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Turkish singer Sıla’s concerts canceled after she called democracy rally “Show”

August 11, 2016 by administrator

Turkish singer Sıla Gençoğlu’s concerts in four provinces have been canceled over her remarks on the Aug. 7 democracy rally in Istanbul in the aftermath of the failed coup attempt which she described as a “show.”

“[…] There are also artists who describe the fight of our people claiming our country as a show and mock that honorable stance and will. Therefore, the planned Sept. 21 and 22 concerts of one of those artists, Sıla Gençoğlu, in Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theater have been canceled by our municipality,” the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality said in a statement.

Sıla had previously said she did not want to attend the rally, calling it a “show.”

“I am absolutely against the coup but I do not prefer to be inside such a show,” Sıla said, while stressing that she stood by her words.

“I do not want to comment on this issue. Of course those who wanted to take it wrong did so but I stand by my words. Do not we say democracy? Well, I expressed my opinion and said what I thought,” she said.

In addition to concert cancelations in Istanbul, Sıla’s Aug. 11 concert in the capital Ankara, Sept. 28 concert in the northwestern province of Bursa and her upcoming concert in the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri were also canceled due to her remarks.

Meanwhile, the hashtag #SılaYalnızDeğildir (Sıla is not alone) hit the worldwide Twitter trending topic list after the cancelations.

Millions of people, including a number of celebrities and artists, gathered on Aug. 7 at a meeting venue in Istanbul’s Yenikapı district for a massive joint democracy rally to protest the July 15 failed coup attempt.

August/11/2016

France: MARSEILLE “You my brother”: a show for the memory

May 24, 2016 by administrator

At the initiative of MTL Production and Jacques Couzouyan, Jewish and Armenian communities met last night at Shiloh “You my brother”

It was an idea dear to Angèle Melkonian which resulted yesterday in Marseille.

After Paris, there is a year Marseille hosted a tray of talented artists animated by the same goal: to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust. And do not forget that “the Unclean Beast” as denounced Michel Fugain does not happen again.

Under the honorary patronage of Charles Aznavour, the evening was presented by Frédéric Zeitoun, disabled and in wheelchairs. The tone was set by a children’s choir sang generously. Then, up to raw image of history with the projection of photos and films of the victims of Genocide of 1915 and pictures of the death camps and deported accompanied by “Night and Fog” by Jean Ferrat. A tribute was also paid to the resistance of the Red Displays with the reading of Louis Aragon’s poem.

The Armenian Genocide is one and a half million victims of the Holocaust, 6 million. A brief appearance of Raphael Lemkin in archival images reminded the definition of genocide. Sylvie Amsellem and Claudine Costa interpreted the violin and piano, the Armenian and Israeli anthems and La Marseillaise. Then the floor was given to artists including Michel Fugain and Pluribus, Jeane Manson, Daniel Levi, Gilbert Montagne and Popeck who laughed the room. Accompanied by Levon Minassian to duduk, Helene Segara sang “Dele Yaman” with emotion. She also sang in Hebrew with Daniel Levi.

The CFC, The Aix Marseille Provence Métropole, the city of Marseille, the Departmental Council of Bouches du Rhône, the Armenian Fund of France, SOS Armenia Riviera, the CRIF, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Armenian, the Armenian House of Youth and Culture and Gerard Burggraf were partners in this successful evening.

Gilbert Megue

#ConanArmenia Scores 1.3 Million Viewers

November 19, 2015 by administrator

Conan attempts a traditional Armenian dance in front of the Garni Temple (Photo by Aaron Bleyaert

Conan in Armenia Doubled Viewership the Show Has been Averaging

LOS ANGELES—The Armenia-centric episode of Conan, which aired Tuesday, scored 1.3 million viewers that night, doubling what the show has been averaging recently.

According to Deadline.com, an average of 1.04 million viewers caught TBS’ unveiling of Conan In Armenia at 11 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, 666,000 of whom fell into the advertiser-coveted 18-49 age bracket. Another 317,000 viewers of all ages watched a replay immediately after the premiere, at 12:30 a.m. Eastern, 226,000 of them in the 18-49 demographic.

The numbers do not reflect viewer numbers after Tuesday, on various online platforms on which the show airs, including the official teamcoco.com. It also does not figure delayed viewing on DVR and other devices. When those numbers of revealed soon, it should register an uptick in viewership.

Conan O’Brien became the first late-night host to take his show to Armenia. He was accompanied by his assistant Sona Movsesian who was making her first trip to the homeland.

Watch the full episode if you’ve missed the initial airing on TBS.

Ahead of Tuesday’s show, in a phone interview Friday with Asbarez Editor Ara Khachatourian, O’Brien discussed his experience in Armenia and producing the episode saying: “I’ve been making television for 22 year and this episode is one thing I am most proud of.”

He explained that the genesis of the show dated back six years when he moved to Los Angeles and hired Sona Movsesian as his assistance. She said she grew up in Montebello, where she attended the Armenian Mesrobian School, learning the language, culture and history of Armenians. She had never traveled to Armenia and said that she was able to experience what she had grown up hearing about from her family, school and community.

Watch behind the scenes takes with Sona’s family.

“I haven’t quite done television like that. I thought it was very real. I am proud of the whole show,” O’Brien told Asbarez. “It’s a very human story.

Turkish TV Accidentally Airs Genocide Centennial Events Instead of Gallipoli

April 27, 2015 by administrator

ISTANBUL (ArmRadio)—On April 24, CNBC Turkey mistakenly aired footage from the commemorations of the Armenian Genocide centennial instead of Gallipoli celebrations during its news program.

While the anchorwoman spoke about the events marking the anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli, footage on the background was showing commemoration of the Armenian Genocide centenary at the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan.

CNBC showed Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian welcoming foreign dignitaries. Only close to the end of the report, Erdogan was shown placing flowers at the memorial of the Battle of Gallipoli.