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Famous Armenian singer Sirusho, who is spending her summer vacation with her family in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), shared on Facebook a short video in which she sings a song in the acapella style in the Artsakh mountains.
Armenian boxer Zhorzhik Marutyan (60 kg) beat Azerbaijani rival Jalal Garbanov by a technical knockout in his first bowl within the framework of the European Under-22 Boxing Championships in Italy, the Armenian Boxing Federation informs.
In the first two rounds, the Armenian had a huge advantage and during one of his blows, the opponent got his eyebrow cut. In the second round, the ring referee stopped the fight. The doctors did not allow him to continue the fight, and Marutyan wa awarded the victory as he had a big advantage on points.
The day was successful for Armenian boxers, as Armen Mashakaryan (60 kg) defeated Nikola Buksa from Moldova.
The video is available here.
By Armen Sahakyan,
The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) announced that the organization will hold its annual Gala Banquet on Sunday, September 19, 2021. Highly anticipated each year, this will be the organization’s first in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to announce a virtual awards night in 2020. That event was also canceled when Armenia and Artsakh were attacked last fall, focusing resources to address the humanitarian needs on the ground as well as the advocacy and media challenges in the U.S. Now, with the pandemic winding down, the 2021 Gala will celebrate the organization’s accomplishments over the past two years and will assist with fundraising efforts to ensure that the necessary resources will be available to effectively undertake the work still ahead.
“The ongoing aggressive posturing against Armenia and Artsakh by the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem calls for a redoubling of our efforts in service of the Armenian Cause,” remarked ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “Despite the momentous occasion of President Biden’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, still much work lies ahead of us in meeting the challenges faced by our community here in the U.S. and our compatriots in the Homeland.”
The ANCA-WR Gala is eagerly anticipated each year as the premier event for the Armenian-American community, where over a thousand supporters, community leaders, public officials, and coalition partners come together annually to acknowledge and encourage the work of the organization and to pay homage to honorees whose contribution to the Armenian Cause is recognized each year. As the largest event of its kind, the annual ANCA-WR Gala serves as a catalyst to unify the community around the Armenian Cause in all its facets, highlighting the many accomplishments of the most effective and well-organized grassroots advocacy organization in the Armenian Diaspora.
More details about the 2021 Gala will be released in the coming weeks.
Contact: Armen Sahakyan
tel. (818) 500-1918
YEREVAN/KOLKATA — Shayne David Hyrapiet, is an Indian singer and professional entertainer of Armenian descent who rose to fame as a vocalist after winning a series of competitions during his schooling years. The Indian mass media called him “a phenomenal versatile track performer the city of Kolkata has produced over the last decade.”
Born on May 21, 1980, he has been singing since 2001 and has now become one of the most recognized faces in the entertainment circuit in India with an equally large international market to compliment his growing popularity.
Shayne has covered over 400 events spanning solo concerts, corporate launches, private parties, weddings, sangeets and club nights. His list of music spans the very latest and best Bollywood hits, Punjabi Bhangra, the good old Hindi remixes and English hits covering the genres of rock and roll, ballads, disco and pop. Shayne has performed with Shaan, Bombay Viking, Atif Aslam, Stereo Nation, Shibani Kashyap, Jal, Sukhbir, Kunal Ganjawala, K.K. and has also performed for the President of India. Shayne has performed in Canada, the United States, and Middle East and has toured Switzerland, Australia, Bangladesh and India extensively.
Shayne, I first heard about you in the Indian documentary “My Armenian Neighborhood” by Samimitra Das about the Armenians in today’s India. Your name in Armenian is pronounced Hayrapet. How do the Indians and Westerns pronounce your name?
The Westerners mostly get it right. Sometimes Indians who are not familiar with the name say Harpreet thinking that I am Punjabi.
For my generation Indian pop singing is connected with the songs from the movie “Disco Dancer” and Mithun Chakraborty. Where is Indian pop music now?
Unfortunately, it is in an advanced stage of degeneration. Any nonsensical lyrical rubbish can be turned into a hit once a beat is added to it.
Indian pop singers particularly combine lots of dance and acting in their performances.
I guess they do it to take away the audience’s attention from the bad lyrics. Not in all cases though, some songs do have good meaning.
You have been singing since your school years, yet you studied in St. Xavier’s College for a bachelor’s degree in commerce. So do you divide your life between two professions or singing is your main occupation?
It is my main occupation. I am terrible at math and accounting. I sing mostly Bollywood Punjabi and English songs at clubs, hotels and weddings around the country.
Apart from celebrating Christmas on January 6 we are mostly Indian Armenian in nature, blood and manne, meaning, we eat lots of Indian food and celebrate all the Indian festivals and also wear Indian clothes. Honestly speaking, we are more Indian in our ways, than Armenian. Armenian food and feasts are very rare in our lives, and I am not familiar with Armenian music either. However, we do go to church often. But and I do not think there is any Armenian public life in Kolkata.
Please tell us about your family.
My father Peter is half Armenian, half Anglo-Indian. My mother, Heather Hyrapiet is Anglo-Indian too. My father has been the president of the Armenian Club of Kolkata. My wife Nidhi is Punjabi Christian and my two girls are baptized Armenians.
Have you ever cooperated with any Armenians worldwide?
I was coordinating with some ex-Armenian college friends of mine to perform in Iran or Armenia, but it did not work out. Maybe we will try again sometime in the future.
Ten years ago in a message to me you expressed your hope to visit Armenia in near future, so it has not happened yet?
Unfortunately, no. I have not been able to visit Armenia yet. Hopefully – one day!
How did COVID-19 influence your activity?
It brought my life as a singer to a complete halt. Work has dwindled but I believe in miracles and I am sure things will get better in the future.
In our times it is hard to talk about upcoming projects. Do you have some?
I have none at this time. I spend all my days with my two Beautiful daughters Skyla Serah, who is going to be ten and Sierra Ann, who is going to be seven and my family for which I am most grateful.
On May 6, SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian was joined by students from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to perform “Bari Aragil” at the Hope For Armenia virtual event hosted for Teach For Armenia.
The program in support of education in Armenia and Artsakh drew many attendees, including cameos by actress and singer Cher and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian.
Modeled after Teach For America, Teach For Armenia is a partner of the Teach For All global network, putting an emphasis on the importance of education so that children can continue to grow and thrive.
Serj previously performed “Bari Aragil” with his father Khatchadour Tankian more than a decade ago, and they even filmed a very special video for the track showcasing the two of them singing it together. It was featured twice on the Thanksgiving day Armenia Fund Telethon broadcast worldwide in 2009.
In November 2020, SYSTEM OF A DOWN made new music available for the first time since 2005 in order to rally for Armenia. They released “Protect The Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz” and pledged royalties earned, including from purchases on Bandcamp, to the major non-profit Armenia Fund. Along with other donations from fans on their social pages, they have raised over $600,000.
Tankian was born to Armenian parents, with four grandparents who escaped from Armenia to Lebanon during the persecution of the Armenians.
Starting with Hratchia Arakelian achieved a new Guinness World Record by lifting 300 pounds, doing 37 squats within 3 minutes. Total lift 11,100 pounds.
Las Vegas Candlelight Vigil and Commemoration marking the 106th year of the Armenian Genocide with the Armenian American community of Las Vegas on the Historic & Unprecedented formal affirmation & recognition by US President Joe Biden took place at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument in Sunset Park. Tribute was given to our 1.5 million Saints & Soldier Martyrs of the 44-day War on Artsakh.
Nevada Lieutenant Governor Kate Marshall flew in especially from Carson City to meet & commemorate with our community. She was greeted with gratitude for her courage & leadership in responding to Armenian activism for inclusion of the Armenian Genocide in the Holocaust & Genocide Education Bill for high school students in Nevada.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman of Las Vegas & Mayor of Henderson, Debra March sent their respects as well. Dignitaries & Elected Officials who spoke & expressed support were:Clark County Commissioner: Jim GibsonNV State Assemblyman: Andy Matthews NV State Assemblywoman: Annie Black City Councilwoman: Victoria SeamanCity Councilwoman: Michelle FioreRep Congresswoman Dina TitusRep Congresswoman Susie LeeCommissioner Danny Tarkanian
The Honorary Consul for Lebanon Phillipe Ziade was present & expressed his condolences & respect for our community with a statement & moving musical tribute. The Armenian community received overwhelming support from Jewish & Israeli community leaders who joined the commemoration expressing their compassion, support & collaboration, including:Jolie Brislin Regional Director from Anti-Defamation League, Stephanie Tuzman President & CEO of Jewish Nevada, Heidi Sarno Straus, Chair of Holocaust Education Task Force, Esther Finder, advisor to Nevada Governor’s Council on Holocaust Education, and Noa Jensch of the Israeli American Council, IAC and ICAN. A special thank you to the Armenian American Cultural Society & our Honorary Consul Andy Armenian for organizing, MC Hermann Brum, St. Geragos Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church, Pastor Sam Agulian, Miss Naree Asherian, AYF Scouts. Thank you Abe Kassamanian & Levon Gulbenkian for your essential work as well.
The luxurious wedding of the son of Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party and oligarch MP, is being discussed on the Internet.
At Sunday’s wedding, the newlyweds arrived at the church by helicopter, and the wedding party ended with a magnificent fireworks display lasting about 30 minutes, which has caused the indignation of Facebook users.
“After that very needless, very inappropriate fireworks display, wonder how many thousands of people thought that, nonetheless, the right thing [to do] is to deprive Tsarukyan [of his wealth]? Even I thought that the cannons of fireworks should be nationalized—period! It is awfully unpleasant, awfully …,” human rights activist Ruben Melikyan wrote on Facebook.
When Joaquin Caparros was appointed Sevilla coach back in 2000, he could never have guessed where he would be coaching 21 years later.
From then until 2005, he became an idol at the Andalusian club, contributing to the development and consolidation of future stars like Sergio Ramos, Jesus Navas, Jose Antonio Reyes and Dani Alves. After taking charge of a variety of clubs in Spain, Switzerland and even Qatar, he returned to Sevilla in 2018, where he had two short spells as interim coach interspersed with a period as the club’s director of football. Then in early 2020, he got a call from Gines Melendez that would change everything.
The veteran coach, who had enjoyed great success while in charge of Spain’s youth teams, was the one who sought out Caparros to offer him the Armenia job, having himself being appointed technical director of football at the country’s football association the previous year. Now in need of a coach for the national team, he knew right away that Joaquin was his man.
“They want to develop, and they know that this depends on the credentials of the coaches they have. They’re doing great and we’re seeing results that give credence to the president and everyone involved. It’s the path we have to follow,” Caparros tells FIFA.com when asked about the change in Armenian football.
The 65-year-old knows it is a time for calm heads, especially when you look back at what has happened so far in the evenly matched Group J. “Being in a group that throws up crazy results is good for us, but we know it’ll still be very difficult. We’re talking about teams with a lot of [good] players and a great deal of history, like Germany, who are always favourites.”
However, when asked about specific objectives, Caparros is not prepared to look beyond September. “We have to take it one game at a time and see how far we can go. We’re not playing again [in the qualifiers] until September, so we’ll see how the players are doing. We’re relying on our strength as a team as well as mental fortitude.”
And while he has only been in charge of Armenia for ten games, the Spanish coach has hit it off really well in the eastern European country. “From the start, everyone’s been empathetic, from the president down to the coaching staff. It’s a joy to go to team gatherings and be with the lads, because they’re so committed.”
Caparros has only good things to say about his day-to-day work with the national team. “We have an amazing academy. There are ten football pitches here, all maintained superbly, and a residential building with luxury rooms. Everything you need… We’re very comfortable,” he says.
But surely for a Spanish coach in Armenia, the language barrier is a problem? “Within the squad we speak four languages: Russian, Armenian, English and Spanish,” Caparros tells FIFA.com, insisting it has not been an issue: “There’s very fluid communication, and furthermore football is a universal language. When the whistle blows, everyone understands each other. This non-verbal communication has been fundamental.”
We finished by asking this native Andalusian what it would mean for Armenia to reach a major tournament like the EURO or World Cup. “Just winning promotion in the Nations League was very emotional, so I can only imagine what it would be like… However, I’ve not even thought about it. I’ve been in football for many years, so I know we have to take it one step at a time. So let the people of Armenia enjoy the victories, and let us focus on our working methods,” he concludes.
Caparros is clearly proud of this Armenia team and the work they have done, so it will be fascinating to see just how far they can go together.8
The number of games that Armenia have gone undefeated since their 2-1 reverse to North Macedonia in September 2020. That fixture came in the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League, in which Armenia won promotion to League B.
Source: https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/caparros-armenia-must-have-faith-in-the-work-being-done
Armenia beat Romania 3-2 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Eduard Spertsyan opened the score in the 56th minute. The goal was cancelled by Alexandru Cicaldau six minutes later.
Alexandru Cicaldau scored the second for Romania in the 72nd minute.
Armenia made a comeback to win a hard-fought victory thanks to goals from Varazdat Haroyan and Tigran Barseghyan.
The victory comes after Armenia beat Lichtenstein and Iceland last week to top Group J with Germany.
The 17th Annual Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST. We will be streaming the event online (on this platform) as well as simultaneously live on USArmenia and ARTN television networks (check your local listings).
Children of Armenia Fund invites a global audience to join us in providing critical resources needed to advance rural communities throughout Armenia. Your generosity and support for COAF’s mission will ensure that future generations of Armenians will continue to be empowered and reach their full potential.
Click to see our giving levels from $5,000-$250,000, which offer generous recognition during the televised event.
To pledge, contact Haig Boyadjian before the event on Dec 5th at haig.boyadjian@coaf.org.