Author: Vardan Badalian

Armenpress: Armenia becoming huge construction site – PM Pashinyan

Vardan Badalian

Armenia becoming huge construction site – PM Pashinyan

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 18:22, 17 August, 2020

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. After the visit to Gegharkunik Province, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia is becoming a huge construction site, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan said in a Facebook Live on August 17.

‘’Today civilizational revolution is taking place in the villages. People go out of their houses and see High quality roads with drainage and lighting systems. This makes me optimistic to say that the Republic of Armenia is becoming a huge construction site'', Pashinyan said, adding that his visit to Gegharkunik Province was rather impressive.

''In 2018 we adopted a strategic plan according to which the roads around Sevan Lake must be of high quality. Practically we are in the final stage of this task'', he said.

Nikol Pashinyan added that in the future he will aslo visit Sevan National Park.

Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan, Editing and Translatng by Tigran Sirekanyan

Issues of repatriation discussed at Armenian government

Vardan Badalian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 20 2020

Issues of repatriation were discussed at a government meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan today.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the need to ensure the interoperability of various existing programs for repatriates, to create new ones if necessary, and to develop a single package. Programs must have both a short-term and a long-term component, he said.

The participants of the meeting referred to the assessment of the needs of repatriates, the identification of possible problems and the involvement of the necessary resources for their solution.

Issues related to the accommodation of the repatriates, their education, healthcare, economic activity were discussed.


Armenia totally open for tourism — shortened quarantines

Vardan Badalian
Cyprus Mail
Aug 20 2020
By Andrew Rosenbaum

Armenia has opened its borders to air passenger tourists from all nations, with no requirement for previous testing for COVID-19, and with shortened quarantines.

The country has been open to tourist arrivals at airports from August 12, according to a statement by the Tourism Committee of the Ministry for the Economy. Entry via land travel is not yet permitted. More than 15 airlines have direct flights from major cities to Yerevan, the country’s capital.

All air passengers arriving are subject to immediate health check-ups at the airports to detect travellers infected with the novel coronavirus. Afterwards, all arrivals are sent into self-isolation quarantine.

“While this may last as long as 14 days,  travellers have the possibility (if they choose to) to undergo at their own expense, a coronavirus PCR test,” the statement says. “During the isolation, PCR sampling should be performed exclusively by a laboratory specialist executed at the individual’s self-isolation location. Based on the results of the latter, in case they are negative, the person can come out of the self-isolation before the 14 days are completed,” the statement explains.

Visitors to the country are encouraged to have health insurance that covers the novel coronavirus, although it is not a legal requirement.

While travelling through the country, wearing masks at public spaces both indoors and outdoors is mandatory, the statement adds.

The Tourism Committee has stated that it hopes, with this policy, to attract a much larger number of tourists — the policy should be particularly attractive to couples where each person is from a different country, and is thus covered by different travel bans in most destinations.

Armenia may also profit from the fact that visas are either not required for most countries in Europe, North America or South America, or a visa can be arranged on arrival. Some countries in Africa and Asia must request visas before coming to Armenia, however.


Armenia will help rebuild one or two buildings in Beirut

Vardan Badalian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 11 2020
<img alt='' src=”'https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/84c04032437fad0111caa6cd4b424391?s=140&d=mm&r=g'” srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/84c04032437fad0111caa6cd4b424391?s=280&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-140 photo' height='140' width='140'/>                     

<img width="960" height="640" src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Հնչակյան-1.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Հնչակյան-1.jpg 960w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Հնչակյան-1-300×200.jpg 300w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Հնչակյան-1-768×512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"/>

Armenian will help rebuild one or two buildings in Beirut, High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan said within the framework of his visit to Lebanon.

The High Commissioner reinstated the readiness of the Armenian government to stand by the Lebanese-Armenian community. He stated that one or two community institutions will be rebuilt by Armenia’s efforts.

On August 10, High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan, along with the Republic of Armenia Ambassador to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan visited the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon and met with the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon Archbishop Shahé Panossian.

After expressing his gratitude for the welcome, the High Commissioner talked about the humanitarian aid provided by Armenia to the Lebanese government and the Armenian community. He also noted that in addition to providing aid, one of the main reasons for the visit is to get acquainted with the conditions of the Lebanese-Armenian community after the explosion. 

<img src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Առաջնորդարան-1024×682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-117602" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Առաջնորդարան-1024×682.jpg 1024w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Առաջնորդարան-300×200.jpg 300w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Առաջնորդարան-768×512.jpg 768w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Առաջնորդարան-1536×1024.jpg 1536w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Առաջնորդարան.jpg 1670w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/>

The Primate of the Diocese, having described the condition of the community, emphasized that Lebanese-Armenians have seen many difficulties and will be able to overcome this as well.

Zareh Sinanyan highlighted the fundraiser organized by the Hayastan All Armenia Fund specifically for the Lebanese-Armenian community. The parties discussed possible areas of assistance, in particular the reconstruction of educational institutions. Members of the Armenian delegation were present at the meeting.

<img src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Դաշնակցություն-1024×682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-117603" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Դաշնակցություն-1024×682.jpg 1024w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Դաշնակցություն-300×200.jpg 300w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Դաշնակցություն-768×512.jpg 768w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Դաշնակցություն-1536×1024.jpg 1536w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Դաշնակցություն.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/>

Later that day, High Commissioner Sinanyan visited the Chaghzoyan Center in Beirut and met with ARF representatives. Ambassador Atabekyan and members of the Armenian delegation attended the meeting. 

High Commissioner Sinanyan presented the reason for his visit and underlined the importance of being in direct contact with Lebanese-Armenians and community organizations, and identifying problems through face-to-face meetings.

Lebanese MP Hagop Pakradouni thanked the Armenian government for quickly responding to the explosion and standing by the community physically and emotionally.

<img src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Հնչակյան.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-117604" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Հնչակյան.jpg 960w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Հնչակյան-300×200.jpg 300w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Հնչակյան-768×512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"/>

High Commissioner Sinanyan also visited the office of the Lebanese branch of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party and met with the chairman Sebouh Kalpakian, who noted how important it is that the government of Armenia and Prime Minister Pashinyan are in constant contact with the community, especially given the current situation. After which the chairman discussed the SDHP’s activities in Lebanon and in Armenia.

The High Commissioner reinstated the readiness of the Armenian government to stand by the Lebanese-Armenian community. He also stated that one or two community institutions will be rebuilt by Armenia’s efforts. Furthermore, Sinanyan presented the steps taken by the government for repatriation, specifically the Law on Repatriation, and the ongoing work to establish a repatriation and integration center.

Afterward, the members of the delegation took a tour of St. Gevork church and the adjacent medical center where they spoke with representatives of the Armenian community who were affected by the explosion.

Later that day, the High Commissioner paid a visit to the Tekeyan Cultural Center in Lebanon.

<img src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ՀԲԸՄ-1024×768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-117605" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ՀԲԸՄ-1024×768.jpg 1024w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ՀԲԸՄ-300×225.jpg 300w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ՀԲԸՄ-768×576.jpg 768w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ՀԲԸՄ-1536×1152.jpg 1536w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ՀԲԸՄ-scaled.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/>

He also visited the AGBU office and met with members of the organization headed by Gerard Tufenkjian. High Commissioner Sinanyan was introduced to the activities of the Lebanese branch of the organization, and the work being carried out after the explosion. The AGBU office has assessed the needs of 400 Lebanese-Armenian families, on the basis of which assistance will be provided.

Zareh Sinanyan noted that the Office of the High Commissioner is working effectively with the AGBU and expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation. Issues affecting the Lebanese-Armenian community were discussed during the meeting.

Book Review: “Silent Angel,” by Antonia Arslan – A Story from the Armenian Massacre

Vardan Badalian
Ricochet
Aug 16 2020
Book: “Silent Angel,” by Antonia Arslan
A Story from the Armenian Massacre

By Seawriter

 
Seawriter is a former Shuttle software engineer who successfully made the transition to the oil and gas industry as a technical writer after the end of the Shuttle program. It is not the first career

      

 

<img class="size-medium wp-image-792734 alignright" src=”"https://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Silent-Angel-197×300.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="300" srcset="https://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Silent-Angel-197×300.jpg 197w, https://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Silent-Angel-394×600.jpg 394w, https://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Silent-Angel-98×150.jpg 98w, https://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Silent-Angel-768×1170.jpg 768w, https://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Silent-Angel-624×951.jpg 624w, https://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Silent-Angel-750×1143.jpg 750w, https://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Silent-Angel.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px" />The Homilary of Moush is an illuminated manuscript dating from the early twelfth century. It is the largest surviving Armenian religious manuscript. A massive work, it weighs over 60 pounds (28 kg). It survived destruction during the Armenian genocide.

“Silent Angel,” by Antonia Arslan is a fictionalized account of its preservation, recounting how it was found after the destruction of its long-time home in the Sourp Arakelots Vank (Holy Apostles Monastery) in Moush and spirited to safety

The novella opens in 1915. The Turkish army, retreating before the Russians, is passing through the Valley of Moush in eastern Anatolia. It is largely inhabited by Christian Armenians, anathema to the Muslim Turks.

Markarios the Greek, one of two Greeks in a village in that valley, is a handyman. The other Greek is Eleni, the town’s midwife. She is a childhood friend who drifted into the village independently from Markarios. New of the retreating Turks leave Markarious uneasy. He convinces Eleni to flee with him before they arrive.

Anoush and Kohar are Armenian women born in the village. They are close friends. Anoush is married with three children. Kohar is engaged to a carpenter. They end a day spent preparing vegetables for winter with a swim in a nearby river. Turkish soldiers march by as they finish their swim. Forced to hide they spend the night outside their village.

The next morning Markarious’s fears are realized. The women discover the villagers have been massacred. Anoush’s family is dead. The sole survivor is a neighbor’s child who hid during the massacre. They take the child and flee, encountering Markarios and Eleni.

Joining forces, the five go to the monastery. It, too, was sacked. They discover the Homilary, hidden by a monk, killed preserving it. The five take it with them to preserve it. Due to its weight Anoush and Kohar split it, each carrying half.

The rest of the story follows their struggles crossing the Valley of Moush. By accepting the task of saving the book, they transform their journey from mere flight to a holy journey. They no longer are mere refugees. Their flight has a greater purpose.

“Silent Angel” is based on actual events. The characters in it are fictional, but they stand in for a real set of heroes and heroines, who sacrificed to bring a holy relic to safety. A gripping tale, it illustrates how nobility can spring from humble roots.

This review was written by Mark Lardas who writes at Ricochet as Seawriter. Mark Lardas, an engineer, freelance writer, historian, and model-maker, lives in League City, TX. His website is .

https://ricochet.com/792738/a-story-from-the-armenian-massacre/

Armenia reiterates need for int’l investigation mechanism of ceasefire breaches at Azerbaijan border

Vardan Badalian

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 12:50,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has highlighted the need for introducing international mechanisms of investigations of ceasefire violations at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Pashinyan was speaking to BBC HARDtalk about the Azerbaijani military attack in the direction of Tavush Province, Armenia in mid-July.

“Azerbaijan started military attack against Armenia and it wasn’t separate action. Within long time the Azerbaijani president developed bellicose rhetoric saying he was going to solve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict using military force. As a result of that bellicose rhetoric, Azerbaijani government is facing a challenge to explain to their own society why they couldn’t solve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through force”, he said, adding that the Azerbaijani attack failed even when the Azerbaijani government had spent billions of dollars on military at the expense of the Azerbaijani people’s welfare. He said the failure also diminished the myth of the Azerbaijani military superiority against Armenia.

“I can understand the situation of international community, every time hearing mutual accusations of each other on who violated ceasefire, and this continues again and again, that is why we propose to establish international mechanism for investigating ceasefire violations, and this is valid proposal by Armenia”, PM Pashinyan said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian government announces relief program for tourism sector

Vardan Badalian

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 12:10,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 13, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government approved a new – the 23rd – relief program aimed at eliminating the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measure concerns the tourism sector and is directed at helping businesses of the area keep their employees.

Miinster of Economy Tigran Khachatryan said at the Cabinet meeting the pandemic has caused nearly 70% drop in the tourism, accommodation and restaurant business turnovers.

Businesses meeting the requirements for the relief project will receive monthly grants from the government. Companies or entrepreneurs operating in the tourism and travel business, hotels and accommodation, booking, food and other services who launched their operations before March 31, 2020 and who have at least 3 employees at the time of application, are entitled to receive the aid.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian Genocide film The Promise now available on Netflix

Vardan Badalian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 8 2020

<img width="533" height="423" src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Cher-Promise-poster-e1596316993725.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/xCher-Promise-poster-e1596316993725.jpg.pagespeed.ic.xEklFItXDz.jpg 533w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Cher-Promise-poster-e1596316993725-300×238.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px"/>

The Armenian Genocide film The Promise is now available to tens of millions of households via Netflix.

To get the film trending, it’s necessary to view, giving the film a well-deserved thumbs-up and recommend that friends watch this epic drama set against the backdrop of the Armenian Genocide.

Set during the waning days of the Ottoman Turkish Empire, “The Promise” tells the story of a love triangle sparked between an Armenian medical student, Michael (Oscar Issac), Anna (Charlotte Le Bon), and renowned American photojournalist Chris Myers (Christian Bale).

The First World War and the Armenian Genocide of the 1915-1923 form the historical backdrop of an epic story of love, loyalty and survival.

It was philanthropist and billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, who envisioned the movie and got producer Eric Esrailian involved. They spent two years researching the Genocide and governments’ efforts, including by the United States to suppress a movie being made about the event, before forming a production company to make the movie.

Kerkorian didn’t live to see the filming, but he did see the creation of the story.

https://en.armradio.am/2020/08/08/armenian-genocide-film-the-promise-now-available-on-netflix/

We are ready to provide assistance at this difficult moment, Sarkissian tells Lebanon’s Aoun

Vardan Badalian

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 11:36, 5 August, 2020

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian has addressed a telegram to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun to express condolences over the deadly Beirut blast, Sarkissian’s Office said.

“I am deeply shocked by the news of the Beirut explosion”, Sarkissian said in the telegram.

 “This tragedy claimed numerous lives and caused great devastation. I express my condolences to you and the brotherly people of Lebanon. I wish resilience and fortitude to the families of the victims and speedy recovery to the injured. At this difficult moment, we are ready to provide assistance to the brotherly Lebanon”, the Armenian President said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Mnatsakanyan: Armenia, Greece will resolutely respond to actions that endanger their interests

Vardan Badalian
News.am, Armenia
July 31 2020

11:02, 31.07.2020