renaissance Archives

Armenian Renaissance protests outside consulate general office in Glendale

July 22, 2017 by administrator

Members and supporters of the Los Angeles chapter of the Armenian Renaissance protested outside the Consulate General of Armenia in Glendale on July 16, demanding the release of dozens of people they say were taken into custody one year ago in Yerevan, Armenia.

It was widely reported that Armenian police used excessive force against peaceful protesters and journalists, and more than 28 have been in custody.

Albert Rostomyan, chapter member, said the Consulate General has not been open and transparent with the diaspora community of Los Angeles regarding the treatment of its citizens in Yerevan, and the protest was meant to express that the chapter will not accept silence.

Consulate officials did not return phone calls or emails asking for comment.

“Some are still detained for supporting the uprising,” Rostomyan said. “This brutal regime is beating people without consequences. We ask the U.S. government to stand next to the people of Armenia against corrupt government.”

The clash between antigovernment protesters and police boiled over during four days in July 2016 in Yerevan, linked to a hostage situation at a police station.

According to various news reports, the gunmen demanded the resignation of President Serzh Sarkisian and the release of one of its own opposition leaders.

The small act by a fringe opposition group sparked a deeper widespread conflict fed by discontent with the government.

Human rights groups stated that in the weeks following the end of the clash, Armenian police arbitrarily detained dozens of people linked to the protests, beating them and handing down unjustified criminal charges against some.

Posters with phrases such as “Serg Sargsyan Dictator” and “Down With Illegal and Corrupt Gov of Armenia” lined gates in front of the consulate Sunday evening. There were also photos displayed of the Yerevan protesters who were arrested last year.

Armenian Renaissance members protested outside the consulate for 13 days in 2016 during the height of the uprising. Many on Sunday called the political prisoners “heroes” and alleged that Russia is ruling the Armenian government.

“The government tried to mark them as terrorists,” said Gurgen Mkhitaryan, an Armenian Renaissance member. “We see them as heroes. We see Armenia as a dictatorship. There’s no freedom of speech.”

Rostomyan said they’ve delivered a letter about what they demand from the consulate and are willing to meet to discuss the issues.

“We’re still waiting, still calling,” Rostomyan said.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-me-armenian-protest-20170721-story.html

Armenian Renaissance doesn’t rule out coalition with Republican Party

March 16, 2017 by administrator

After the parliamentary elections in April, there is a possibility for Armenian Renaissance to cooperate with the ruling Republican Party (RPA), candidate for the National Assembly Armen Harutyunyan said.

“We have maximum and minimum programs and expectations from these elections,” Harutyunyan said, according to Aravot.

“Our maximum goal is to form a full government,” he said, adding, however, that the party is ready to join a coalition only in the event of having a real impact on political processes.

Earlier, MP Mher Shahgeldyan also said that Armenian Renaissance will join a coalition only if the party can have a real influence on political decisions.

At the parliamentary elections slated for April 2, the Armenian Renaissance’s list is headed by Artur Baghdasaryan, the leader of the Rule of Law party, which was renamed to Armenian Renaissance in 2015. Also included in the list are Shahgeldyan, Heghine Bisharyan, as well as Hovhannes Margaryan and Ishkhan Khachatryan.

Armenian Renaissance Ahead of Europe

October 18, 2016 by administrator

On the left: Holy Mother pleads for duke Vasak and his sons. Vasak’s book of gospels, 13th century. On the left: Madonna of Mercy, Piero della Francesca

The Renaissance in Armenia started long before it arrived in Europe. Humanistic ideas characteristic for Renaissance were not re-opened in Armenia but ‘crystallized’ in line with the Christian norms. In Armenian reality, this period was the continuation of pre-Christian ideas, which evolved into new practice, giving birth to new art and outlook.

PanARMENIAN.Net – “The Armenian Renaissance can be divided into two periods,” art critic Anush Hakobian says. “These are the medieval time lasting from the 10th to 14th century and the classical period of the 18th century. We can say that the first period starts with the poetry of Grigor Narekatsi (Gregory of Narek), who dares to begin a dialogue with God.”

The European Renaissance, in turn, marks the transition from the medieval ideology that infringes on human dignity towards antique vision basing on ancient views, where the human being is the central figure of the creation. This is the period when a man’s heavenly nature is revived. He is no more a kneeling and crooked slave but a part of God’s intention.

“Renaissance is an evident breakthrough of thought and practice as compared to the Middle Ages. It is a cultural trend that influenced the intellectual life of the early period of modernity. Emerging in Italy in the 16th century and spreading across Europe, this epoch left its mark in literature, art, philosophy, politics, science, religion and other. The outstanding figures of Renaissance were guided by humanism, while artists strived towards realism and depiction of human emotions,” Hakobian says.

On the left: Holy Mother pleads for duke Vasak and his sons. Vasak’s book of gospels, 13th century. On the left: Madonna of Mercy, Piero della Francesca

“I would like to emphasize that Renaissance was also remarkable for the development of scientific thought, which gave impetus to the development of civilization. For example, Grigor Tatevatsi (14th century) dissertated about colors, giving a scientific explanation to the structure of color and introduces the notion of 5th element – the or – which symbolizes God’s presence. It should be noted that such kind of ideas emerged in Europe in the 16th century.

The peculiarity of the first period of Armenian Renaissance is freedom, which, unlike medieval Europe, was not reduced to church doctrine. The clergy did not hamper the development of ideas as a continuation of evolved thought.

Meanwhile, medieval concept of politicized Christian thought spared no effort to keep the flock in mystical fear and obedience. Basilicas, which symbolized faith, presented a lot of visual effects with a purpose to attract the flock and at the same time suppress the human mind: statues, frescos, stained glass windows, etc. The concept of Armenian church architecture implied austerity and spirituality along with developing architectural styles: cross-buildings, domed basilicas, Zvartnots-like temples,” Hakobian says.

Miniatures had a special place in Armenian Renaissance, specifically during the Cilician era, when new art rules were developed, namely the elements of secularism and ‘humanization’ of sainthood, a process that started in Europe only two centuries later.

Renaissance Foundation buys William Saroyan’s house

February 29, 2016 by administrator

The US-based Intellectual Renaissance Foundation, owned by Artur Janibekyan, the founder of the Wikimedia Armenia project, has purchased the house residence of William Saroyan (1908-1981), the 20th century world-famous US-Armenian writer and dramatist.
In a press release, the foundation says that it intends to rebuild the construction as a house museum which will host literary events and festivals for the Armenians in the US and around the world.
The Foundation is now developing and is going to publish the house-museum’s architectural plan and activities. It asks all interested individuals to join the project by submitting their interesting and new ideas (e-mail: info@saroyanmuseum.com). “We will be happy to discuss all the proposals,” reads the press release by the foundation.
Saroyan’s private residence, based in Fresno, California, was offered for auction sale on May 4, 2015.