with the Islamic Republic of Iran

 Yerevan August 10

Naira Badalyan. Armenia is interested in deepening cooperation with
Iran and in this issue has never built relations with countries with
an eye on others. Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh
Kocharyan stated in a conversation with journalists after the August
10 meeting of the Government, commenting on possible negative
consequences for Armenia from the presence of President Serzh Sargsyan
at the inauguration of the reelected Iranian President Hassan
Roukhani, during which anti- American statements were made

According to the Deputy head, good relations with the Iran and their
development do not harm the Armenian-American relations. "Even at a
time when Iran was under the strictest sanctions of the West, the US
was sympathetic to Armenia's friendly relations with Iran, and if the
country is honest in its foreign policy, does not speak one thing in
one place but does another, everything should be normal ", Kocharian
noted.

Earlier, according to the expert, on the background of the weakening
of Turkey's positions, Iran's role will increase. In this connection,
the Turkologist notes the importance of the presence of the Armenian
delegation headed by the president at the inauguration of the elected
head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hasan Ruhani. According to Ruben
Safrastyan, the Armenian-Iranian relations have already moved beyond
the bilateral, becoming a factor of regional stability. The factor
that Azerbaijan did not participate in the inauguration of the Iranian
president, according to the turkologist, says that Baku is reviewing
its regional policy, hinting at the US that follows the regional
policy of Washington and encourages pressure on Iran.

AUA student, Venice university graduate excited to join Armenian Army, do not fear hardships

Tania Jagharian
Panorama, Armenia

Author Hasmik Hakobyan

Starting from 10 a.m., military draftee transport buses arrive at the Central Conscription Station from different regions of Armenia and various districts of the capital city Yerevan. Firstly, conscripts line up along the drill ground, afterwards heading to the building of the Military Medical Commission to undergo the final examination.

After receiving their military uniforms, the draftees gather together in the yard, get acquainted with each other, speaking in their local dialects shortly after.

Draftee Armen Hakobyan is from Armenia’s Dilijan town. A student of the American University of Armenia (AUA), Armen is set to fulfil his military service in Artsakh. “I am excited to join the army and hope that my service will proceed well. My brother has also served in Artsakh and has taken part in the [2016] April war, which inspires me even more,” Armen says.

In his words, his parents seem to have reconciled with the fact that they are already sending their second son off to military duty.

Armen Hakobyan wishes the conscript soldiers to be proud and in high moods, focusing on their military service. “We should follow the steps of our older brothers, who faced numerous hardships and went through a war, but never feared. We will not let them down. We must become a true soldier of our homeland and fulfil our service with honor,” the draftee says.

Another conscript soldier Harutyun Aghajanyan is from Norashen village of Armenia’s Tavush province. After graduating from the Theological University of the Patriarchate of Venice, he has returned to Armenia to serve in the army.

A philosopher and theologian, Harutyun does not think the military service will be difficulty for him, adding that everything will work out if you have a positive attitude towards it. 

“I think that it will not be difficult for my mother as well, since she is already used to my absence: I am living in abroad for almost ten years. I am sure my mom will also overcome this challenge,” Harutyun says.

He is set to study at Military University after Vazgen Sargsyan for one year, afterwards serving in Artsakh as a commander for two years.

“I have only one wish – peace to our country. We are well aware who we are dealing with and are always ready to impose peace on them,” philosopher Harutyun Aghajanyan says.

Շվեդիայի «Սպիտակ» հայկական մշակութային միության պատվիրակությունն այցելեց Սփյուռքի նախարարություն

Tania Jagharian 
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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(+374 10) 585601, ներքին 805


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Mayor of Valence: The recent democratic elections in Artsakh are radically different from the totalitarian electoral processes in neighboring authoritarian Azerbaijan

Tania Jagharian
ArmInfo, Armenia

ArmInfo.Mayor of the French city of Valence, Nicolas Daragon congratulated President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan on his reelection as head of the NKR.

In his congratulatory message, the French mayor notes that Sahakyan  was re-elected on the basis of democratic elections, having received  the support of more than two-three deputies of the Karabakh  parliament. Daragon also stressed that the democratic elections in  Artsakh are radically different from the totalitarian electoral  processes in neighboring authoritarian Azerbaijan.

"These elections were an example of democracy and respect for the  rights of the opposition, and democracy is the guarantee of peace,"  the message reads. Daragon also promised further cooperation of  Valance with the Artsakh cities.

To note, in the last elections Bako Sahakyan was supported by 75% of  the deputies of the Artsakh parliament, thus "prolonging" his tenure  as president of the Republic until 2020.

According to the latest constitutional reforms in Artsakh, the  republic passes to a full presidential form of government. 

Swedish MP about suing Erdogan: No lessons seems to have been learnt from the past

Tania Jagharian
news.am, Armenia

Swedish MP about suing Erdogan: No lessons seems to have been learnt from the past
00:37, 13.07.2017

YEREVAN. – The legal complaint filed by Swedish lawmakers against Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is based on the report from the high representative for human rights in the UN and their report for what happened 2015-2016, as well as internal human rights organizations in Turkey, Swedish MP Carl Schlyter said.

Swedish lawmakers are accusing Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crime. It is said that the suit relates to the conflict in Turkey's Kurdish majority south-east.

“Our complaint is based on the reports regardless of the affected ethnic groups, however the most frequent reports during this time was targeting the Kurds,” he said in an e-mailed response to Armenian News-NEWS.am inquiry.

“Regarding the historic genocide targeting mainly Armenians, Turkey must abolish its current denial laws and to gain respect internationally admit the truth,” MP said.

Another imitator of the legal complaint, Riksdag member Annika Lillemets also said she supports Armenian Genocide recognition.

“Regarding your last question about the Armenian Genocide, I would like to refer to the decision by the Swedish Parliament 11 March 2010, acknowledging it as a genocide. We fully support that decision,” she said in an e-mailed letter.

Back in March 2010 majority of Swedish parliament voted in favor of resolution describing the mass killings of Armenians and other Christian minorities in modern Turkey by the end of World War I as genocide. Motion passed the vote after heated debates with 131 votes against 130.

“It needs to reconcile and reflect in order to be able to establish working relations with its neighbors and to make sure the thought of repeating it never returns. That is why we are worried today, no lessons seems to have been learnt from the past,” Mr. Schlyter added.

Armenian film director Henrik Margarian dies in Yerevan

Tania Jagharian
Panorama, Armenia
July 6 2017

Armenia’s ministry of culture reports with great sorrow about the death of film director Henrik Margarian, who passed away on Thursday aged 92.

Henrik Margaryan was born 1925, Leninakan (currently Gyumri) Armenia.  In 1951, he graduated from the Directing Department of Yerevan Theatre Institute (Levon Kalantar's master class). In 1950,  Henrik Margaryan worked at Armenian Youth Communist Union. Since 1955, he worked at Armenfilm Studio.
 
Filmography

 Yeghishe Charents (1957, doc.), Generation of the Brave (1958, doc.), The Last Farewell (1958, doc.), The Guys of the  Music Band (1960, Co-dir.: Henrik Malyan), Four in One (1963, short), Monsieur Jacques  and Others (1964, segment “Priest's Promise”), Refugees (1968, short), Heat (1968, short), Shrove-tide (1968, short), The Clown (1969, short), Hard Rock (1974, Co-dir.:  Albert Mkrtchyan), The Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee  (1977), Blue Lion (1979), Earth and Gold, (1984, Co-dir.: Arman Manaryan), The Pharmacy on the Crossroads (1987).

Margarian received the Honorary Title of People’s Artist of Armenia in 1967.