Category: News

Photo: Artsakhpress

 

Azerbaijan will blacklist Italian and Slovenian musicians for their visit to Nagorno Karabakh, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev has said.

Italian pianist and conductor Luca Ferrini, violinist Jože Kotar and clarinetist Črtomir Šiškovič from Slovenia visited the city of Shishi for a concert within the framework of the “Arts for Peace” project.

Hajiyev noted that the musicians’ names will be included in the list of ‘personae non gratae’ of Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry “after all issues are clarified.”

 

 

 

Three artists will represent Armenia at the Viva Arte Viva 57th Venice Biennale to be held May 13-November 26.

Young artist Rafael Megall will present the “Leopards in my blooming garden” exhibition. Any of his 15 works will illustrate the human-nature relationship.

“The garden is the Garden of Eden that symbolizes Armenia. Leopards are the people that live in that garden, live in harmony, but can be very dangerous if necessary, like the Armenian nation,” Megall told a press conference in Yerevan today.

Rafael Megall, 34, had a number of individual exhibitions at best art galleries of the world – in Florence, London, Paris, New-York and Toronto. He also participated in different biennales and won prizes and titles.

Brussels-based Lebanese Armenian sculptor and artist Jean Boghossian will present an exhibition titled “Fiamma Inestinguibile.” The name of the exhibition is inspired by the blowtorch flame, which Boghossian uses as a flamboyant brush, leading to a passionate quest as flames transform to create inextinguishable art.

Boghossian is one of the few artists globally who experiment by applying fire and smoke to various works. Fire is his artistic language of choice, and he uses a wide array of brushes and torches as his tools.

Armenia’s third representative Miro Persolja is of Slovenian descent and lives in Italy. He presented a large exhibition at the Armenian National Art Gallery in 2016.

Titled “Border no Border” Persolja’s exhibition will showcase how, through the language of art, some walls that divide nations can smoothly disappear.

Judging from the experience of the past years, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Culture Arev Samuelyan believes that Armenia will not return from the biennale without achievements.

Armenia won the “Golden lion” in 2015 for the pavilion called “Armenity.”

This year the works will be displayed in two different venues: Collegio Armeno Moorat-Raphael, at Palazzo Zenobio, and Chiesa di Santa Croce degli Armeni, in Calle Dei Armeni.

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, represented by Svetlana Sahakyan, will be the commissioner of the Armenian national pavillion.

 –  During the Argentine football match of Boca Juniors against Arsenal on Sunday, April 30, the Armenian Genocide was remembered with a banner for the 102nd anniversary.

For some years in the “Bombonera” stadium the Armenian Genocide has been remembered at the initiative of the Armenian Youth Federation of South America.

Last year, a similar banner was shown during the “Superclasico” between Boca and River, one of the most important football matches.

– Turkey under President Tayyip Erdogan has turned its back on joining the European Union, at least for now, the bloc’s top official dealing with Ankara said, offering economic cooperation instead if both sides can restore friendly ties.

After years of stalemate on Turkey’s bid to join the world’s biggest trading bloc, EU governments say the process is dead, citing Erdogan’s crackdown on dissidents, his ‘Nazi’ jibes at Germany and a referendum giving him sweeping new powers that a rights group says lack checks and balances.

“Everybody’s clear that, currently at least, Turkey is moving away from a European perspective,” European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, who oversees EU membership bids, told Reuters.

“The focus of our relationship has to be something else,” he said in an interview after EU foreign ministers met in Malta and where France and Germany led efforts to consider a new deal with Ankara based on trade and security ties.

“We have to see what could be done in the future, to see if we can restart some kind of cooperation,” Hahn said on Saturday, saying that he had not had meetings on the economy with NATO-member Turkey since January last year, normally a fixture of accession talks.

The EU process is not formally frozen, but EU lawmakers called last week for a formal halt to talks, with some saying Turkey no longer met the democratic criteria to be considered a candidate, let alone a full member, for the EU.

Erdogan told Reuters in an interview last week that Turkey would not wait at Europe’s door forever and would walk away from accession talks if what he said was rising Islamophobia and hostility from some member states persist.

Launched in 2005 after decades of seeking the formal start of an EU membership bid, negotiations dovetailed with Erdogan’s first economic reforms in power as prime minister from 2003.

EU officials say Turkish reforms to enter the EU brought stability and attracted foreign investment, making Turkey an important emerging economy with high-speed trains crossing the strategically-located country bridging Europe and Asia.

That economic success remains part of Erdogan’s popularity with the pious Turkish poor, who saw living standards rise, although Hahn noted the worsening state of Turkey’s economy now.

The European Union is Turkey’s biggest foreign investor and biggest trading partner, while Turkey shares a border with Iraq, Syria and with Russia in the Black Sea.

Hahn said he would present a report by early next year to EU governments to clarify Turkey’s status. The lack of urgency shows the reluctance of EU states to upset Ankara, given that they rely on Turkey to keep migrants from coming to Europe, diplomats said.

But Hahn said that limits on with press freedoms, mass jailing and shrinking civil rights made it almost impossible at the present time for Turkey to meet EU joining criteria.

Hahn said EU rules “were not negotiable” and the bloc would not “decouple the human rights situation” from discussions.

“There is no version of Turkish democracy. There is only democracy. Turkish people have the same rights to live in freedom as Europeans do,” said Hahn, whose delegation in Turkey has visited dissidents in prison.

A slim majority of 51.4 percent of Turkish voters voted in April to grant the president sweeping new powers, the biggest overhaul of the country’s politics since the founding of the modern republic, amid opposition accusations of vote fraud.

Asked if the European Union was partly responsible for Turkey’s turn towards a more centralised system, Hahn said the drive to change had come from inside the country.

“Nobody can claim to be blameless, but it is always the sovereign decision of a country (to decide policy) … If you have a certain vision in mind, it is difficult to intervene in a meaningful way,” Hahn said.

“All these reform efforts are not done for the European Union but for the sake of (Turkish) citizens,” Hahn said, referring to the process that helped transform former communist countries in central and eastern Europe into thriving market democracies as they sought to join the European Union.

“This is not about serving the Europeans,” he said.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is in a position to achieve history for Manchester United when the Reds play in Spain on Thursday night, according to the club’s official website. 

The fans’ favourite has already become the first United player to score in four successive away games in Europe – at the expense of Zorya Luhansk, Saint-Etienne, Rostov and Anderlecht – and he can break further new ground if he finds the net against Celta Vigo in the Europa League semi-final first leg.

Should the Armenian strike at Estadio de Balaídos, he’ll be the only star in the club’s history to have scored in five different games on the road within a single European campaign.

David Herd netted on four trips during United’s 1964/65 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup run – namely Djurgardens, Borussia Dortmund, Everton and Strasbourg. Herd also claimed a double in the home leg of the semi-final with Ferencvaros but did not score in two games in Hungary – neither the second leg or the resulting play-off match against the eventual winners.

Dwight Yorke was on the mark in Champions League away fixtures at Bayern Munich, Brondby, Barcelona and Juventus during the Treble season of 1998/99, and Ruud van Nistelrooy matched him by scoring in a quartet of games in the same competition in 2002/03, on visits to Bayer Leverkusen, Basel, Juventus and Real Madrid.

Two other stellar forwards can be added to the list. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s towering header in Moscow against Chelsea in the 2008 shoot-out victory over Chelsea followed earlier efforts at Sporting Lisbon, Dynamo Kiev and Roma. And current captain Wayne Rooney scored in a fourth different match away from Old Trafford in the 2010/11 Champions League campaign when beating Barcelona’s Victor Valdes in the final at Wembley. Rooney had earlier notched in ties at Rangers, Chelsea and Schalke.

A number of players have netted in three matches on the road in Europe during a single season, including centre-back Steve Bruce in the successful 1990/91 European Cup-Winners’ Cup run, when he will feel he was close to making it four with a header in the final, helped over the line from close range by Mark Hughes.

So history could beckon for Mkhitaryan, with his current achievement made even more remarkable by the fact he did not feature at all in the opening away fixture of the Europa League at Feyenoord, and only came on for the last 30 minutes in Turkey against Fenerbahce.

Agencia Prensa Armenia—The Armenian youth of Brazil held a protest in front of the Turkish Consulate in São Paulo, Brazil on April 26, demanding justice for the Armenian Genocide. More than a hundred people attended the event on one of the rainiest days of the year according to the organizers.

The act was opened by Onnig Tamdjian, Chairman of the Tashnagtsutiun Tro Committee, who called everybody to renew the struggle and that “only justice and truth can close this sad page of human history.” Bishop Nareg Berberian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Brazil, reminded everyone that the act of protest honored the memory of our heroes and martyrs.

The director of the Armenian Community of Osasco (a city near São Paulo and one of the oldest Armenian communities) Cesar Sarkis Guludjian read the verses of William Saroyan “Armenia” to remember the strength of the Armenian people. Armen Kevork Pamboukdjian read the manifesto entitled “Truth, nothing less than that” demanding the Turkish government to assume its responsibilities and allow its country to reconcile with its past.

Asbarez – Garo Paylan, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was in Toronto on April 30, with over 1500 attendees from the Toronto Armenian community gathered to greet the parliamentarian.

The event was sponsored by the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) and organized by a joint Toronto-Armenian organizing committee comprised of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church and the St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church of Toronto along with the Bolsahay Armenian Cultural Association, Nor Serount Cultural Association, and the Armenian National Committee of Toronto.

Representatives of the major Armenian organizations including: the aforementioned organizing bodies along with the Zoryan Institute, Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Relief Society, Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Seniors Organization of Toronto, Homenetmen and Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural and Educational Society were all present. Also present was Raffi Bedrosyan, a lead organizer of the Surp Giragos Diyarbakir Church reconstruction project in Turkey.

Representing Toronto’s Kurdish and Assyrian communities were the Toronto Kurdish Community Centre and the Centre for Canadian-Assyrian Relations, respectively.

The event started with a short video presentation highlighting Garo Paylan’s civic activism over the past few years. Sevag Belian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, then took the stage to present the organizing committee message and introduced Paylan. Belian commended Paylan’s ongoing pursuit for equality, justice, and democratic values, proclaiming “Mr. Paylan, your actions are humbling and inspiring. An inspiration that with it displays a tenacity that forces one to fully appreciate the true meaning of our struggle for justice and democracy.”

The parliamentarian took the stage to great applause and appreciation. He provided an overview of the current political climate in Turkey, the aftermath of the constitutional referendum and the ongoing uncertainty and concern regarding the rights and freedoms of the minorities living in Turkey. Paylan stressed the importance of acknowledging history, specifically in regards to the Armenian Genocide, stating, “unpunished crimes lead to new crimes.”

Furthermore, Paylan highlighted the importance of maintaining and upholding the values of democracy, tolerance, respect and human rights in the Republic of Turkey and around the world.

The attendees had the opportunity ask questions, after which, Belian invited the President of the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto to present Paylan with two gifts on behalf of the joint organizing committee: Aram Adjemian’s “The Call from Armenia, Canada’s Response to the Armenian Genocide” reference publication and Kaloust Babian’s photography retrospective.

Paylan’s presence and exceptional remarks were an inspiration to the entire community and particularly to the upcoming generations who vowed to carry on the torch in the collective struggle of the Armenian people around the world.

Garo Paylan is a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) and is a deputy representing the 3rd district in Istanbul. Paylan is a member of Turkey’s Armenian community and has long been an activist on human rights, freedom of speech, minority rights – particularly Kurdish and Armenian issues, including the Hrant Dink murder case.

The Armenian National Committee of Toronto (ANCT) is a chapter of the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC), the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.

President Serzh Sargsyan has issued an address on the occasion of Labor Day

Dear Compatriots,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of Labor Day.

On May 1, laborers all over the world traditionally celebrate their holiday and praise honest work. This is truly a holiday of human dignity.

Peaceful work, honest gain, and mutual respect are timeless values which because of the rich traditions formed through the millennia have found their steady place in our reality. These values were passed from generation to generation by our parents and forefathers, and we have to pass them on intact to our children and heirs.

Today, when Armenia is an independent state, we are obligated to revisit these traditions and reinforce them. Diligence, creative and innovative approach to work, solidarity of the different strata of the society constitute the most solid base for our Fatherland’s sustainable development. I am confident that this is the best road towards the implementation in Armenia of fundamental changes and modernization of our economy.

Dear Compatriots,

The working people – you, are the foundation of our country’s prosperity.
I once again congratulate you on this great holiday and wish that your life is full of interesting and productive work, new ideas and enterprising activities which will bring light, warmth, and prosperity to each Armenian family.

Being the winner of Armenian national selection in December 2016, Artsvik will represent Armenia at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with her song ‘Fly With Me’.

Shortly before the first rehearsal at Kyiv’s International Exhibition Centre Artsvik had no doubts about smooth running of the preparations. “I’m sure the rehearsals are going to be great, because there are a lot of professionals here, so I´m sure I´m in safe hands,” she said.

Artsvik made her way through the world of music and art through hardship and difficult choices. She initially decided to start her career as a speech therapist however later realised it was music that captured her soul. The singer believes that it is crucial to remain true to yourself, be honest with others and pursue the dreams no matter what happens. “Although I started to sing very late, I can say one thing, I know that dreams do come true and I want to encourage everybody to follow their dreams irrespective of age and profession,” said Artsvik.

Regardless of the results, Artsvik is here at Eurovision to share her music and reach new audiences with one key message; love is love. “I think nowadays world needs a lot of love,” said Artivik. The entry will incorporate colourful and mysterious graphics, fireworks as well as two dancers performing on the stage.

When talking to the Armenian participant underlined the importance of 2017 slogan Celebrate diversity that she finds very meaningful and important; “It really shows how so many different countries are united in one place by music”. Artsvik was so inspired by the slogan that even came up with her own idea of creating a Celebrate Diversity Challenge where she challenged other participants to sing traditional songs.

“I’m challenging other participants from other countries by singing folk songs from their countries and in response they sing something traditional from Armenia”, explained Artsvik. The challenge has already been accepted and undertaken by five countries.

Armenia’s second rehearsal will take place on 4th May. Artsvik will participate in the First Semi-Final on Tuesday 9th May.