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International Contemporary Art Exhibition opening in Yerevan

September 28, 2018 By administrator

To mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the First Armenian Republic, Yerevan will host the “International Contemporary Art Exhibition: Armenia 2018. Soundlines of Contemporary Art”, which from September 28 to October 25 will engage the capital city with more than fifty international artists exhibiting in seven different locations around the city.

It will be the first exhibition to encompass all the different aspects of contemporary art – paintings, sculpture, photography, video art and installations and performance – create a dialog among a vast number of international artists coming from all over the world. The artists invited to create artworks in situ as well as participate in several workshops with students from different art institutes. The objective of the initiative is to involve as much territory as possible and to make it part of the artistic debate and highlight its vocation for cultural exchange. For this reason, it extends to the city with a widespread diffusion of the most important cultural centers such as the Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art, Aram Khachaturian House- Museum, Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Hayart Cultural Center, the Artists Union of Armenia, A. Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Academic Theater and the Armenian General Benevolent Union.

“The initiative goes on a par with the idea of La Francophonie which seeks to unite us all. The exhibition offers an opportunity for cultural exchange,” said Vasken Yacoubian, the president of AGBU Armenia, which supports the event.

Fabio Lenzi, one of the people behind the initiative, said such an event is happening in Armenia and the region for the first time.

“We are confident that culture is the key to abolishing borders and facilitating more connections,” he said.

“Many of the artists have decided to come to Armenia to learn more about the local culture. This exchange is a starting point for exporting the country’s art and experience to international arenas.”

According to him, bringing so many talented artists to Armenia was of major importance.

Also, he said, one of the most important cultural centers created back in the Soviet era – HayArt – has been renovated as part of the event.

Curators Mazdak Faiznia and Marina Hakobyan, in turn, thanked the organizers, all the artists involved in the project, the supporters of the initiative and all those who have helped in the process.

“When we first contacted the artists and galleries, most of them had a lot of questions. And while many were quite responsive, this was still a big adventure and a dream for all of us,” said Faiznia.

“The curator said he has learned so much in Armenia, including “the value of silence.” According to him, Armenian artists play a key role in the global industry nowadays.

Hakobyan, the other curator, said this is not the first time Armenia is hosting such an exhibition, but this one is unique in terms of its enormity.

“We hope the exhibition will help Armenia reach international podiums easily and more often,” Hakobyan said.

The exhibition combines contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation of iconic works on loan from the world’s top galleries and collections, as well as commissioned works realized by the artists in situ.

Furthermore, an educational section will include several workshops in some of the leading art institutions of Armenia such as Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, Terlemezyan Yerevan State College of Fine and the Armenian Academy of Fine Arts, held by, among others, Roberto Pugliese, Roland Emile Kuit, Abdoulaye Diarrassouba, and Victor Ehikhamenor.

Organized by “Shaula International” LLC, the event has the patronage of the Canadian Government, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities in Italy, the cultural promotion project of the Italian Foreign Ministry “Vivere all’Italiana”, the Embassy of Italy in Armenia and it is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Tourism Agency, the EU Delegation in Armenia and by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

GLENDALE: Hundreds Attend ‘Armenia: An Open Wound’ Exhibition Opening Ceremony

April 20, 2016 By administrator

AOW_Photo2 GLENDALE – On Saturday, April 16, hundreds of public officials, dignitaries, clergy, and community members gathered for the “Armenia: An Open Wound” Exhibition Opening Ceremony at Brand Library & Art Center in the City of Glendale. The Opening Ceremony was the public’s first opportunity to experience the moving exhibition on the history and culture of the Armenian people.

The event began with formal remarks by Zaven Kazazian on behalf of the Armenian American Museum, welcoming the capacity crowd to the Brand Library. Primate Hovnan Derderian and Prelate Moushegh Mardirossian, Co-Chairs of the Armenian American Museum Governing Board, opened the program with a prayer and shared their vision for the future of the Armenian American Museum in the heart of Downtown Glendale.

“I express my special appreciation and gratitude to the Armenian American Museum executive committee chaired by Mr. Berdj Karapetian for their diligent work, and especially acknowledge the presence of Mrs. Sonia Arakelian who has been instrumental in the creation of this exhibition” stated Primate Derderian. “Every Armenian, young and old must visit the exhibition and bring along a non-Armenian friend to share with them not only the harsh lessons of our history, but above all to learn about the resilience of our nation.”

Prelate Mardirossian expressed the importance of continuous commemoration for the 1915 Armenian Genocide and the important role the “Armenia: An Open Wound” exhibition plays in achieving this objective. “Although one hundred and one years have passed since the Armenian Genocide, we will continue to commemorate because we are inheritors of the history that has made us who we are today” stated Prelate Mardirossian. “We commend the hard work and diligence of all those involved in the realization of this beautiful tribute to our rich history and heritage, and for their initiative in making the story of the Armenian people available to the general public.”

AOW_Photo3_Exterior Mayor Paula Devine thanked the organizers for bringing the exhibition to the City of Glendale in light of its international debut and reaffirmed her support for the development of the Armenian American Museum. “We are a very proud and diverse community and we are excited to be a part of an exhibition that educates and advocates for awareness of the Armenian culture” stated Devine. Director of the City of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department, also recognized the dedication and commitment of the Brand Library staff who played an integral role in the exhibition project.

The “Armenia: An Open Wound” exhibition was inaugurated in Mexico City at the Museo Memoria y Tolerancia [Museum of Memory & Tolerance] during the Armenian Genocide centenary. Exhibition curator and spokesperson on behalf of the museum, Sonia Arakelian, passionately reflected on her personal family story which inspired her to produce an exhibition which educates, commemorates, and calls for justice.

“This exhibition combines diverse sources such as original documents, survivor testimonies, artifacts, and private collections in order raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide, commemorate the lives of victims, and continue to mobilize until the promise of ‘Never Again’ becomes a global reality,” stated Arakelian. “The Museo Memoria y Tolerancia thanks the partnership of the City of Glendale and Armenian American Museum for bringing this exhibition to the forefront of your community.”

The City of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department partnered with the Armenian American Museum to present “Armenia: An Open Wound,” an exhibition curated by the Museo Memoria y Tolerancia [Museum of Memory and Tolerance] in Mexico City. The exhibit will be on view at the Brand Library & Art Center until June 11, 2016 during the library’s regular hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12-8pm, Wednesday 12-6pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10am-5pm. Brand Library & Art Center is located at 1601 West Mountain Street, Glendale, California, 91201.

A diverse slate of complimentary programs will be held on a weekly basis. All events are free and open to the public.

Visit the museum website or call the Brand Library at (818) 548-2051 for the complete schedule of upcoming programs.

The Armenian American Museum is a developing project in Glendale, CA, with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. When completed, it will serve as a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

The governing board of the Armenian American Museum consists of representatives from the following nine regional Armenian American institutions and organizations: Armenian Catholic Eparchy, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian General Benevolent Union – Western District, Armenian Relief Society – Western USA, Nor Or Charitable Foundation, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Tourism in Turkey is so Bad Turkish resort municipalities call for delay of school opening over bad tourism season

August 17, 2015 By administrator

MUĞLA – Doğan News Agency

DHA photo

The mayors of three Aegean resort towns in Turkey have called on the Education Ministry and Culture Ministry to postpone the reopening of schools by two weeks, in order for the tourism sector to compensate for the losses it has suffered this summer.

The mayors of three districts in Muğla province issued a joint press statement calling for the school year opening date to be postponed by two weeks, in order to incorporate the Eid al-Ahda (Feast of Sacrifice) four-and-a-half-day official holiday.

Bodrum Mayor Mehmet Kocadon from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Marmaris Mayor Ali Acar from the CHP, and Fethiye Mayor Behçet Saatcı from the Democratic Party (DP), had held a meeting to discuss the tourism situation amid a sharp drop in the number of visitors this season.

Stating that the 2015-2016 school year was due to start on Sept. 14, just one week before the Eid al-Ahda holiday, the three mayors urged the ministries to postpone the opening of schools so that local tourists have more time to travel freely and thus boost the flagging sector.

“We request that the opening of the schools be delayed until after the Eid al-Ahda holiday, believing that this will positively benefit our domestic tourism and economy, offer a partial recovery to the tourism enterprises that have undergone great loses, and allow families to plan their holidays beforehand,” the joint statement read.

The bad economic situation of Russia, the war in neighboring Syria, the recent terror attacks inside Turkey by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and the Turkish military’s operations against PKK camps in northern Iraq and within Turkey have all had a negative effect on the income from tourism across the country.

Azerbaijan European leaders ignore opening of Baku games

June 12, 2015 By administrator

Leaders of the European countries ignored opening of the first European Games in Baku.

The opening ceremony will be attended by the presidents of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Montenegro, Turkey, chairman of the presidium of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Regents of San Marino, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Prince of Monaco Albert, contact.az reported.

UK sent to the ceremony its Foreign Secretary for Relations with Parliament Tobias Evlud, and the Czech Republic will be represented by the head of the House of Deputies Jan Gamacek.

Thus, the leaders of the countries of Western Europe, except the leaders of dwarf states, have ignored the ceremony of the European Games.

Report on opening of Armenia-Turkey border piece of misinformation – opinions

July 4, 2014 By administrator

Considering Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political personality, as well as the upcoming presidential election in Turkey, he is most unlikely to sacrifice nationalists’ votes and open the border with Armenia expert in Turkic studies Ruben Melkonyan told Tert.am as he commented the report by the Taraf newspaper.

“In our age of infowars the mass media are used for addressing messages and, sometimes, for probing into the stance of the public and political circles. This statement raises certain questions as the report says that Erdogan has issued an instruction for the opening of the border. However, the opening of the border is supposed to be preceded by certain procedures – the ratification of protocols and establishment of diplomatic relations,” Melkonyan said.

This should mainly be considered in the context of infowars and, sometimes, disinformation. The ground for this opinion is the Turkish PM’s political personality, especially the possibility of the upcoming presidential election dealing a blow to his political rating, as his rivals will make use of it to win over nationalistic and anti-Armenian voters.

Melkonyan does not rule out Erdogan’s rivals using it to “entrap” him.

Expert in Turkish studies Hakob Chakryan believes that the Taraf report is misinformation. Even if such an initiative were undertaken, Turks will derail it.

Turkish press also notes that Turkey will open the border under the US pressure. But the border opened under pressure can easily be closed again or resistance can be shown, with new problems for Armenia.

As to whether it may be a step on the threshold of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, Chakryan said:

“Since 1991, Turkey’s policy toward Armenia has not seen any progress. They keep on speaking of opening the borders, but they start bargaining over it and the issue is closed. I do not think Turkey has a sincere intention to open the border. Turkey is pursuing a clearly anti-Armenian policy now irrespective of whether it will open the border. They should begin with establishing interstate relations, and the border will mechanically be opened.”

In any case, the Turkish foreign office is directing the mass media, the expert said.

Head of the ARF-D Hay Dat office Giro Manoyan told Tert.am that the likely reason for the report by the Taraf newspaper was to discredit the Turkish premier. The newspaper has problems with the Turkish authorities and rumor has it may be shut down.

As to any links with the approaching centennial of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, Manoyan said, “Everything’s possible.”

source: tert.am