ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia December 1, 2017 Friday Ambassador Samantha Power Joins the Aurora Prize Selection Committee Yerevan December 1 Marianna Mkrtchyan. Today, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative announces Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power as the newest member of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Selection Committee. As a part of the Selection Committee, Ambassador Power will join the other esteemed humanitarians, human rights activists and former heads of state to determine future recipients for the annual $1.1 million Aurora Prize. "We are very excited to welcome Ambassador Power to the Aurora Prize Selection Committee. With her notable experience on the world stage, she has made great strides in aiding those in the developing world and standing up for the most vulnerable members of our global community," said Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. "With her unparalleled expertise in human rights around the world, we are honored that she will review Aurora Prize nominations and help shape the future of the Aurora Prize." Ambassador Samantha Power served as the 28th U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and as a member of President Obama's cabinet, and became known as one of the country's foremost thinkers on foreign policy. Prior to her work at the United Nations, she served on the U.S. National Security Council as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, where she focused on atrocity prevention, United Nations reform, LGBT and women's rights and the promotion of religious freedom, among other issues. She also authored the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide." Given her influential work in human rights and democracy, she has been recognized several times over, including as one of TIME's "100 Most Influential People" and Foreign Policy's "Top 100 Global Thinkers." "The Aurora Prize and its laureates recognize that, while it is essential to remember past atrocities, we each have the power to assist those who are saving lives in the present," said Ambassador Power. "I take great pride in being part of the Prize's Selection Committee, which seeks to honor those who make great sacrifices to help others, and who find a way to mobilize human kindness and persevere amid steep odds." She will join current Aurora Prize Selection Committee members Nobel Laureates Oscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee; former president of Ireland Mary Robinson; former president of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo; human rights activist Hina Jilani; Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London Lord Ara Darzi; President Emeritus of the International Crisis Group and former foreign minister of Australia Gareth Evans; Medecins sans Frontieres Founder Bernard Kouchner; President of Carnegie Corporation of New York Vartan Gregorian; and Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney The Aurora Prize, now in its third year, was founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors. The Selection Committee will convene in Berlin, Germany on December 4, 2017 to review nominations from this year's process, which gathered 750 submissions from 115 countries. Concurrent to their meeting in Berlin, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative will host its first Aurora Dialogues outside of Armenia, titled "Millions on The Move: Need for Development and Integration." The Aurora Dialogues Berlin is a joint effort of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, Global Perspectives Initiative, Robert Bosch Stiftung and Stiftung Mercator, and will be held on December 4-5, 2017. Speakers will address the state of the global migration crisis and look at the role of different actors in advancing positive change. The 2018 Aurora Prize finalists will be announced on April 24, 2018, the day of commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. The Aurora Prize, established on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, provides the laureate with a $100,000 grant and the opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by nominating organizations to receive a $1,000,000 award. The third annual Prize will be announced on June 10, 2018, at a ceremony in Armenia.
Category: 2017
Ara Babloyan: We can not be indifferent to both Eurasian and pan-European processes
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia December 1, 2017 Friday Ara Babloyan: We can not be indifferent to both Eurasian and pan-European processes Yerevan December 1 Ani Mshetsyan. "There are many pages of cooperation between Armenia and Europe in our history, and now it's time to write a new page that will be devoted to our future." RA NA Speaker Ara Babloyan made such a statement on December 1 during the parliamentary hearings held at the joint initiative of the permanent commissions on foreign relations and European integration, and with the support of the Armenian branch of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. For the sake of productive cooperation, as Babloyan stressed, it is necessary to make efforts, "we have the political will, opportunities and potential that contribute to the formation of a new stage of cooperation between Armenia and the EU." Also, the Chairman of the Parliament stressed, "we do not intend to build and strengthen these relations through cooperation with any other country or structure." He noted that Armenia has never been guided by the opposition of the interests of its partners or even more so of friends. On the contrary, the Armenian authorities have always sought to combine these interests: "This is precisely the feature that our state is endowed with and which is also valued by partner countries and structures." Babloyan also noted the symbolism that the framework agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union was signed in the year of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome - the first step towards the United Europe. Ara Babloyan said that Armenia attaches great importance to the European security system. The Speaker of the Parliament emphasized the fact that the modern European security system is based on a kind of triangle - the EU, the OSCE and NATO. Moreover, the OSCE is the most active participant in the settlement of the Artsakh issue, since it is the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group - the only structure with an international mandate for the settlement of the conflict. "CSTO membership, which is the main guarantor of the security of the post-Soviet space and the CIS, is of the utmost importance for us." The Republic of Armenia can best balance cooperation with these two security systems, while playing a role in helping to level out the existing problems between them. an integral part of the Eurasian region and at the same time Europe, and we can not be indifferent to both the Eurasian and the European processes," Babloyan concluded. The chairman of the permanent parliamentary commission on foreign relations Armen Ashotyan stated that the signed agreement with the EU is our achievement, and this agreement will contribute to the implementation of the reforms planned by the Armenian authorities. Ashotyan noted that this meeting has several objectives. The most important goal is to inform the public about this document, since public awareness on the political platform is important and promotes the development of further cooperation. The chairman of the permanent parliamentary commission for European integration from the Tsarukyan bloc Naira Zohrabyan noted that it is important that all residents of Armenia are aware that this agreement will give each of them separately. Zohrabyan noted that one of the main achievements is the planned reforms. "We need to show political will to implement these reforms, the most important thing is that these reforms should be implemented and not be fixed only on paper." We expect this from the government, the implementation of the promised reforms, "the MP said, stressing that only those programs and those agreements that are beneficial to both the society and the political forces of the country are always successful.
Armenia-EU new agreement serves a firm base for future developments – Italian Ambassador
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia December 1, 2017 Friday Armenia-EU new agreement serves a firm base for future developments – Italian Ambassador YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The signing of the Armenia-EU new agreement is a positive event, Ambassador of Italy to Armenia Giovanni Ricciulli told ARMENPRESS. According to the Ambassador, the agreement signed in Brussels on November 24 will boost the bilateral relations in a number of fields. “Before this the relations were friendly, partnering, but this new base didn’t exist. We all were working for that, Armenia as well was working, and finally, the process reached its end. We are very happy since it forms a new circle for the relations which can serve a firm base for further developments”, the Italian Ambassador said. Armenia and the European Union signed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in Brussels on November 24. The document was signed by Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Syuzi Muradyan
Armenia-EU Common Aviation Zone deal to create predictable environment for European airlines
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia December 1, 2017 Friday Armenia-EU Common Aviation Zone deal to create predictable environment for European airlines YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The agreement on common aviation zone with the European Union is a serious and comprehensive agreement and a good tool to develop the field, attract new airlines to the Armenian market, Anna Chobanyan – head of the Air transportation regulation department at the General Department of Civil Aviation, told ARMENPRESS commenting on the agreement initialed in Brussels on November 24. She said the agreement affirms all the principles enshrined by the adoption of open sky policy in Armenia in late 2013. “The new agreement with the EU is not only a serious legal tool to regulate the market in terms of liberalization, but also it is a deal covering the entire aviation field. In addition, the agreement defines that all European standards in the civil aviation field will be installed in Armenia. This will help us a lot during the talks and discussions with the airlines since the airlines will already come to a predictable environment as the same standard, like in Europe, will be used”, Anna Chobanyan said. She stated that the agreement doesn’t suppose any restrictions for the airlines in terms of commercial activity and the airlines, while making a decision to conduct an activity in Armenia, can be confident that they can operate the market as they want, with the frequency they want. The official highlighted the fact that according to this new agreement liberalized relations in the aviation field will be established with all EU member states, in other words there will be no need to solve issues at bilateral level. “The Armenian airlines will also have an opportunity to use Europe’s domestic market”, she said. She clarified what it means installation of the best European experience which is expected after joining the EU aviation zone. “The field is regulated by respective agencies, there are certain procedures which are already applied in the European countries, they will also be adapted in Armenia. The talk is about the mutual cooperation between the airlines, implementation of agreed actions, use of market opportunities and etc”, she said. As for the signing of the agreement, Anna Chobanyan couldn’t mention the exact dates, but attached importance to the fact that the negotiation process completed successfully.
Armenia-EU agreement is not against anyone, it’s beneficial to all, says EU Delegation chief
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia December 1, 2017 Friday Armenia-EU agreement is not against anyone, it's beneficial to all, says EU Delegation chief YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement is beneficial not only for the sides that signed it, but also for the region, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Świtalski said during the parliamentary hearings on the abovementioned agreement, reports Armenpress. “There is nothing in this agreement which can be perceived as a provision against someone. It is for benefit of all of us”, the EU Ambassador said. He stated that the agreement has a key significance and is the beginning of a long path. “Some of the actions mentioned in the agreement will be implemented very soon, therefore, we expect the participation of member states in the works on implementing it”, Piotr Świtalski said. He emphasized that the agreement has a separate provision on the importance of parliamentary and civil society control for implementing it. “I hope the Armenian Parliament, as well as the European Parliament will be active and will play their key role on implementing the agreement. Of course, the participation of civil society in these works is also important”, the EU Ambassador stated. Armenia and the European Union signed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in Brussels on November 24. The document was signed by Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
Union of Armenians of Russia blasts TV channels for spreading disinformation, causing anti- Armenian stir
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia December 1, 2017 Friday Union of Armenians of Russia blasts TV channels for spreading disinformation, causing anti- Armenian stir YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Union of Armenians of Russia issued a statement condemning the anti-Armenian stir of Russian politicians and certain news agencies after Armenia signed the agreement with the European Union. The Union states that certain circles falsely present the agreement to be a change of political course of Armenia. The Union emphasized that it is difficult to comprehend what is prevailing here – ignorance or the drive to serve to those foreign powers which would like to create tension not only in the Armenian-Russian relations, but also among CSTO and EEU partners. “If those pseudo-experts weren’t lazy enough and had actually read the agreement, it would be instantly clear for them that it was signed in accordance to all commitments assumed by Armenia towards its partners, it doesn’t imply Armenia’s entry to the single economic area with the EU and doesn’t threaten whatsoever to the interests of EEU member states”, the statement said. The Union addressed relevant structures demanding to remove so-called experts, corrupt reporters and pseudo-politicians from TV airtime, which spread disinformation and harm first of all those channels.
Travel: Armenian opus
Live Mint
Dec 1 2017
Pink stone architecture, modern sculptures and affordable antiques colour the canvas of capital city Yerevan
Music: Erevan Choral Society and Orchestra’s Christmas Holiday Concert to be held Dec. 10
The Armenian Weekly
Dec 1 2017
Erevan Choral Society and Orchestra’s Christmas Holiday Concert to be held Dec. 10
By Contributor on December 1, 2017
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—The Erevan Choral Society and Orchestra will usher in the Christmas season with its Christmas Holiday Concert on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., in the Sanctuary of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston (145 Brattle Street, Cambridge).
This year’s concert, under the direction of Composer Konstantin Petrossian, Music Director and Conductor, will feature the Vocal Quartet from The Bostonians, and open with The Arlington High School Madrigal Singers, directed by Ms. Madalyn Kitchen.
The program will consist of a variety of traditional Armenian and Western sacred and holiday music, and will include three special songs: “Yegeghetzin Haygagan” (The Armenian Church) and “Aghotk” (Prayer) (USA Premier), which are dedicated to the memory of the Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Minassian, founder and director of the Erevan Choral Society, and to his devoted mother, Diramayr Sirvart Minassian, and “Hor Hor” dedicated to the heroic liberators of Artsakh.
The Bostonians is a repertory company of outstanding vocal and instrumental artists founded in 2003, by renowned singer, teacher and impresario Richard Conrad. Now led by baritone Philip Lima, they are known for sonorous singing and virtuoso playing and have enjoyed praise for their eclectic programs ranging from opera to cabaret, American favorites to Armenian classics. In addition to Philip Lima, the quartet is comprised of Nouné Karapetian (soprano), Roselin Osser (mezzo) and Michael Calmés (tenor). This is the Bostonians second performance at Holy Trinity’s Christmas Concert, having performed in 2015.
The Arlington High School Madrigal Singers, founded in 1990, is an auditioned ensemble comprised of students in Grades 9-12. The “Mads” have performed in European Tours that have taken them to Italy, Greece, Hungary, Austria and Switzerland, and this coming February, they will again be touring in Italy and Switzerland. They generally perform in Arlington and the Greater Boston area, including events such as Boston’s 9/11 Commemorative Ceremony in 2014 and at Fenway Park in 2016.
Students of Holy Trinity’s Armenian School will also participate with recitations intermingled in the program.
The public is warmly invited to attend this complimentary concert, which is a gift to the community.
For further information, contact the Church Office at 617.354.0632, email [email protected], or log onto www.htaac.org.
Music: “Babi Yar” symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich premieres in Armenia
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 1 2017
Culture 19:57 01/12/2017 Armenia
The Armenian premiere of the Symphony No.13 “Babi Yar” by Dmitri Shostakovich took place within the framework of the 5th Khachaturian International Festival on November 30.
The State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, headed by conductor Sergey Smbatyan, presented the composition jointly with the soloist of the Hamburg State Opera Vladimir Baykov (bass) and Choir of Khachaturian International Festival (choirmaster Radik Melikyan), the orchestra’s press service reported.
Vladimir Baykov noted that previously he had only presented excerpts from this symphony. In Armenia, he performed the whole composition for the first time.
Notably, this was Baykov's second performance in Yerevan. He performed here for the first time 15 years ago, presenting Symphony No.14 by Dmitri Shostakovich with Araks Davtyan.
The Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia Sergey Smbatyan highlighted the content of the symphony. He expressed hope that they succeeded in conveying to the audience all the messages that Shostakovich and Yevtushenko summed up in the ideological content of their compositions.
Yerevan is hosting the 5th Khachaturian International Festival, which is held under the high patronage of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. It is implemented thanks to the joint efforts of the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia (General Partner of the Orchestra – VivaCell-MTS), with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the “Khachaturian” Foundation and European Foundation for Support of Culture.
Film: New Armenian Genocide documentary debuts in Argentina
Pan Armenian, Armenia
Dec 1 2017
December 1, 2017 – 16:15 AMT
New Armenian Genocide documentary debuts in Argentina
The documentary "The April Symphony" directed by Teresa Saporiti and Claudio Remedi premiered in Buenos Aires on Thursday, November 30 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The film centers around the preparations for the centenary of the Genocide in 2015 through the interaction of the Armenian community of Buenos Aires and the residents of Yerevan, Prensa Armenia reports.
The project records the daily life of both capitals during the month of April 2015 and culminates with commemoration event on the 24th of that month.
Armenians throughout the world held hundreds of large-scale events, campaigns and rallies to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.
Some three dozen countries, hundreds of local government bodies and international organizations have so far recognized the killings of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide.