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31 Jan 2007
/PanARMENIAN.Net/Jan 31
March 13-15 Armenia will join Breeze-2007 Ukrainian-American naval exercise planning, RA Defense Minister’s Spokesman Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net. In his words, the planning conference participants will discuss the goals of the exercise. The resulting conference will take place May 15-17 in Nikolayev region, on Shiroky Lan ground, where the exercise will be conducted. The exercise aims to work out joint activities of multi-national units and raise the level of compatibility of forces for maintaining peace and preventing terror. Special attention will be paid to the security of Black Sea and Caspian states. Armenia will participate in the exercise as an observer. 31 Jan 2007
http://www.elmundo.es, 31 Jan,
170 countries participated in the 27th edition of International Fair of Tourism (Fitur) in Madrid. The number of foreign exhibitors is increasing every year. The opening ceremony was marked by the presence of the Royal Family.
According to the organizers 43 % of the exhibitors at the second International Fair of Tourism were foreigners. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nigeria and Zimbabwe participated in the fair for the 1st time.
It’s worthy mentioning the presence of such countries as: Vietnam, Nepal, China and Korea which are the most visited countries by tourists.
The percentage of the participant countries from each continent is the following: Europe 30%, America 20%, Asia 17%, Northern Africa and Middle East 12%, Africa 10% and 10% worldwide.
30 Jan 2007
Yerevan, January 30. ArmInfo. "Zvartnots" international airport operates in the usual plan regime, the spokesman of "Zvartnots" airport, Gevorg Abramyan, told ArmInfo.
To remind, the air communication was breached the day before because of weather conditions. This state has been lasted for several hours during a heavy snowfall. The flights have been recovered after the landing strip was cleaned.
30 Jan 2007
Azg Daily, Jan 30
January 25 was a very special day at the Chinese Theatre of Los Angeles, CA. For the first time Hollywood has ceded the screen to the Armenian cinematograph and the film "The Priestess" by Armenian filme director Vigen Chaldranian was demonstrated. The demonstration was a real success – the tickets were sold out 2 days before the opening night and the movie was accepted with enthusiast, by the public. American producer of the film Mel Metcalf emphasized its role in the contact and dialogue of the Armenian and the Americans cultures and added it was the debut of the Armenian cinematograph in the international market. Film director V. Chaldranian was awarded a "Welcome to Hollywood" diploma by the city Mayor Erick Garsetti. Numerous Hollywood celebrities were present to the demonstration of "The Priestess".
30 Jan 2007
www.caps.am, Jan 30.
Last night Armenia’s tourism industry paused to celebrate a year of closer cooperation and to forge new links for the future. The event was organized by the Armenian Tourist Development Agency (ATDA) and supported by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development and the professional associations representing the various tourism businesses in Armenia. Representatives from the associations briefly presented their activities and plans for 2007. The associations represented were:
Union of Incoming Tour Operators
Armenian Hotel Association
Board of Airline Representatives in Armenia
Armenian Restaurant Association
Armenian Guide Guild
Armenian Bartenders’ Association
Ara Petrosyan, Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development, congratulated industry representatives on their progress in 2006 and especially commended the associations for representing the interests of the industries. The Deputy Minister commented that associations are becoming very effective tools for representing the common interests of different segments of the tourism industry, but he added that it is important also to all work together on overarching goals.
More than 130 tourism professionals had the chance to network, exchange ideas and make plans for a busy 2007. The year 2006 saw the launch of Armenia’s advertising on CNN, greater participation in international trade fairs. The USAID-funded Competitive Armenian Private Sector Project (CAPS) is working with the industry on a number of marketing and promotional activities, and will assist many of the associations to roll out new training programs, improve marketing and work cooperatively to attract visitors and provide them with a superior tourist experience in Armenia.
Congratulations to ATDA for uniting the industry around the event, to the members of the Armenian Restaurant Association for providing the venue and catering. A special thanks to Ararat Brandy Factory for brandy donations.
29 Jan 2007
Noyan Tapan Weelky, Jan 29
And exhibiton of more than seven dozens of works presented in the “Art Photography,” “Sculpture” and “Painting” nominations of the “Vahan Tekeyan” competition of the Tekeyan Cultural Union of Armenia opened at the Tekeyan center on January 22. Works created in 2005 were presented at the exhibition. As film cameraman Albert Yavurian stated at the solemn opening ceremony of the exhibition, not only professionals but students of different institutions oh higher education participated in the competition, and schoolchildren as well presented works in the “Art Photography” nomination.
Arts Doctor Harvand Hakobian mentioned that unlike others, works of painters of great fame were in majority presented in the “Painting” nomination.
The jury members mentioned that the number of participants of the annual competition adds year by year: about 200 applicants for participation in this competition were received from different marzes of Armenia, from Artsakh and Diaspora.
The next day results of the annual contest “Vahan Tekeyan” as well as those of children’s and adolescent contest “Ara and Maral” were announced.
The award giving ceremony was attended by the RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, the Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Hasmik Poghosyan, the Chairwoman of the National Assembly Standing Committee of Science, Education, Culture and Youth Hranush Hakobian, high-ranking officials and intellectuals.
Margarian said that the union’s awards were given to intellectuals who make their contribution to the development of the Armenian culture. “It does not matter where these artists live- in Armenia or Diaspora, the most important thing is that they are Armenians by spirit,” he noted. In his words, the state would do everything possible to support such people.
The winners of the contest “Vahan Tekeyan” received a 1,000-dollar award each in 11 nominations: literature, music, art photography, sculpture, painting theatre, cinema, architecture, TV and radio journalism, the humanities.
The poetess Silva Kaputikian was posthumously awarded “Vahan Tekeyan” prize in literature for her book “Last Ring.”
The prize in humanities was given to Argam Aivazian for the book “The Lithographic Heritage of Nakhijevan.”
Sargis Hamalbashian was recognized the winner in “fine arts” nomination for his canvas “Dance”. Samvel Sevada received the prize in “art photography” nomination for his series of portraits of Armenian intellectuals, and two sculptors received prizes in “sculpture” nomination – Arto Chakmakchian – for “The Walking Man” sculpture and Samvel Ghazarian – for “The Musicians.”
Conductor Ohan Durian was awarded the prize in “music” nomination – for his concert programs in 2005.
Ara Shirinian was recognized the winner in “television and radio” nomination for the television film “Andranik Iosifian”, while Hakob Chakrian received a prize for his articles published in the newspaper “Azg.”
The prize in “theatre” nomination was given to yervand Ghazanchian – for the play “The Oriental Dentist” staged with V. Papazian company ( Beirut), and Vardan Petrosian – for the plays “Ascent” and “What To Do” in “social and political satire” nomination.
Robert Sahakiants was awarded “Ara and Maral” prize for his cartoon “Tigranakert”.
29 Jan 2007
Noyan Tapan Weelky, Jan 29
The 2006 allocations of the youth sphere of the RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs made 310 million 223.4 thousand drams. Minister Hasmik Poghosian stated about it when presenting the Ministry’s annual activity report on January 25. she mentioned that formation of the Youth National Report of Armenia was completed and “Young Leaders’ School” was founded.
H. Poghosian also stated that “Marz Youth Centers were opened in 10 marzes of Armenia , in cooperation with the local self-government bodies, public and international organizations of the marzes. “Armenia is my Fatherland,” “Days of Baze in Artsakh” festivals, “Youth, Reality, Prospects” republican youth forum, “Nation and Heritage” all-Armenian youth conference, “Yeraz im Yerkir” (Dream My Country) sports-cultural program were implemented.
In the Minister’s words, 302 million 127.4 thousand drams were allocated to educational institutions by the state budget in 2006. In her words, one of the main goals of the state order is not only to guarantee the demand for future staffing of the sphere of culture but also the right of accessible education for children from socially needy families.
29 Jan 2007
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Jan 29,
Armenian grand master Levon Aronian won Corus-2007, the international chess tournament held in the Netherlands. After 13 rounds the Group A consisting of three chess players – Levon Aronian (Armenia), Vsselin Topalov (Bulgaria) and Teymur Radjabov (Azerbaijan) – collected 8.5 points each. However, the Armenian chess player was recognized the winner by the additional index. In the course of the tournament Aronian demonstrated stability. Never defeated, he scored four victories and had advantages over his rival in drawn games. Absolute world champion, Russian Vladimir Kramnik was the fourth with 8 points.
26 Jan 2007
YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS: Over 100 athletes will be competing for medals of Armenia's Greco-Roman Wrestling championship, which kicked off today.
Levon Vardanian, the secretary of the Armenian Wrestling Federation, said to Armenpress "The competition will allow coaches to outline the national team for 2008 Olympic Games".
25 Jan 2007
Yerevan, January 25. ArmInfo. The first exhibition-conference "Armenian Technological Congress" (ArmTech '07) will be held in San-Francisco, CA, July 4-7.
The organizational committee reports that the objective of the congress is to make widely public the Armenian technological achievements and to once more prove the technological competitiveness of Armenia on the international arena. The key topics will be technology, business and legislation.
The organizers of the event is US businessman of Armenian origin Anthony Maroyan. The organizational committee has just started sending invitations but already today one can say that the event will attract not only for Armenian companies but also businessmen from the US, which is a big consumer of Armenian IT products.
22 Jan 2007
Yerevan, January 22. ArmInfo. An international economic forum will be held in the resort city of Tsaghkadzor, Armenia, on February 16-19.
The forum will be financed by the Center of International Integration Support, the Armenian Ministry of Trade and Economic Development and the Central Bank of Armenia. The forum is aimed at consolidation of existing ties and conclusion of new contracts. Over the past few years, economic growth has been observed in Armenia, as a result, it starts attracting investments in various spheres.
The participants of round tables will be representatives of official structures, heads of companies and organizations from all over the world. The forum is to cover the economic integration under globalization conditions, competitiveness of companies and commodities in the world markets, banking and insurance companies, IT economy, etc.
22 Jan 2007
NOYAN TAPAN WEEKLY, JAN 22
On January 18, the Armenian government approved the 2007-2011 management plans of Sevan and Dilijan National Parks.The RA Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Simon Papian informed that the studies of the flora and the fauna of these parks were done for the first time and their borders were approved. The area of Sevan National Park makes 147 thousands 343 ha, including the mirror of Lake Sevan, and the area of Dilijan National Park makes 33 thousands 765 ha.
S. Papian noted that the areas of 2 parks have been divided into 4 territorial-functional zones: reserve, reserve areas, recreational and economic. During the development of the management plans, peculiarities of park management were studied and assessed. The measures aimed at the parks’ improvement were developed.
The deputy minister informed that the adjacent communities will be involved in the management and preservation of the parks. Besides, it is envisaged to increase the number of guards and salaries, which will allow strengthening the parks’ preservation.
19 Jan 2007
YEREVAN, January 19. /ARKA/. Yerevan should become an attractive and comfortable city to live in, the problems of its residents should be paid more attention, Armenia's President Robert Kocharyan said at the meeting held to discuss the work of the Yerevan Municipality in 2006 and its plans for 2007.
Kocharyan pointed out the positive changes in the municipal performance discipline and the apparent increase in the volume of work done. But the country's economic growth and the dynamic development of Yerevan create new problems that should be addressed promptly, the President said.
Kocharyan pointed out the problem of motorway traffic in the capital. The number of cars increasing every year makes us seek new solutions to the problem, he said.
The President considered it necessary to improve the traffic centers, speed up in providing the capital with public transport of high carrying capacity and to completely solve the problem within one or two years.
Kocharyan addressed the issue of infrastructure modernization along with the development of Yerevan.
He said that the Municipality should provide sound forecasts on the development within the next few years. Based on the forecasts, calculations are to be made as to what kinds of investments are required (including the business and natural monopolies).
"The capital is in large-scale construction: construction share in GDP increased by 37% last year, which is a high rate. New residential areas and streets are built. If the infrastructures do not meet the requirement, we will be in the trouble then and the Municipality will turn to a structure endlessly chasing after breakdowns," Kocharyan said. 19 Jan 2007
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian delegation is negotiating with Sri Lanka authorities to get a female companion for the only male elephant in Yerevan's Zoo. The male elephant was brought to Yerevan in 1998 from Moscow's Zoo and since then it has been leading 'a bachelor's life."
The director of the Yerevan Zoo Sahak Abovian told Armenpress that the elephant, named Hrantik, has a big open-air-cage, a pool to splash in hot summers, and its winter premises are heated by floor-built-in electrical heaters. Mr. Abovian said the elephant even has its personal chef.
According to him, since elephants are gregarious animals it would be desirable that Hrantik has a girl friend. "Certainly he will go on living as a bachelor, but it will be a sad life with little pleasures," he said, adding that sexually mature elephants even cry when they are left without a companion for a long time.
The government has earmarked 176 million Drams as a subsidy to the Yerevan zoo this year, up from 156 million last year. Mr. Sahakian said this sum is enough to meet all demands. He said animals have as much food as they can eat. The Zoo has stored 100 tons of hey, 20 tons of condensed fodder, 15 tons of meat for predators. In winter all cages are warmed by electrical heaters.
Mr. Sahakian said the Zoo will undergo a major reconstruction with new specious cages to be built for felines and apes. A natural gas system will be laid and many new trees will be planted. He said the reconstruction will be launched as soon as the design and final calculations are prepared, expected in several months. The Yerevan Zoo was built 66 years ago and was one of the best zoos in the former Soviet Union. Despite a chain of hardships experienced in early 1990-s following the collapse of the former Soviet Union, it has risen to its feet in the last several years and has acquired several animals. Overall it has 2,300 animals of 180 species. Around 60 percent of them are registered in the Red Book.
Mr. Abovian said in 2005 the Zoo brought 8 species of wild animals from the Kiev Zoo in Ukraine. He said international organizations keep a vigilant eye on all animal exchanges. "We can bring an animal here only after ensuring appropriate conditions,' he said.
Mr. Abovian said also zoos are very important in terms of preserving and ensuing reproduction of some species which are nearing the edge of extinction in wild life. The Yerevan Zoo has one such specie-it is Przhevalsky horse. Armenian bezoar (Capra aegagrus) and moufflon are being bred by the Zoo and released.
Within the frameworks of cooperation with WWF the Zoo has exchanged 10 bezoar goats for deer in neighboring Georgia. In 1994 the Yerevan Zoo joined the Eurasian Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Association coordinates exchange of animals among zoos, information, new management experience and new animal treatment methods.
The Yerevan Zoo cooperates also with several zoos in Europe.
18 Jan 2007
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Jan 18
The Akdamar Church, situated on Akdamar Island on Van Lake in eastern city of Van, will be opened on April 11. Turkish Press reports that the church has been renovated with the cooperation of Van Governor`s Office and Culture & Tourism Ministry. The publication says that Akdamar Church was constructed by architect bishop Manuel between 915 and 921 AD under the supervision of King Gagik I. “Among the important pieces of Armenian architecture, the church draws attraction with its stone workmanship and the relieves on its walls.” The Turkish Press writes.
It is worth mentioning earlier it was declared that the church will be opened on April 24, the Remembrance Day of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. But after protests of the Armenian Diaspora in Turkey, particularly after Armenian Apostolic Church Constantinople Archbishop Mesrop Mutafian’s protests the day of opening was moved to an earlier date.
In 2006 Armenian specialists were engaged in the process of reconstruction. The PanARMENIAN.Net journalist has find out from the Armenian Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs that an Armenian cross has been constructed on the dome of the church.
18 Jan 2007
PanARMENIAN.Net/ Jan 18
In ‘Abovyan’ cultural center in Hague will be held a thematic day on ancient Armenian capital Ani January 21, the PanARMENIAN.Net reporter was told in FAON (Federation of Armenian Organizations in Netherlands) press office. Historian Eduard Sedrakyan will deliver a lecture and presentation on the subject.
18 Jan 2007
PARIS, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS: A council coordinating the activity of French Armenian associations held a big rally yesterday in Paris in support of a bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide.
The council told Armenpress that around 2000 people, among them prominent politicians and intellectuals, took part in the rally. It said parallels between the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide were drawn by some of the speakers.
A famous French Armenian singer Charles Aznavour also attended the rally and addressed its participants.
17 Jan 2007
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Jan 17
The Yerevan city administration has announced an open contest for a monument model symbolizing the liberation of Shushi town (Karabakh) during the war with Azerbaijan. The memorial should symbolize the liberation struggle of the Armenian people in Artsakh. The stuff and height of the monument is up to the authors.
The monument will be inaugurated at the crossroad of Freedom Avenue and Babayan street (not far from the city center). The winner of the contest will receive $1500. Those who take the second and the third places will receive $1000 and $300 respectively (in AMD equivalent). Architects, sculptors and artists are eligible for the contest. The appeals should be submitted to the department of architecture and town-building no later than February 15, 2007, reports newsarmenia.ru.
12 Jan 2007
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Jan 12,
“Screamers”, the gripping documentary about the multi-platinum, Grammy-award winning band "System Of A Down's" campaign to end the cycle of genocide, will be screened before a Congressional audience on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, January 17th, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). "Screamers is about exposing the denial of all genocide, Armenia, the Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, the Iraqi Kurds and the current horror in Darfur," said Garapedian. "It is about making sure the same critical message George Clooney and Don Cheadle are 'screaming' about is heard, that these atrocities 'never happen again.' And I believe, it is this generation, the 'screamers', who will make sure all genocide is recognized and ends, because 'screamers' will no longer tolerate or accept previous generations of politicians and humanitarians who have so miserably failed them."
"Adolph Hitler used the Armenian Genocide as a blueprint for the Holocaust, silencing the potential reservations of his generals by asking the chilling question: 'Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians,'" said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "These hateful words, inscribed on the walls of the U.S. Holocaust Museum and Memorial, remind us all of the compelling moral cause of our time - the message delivered so clearly and powerfully by Screamers - that we must end forever the cycle of genocide."
“Screamers” recently won the prestigious Audience Award at the AFI Film Festival and was selected by the Skirball Center for its under-18 Film Guide. The film’s nationwide release begins January 26.
12 Jan 2007
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Jan 12,
The new Armenian town development is bounded by inside Santa Clara, Highway 41, M Street and O Street. The 10-acre redevelopment project is becoming reality as the first building rises from an area once filled with the modest homes of Armenian immigrants. This will be the new home of Fresno's 5th District Court of Appeals. It will also be the anchor of the 'Armenian Town' redevelopment project, envisioned as a mix of office and retail, as well as public open space and parking. Jeanette Jurkovich, Friends of Armenian Town, says, "Cities across America embrace old and new development. They know it's not an either/or." Jurkovich says these five homes from the old Armenian Town were to become part of this project. Jurkovich says this area on the 10 acre site across from the Armenian Church would create a bridge from the past to the present. And once restored, could become home to retail, restaurants or art galleries, reports ABC. 12 Jan 2007
Paris, January 12, Armenpress:
An exhibition titled Armenia: Fifteen Years of Independence, opened in the French town of Sain Rafael. It will be on display until the end of February. The exhibition has on display around 100 photographs taken by Armenia's ten most prominent photographers telling about how Armenia was being established as an independent and sovereign state- from the national liberation war in Nagorno-Karabakh, sever energy crisis to stability and peaceful development of today.
The exhibition initiated by Armenpress news agency, was already displayed in Moscow as part of the Year of Armenia in Russia.
The exhibition is part of a vast range of about 700 events marking the Year of Armenia in France. An exhibition depicting Armenia's 12 capital cities opened last December in Paris. It will run until March 18.
Next month a post stamp symbolizing French-Armenian friendship will be issued and Louvres will host an exhibition of Armenian cross stones, old manuscripts and other artifacts. It is titled Sacred Armenia. 10 Jan 2007
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Jan 10,
The Columbia University Armenian Club and Advocates For Armenia, with the support of the Armenian Center at Columbia University and AGBU, presents an Armenian Students' summit: Armenia's Development: The Students' Role at Columbia University on February 3rd and 4th, 2007. During this two-day summit, students will be informed about the current state of development and challenges in the IT, tourism and health-care sectors of Armenia. The PanARMENIAN.Net was informed in the Columbia University Armenian Club that the discussions also will cover topics related to the involvement of Armenian students, living in the United States, in the development of Armenia. Alongside, the participants of the summit plan to develop small-scale project that will have an impact on the lives of the people of Armenia, and humbly contribute to the great task of economic and social development of Armenia.
09 Jan 2007
Azg Daily, Jan 9
"Priestess'', the latest film shot by one of the leading Armenian film directors, Vigen Chaldranian, will be premiered on January 25 in the Chinese Theatre cinema house in Glendale, California, USA. The film will be shown in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. Chaldranian said the main idea behind this film was to present Armenia as the first nation to adopt the Christianity as its state and national religion. The film premier took place in Yerevan last October. Chaldranian said the main source of information for the film was the 'History of Armenia' by a 5-century Armenian historian Agatangeghos.
The film was shot in five months only in a Los Angeles based studio and in Armenia.
"The idea to make this film occurred to me first back in 1993 when an actress Anahit Aghasarian and I began to work on its script, but we could not materialize it largely due to financial problems," he said.
Chaldranian said 600 costumes were made especially for this film, which is the first large-scale Armenian film in the last decades. The film lasts 150 minutes. The original music is composed by Ara Gevorkian.
09 Jan 2007
Azg Daily, Jan 9
As of January 1, FIDE published its rating list of the strongest chess players of the world. The five Armenian gorssmasters are also among the best 100 chess players of the world. Thus, Levon Aronian has the highets rating (2744 scores¤. He gained 3 points and preserved the 7th place. Vladimir Hakobian has gained 2700 points and retreated to the 20th place from the 15th. The third representative of Armenia in the FIDE rating list is Gabriel Sargsian who has 2658 points and moved to 48th place from the 41st. Karen Asrian and Smbat Lpoutian preserved their rating, they have 2634 points each and occupy the 78th and 79th places relevantely.
The Bulgarian grossmaster Veselin Topalov lost 30 points after the game for the champoin's title with Vladimir Kramnik. As a result, Kramnik gained 16 points.
As for ladies, the Hungarian grossmaster Judith Polgar has also preserved her posittion. She occupies the leading position in the rating list. The list of the best 50 lady grossmasters includes Lilith Mkrtchyan ¥2458, 24th place¤ and Elina Danielian ¥2426, 42nd place¤. Our young grossmasters are also occupying good positions in the rating list. thus, Arman Pashikian has 2532 points and Zaven Andreasian 2508 points.
According to its average rating (2627), Armenia shares the third and the fourth places with the USA.
As before, Russia is the leading country in the list (2713). Then comes Ukraine (2661). Hungary (2623), China (2617), Israel (2623), France (2615), Georgia (2609) and Poland (2608) are among the best 10.
09 Jan 2007
www.lragir.am, June 9
The Yerkir Union of NGOs initiated and funds the expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the Armenian Academy of Sciences to Artsakh which resumed on May 18, 2007 the excavations of Tigranakert, a town founded by the Armenian King Tigran the Great in
the first century BC in Artsakh. The expedition is led by Dr. Hamlet Petrosyan.
On the first days of the excavations on the left bank of the Khachen River, the mountain near the village of Nor Maragha, the archeologists discovered a fragment of the 3.5 meters wide wall, built of large pieces of stone, the gate of the fortress and the remains of the tower built on the edge of the rock. The length of the wall is 20 meters. The archeologists suggest that the fortress had been built earlier than the town funded by Tigran Great, possibly in the period of the Kingdom of Urartu (8-7 centuries BC) or under the Armenian Yervanduni kings (6-4 centuries BC).
This year the excavations of Tigranakert will last until August 15.
The project of historical and archeological study of Tigranakert was launched by the Yerkir Union in 2005. In the first year of the project the exact location of the town was discovered, in 2006 the archeologists started digging in different parts of the town and around the town, revealing part of the wall of the citadel, part of a dam and part of the central town with remains of an early Christian basilica.
08 Jan 2007
Yerevan, January 08 /Mediamax/. Brandy production in Armenia in January-November of 2006 made 7589.9 thousand liters, having decreased by 4,7%, as compared to the same period of 2005.
As Mediamax was told in the National Statistical Service of Armenia, vodka and distillery production in January-November of 2006 made 10751.8 thousand liters, having decreased by 11,5%, as compared to the same period of 2005.
07 Jan 2007
YEREVAN, JANUARY 7, ARMENPRESS: The Noravank Foundation, a think-tank based in Yerevan, dealing with political, cultural and economic studies, said it will publish a book called "Victories of Armenians." Foundation's director Gagik Harutunian said the book will tell about all victories the Armenian nation celebrated throughout its millennia-long history.
He said the book will present in detail all victories Armenians have had in their 5000 year-long history. "Minute studies show that Armenians have celebrated overall 3,000 military victories," he added.
"Although Armenians also suffered defeats but there are few nations in the world that can boast of winning 3,000 military battles," he said.
He added that the book will dissipate a wrong opinion that Armenians had more defeats than victories. The book will also present a thorough study of Armenian military art.
06 Jan 2007
January 06, /ASBAREZ/. I can't help but connect this to our Ardavazt legend, except turned upside down so it's actually a positive. Instead of Ardavazt's release from his chains through his faithful dogs' efforts bringing forth Armageddon, Ragnarok, Apocalypse, or whatever eschatological (end of the world) variant you prefer, we're saving the world. The world of Armenia. The eastern portions of Artzakh, to be more specific.
I was at what can only be described as an exciting lecture on December 21 at the Merdinian Armenian school. Dr. Hamlet Bedrosian, an archaeologist, spoke about the initial excavation he conducted in the summer of 2006. He presented convincing case that what they unearthed was Dikranagerd. Of course this is not THE Dikranagerd, capital of Dikran the Great's empire, but another city he'd built. The lecture and the dig were sponsored by the Yergir Union, a group primarily involved in resettlement efforts in our homeland.
The unearthing of such a 21-century old city has tremendous ramifications, given its location. It is a little north of what used to be the city of Aghdam. Not only would it add much to our understanding history and life in ancient Armenia, but, it would reconfirm our ties to those lands, once again undercutting any Azeri/Turkic claims.
A project such as properly unearthing a whole city, buried for centuries, is a decades-long undertaking as Dr. Bedrosian pointed out. It's a lifetime's work. It's a work of love. It's a work of national pride. It's a work, in this case, of serious national importance to Armenia. It's a work of international proportions and ramifications, as Azerbaijan has been whining about these efforts to the world. That alone should convey the gravity of this effort.
The idea of unearthing, layer by layer of soil, stones, and relics, releasing this Dikranagerd from its "chains" is incredibly inspiring and reminiscent of the Ardavazt myth, as far as the unleashing goes. This ancient city could become an incredible tourist site. Can you imagine the creeps in Baku seething as our homeland reclaims its heritage and benefits by it too? It's a great vision.
Contact Yergir USA through Sahag Arabian by calling (818) 469-8167or emailing him at sahagarabian@hotmail.com, or visiting yerkir.org. Offer your support. Spend your summers out in the archaeological field reconstructing the pieces of our past by helping dig them up. Make a contribution. This is great. It's almost like finding our Troy.
Transliterations in this piece follow Western Armenian phonetic conventions.
ASBAREZ, 1/6/2007 - by Garen Yegparian. 01 Jan 2007
YEREVAN, JANUARY 1, ARMENPRESS: Dear Compatriots:
In a couple of minutes we will bid farewell to year 2006. It’s been a peaceful and productive year. Armenia has continued its stable development.
Accordingly, the next year the state budget will grow considerably, which means that salaries, pensions and social benefits will grow too. A number of projects, directed at the improvement of our people’s life, will be implemented.
This year we respectably celebrated the 15th Anniversary of Armenia’s independence. From a distance of the past years we can see our country’s achievements and get a more precise view of what is still to be done. In 2007 there will be another jubilee. We will be celebrating the 15th Anniversaries of the establishment of our army and liberation of Shushi. It has become a good tradition in our families on this day to make a toast to the Armenian Army. I wish a good service to those of our servicemen who are celebrating the New Year in the places of their active duties, and I bow to the memory of the fallen.
In the passing year Armenia’s international involvement has become deeper. Our relations wish Russia were highlighted by the Year of Armenia. There took place an active political dialogue, economic relations have become more dynamic, and a rich cultural program was presented in Russia. The Year of Armenia in France commenced with the state visit of the President of France to Armenia and unforgettable concert of Charles Aznavour.
There was signed the Plan of Action in the framework of the New Neighborhood policy. With the government of the United States we have started the implementation of the programs within the Millennium Challenge Initiative. Those open new opportunities for the development of our country. The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will soon become operational. With Iran we are planning to realize a number of new important projects in the energy sector.
Negotiations on the resolution of the NK conflict have continued. The negotiations should lead to the verification of the de facto existence of Nagorno Karabagh, and right of its people to live in freedom and security. The determination of the Artsakhi people was reaffirmed through the constitutional referendum.
The passing year was important also for the Armenia-Diaspora relations. There took place the Third Armenia-Diaspora Conference, and the main topic of its discussions was the program of rural development. I am confident that the results will become visible very soon. The Hayastan Foundation tele-marathon was conducted very enthusiastically. Thousand families participated at the marathon and brought their input to the development of Artsakh.
Dear compatriots,
We are entering year 2007 with strong anticipation of success and determination to continue reforms. Most important among them is the establishment of free competition, effectiveness of the judicial system and fight against corruption. Success will be achieved through persistent work.
In 2007 there will take parliamentary elections. I am confident that they will be conducted in a proper manner. Free and fair elections must become a priority for all of us.
Dear compatriots in Armenia, Artsakh and Spyurk,
Congratulations on the New Year! I wish year 2007 to be for your families a year of health, joy and prosperity. Let this New Year bring success and happiness to you homes.
Happy New Year!
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