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Yerevan celebrating 2798th birthday, The Armenian capital 29 years older than Rome

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yerevan-2798thYerevan is celebrating its 2798th birthday on Saturday, October 8.

The capital and largest city of Armenia, Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Its history dates back to 782 BC, when the fortress of Erebuni was founded by king Argishti I. A cuneiform inscription proves that the Urartian military fortress was built at the site of modern-day Yerevan.

The cuneiform inscription reads: “By the greatness of the God Khaldi, Argishti, son of Menua, built this mighty stronghold and proclaimed it Erebuni for the glory of Biainili [Urartu] and to instill fear among the king’s enemies. Argishti says, “The land was a desert, before the great works I accomplished upon it. By the greatness of Khaldi, Argishti, son of Menua, is a mighty king, king of Biainili, and ruler of Tushpa.”

The city is 29 years older than Rome, is the same age as Babylon and the Assyrian city of Nineveh, but unlike the latter, has become a prosperous city now.

The city’s birthday has been celebrated since 1968, when the Erebuni-Yerevan events were organized for the very first time. This year, Armenia’s capital turns 2798, and its birthday is being celebrated under the motto “Yerevan: A City of Sun”.

A great number of events for all the age-groups of the population have been organized throughout Yerevan.

FRANCE: The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo leaves today for Yerevan

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paris-mayorThe mayor of Paris leaves today for Yerevan where she will conduct a 3-day visit. Accompanied by a large delegation of elected officials and Paris, Anne Hidalgo will notably received by Serzh Sargsyan, President of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Taron Margaryan, Mayor of Yerevan. She will collect the genocide memorial and participate especially in the solemn ceremony of Erebuni-Yerevan 2798.
Friday, October 7, 2016,
Ara © armenews.com

Armenia Drums, masks and flamenco: Performances of Japanese “Noh” theater in Yerevan

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japan-in-drumsYEREVAN. – Two performances of Hosho School presenting traditional Japanese “Noh” theater took place in Yerevan.

The Armenian audience enjoyed the performances on September 26 at Puppet Theater after Tumanyan and on September 27 in Komitas Museum-Institute. The idea of holding tours was realized thanks to the friend, Ambassador of Japan to Armenia Eiji Taguchi.

A group consisting of nine people was on stage: Masayuki Fujii, his eldest son Shuga Fujii, Manjirō Tatsumi, his eldest son Kazuma Tatsumi, Satoko Kashiwayama, Eitaro Okura, Kayu Omura, Takahisa Suda, Yoko Kamiyabu will please Armenian audience with their  performance.

Masayuki Fujii first delivered a lecture presenting traditional “Noh” theater that was followed by 10-15 minute performances:  “Benkey on the ship” and “Land Spiderman” musical instruments, a love story, performed in the form of flamenco. All this is accompanied by large and small drums, ancient Japanese guitars.

Noh (能) is a form of theater involving music, dance and drama, originating in the 14th century. The theater became widespread among the elite. The greatest playwright and theorist of Noh theater Zeami developed direction under the auspices of the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and this art passed from generation to generation. Kabuki Theater also known as traditional Japanese theater, is founded much later, about 200 years ago, when Tokugawa Shogunate was dissolved and became popular among the ordinary people. The traditional Japanese theater “Noh” was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

In Noh theater actors perform in masks. There are masks that are over 200, 300, and even more years old.

The father, the grandfather of the leading actor and teacher of Hosho School of Noh Masayuki Fujii were actors. The son is an actor and the grandson, will be in the theater, too.

 

First session of Public Forum on Armenian-Israeli cooperation held in Yerevan

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forum-descToday, September 24, the first session of the Public Forum on Armenian-Israeli cooperation was held in Yerevan on the initiative of President of RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Head of Armenia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group, Artak Zakaryan and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Israel, Head of Knesset Armenia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group, Tali Ploskov.

In his speech, Artak Zakaryan noted that he had the idea for organizing the forum within the framework of his working visit to Israel.

“The forum will serve as a platform for cooperation in scientific, cultural, technological, health, tourism and other business fields between the two countries,” Zakaryan noted.

According to him, the forum will operate on a permanent basis, public order, carrying out its activities both in Israel and in Armenia. Artak Zakaryan stressed that the main objective of the forum is the involvement of interested parties in both countries to develop and implement joint projects, business investments, technological development opportunities, as well as other scientific and cultural exchange programs.

In her turn, Tali Ploskov noted that during her second visit in Armenia she realized that there are many similarities between the two countries and using them will benefit the development of relations between Armenia and Israel.

According to her, one of the main goals of the forum is promoting awareness in Armenian-Israeli business circles and encouraging implementation of investment projects in both countries.

Meanwhile, Artak Zakaryan, welcoming guests from Israel, said that Tali Ploskov first visited Armenia during the April events and now, during the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, stressing that as a true friend, the Israeli side visits Armenia in times of joy and in times of sorrow.

Zakaryan noted that for the dialogue between the sides, two co-chairs for the forum will be appointed.

 

Source Panorama.am

Komitas and Medieval Music Culture conference commences on September 26

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comitasWith the support of the Armenian Ministry of Culture, Komitas Museum-Institute will hold Komitas and Medieval Music Culture conference-festival on September 26-October 8, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Independence of Armenia.

According to public relations department of the ministry, the conference-festival will be an unprecedented event in the history of the studies of Komitas music in terms of equipment, software, communications and prestigious international scientists involved.

The opening ceremony of the festival will be held on September 26 at Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.
Musicians from Armenia, France, Japan will perform during the ceremony. Hover State Chamber Choir of Armenia, State Chamber Choir of Armenian, Yerevan State Chamber Choir, State Academic Choir of Armenia, Anahit Papian (soprano), Hasmik Torosyan (soprano), Irina Zakaryan (soprano) will also perform during the concert.

The opening ceremony of the international conference will be held on September 27.

 

Source Panorama.am

A journey to old Yerevan of the 20th century through the book by Karine Khalatyan

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karine-khalatyanUnremitting modernization is the phenomenon of Yerevan, yet it has come to the systematic disadvantage of the city itself. This is not about the last 25 years, although mistakes had been made even before that. Today, not a single right thing is done in the city construction and architecture, architect Karen Babayan said today during a presentation of the book “Old Yerevan in Armenian classic stories and memories of the 1920-1940s” by Karine Khalatyan.

Babayan noted that Yerevan still preserves its phenomenon of being a multilayered city, yet the current generation sees and notices little of those layers.

“Architects are keeping on suggesting different projects of destroying those layers. They gather, discuss. Sometimes, the matter refers to major funds, where they could gain more money. The city is the only one that gets poorer, yet books are published about it,” Babayan said, exemplifying the book authored by Khalatyan.

The book presentation was held at Avetik Isahakyan Museum-House. It comprises memories about Yerevan, its residents, their daily routine through the works of renown Armenian writers, such as Aksel Bakunts, Stepan Zoryan, Vahan Totovents, Derenik Demirchyan, Gurgen Mahari and many others.

“This book is about my love and dedication to the motherland, to my Yerevan. It has been written with great inspiration. There are works that were translated years ago. I decided to compile them and publish a book, which also contains new translations,” Karine Khalatyan told Panorama.am.

She next emphasized that such books educate to love the city are designed for those who want to learn about Yerevan, its image, people, and traditions.

“Yerevan is revealed through artistic expression in the book,” the author stressed, also announcing her future plans of completing the second book about Yerevan.

 

Ruben Vardanyan: We should take advantage of the Armenians spread throughout the world

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ruben-vadanyan“We should develop the scientific branches where we have certain advantages along with scientists not from the Diaspora but of other states,” Ruben Vardanyan, President of IDeA Foundation told at PanArmenian Scientific Forum held in Yerevan.

Highlighting the relevance of the forum, Vardanyan also stressed the importance of taking advantage of the Armenians spread throughout the world.

“We announced about the launch of “FAST” foundation aimed at supporting the science and technologies. The foundation has a primary goal of establishing an environment to promote technological innovations in Armenia, as well as mobilizing the technological and financial resources of the international scientific communities. Our family will invest the first 100 million USD in the foundation. I hope it will encourage the further growth of the funds up to 200 million,” Vardanyan stated.

The Founder of the IDeA Foundation next informed that funds will be allocated to four directions “Some funds will be directed to education, the second part will be provided for interesting ideas in the form of grants, the third part will be aimed for startups and the remaining means will be used for bringing certain industrial branches to Armenia,” Vardanyan said.

To note, numerous Armenian scientists from all over the world have attended the PanArmenian Scientific Forum, which is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence.

 

Source Panorama.am

Armenian premiere expected at Yerevan10th International Music Festival

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music-festival-yerevanUkrainian conductor Kirill Karabits will conduct the concert at Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall on September 18, Panorama.am learnt from Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert will be featured by soloists Daishin Kashimoto (violin) from Japan and Andriy Viytovych (viola).

The Armenian premier of Concerto for Orchestra No.2 by Ivan Karabits as well as other works will be performed in during the concert.

To remind, Yerevan 10th International Music Festival is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. The festival is held under the high patronage of the First Lady of Armenia Mrs. Rita Sargsyan and is supported by the Ministry of Culture.

The festival artistic directors are Alexander Chaushian and Eduard Topchjan.

 

Source Panorama.am

Preparations are underway for the military parade equipment moves through Yerevan streets

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preperationYEREVAN. – Military equipment is moving through the streets of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, since early Friday morning.

Preparations are underway for the military parade to be held on September 21, on the 25th anniversary of the country’s independence.

At present, the Armenian army divisions are rehearsing at Republic Square, in downtown Yerevan.

Several streets are closed in order to move the military equipment, but this has caused traffic jams all through the capital city.

A few days ago, Police issued a statement informing that traffic at Republic Square will be temporarily suspended within the next several days at certain hours, to carry out preparations for the Independence Day anniversary military parade.

Museum of Science opens in Armenia

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museum-science-yerevanThe South Caucasus region’s first-of-its-kind Museum of Science for children openings  Yerevan, Armenia on Wednesday, September 14.

The museum was established by Little Einstein initiative, aiming to boost children’s interest in science by encouraging direct contact with the samples exhibited.

Some 25 items discovering electricity, magnetism, optics, mechanics and other branches of physics are currently displayed, the museum said.

The newly-opened museum targets children above seven, as well as adults.