Armenia seeks to have direct flights with Hungary, ambassador recaps President Khachaturyan’s visit

Hovik Karapetian

 09:56, 9 February 2024

BUDAPEST, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s official visit to Hungary was highly important for the bilateral relations between the two countries, according to Armenian Ambassador to Hungary Ashot Smbatyan.

Khachaturyan was in Hungary February 5-7. He was received by President Katalin Novak. 

Armenia and Hungary agreed to restore diplomatic relations in 2022, ten years after the ties were severed by the Serzh Sargsyan Administration after Budapest extradited Ramil Safarov, the convicted murderer of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan, to Baku.

“President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s official visit will play an important role and will be significant for the relations of the two countries. I believe that with the Armenian President’s official visit, the Hungarian side signaled that the relations between the two countries should become stronger,” the Ambassador said.

Khachaturyan met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on February 7. He also met with Speaker of Parliament László Kövér. 

Smbatyan said that two agreements in the sector of education and culture were signed during the visit.

President Khachaturyan visited the Pázmány Péter Catholic University in Budapest.

The Armenian State Pedagogical University and the Pázmány Péter Catholic University, which has a Department of Armenian Studies, signed an agreement on cooperation. Ambassador Smbatyan said that the Pázmány Péter Catholic University has plans on opening a Center of Hungarian Studies in the Armenian university, which was welcomed by the latter.

The Ambassador highlighted President Khachaturyan’s meeting with members of the Armenian community in Hungary. Hungary is one of the two countries in Europe where the Armenian community has a special role and status on a legislative level, the other being Romania.

“I think that historical commonalities are very deep, and the Armenians of Transylvania have a unique role in the history of Hungary, which Hungary values,” the Ambassador said.

Smbatyan noted that the Hungarian Wizz Air airline has a very active flight schedule in Armenia. The Armenian government is now working to achieve direct flights between Hungary and Armenia, furthermore not only from Budapest to Yerevan but also to Gyumri. “The Armenian side is now working in this direction. But of course, this depends on what decision the airline will make.” Direct flights between the two countries would boost tourism, he added.

Hungarian President Katalin Novák said at a joint press conference with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan that Hungary plans to open a consulate in Yerevan. The Armenian Ambassador commended the announcement and said, “I think and I hope that there will be a corresponding step from the Armenian side as well.”

The Armenian Ambassador attached importance to Khachaturyan’s visit to Hungary also in terms of developing ties with the EU, given that Budapest will assume the EU presidency on July 1, 2024.

“President Khachaturyan, during the joint press conference, invited the President of Hungary to visit Armenia, and the Hungarian side accepted the invitation. I think that this year we will also see Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s official visit to Hungary,” the Ambassador said, adding that the Hungarian Speaker of Parliament has invited his Armenian counterpart to pay a visit.

“These bilateral, high-level visits will definitely have a significant role in deepening the relations between the two countries,” Ambassador Smbatyan said.

Armenian Foreign Minister meets with ICC Assembly of States Parties President

Talar Tumanian

 10:32, 9 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on February 8 in The Hague met with Päivi Kaukoranta, the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Kaukoranta congratulated Armenia on joining the ICC, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

Mirzoyan and Kaukoranta exchanged ideas around the ongoing and required further steps in the direction of applying the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, highlighting close partnership with the assembly.

The FM underscored Armenia’s priorities and expectations regarding joining the ICC, which were earlier voiced during the official ceremony dedicated to the membership of Armenia in the ICC and are in line with universal principles of democracy, the rule of law and fight against impunity.

The Armenian government’s representative for international legal affairs, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, also participated in the meeting and presented details about the steps for harmonizing the Armenian legislation with the Rome Statute.

Armenia ready for EU-mediated talks with Azerbaijan – lawmaker

Antranik Varosian

 12:15, 9 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has reiterated its readiness to resume negotiations with Azerbaijan under EU mediation, Member of Parliament representing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract Party Artur Hovhannisyan has said.

The MP, however, emphasized that there is no clarity at this moment on the resumption of talks.

“Naturally, the Republic of Armenia also favors the resumption of the talks in that format because the Armenian agenda’s priority is the establishment of peace in the region,” Hovhannisyan said. 

Azerbaijan has recently refused to participate in EU and US mediated talks with Armenia, despite having reached several agreements under EU mediation in the past. However, on February 8, President of the European Council Charles Michel said on X that he called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to congratulate him on his re-election and that he welcomes Azerbaijan’s commitment to take part in trilateral talks in Brussels.

Armenian Foreign Minister, OPCW Director General discuss partnership

Ani Basmajian

 12:20, 9 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on February 8 in The Hague met with Fernando Arias, the Director General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to discuss partnership.

The Armenian Foreign Minister “emphasized the importance attached by Armenia to the commitments stipulated in the Chemical Weapons Convention, which has been reflected, among others, in the legislative reforms undertaken in the country since Armenia joined the document,” the foreign ministry said in a readout.

Director General Fernando Arias presented the existing challenges facing the organization in the conditions of the latest developments, including in the context of implementing the mandate defined by the convention.

Views were exchanged around the continuous efforts of the OPCW and member states in the direction of disarmament and non-proliferation in the changing world.

Swiss police kill axe-wielding hostage taker on train

Ani Tigranian

 13:30, 9 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Swiss authorities said a man armed with an axe and a knife held 15 hostages on a train for almost four hours, until police stormed the train and fatally wounded him late on Thursday, Reuters reports.

The incident occurred in the town of Essert-sous-Champvent on the train line connecting Baulmes and Yverdon-les-Bains in the Swiss canton of Vaud near the French border.

"The hostages were all released unharmed," police in the Vaud canton said in a statement on Friday. "The hostage taker was fatally wounded during the intervention."

Police did not provide any details regarding the possible motives of the man, who police said was a 32-year-old Iranian asylum seeker.

Jean-Christophe Sauterel, police spokesperson for the Vaud canton, said there was no indication that the hostage taking was a terrorist incident.

President Khachaturyan, Prime Minister Pashinyan attend celebration of Constitutional Court’s 28th anniversary

Suren Karakhanian

 14:33, 9 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other government officials attended on Friday an event marking the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Court.

Prime Minister Pashinyan and Chief Justice Arman Dilanyan delivered remarks at the event.

Armenian FM says demarcation should be based on the most recent USSR maps

Garnik Zakarian
Mediamax, Armenia
Feb 10 2024

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that the demarcation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan should be carried out on the basis of the most recent and legitimate maps of the USSR.

Armenian Foreign Ministry reports that he said this at the meeting with his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné on February 9 in Paris.

“Issues related to the security situation in the South Caucasus were thoroughly discussed. Armenia’s Foreign Affairs Minister presented the country’s vision regarding the establishment of stability and peace in the region. Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the key principles in the process of settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, particularly the importance of respect toward territorial integrity and inseparability of borders, sovereignty, as well as the need to ensure greater certainty in order to implement the further demarcation process on the basis of the Alma-Ata Declaration and the most recent and legitimate maps of the USSR,” the news release reads.

US analyst urges the West not to “sacrifice Armenia to the autocracies surrounding it”

Paul Hambardsumian
Mediamax, Armenia
Feb 10 2024

Yerevan /Mediamax/. A senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Michael Rubin believes that neither the U.S. nor Europe does enough to consolidate relations with Armenia.

“Armenians relied on Russia for protection against Turkey. The alliance between the two countries was of both heart and mind, yet within just two years, Putin’s arrogance and incompetence have flipped Armenia. Armenians resent how Putin greenlighted Azerbaijan’s 2020 aggression and ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh to avenge Armenia’s turn toward democracy,” Rubin writes in his article “Russia is making mistakes beyond Ukraine. Why won’t the US take advantage of them?”

The author claims that “today, Armenia is among the most pro-Western countries in the South Caucasus, while Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia all pivot to Moscow or Beijing.”

“Alas, neither the U.S. nor Europe does enough to consolidate its gain: providing Armenia with the economic infrastructure and partnerships and military support it needs to send the remaining Russian troops packing. Had the Senate not rejected a mandate for Armenia in 1920, the Soviet Union could never have consolidated its control over the region. Washington should not make the same mistake twice, sacrificing a pro-Western country to the autocracies surrounding it,” Rubin writes.

Mediamax notes that in September 2023, Michael Rubin wrote that the United States should back Armenia in saying no to any corridor to Azerbaijan and Turkey.

“If the White House is serious about protecting Armenia, it will consider stationing its own forces, at least on a temporary basis, in southern Armenia,” he wrote.

[Senator] Portantino’s Unique Healthcare Provider Bill Offers Armenia Educated Doctors Ability to be Physicians Assistants in California

Ani Kharatian
Senator Anthony J. Portantino
Feb 9 2024
Friday, February 9 2024

For Immediate Release: February 9, 2024

Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400

 

Portantino’s Unique Healthcare Provider Bill Offers Armenia Educated Doctors Ability to be Physicians Assistants in California

Sacramento, CA – Recognizing the severe shortage of healthcare providers in California, Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) introduced Senate Bill 1041. The bill creates a pathway for foreign educated doctors to practice as physician assistants in California through a pilot program. The program establishes a partnership with Yerevan State Medical University to allow clinically trained healthcare professionals to work in healthcare at a time when our system needs more providers.

“There are many highly skilled medical professionals who reside in California but cannot practice medicine,” stated Senator Portantino. “This program would help address our healthcare provider shortage while offering immigrant doctors the opportunity to take steps to become qualified to practice their chosen craft here. It’s a win-win for the patient and the healthcare system.”

Foreign educated doctors often face challenges in leveraging their higher education qualifications in California. In particular, a significant number of Yerevan State Medical University graduates who practiced medicine in Armenia are not able to practice here.  These doctors, however, have received more clinical education than the typical physician’s assistant has. Rather than being welcomed into our healthcare system, many must accept other forms of jobs outside of healthcare because the process of undergoing licensing or certification to practice medicine is complex, time consuming, and challenging.

SB 1041 would establish a two-year Armenian Doctor Pilot Program. The program requires participants to enroll in a medical refresher course developed by Yerevan State Medical University and an accredited academic institution in California with an approved physician assistant program. It also requires classes to be provided by Yerevan State Medical University and the approved California educational institution via a distance learning program, clinical training undertaken in a federally qualified health center that serves the Armenian community in southern California. The unique program will be eligible only for permanent residents and the citizens of the United States.

“We welcome Senator Portantino's efforts to establish the Armenian Doctors Pilot Program, which would create a pathway for Armenian educated physicians to practice as physician assistants for two years in qualified health centers in California,” stated Sarkis Balkhian, Executive Director of ANCA-Western Region. “This program is paramount not only because it provides a professional pathway for Armenian doctors to resume their medical careers but also addresses the shortage of primary care physicians with the cultural and linguistic diversity and skills required to service Armenian-Americans across California, especially those who lack the socioeconomic resources and are often left behind by the system. SB 1041 will also foster further collaboration between the medical institutions of Armenia and California.”

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https://sd25.senate.ca.gov/news/2024-02-09/portantino%E2%80%99s-unique-healthcare-provider-bill-offers-armenia-educated-doctors-ability

Sangam literature-inspired fusion song harmonises Tamil Nadu’s yazh and Armenia’s duduk

Jane Topchian
Feb 10 2024

Music collective Uru and Boston-based composer Aneesh Kashalikar unite to revitalise yazh and duduk, breathing new life into ancient melodies.

ByRoshne Balasubramanian

The song, titled Agandai Tegam, is a fusion piece that embodies the theme of love prevailing over ego. Aneesh, the composer and duduk player, explains, “We drew inspiration from Sangam literature.”

Residing in Boston, Aneesh transitioned from a career in computational neuroscience to pursuing music full-time. With training in Hindustani classical music and saxophone, he ventured into mastering new instruments a few years ago.

“My fascination with ancient cultures, and history naturally led me to explore musical instruments…that’s how I picked up the duduk, a double reed woodwind instrument,” says Aneesh, whose expertise lies in woodwind instruments. His diverse heritage, with a Maharashtrian father and a mother from a Tamil-speaking family in Bengaluru, further fueled his curiosity.

His journey led him to Uru and its founder, Tharun Sekar, who is known for his efforts in reviving ancient instruments like the yazh. 

“I had been following Tharun for a while and was fascinated by his process of bringing these ancient instruments back to life,” shares Aneesh.

“We were also following his work. Eventually, we connected and began brainstorming an idea together last year. After engaging in discussions for six months, we decided to proceed with recording the song!” Tharun reveals.

Aneesh flew down to Chennai, and the song was recorded in August 2023. 

“It started as an ‘Armenian duduk meets ancient Tamil Yazh’ concept. Initially, it was just a simple groove and percussion. But, the piece evolved organically with contributions from the performers,” he explains.

The yazh has a history dating back over 2000 years, and interestingly, the duduk appears to have existed around the same time as the yazh. “Their timelines are quite intriguing. During our interaction, we had fun jamming and learning more about the cultural similarities of some of these instruments,” notes Tharun.

However, the goal of this collaboration wasn’t to delve into the past of the instruments but rather to embrace a forward-looking approach. “I aimed to integrate ancient instruments like the yazh, kudamuzha, and duduk into a modern music aesthetic… in a contemporary context,” shares Aneesh. 

Experiencing a preview of the track, we grasp what the composer means — it’s challenging to discern the use of ancient traditional instruments. 

Does this pave the way for these instruments to be incorporated into mainstream music compositions as well?

“Absolutely. If they can fulfil the roles of some modern instruments, we should prioritise their recreation and teach them to people – especially the younger generation. This will contribute to their revival,” Tharun emphasises. 

Aneesh concurs, adding, “When listeners hear the track, they may not even realise ancient instruments are being used. We’re considering creating a music video to visually showcase the instruments, but that’s still a work in progress.”

The composition features male and female Tamil vocals by Pravekha Ravichandran and Iniyaal Karthikeyan. Instruments played include the Armenian duduk by Aneesh, the Sagoda Yazh and Seeri Yazh by Tharun Sekar, and a 4-string Fretless Bass (played in a Latin style) by Julian Reynoso.

Duduk. (Armeniadiscovery.com)

It also incorporates the kudamuzha, an ancient drum from the Sangam period, played by KR Keerthi Rathan, and a variety of Indian and Middle Eastern percussion instruments such as the daf, darbuka, talking drums, and chenda, among others, played by Krishna Kishore. The mix was handled by Thomas Van Opstal, and the music was mastered by Frederik Dejongh.

“This could be the first time the Seeri Yazh has been recorded,” says Tharun.

“Every artist has infused their unique essence into the song. Our jamming sessions were particularly fascinating, showcasing how music serves as a common thread that unites people. It was a wonderful experience, and I even had the chance to play the Yazh!” shares Aneesh.

அகந்தைத் தேகத்தை அருகரும் அரண்மான்,

காதலர்க் கூத்தாடிய பிரிவோம் என்னைக் கண்டு.

நெஞ்சில் திறமை சூழ்ந்தது அவள் பேசியதே,

மெஞ்சுவிடும் மழையில் முகம் பார்த்து.

“The song’s lyrics draw inspiration from Sangam literature’s Silapathikaram,” shares Tharun.

“It describes how the ego of a mighty warrior is pierced upon encountering a beautiful girl. Her words awaken the passion in his heart as he glimpses her face veiled by the rain,” Aneesh explains.

Discussing the significance of collaboration, Tharun stresses the importance of more artistic partnerships in introducing these ancient instruments to a broader audience.

“It will give these instruments visibility and allow people to explore them (musical instruments),” suggests Tharun, who conducts yazh classes as part of Uru.

“The government should also invest efforts in introducing these instruments in schools, offering free lessons, among other initiatives. While the current generation of artistes can be trained in these instruments, it’s crucial to pass this knowledge on to the next generation,” he emphasises.

With cinema being a prominent medium, would including these instruments in mainstream productions turn attention towards them?

“A couple of years ago, we recorded a BGM for music director Santosh Narayanan using the yazh and kudamuzha. Additionally, someone bought and gifted a yazh from Uru to music composer Anirudh Ravichander. He called and expressed interest in recording the instrument. We’ve also met Ilaiyaraaja sir, who showed interest in recording the kudamuzha. We are certainly considering integrating these instruments into films, given the medium’s popularity,” Tharun reveals.

The duduk has gained recognition among a wider audience, thanks to its inclusion in popular soundtracks such as The Last Temptation of Christ, Gladiator, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, the TV adaptation of Game of Thrones, and various other films, TV shows, and video games.

“Famous composers like Hans Zimmer have used the duduk. In India, in the Tamil, and Malayalam industries too, some ancient instruments are being put into use. There is more interest. However, while people might recognise the sound of the instruments, they might not necessarily know what they are. So, I want to show what’s going into the process and highlight them. But certainly, people are becoming more aware,” adds Aneesh. 

Agandai Tegam was released on 9 February, 2024. The track is available on multiple streaming platforms. To follow Aneesh, Tharun and Uru, visit Instagram @aneeshkmusic, @Tharun and @Uru_team To listen, visit: agandaitegam

https://thesouthfirst.com/featured/sangam-literature-inspired-fusion-song-harmonises-tamil-nadus-yazh-and-armenias-duduk/