Armenian News... A Topalian... Armenian ceramics artist
Armenian ceramics artist keeps ancient craft alive in Jerusalem
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/11/armenian-ceramicsmaker-struggles-to-keep-trade-alive.html?utm_campaign=20171116&utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily%20Newsletter
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 17 2017
New quake recorded in Azerbaijan, felt in Artsakh
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake has hit Azerbaijan, some 26 kilometers northwest of the town of Aghjaberd at a depth of 10 kilometers, Armenia’s National Service for Seismic Protection at Ministry of Emergency Situations reported, adding the geographical coordinates of the tremor were northern latitude 40. 100 and eastern longitude 47.250.
In the epicenter of the quake, which struck at about 17:27 local time (GMT 13:27) on November 17, the tremor measured magnitude 5-6 points.
According to the source, the quake was also felt in the territory of Artsakh with magnitude 2-3 points and in southeastern regions of Armenia with magnitude 3 point.
To remind, a 3.4- magnitude earthquake hit central Azerbaijan, 26 kilometers west of Aghjaberd at a depth of 10 kilometers on November 16.
News.am, Armenia
Nov 14 2017
Freedom House: Armenia moves to list of countries with partly free internet
Armenia has moved from the list of countries with free internet to “the partly free list” and scored 32 points out of 100, as per the Freedom House report entitled Freedom on the Net 2017 .
Internet freedom declined in Armenia after users experienced temporary restrictions on Facebook, while online manipulation increased in the lead-up to parliamentary elections, the report says
According to the report, the lead-up to the parliamentary election saw unprecedented levels of manipulation online, with coordinated bots spreading misinformation and attempting to stifle independent reporting on Twitter.”
Around the same time, civil society figures received Google notifications that state-backed hackers were attempting to hack their accounts.
Though the government does not usually engage in blocking or filtering, Facebook was briefly restricted in July 2016 when armed opposition figures took over a police station in Yerevan, holding several police officers hostage. Mobilizing on social networks, thousands of citizens took to the streets to demonstrate against the government at the same time. Online journalists covering the events were violently dispersed by law enforcement.
Self-censorship on some issues improved during the coverage period. As tensions between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh region simmered down following the April 2016 flare up in hostilities, social media users and online journalists faced less pressure to restrict their reporting on the conflict.
Overall, the internet remained relatively free, with gradual improvements in infrastructure and accessibility connecting more of the population. Activists regularly use social media as a tool to promote their causes, and opposition and independent media flourish online,” the report says.
Among the key developments last year the experts mention that journalists streaming live broadcasts during the July protests were targeted and violently obstructed by police.
As to Armenia’s neighbors, Georgia is the only country having free internet. Azerbaijan has partly free internet, while Turkey and Iran are listed among the countries having not free internet.
Freedom House determines the level of freedom on the Net with scores from 0 to 100, 0 meaning completely free internet. 65 countries were assessed according to three parameters: obstacles to access, limits on content and violations of user rights.
Nearly half of the 65 countries assessed in Freedom on the Net 2017 experienced declines during the coverage period, while just 13 made gains, most of them minor.
Pan Armenian, Armenia
Nov 15 2017
There is something to learn from Armenia in humanitarian field: paper
Armenia not only preserves its national traditions, but also develops a modern culture of upbringing and education of a new generation, a correspondent from Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper said after visiting the cities of Yerevan and Dilijan.
"There's much to learn from Armenia in the humanitarian field. In recent years, several major projects are being implemented here with the simple goal of educating intelligent children," the author says, citing the Ayb School and Tumo Center for Creative Technologies.
A new training model - the Ararat Bachelor's Program - was developed in Ayb, which was first officially recognized in Armenia as an alternative school curriculum, and then was named equivalent to the best international programs (English Cambridge A Levels and American Advanced Placement). Graduation certificate and marks without additional examinations are recognized both in Armenia and abroad.
"Now Armenia wants to extend the Ararat Bachelor's Program to the entire country. For the first stage, 23 schools were selected, and by 2023 the new model is planned to be introduced in all schools across Armenia," the article says.
"Another unique project is Tumo, which offers extracurricular education. Children from 12 to 18 years of age are taught animation, web design, game development, film production. Young people master 2D-graphics, 3D-modeling, programming, robotics, also learning to create websites and computer games. Meanwhile, specialists from Google, Disney and other industry leaders come to Tumo to conduct master classes."
"In fact, Armenia is developing a culture of familiarizing young people with IT-related professions of the future, the article added.
The first Tumo center will soon open in Beirut, negotiations are underway to open another one in Moscow.
News.am, Armenia
Nov 16 2017
Armenian diplomacy in Brussels made serious counter strike to Azerbaijan
A large-scale attempt of falsification undertaken by Azerbaijan, aimed at neutralizing the efforts of the international community towards the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as damaging the developing relations between Armenia and EU on the eve of the Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels was thwarted at the European Parliament.
The destructive steps of Azerbaijani side were managed to be identified thanks to the permanent representation of Armenia is Brussels, as well as the targeted work of the Armenian lobbying organizations in Brussels.
At the plenary session of the European Parliament a resolution was adopted with an overwhelming majority of votes. In the resolution, for already the second time, the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination is practically recognized by repeating the precedent taken in connection with the 72nd session of General Assembly of UN, when due to persistent efforts of the Armenian side in Brussels, the European Parliament recognized the right of Artsakh people to self-determination.
This resolution is of a significant importance, because it determines the expectations of the partnership at the eve of the Eastern Partnership. It also points on the logic of the further development of the Eastern Partnership, that’s why there is no wonder that Azerbaijani side put efforts to change the main idea and the logic of the resolution.
Particularly, the Azerbaijani side, acting in it style of “Laundromat”, could manage to make the authors add twenty annexes that are against the peaceful regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and are against Armenia. The additions represented Nagorno-Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan and contained other pro-Azeri wordings and demanded the return the refugees.
Nonetheless, due to the principal attitude of the European side and the persistent work of the Armenian side, all the destructive annexes of the Azerbaijani side were rejected. Moreover, the right of Nagorno-Karabakh people to self-determination was again ascertained.
After the rejection of the annexes where Armenia was depicted in negative light, Armenia was announced to be a positive example and a relating link in the two integration areas of the EU and the Eurasian Union.
Thus, another Azerbaijani provocation faced a serious opposition in Brussels, thanks to the Armenian diplomacy in favor of the peaceful regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the development of Armenia-EU relationship.
RFE/RL Report
Nov 17 2017
New quake recorded in Azerbaijan, felt in Artsakh
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake has hit Azerbaijan, some 26 kilometers northwest of the town of Aghjaberd at a depth of 10 kilometers, Armenia’s National Service for Seismic Protection at Ministry of Emergency Situations reported, adding the geographical coordinates of the tremor were northern latitude 40. 100 and eastern longitude 47.250.
In the epicenter of the quake, which struck at about 17:27 local time (GMT 13:27) on November 17, the tremor measured magnitude 5-6 points.
According to the source, the quake was also felt in the territory of Artsakh with magnitude 2-3 points and in southeastern regions of Armenia with magnitude 3 point.
To remind, a 3.4- magnitude earthquake hit central Azerbaijan, 26 kilometers west of Aghjaberd at a depth of 10 kilometers on November 16.
News.am, Armenia
Nov 14 2017
Freedom House: Armenia moves to list of countries with partly free internet
Armenia has moved from the list of countries with free internet to “the partly free list” and scored 32 points out of 100, as per the Freedom House report entitled Freedom on the Net 2017 .
Internet freedom declined in Armenia after users experienced temporary restrictions on Facebook, while online manipulation increased in the lead-up to parliamentary elections, the report says
According to the report, the lead-up to the parliamentary election saw unprecedented levels of manipulation online, with coordinated bots spreading misinformation and attempting to stifle independent reporting on Twitter.”
Around the same time, civil society figures received Google notifications that state-backed hackers were attempting to hack their accounts.
Though the government does not usually engage in blocking or filtering, Facebook was briefly restricted in July 2016 when armed opposition figures took over a police station in Yerevan, holding several police officers hostage. Mobilizing on social networks, thousands of citizens took to the streets to demonstrate against the government at the same time. Online journalists covering the events were violently dispersed by law enforcement.
Self-censorship on some issues improved during the coverage period. As tensions between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh region simmered down following the April 2016 flare up in hostilities, social media users and online journalists faced less pressure to restrict their reporting on the conflict.
Overall, the internet remained relatively free, with gradual improvements in infrastructure and accessibility connecting more of the population. Activists regularly use social media as a tool to promote their causes, and opposition and independent media flourish online,” the report says.
Among the key developments last year the experts mention that journalists streaming live broadcasts during the July protests were targeted and violently obstructed by police.
As to Armenia’s neighbors, Georgia is the only country having free internet. Azerbaijan has partly free internet, while Turkey and Iran are listed among the countries having not free internet.
Freedom House determines the level of freedom on the Net with scores from 0 to 100, 0 meaning completely free internet. 65 countries were assessed according to three parameters: obstacles to access, limits on content and violations of user rights.
Nearly half of the 65 countries assessed in Freedom on the Net 2017 experienced declines during the coverage period, while just 13 made gains, most of them minor.
Pan Armenian, Armenia
Nov 15 2017
There is something to learn from Armenia in humanitarian field: paper
Armenia not only preserves its national traditions, but also develops a modern culture of upbringing and education of a new generation, a correspondent from Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper said after visiting the cities of Yerevan and Dilijan.
"There's much to learn from Armenia in the humanitarian field. In recent years, several major projects are being implemented here with the simple goal of educating intelligent children," the author says, citing the Ayb School and Tumo Center for Creative Technologies.
A new training model - the Ararat Bachelor's Program - was developed in Ayb, which was first officially recognized in Armenia as an alternative school curriculum, and then was named equivalent to the best international programs (English Cambridge A Levels and American Advanced Placement). Graduation certificate and marks without additional examinations are recognized both in Armenia and abroad.
"Now Armenia wants to extend the Ararat Bachelor's Program to the entire country. For the first stage, 23 schools were selected, and by 2023 the new model is planned to be introduced in all schools across Armenia," the article says.
"Another unique project is Tumo, which offers extracurricular education. Children from 12 to 18 years of age are taught animation, web design, game development, film production. Young people master 2D-graphics, 3D-modeling, programming, robotics, also learning to create websites and computer games. Meanwhile, specialists from Google, Disney and other industry leaders come to Tumo to conduct master classes."
"In fact, Armenia is developing a culture of familiarizing young people with IT-related professions of the future, the article added.
The first Tumo center will soon open in Beirut, negotiations are underway to open another one in Moscow.
News.am, Armenia
Nov 16 2017
Armenian diplomacy in Brussels made serious counter strike to Azerbaijan
A large-scale attempt of falsification undertaken by Azerbaijan, aimed at neutralizing the efforts of the international community towards the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as damaging the developing relations between Armenia and EU on the eve of the Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels was thwarted at the European Parliament.
The destructive steps of Azerbaijani side were managed to be identified thanks to the permanent representation of Armenia is Brussels, as well as the targeted work of the Armenian lobbying organizations in Brussels.
At the plenary session of the European Parliament a resolution was adopted with an overwhelming majority of votes. In the resolution, for already the second time, the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination is practically recognized by repeating the precedent taken in connection with the 72nd session of General Assembly of UN, when due to persistent efforts of the Armenian side in Brussels, the European Parliament recognized the right of Artsakh people to self-determination.
This resolution is of a significant importance, because it determines the expectations of the partnership at the eve of the Eastern Partnership. It also points on the logic of the further development of the Eastern Partnership, that’s why there is no wonder that Azerbaijani side put efforts to change the main idea and the logic of the resolution.
Particularly, the Azerbaijani side, acting in it style of “Laundromat”, could manage to make the authors add twenty annexes that are against the peaceful regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and are against Armenia. The additions represented Nagorno-Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan and contained other pro-Azeri wordings and demanded the return the refugees.
Nonetheless, due to the principal attitude of the European side and the persistent work of the Armenian side, all the destructive annexes of the Azerbaijani side were rejected. Moreover, the right of Nagorno-Karabakh people to self-determination was again ascertained.
After the rejection of the annexes where Armenia was depicted in negative light, Armenia was announced to be a positive example and a relating link in the two integration areas of the EU and the Eurasian Union.
Thus, another Azerbaijani provocation faced a serious opposition in Brussels, thanks to the Armenian diplomacy in favor of the peaceful regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the development of Armenia-EU relationship.
RFE/RL Report
Russian-Armenian Tycoon-Led Group Pledges Sizable Investment In
Armenia
November 13, 2017
The Tashir group of companies owned by Russia-based billionaire Karen
Karapetian together with the Armenian Investors Club and international
financial institutions intends to invest about $1 billion in Armenia's
energy sector over the next few years. This announcement was made in
Yerevan on Monday during the launch of the investment project that was
also attended by Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian.
During the event, the speakers gave details of resources and ways of
implementing the investment program, as well as how realistic it was,
the presidential press service reported.
In attendance were representatives of Tashir Group's international
financial partners and other organizations. At the end of the
presentation, a document signing ceremony was held between Tashir
Company, the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company that belongs
to Tashir Group and their financial partners.
According to the report, President Sarkisian today also attended the
opening of a center for excellence at the State Engineering University
of Armenia (SEUA) established with the investments of the
internationally renowned French company, Schneider Electric, the
Tashir group of companies and the SEUA.
Accompanied by the minister of education and science, the SEUA rector,
the president of Tashir group of companies, top executives from the
ENA and Cascade Energy companies, the president of Armenia toured the
newly opened Innovation Center to inspect the activities of the High
and Medium Voltage Distribution Laboratory, the Training Center for
Automated Registration and Control System and the facilities available
in the auditoriums.
Sarkisian was briefed on the main results expected from the
introduction of the new system. Dozens of students and young
researchers were said to be able to develop their professional skills
and get acquainted with modern technologies in the field of energy and
automation. The Center will also promote the development of science
and technology, as well as knowledge-based industry in Armenia.
Within the framework of the project, the Tashir charitable foundation
will provide scholarships to 55 students with excellent academic
performance at the Energy and Electrical Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Transport Systems and Design institutes in the academic
year of 2016-2017.
After visiting the SEUA President Sarkisian reportedly joined the
mayor of Yerevan, the minister of economic development and
investments, other government officials and guests to attend the
launch of another Tashir Group project - the opening of the Russian
Rio network-affiliated trade and entertainment center in the Arabkir
administrative district of Yerevan. The nearly USD 40 million-worth
project is expected to generate 500 new jobs.
Jewish News
Nov 15 2017
Police investigate Israeli drone maker accused of bombing Armenia
Authorities probe Aeronautics Defence Systems over allegations they targeted Armenia’s military on behalf of Azerbaijan
Israeli police launched a criminal investigation of an Israeli drone manufacturer that allegedly tried to bomb the Armenian military on behalf of Azerbaijan during a product demonstration.
Hebrew media reported the existence of the probe of Aeronautics Defence Systems on Monday as an Israeli court approved a gag order on most details. Police confirmed that they were investigating the firm’s deal with a “significant customer.”
In September, the Defence Ministry opened an investigation of Aeronautics Defence Systems after it received a complaint that the manufacturer demonstrated the use of a kamikaze drone in Azerbaijan by attacking a manned position of the Armenian army earlier this year.
According to the complaint, the firm sent a team to Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, to demonstrate its unmanned Orbiter 1K system, which can be equipped with a small explosive and flown into an enemy target on a “suicide mission.” During the demonstration, the company was asked to conduct a live-fire test against the Armenian position, the complaint said.
The two Israelis operating the two Orbiter 1K drones refused to carry out the attack despite threats from their superiors, according to the complaint. Two senior members of the Aeronautics Defence Systems team then attempted to fulfil the Azerbaijani request, but failed to hit their targets, the complaint said.
Azerbaijan and neighbouring Armenia have been engaged in a violent territorial and ethnic conflict for three decades that has escalated since last year.
Under Israeli law it is illegal to carry out weapons tests on real targets without a permit, which is rarely granted. In August, the Defence Ministry froze Aeronautics Defence Systems’ license to export to the “significant customer.”
Aeronautics Defence Systems denied the substance of the complaint at the time.
The firm said it expected to make a $20 million deal over the next two years with the “significant customer,” according to publicly available details of the investigation. Azerbaijan is a major importer of Israeli weapons and an important ally given its border with Iran.
Responding to reports of the investigation, Aeronautics Defence Systems said it would cooperate with police.
Aeronautics Defence Systems has also reportedly had dealings with the Myanmar military junta, which is accused of ethnic cleansing the country’s Muslim Rohingya minority.
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 15 2017
Number of marriages growing in Artsakh
Artsakh Republic Civil Acts Registration Office and Notary Office announced that the number of marriages increased by 7% as compared to the same period of the last year, Artsakhpress reported.
According to the source, the majority of them were registered in Stepanakert, 321marriages instead of 275 of the previous year; and in Martakert, 209 cases instead of 83 of 2016.
A1+
20 places out of 35 are vacant – President of the National Academy of Sciences (video)
November 14,2017 |
Armenia
November 13, 2017
The Tashir group of companies owned by Russia-based billionaire Karen
Karapetian together with the Armenian Investors Club and international
financial institutions intends to invest about $1 billion in Armenia's
energy sector over the next few years. This announcement was made in
Yerevan on Monday during the launch of the investment project that was
also attended by Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian.
During the event, the speakers gave details of resources and ways of
implementing the investment program, as well as how realistic it was,
the presidential press service reported.
In attendance were representatives of Tashir Group's international
financial partners and other organizations. At the end of the
presentation, a document signing ceremony was held between Tashir
Company, the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company that belongs
to Tashir Group and their financial partners.
According to the report, President Sarkisian today also attended the
opening of a center for excellence at the State Engineering University
of Armenia (SEUA) established with the investments of the
internationally renowned French company, Schneider Electric, the
Tashir group of companies and the SEUA.
Accompanied by the minister of education and science, the SEUA rector,
the president of Tashir group of companies, top executives from the
ENA and Cascade Energy companies, the president of Armenia toured the
newly opened Innovation Center to inspect the activities of the High
and Medium Voltage Distribution Laboratory, the Training Center for
Automated Registration and Control System and the facilities available
in the auditoriums.
Sarkisian was briefed on the main results expected from the
introduction of the new system. Dozens of students and young
researchers were said to be able to develop their professional skills
and get acquainted with modern technologies in the field of energy and
automation. The Center will also promote the development of science
and technology, as well as knowledge-based industry in Armenia.
Within the framework of the project, the Tashir charitable foundation
will provide scholarships to 55 students with excellent academic
performance at the Energy and Electrical Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Transport Systems and Design institutes in the academic
year of 2016-2017.
After visiting the SEUA President Sarkisian reportedly joined the
mayor of Yerevan, the minister of economic development and
investments, other government officials and guests to attend the
launch of another Tashir Group project - the opening of the Russian
Rio network-affiliated trade and entertainment center in the Arabkir
administrative district of Yerevan. The nearly USD 40 million-worth
project is expected to generate 500 new jobs.
Jewish News
Nov 15 2017
Police investigate Israeli drone maker accused of bombing Armenia
Authorities probe Aeronautics Defence Systems over allegations they targeted Armenia’s military on behalf of Azerbaijan
Israeli police launched a criminal investigation of an Israeli drone manufacturer that allegedly tried to bomb the Armenian military on behalf of Azerbaijan during a product demonstration.
Hebrew media reported the existence of the probe of Aeronautics Defence Systems on Monday as an Israeli court approved a gag order on most details. Police confirmed that they were investigating the firm’s deal with a “significant customer.”
In September, the Defence Ministry opened an investigation of Aeronautics Defence Systems after it received a complaint that the manufacturer demonstrated the use of a kamikaze drone in Azerbaijan by attacking a manned position of the Armenian army earlier this year.
According to the complaint, the firm sent a team to Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, to demonstrate its unmanned Orbiter 1K system, which can be equipped with a small explosive and flown into an enemy target on a “suicide mission.” During the demonstration, the company was asked to conduct a live-fire test against the Armenian position, the complaint said.
The two Israelis operating the two Orbiter 1K drones refused to carry out the attack despite threats from their superiors, according to the complaint. Two senior members of the Aeronautics Defence Systems team then attempted to fulfil the Azerbaijani request, but failed to hit their targets, the complaint said.
Azerbaijan and neighbouring Armenia have been engaged in a violent territorial and ethnic conflict for three decades that has escalated since last year.
Under Israeli law it is illegal to carry out weapons tests on real targets without a permit, which is rarely granted. In August, the Defence Ministry froze Aeronautics Defence Systems’ license to export to the “significant customer.”
Aeronautics Defence Systems denied the substance of the complaint at the time.
The firm said it expected to make a $20 million deal over the next two years with the “significant customer,” according to publicly available details of the investigation. Azerbaijan is a major importer of Israeli weapons and an important ally given its border with Iran.
Responding to reports of the investigation, Aeronautics Defence Systems said it would cooperate with police.
Aeronautics Defence Systems has also reportedly had dealings with the Myanmar military junta, which is accused of ethnic cleansing the country’s Muslim Rohingya minority.
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 15 2017
Number of marriages growing in Artsakh
Artsakh Republic Civil Acts Registration Office and Notary Office announced that the number of marriages increased by 7% as compared to the same period of the last year, Artsakhpress reported.
According to the source, the majority of them were registered in Stepanakert, 321marriages instead of 275 of the previous year; and in Martakert, 209 cases instead of 83 of 2016.
A1+
20 places out of 35 are vacant – President of the National Academy of Sciences (video)
November 14,2017 |
radik martirosyan
On November 14, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, academician Radik Martirosyan talked about the RA draft law “On Status of Military Servicemen” as well, at the National Press Club.
He stated that the postgraduate courses in the academic system are vacant. “20 places out of 35 are vacant, and only 2 students of 15 are boys.”
On November 14, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, academician Radik Martirosyan talked about the RA draft law “On Status of Military Servicemen” as well, at the National Press Club.
He stated that the postgraduate courses in the academic system are vacant. “20 places out of 35 are vacant, and only 2 students of 15 are boys.”
Variety
November 12, 2017
PopPolitics: Joe Berlinger on How 'Intent to Destroy' Is a Warning Sign About 'Alternative' History (Listen)
WASHINGTON - Joe Berlinger's "Intent to Destroy" shows how the history of the Armenian genocide continues to be disputed and denied more than a century later.
A case in point: He was unable to get a Turkish official to go on camera, as the government refuses to recognize the 1915 atrocities as genocide and has influenced its key Western ally, the United States, not to do so either.
"I wish I could say that I was so prescient that when I started making the documentary, I would realize how relevant and important it is for today," Berlinger tells Variety's "PopPolitics" on SiriusXM. "Ever since our president took office and words like alternative facts and fake news get bandied about, and people just on a daily basis just say what they think is the truth, and just think that if they say it long enough, that it becomes the truth."
"Intent to Destroy" interweaves the history of the Armenian genocide with a movie being made about it, Terry George's "The Promise," released in 2016. Berlinger notes that Hollywood studios tried to make to make a movie about the genocide back in the 1930s, but Turkey made it clear that the industry would be banned from the country were they to proceed. The project was dropped.
Even now, Berlinger notes, "The Promise" was barraged by a flood of negative reviews on the internet even before the movie had been released.
"We are so barraged now with alternative histories, from the Civil War to what is going on in other parts of the world, that I think the lesson of Armenian genocide, the complicity of Western powers after World War I to help an ally sweep the truth under the rug, out of self interest, is a real warning sign of where that can lead, which is where we are today," Berlinger says. "If I were a young person trolling the internet for the truth, I think it is going to be increasingly difficult to know what the truth is."
Listen below:
"PopPolitics," hosted by Ted Johnson, airs from 2-3 p.m. ET/11-noon PT on SiriusXM's political channel POTUS. It also is available on demand.
Listen at
http://variety.com/2017/politics/news/joe-berlinger-intent-to-destroy-armenian-genocide-1202613181/
November 12, 2017
PopPolitics: Joe Berlinger on How 'Intent to Destroy' Is a Warning Sign About 'Alternative' History (Listen)
WASHINGTON - Joe Berlinger's "Intent to Destroy" shows how the history of the Armenian genocide continues to be disputed and denied more than a century later.
A case in point: He was unable to get a Turkish official to go on camera, as the government refuses to recognize the 1915 atrocities as genocide and has influenced its key Western ally, the United States, not to do so either.
"I wish I could say that I was so prescient that when I started making the documentary, I would realize how relevant and important it is for today," Berlinger tells Variety's "PopPolitics" on SiriusXM. "Ever since our president took office and words like alternative facts and fake news get bandied about, and people just on a daily basis just say what they think is the truth, and just think that if they say it long enough, that it becomes the truth."
"Intent to Destroy" interweaves the history of the Armenian genocide with a movie being made about it, Terry George's "The Promise," released in 2016. Berlinger notes that Hollywood studios tried to make to make a movie about the genocide back in the 1930s, but Turkey made it clear that the industry would be banned from the country were they to proceed. The project was dropped.
Even now, Berlinger notes, "The Promise" was barraged by a flood of negative reviews on the internet even before the movie had been released.
"We are so barraged now with alternative histories, from the Civil War to what is going on in other parts of the world, that I think the lesson of Armenian genocide, the complicity of Western powers after World War I to help an ally sweep the truth under the rug, out of self interest, is a real warning sign of where that can lead, which is where we are today," Berlinger says. "If I were a young person trolling the internet for the truth, I think it is going to be increasingly difficult to know what the truth is."
Listen below:
"PopPolitics," hosted by Ted Johnson, airs from 2-3 p.m. ET/11-noon PT on SiriusXM's political channel POTUS. It also is available on demand.
Listen at
http://variety.com/2017/politics/news/joe-berlinger-intent-to-destroy-armenian-genocide-1202613181/
No comments:
Post a Comment