Armenian News
Scotsman
No Turkish Delight
29 July 2010
APPARENTLY I make our Prime Minister "angry'" for daring to question
whether Turkey should become a member of the European Union
(your report, 28 July).
Mr Cameron seems certain that allowing Turkey into the EU would bring
greater prosperity and stability.
Has he considered what will happen if the more extreme Islamic parties
get control in Turkey? Does it even bother him that it is still a crime in
Turkey to call the massacre of more than a million Armenians "genocide"?
What about the plight of the Kurds? Or of Christians in Turkey?
It is easy enough to lecture Israel from the safety of Turkey. I would have
a lot more respect for our Prime Minister if he had the courage to insist
that Turkey offered real democracy, freedom of religion and apologised
for its repressive and authoritarian past.
DAVID A ROBERTSON
Shamrock Street
Dundee
TURKISH PROFESSOR DISAVOWS ARMENIANS' COMPENSATION
RIGHTS
Hurriyet
Aug 17 2010
Turkey
Armenians cannot demand compensation from Turkey for property they
lost during the end of the Ottoman period, the head of the Turkish
Historical Society has said, arguing that the matter was closed in
the 1930s.
The compensation issue ended after the payment of $900,000 by Turkey
in 1934 as a result of an agreement signed by Turkey and the United
States, Professor Kemal Cicek, head of the Armenian Studies Desk at
the Turkish Historical Society, told Anatolia news agency on Monday.
Regarding claims that buildings like the Cankaya Presidential Palace
and the Erzurum Congress Building were Armenian properties, Cicek said:
"Documents on the history of the buildings are found in the archives
of Cankaya Palace. The issue has ended for us."
Regarding compensation suits filed by two Armenians living in the
United States, Cicek said they had documents obtained from Turkish
and American archives.
"These suits don't have legal validity," he said. "Because according
to my research, commissions were established in the United States and
Turkey on the compensation demands of Armenians during the period
between the Treaty of Lausanne [in 1923] and 1937. The commissions
put an end to these demands under an international agreement."
Commenting on the statements that the records of the properties that
Armenians claim were seized were lost, Cicek said: "The Armenians
that left had their properties recorded and it was required to send
a copy of these records to the center. We cannot know whether they
were sent or not during times of war. Some of these records may be
at revenue offices or at the depots of provinces or townships. This
requires extensive research."
However, these are not, as claimed, in the Ottoman archives,
Cicek said.
"There is no secrecy and there is no reason to keep these records
secret. Considering that this issue was closed with the Treaty of
Lausanne and the compensation agreement, there is no reason to keep
these records secret," he said. "These may have been damaged during
the war, like many other documents. Their surfacing would not be
disadvantageous to Turkey, as some claim."
Hurriyet
Aug 17 2010
Turkey
Armenians cannot demand compensation from Turkey for property they
lost during the end of the Ottoman period, the head of the Turkish
Historical Society has said, arguing that the matter was closed in
the 1930s.
The compensation issue ended after the payment of $900,000 by Turkey
in 1934 as a result of an agreement signed by Turkey and the United
States, Professor Kemal Cicek, head of the Armenian Studies Desk at
the Turkish Historical Society, told Anatolia news agency on Monday.
Regarding claims that buildings like the Cankaya Presidential Palace
and the Erzurum Congress Building were Armenian properties, Cicek said:
"Documents on the history of the buildings are found in the archives
of Cankaya Palace. The issue has ended for us."
Regarding compensation suits filed by two Armenians living in the
United States, Cicek said they had documents obtained from Turkish
and American archives.
"These suits don't have legal validity," he said. "Because according
to my research, commissions were established in the United States and
Turkey on the compensation demands of Armenians during the period
between the Treaty of Lausanne [in 1923] and 1937. The commissions
put an end to these demands under an international agreement."
Commenting on the statements that the records of the properties that
Armenians claim were seized were lost, Cicek said: "The Armenians
that left had their properties recorded and it was required to send
a copy of these records to the center. We cannot know whether they
were sent or not during times of war. Some of these records may be
at revenue offices or at the depots of provinces or townships. This
requires extensive research."
However, these are not, as claimed, in the Ottoman archives,
Cicek said.
"There is no secrecy and there is no reason to keep these records
secret. Considering that this issue was closed with the Treaty of
Lausanne and the compensation agreement, there is no reason to keep
these records secret," he said. "These may have been damaged during
the war, like many other documents. Their surfacing would not be
disadvantageous to Turkey, as some claim."
TURKEY LIFTS BAN TO ALLOW MASS AT MONASTERY
By David O'Byrne
FT
August 15 2010 22:18
Istanbul
Five hundred Greek orthodox Christians have celebrated mass in the
beautiful 1,600-year-old Sumela monastery in north-eastern Turkey,
ending an 88-year ban on religious services at the site.
Conducted by Greek Orthodox Patriarch Dimitri Bartholomew I, the
mass attracted orthodox Christians from Greece, Russia, Georgia,
the US and Turkey to the monastery that sits on a ledge high in a
cliff inland from the Turkish Black Sea port of Trabzon
The mass was conducted with the blessing of Turkey's ministry of
culture, which has funded an extensive restoration of the monastery
that until a decade ago was in an advanced state of dereliction.
The event, which was televised live around the world, occurred in
contrast to attempts made last year to hold an orthodox mass at the
site that were halted by ministry officials intent on upholding a
ban on religious services at the monastery.
That ban was imposed in 1923 after the monastery was designated as a
museum, following its abandonment by the local Pontic Greek population,
which had moved to Greece as part of population swap that also saw
Greek Muslims move to Turkey.
Bad publicity from last year's events convinced the Turkish government
of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ease restrictions on religious services
at historic churches with the aim of both improving relations with
Turkey's neighbours and giving a much-needed boost to Turkey's bid
for European Union membership.
The lifting of the ban will also see the celebration of mass at
the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross on the island of Akhtamar,
in Lake Van in eastern Turkey, on September 19 - the first time a
religious service has been held in the church since 1915.
While hotel owners in Trabzon, the nearest city to Sumela, were
reported as being happy with the business the mass has brought, two
locals were reported as having been arrested for issuing warnings
via the social networking site Facebook that they planned to disrupt
the service.
Although neither has been named, one was reported as being an
official in the local branch of Turkey's Nationalist Action party,
a far-right political party that often conducts demonstrations outside
the headquarters of the Greek Patriarchate in Istanbul.
By David O'Byrne
FT
August 15 2010 22:18
Istanbul
Five hundred Greek orthodox Christians have celebrated mass in the
beautiful 1,600-year-old Sumela monastery in north-eastern Turkey,
ending an 88-year ban on religious services at the site.
Conducted by Greek Orthodox Patriarch Dimitri Bartholomew I, the
mass attracted orthodox Christians from Greece, Russia, Georgia,
the US and Turkey to the monastery that sits on a ledge high in a
cliff inland from the Turkish Black Sea port of Trabzon
The mass was conducted with the blessing of Turkey's ministry of
culture, which has funded an extensive restoration of the monastery
that until a decade ago was in an advanced state of dereliction.
The event, which was televised live around the world, occurred in
contrast to attempts made last year to hold an orthodox mass at the
site that were halted by ministry officials intent on upholding a
ban on religious services at the monastery.
That ban was imposed in 1923 after the monastery was designated as a
museum, following its abandonment by the local Pontic Greek population,
which had moved to Greece as part of population swap that also saw
Greek Muslims move to Turkey.
Bad publicity from last year's events convinced the Turkish government
of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ease restrictions on religious services
at historic churches with the aim of both improving relations with
Turkey's neighbours and giving a much-needed boost to Turkey's bid
for European Union membership.
The lifting of the ban will also see the celebration of mass at
the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross on the island of Akhtamar,
in Lake Van in eastern Turkey, on September 19 - the first time a
religious service has been held in the church since 1915.
While hotel owners in Trabzon, the nearest city to Sumela, were
reported as being happy with the business the mass has brought, two
locals were reported as having been arrested for issuing warnings
via the social networking site Facebook that they planned to disrupt
the service.
Although neither has been named, one was reported as being an
official in the local branch of Turkey's Nationalist Action party,
a far-right political party that often conducts demonstrations outside
the headquarters of the Greek Patriarchate in Istanbul.
PRESS RELEASE
August 15, 2010
Land and Culture Organization
DIASPORA AND ARMENIA VOLUNTEERS EXPERIENCING THE
August 15, 2010
Land and Culture Organization
DIASPORA AND ARMENIA VOLUNTEERS EXPERIENCING THE
LAND AND CULTURE
Yeghvard/Shirakamut, Armenia - The Land and Culture Organization (LCO-USA),
Organisation Terre and Culture (OTC-France) and Yergeer Yev
Meshagiut-Armenia annual summer campaign is in full swing. During the
months of July and August 37 dedicated volunteers from Armenia, Canada,
England, France, Syria, and the United States have been hard at work
restoring two ancient Armenian churches.
This summer, LCO is restoring the 17th Century Sourp Astvatzatzin Church in
the Yeghvard village in the southern Syunik province on the border of
Armenia and the liberated areas surrounding Artsakh. This renovation
project began in 2007 and will continue until its completion in 2011.
Volunteers have been restoring the interior of the church and its altar, as
well as clearing around its exterior and digging out khatchkars (stone
crosses) and memorials on the church's complex. As with many ancient
churches throughout Armenia, these religious sites had been closed and
neglected during the Soviet period
The second site is the Tchitchkhanavank Monastery in the village of
Shirakamut in the northern Lori Province near Spitak. Tchitchkhanavank was
built on the plan of a Christian cross, typical to the sixth and seventh
centuries. This church was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1926,
neglected during the Soviet era, and again suffering destruction by the 1988
earthquake. In 2008 and 2009, LCO began the archaeological excavations,
which revealed the church's foundation along with ancient tombstones and
objects of archaeological interest. This summer, volunteers will begin the
renovation and construction of the foundation walls of the church.
Historical experts, skilled craftsmen, and LCO Board Members are overseeing
both restorations.
This has not been the typical Armenia vacation for the volunteers from the
Diaspora and Yerevan or a quiet summer for the local residents. Volunteers
have been living in the village and experiencing the sites and sounds of
farm life. This has given all of them an appreciation of the challenges and
joys that rural remote Armenian villages and their residents face. The
volunteers have personally become more enriched having had the opportunity
to participate in preserving the Armenian heritage and living among the
people of Armenia.
For the villagers, they are moved that Armenian youth from the Diaspora have
given their time and dedication to a project off the beaten path where they
do not have any personal connections, except for being Armenian and wanting
to give back to their ancestral nation. The village children especially
become energized and excited assisting the volunteers in the work and
inviting them to play. LCO-USA President Haig Manjikian reflected, `Armenia
and the Diaspora are a family tree with Armenia being our roots and the
Spiurk its leaves. Both are equally important and need to be nurtured. If
together, we care for the roots, the tree can survive.'
Aside from bonding with the land and locals, volunteers have also been
touring historical sites throughout Armenia and Karabakh. On weekends, they
have enjoyed excursions to Khor Virab, Zorats Karer/Karahunj, Noravank,
Vahanavank, Hovanavank, the regional capital city of Kapan, and other
Armenia landmarks restored by LCO such as the Tatev Monastery and
Saghmosavank. In Karabakh, they visited the cities of Shushi and
Stepanakert, as well as previous LCO/OTC renovation projects of the
community center and schoolhouse of Karintak and the entire third floor and
operating rooms of the Shushi Central Regional Hospital. The village of
Karintak played a pivotal role in the securing of Shushi, and the hospital
has been serving the health needs of the residents of the region. In
addition, LCO Board Members have been actively searching prospective sites
for upcoming campaigns.
Besides the Yeghvard and Shirakamut sites, OTC is participating in a joint
venture project with the sister cities of Vienne, France and Goris, Armenia
renovating the 7th Century Sourp Hripsime Church near the pagan era caves in
Old Goris. An additional 23 Armenian and non-Armenian volunteers from the
Vienne community have committed themselves to this project.
For over 30 years, LCO has been one of the earliest volunteers groups in
Armenia and Karabakh working to restore, renovate, and rejuvenate the
historical monuments and sites of our nation. It has performed this mission
through its summer campaigns, by volunteers of every age from the Diaspora
and Armenia.
To help our mission or join in our summer volunteer program, you may reach
us at www.lcousa.org.
Yeghvard/Shirakamut, Armenia - The Land and Culture Organization (LCO-USA),
Organisation Terre and Culture (OTC-France) and Yergeer Yev
Meshagiut-Armenia annual summer campaign is in full swing. During the
months of July and August 37 dedicated volunteers from Armenia, Canada,
England, France, Syria, and the United States have been hard at work
restoring two ancient Armenian churches.
This summer, LCO is restoring the 17th Century Sourp Astvatzatzin Church in
the Yeghvard village in the southern Syunik province on the border of
Armenia and the liberated areas surrounding Artsakh. This renovation
project began in 2007 and will continue until its completion in 2011.
Volunteers have been restoring the interior of the church and its altar, as
well as clearing around its exterior and digging out khatchkars (stone
crosses) and memorials on the church's complex. As with many ancient
churches throughout Armenia, these religious sites had been closed and
neglected during the Soviet period
The second site is the Tchitchkhanavank Monastery in the village of
Shirakamut in the northern Lori Province near Spitak. Tchitchkhanavank was
built on the plan of a Christian cross, typical to the sixth and seventh
centuries. This church was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1926,
neglected during the Soviet era, and again suffering destruction by the 1988
earthquake. In 2008 and 2009, LCO began the archaeological excavations,
which revealed the church's foundation along with ancient tombstones and
objects of archaeological interest. This summer, volunteers will begin the
renovation and construction of the foundation walls of the church.
Historical experts, skilled craftsmen, and LCO Board Members are overseeing
both restorations.
This has not been the typical Armenia vacation for the volunteers from the
Diaspora and Yerevan or a quiet summer for the local residents. Volunteers
have been living in the village and experiencing the sites and sounds of
farm life. This has given all of them an appreciation of the challenges and
joys that rural remote Armenian villages and their residents face. The
volunteers have personally become more enriched having had the opportunity
to participate in preserving the Armenian heritage and living among the
people of Armenia.
For the villagers, they are moved that Armenian youth from the Diaspora have
given their time and dedication to a project off the beaten path where they
do not have any personal connections, except for being Armenian and wanting
to give back to their ancestral nation. The village children especially
become energized and excited assisting the volunteers in the work and
inviting them to play. LCO-USA President Haig Manjikian reflected, `Armenia
and the Diaspora are a family tree with Armenia being our roots and the
Spiurk its leaves. Both are equally important and need to be nurtured. If
together, we care for the roots, the tree can survive.'
Aside from bonding with the land and locals, volunteers have also been
touring historical sites throughout Armenia and Karabakh. On weekends, they
have enjoyed excursions to Khor Virab, Zorats Karer/Karahunj, Noravank,
Vahanavank, Hovanavank, the regional capital city of Kapan, and other
Armenia landmarks restored by LCO such as the Tatev Monastery and
Saghmosavank. In Karabakh, they visited the cities of Shushi and
Stepanakert, as well as previous LCO/OTC renovation projects of the
community center and schoolhouse of Karintak and the entire third floor and
operating rooms of the Shushi Central Regional Hospital. The village of
Karintak played a pivotal role in the securing of Shushi, and the hospital
has been serving the health needs of the residents of the region. In
addition, LCO Board Members have been actively searching prospective sites
for upcoming campaigns.
Besides the Yeghvard and Shirakamut sites, OTC is participating in a joint
venture project with the sister cities of Vienne, France and Goris, Armenia
renovating the 7th Century Sourp Hripsime Church near the pagan era caves in
Old Goris. An additional 23 Armenian and non-Armenian volunteers from the
Vienne community have committed themselves to this project.
For over 30 years, LCO has been one of the earliest volunteers groups in
Armenia and Karabakh working to restore, renovate, and rejuvenate the
historical monuments and sites of our nation. It has performed this mission
through its summer campaigns, by volunteers of every age from the Diaspora
and Armenia.
To help our mission or join in our summer volunteer program, you may reach
us at www.lcousa.org.
SOUTHAMPTON SCREENS FILM ABOUT MEDIEVAL FOUNDER BEVOIS
CONTINUE READING THE MAIN STORY
BBC
16.8.10
About 300 guests are expected to attend the premiere in the city
Southampton's knight at the movies A film about the legendary 10th
Century founder of Southampton, Sir Bevois, is being screened in
the city.
The 15-minute film, To Unwill a Heart, used local actors and was shot
around the city's medieval landmarks.
It was developed by film staff and historians at Southampton Solent
University.
The film was also shown at the Cannes Short Film Corner, part of the
international film festival.
Writer and director Gela Jenssen researched the legend of Sir Bevois,
who was the the son of Sir Guy, Earl of Hampton.
Ms Jenssen used historical documents recounting storytellers' accounts
of Sir Bevois' adventures.
Two lions
They include being sold to slave merchants by his mother, ending up in
the court of the king of Armenia and falling in love with a princess.
He reputedly returned to England to reclaim his father's land, and
founded the city of Southampton.
Cast and crew will be among 300 guests attending the premiere at the
Harbour Lights Picturehouse later.
Ms Jenssen said: "It's exciting to show the film to the people
of Southampton, get their reaction - many of them don't recognise
the legend.
"After hundreds of years, the story deserves to be told."
The production team is also submitting ideas for a feature length
version to several film companies.
Although the authenticity of the legend is debated, the two stone
lions at the city's Bargate represent two lions the knight is reputed
to have slain.
BBC
16.8.10
About 300 guests are expected to attend the premiere in the city
Southampton's knight at the movies A film about the legendary 10th
Century founder of Southampton, Sir Bevois, is being screened in
the city.
The 15-minute film, To Unwill a Heart, used local actors and was shot
around the city's medieval landmarks.
It was developed by film staff and historians at Southampton Solent
University.
The film was also shown at the Cannes Short Film Corner, part of the
international film festival.
Writer and director Gela Jenssen researched the legend of Sir Bevois,
who was the the son of Sir Guy, Earl of Hampton.
Ms Jenssen used historical documents recounting storytellers' accounts
of Sir Bevois' adventures.
Two lions
They include being sold to slave merchants by his mother, ending up in
the court of the king of Armenia and falling in love with a princess.
He reputedly returned to England to reclaim his father's land, and
founded the city of Southampton.
Cast and crew will be among 300 guests attending the premiere at the
Harbour Lights Picturehouse later.
Ms Jenssen said: "It's exciting to show the film to the people
of Southampton, get their reaction - many of them don't recognise
the legend.
"After hundreds of years, the story deserves to be told."
The production team is also submitting ideas for a feature length
version to several film companies.
Although the authenticity of the legend is debated, the two stone
lions at the city's Bargate represent two lions the knight is reputed
to have slain.
BRANDY PRODUCTION IN ARMENIA MAY REACH PRE-CRISIS
LEVEL OF 2008 IN 2010
ArmInfo
2010-08-17 15:35:00
ArmInfo. Brandy production in Armenia may reach the pre-crisis level
of 2008 - 15.961 million liters in 2010, Avag Haroutiunyan, Chairman
of the Union of Armenian Winemakers, told ArmInfo.
He said that upward trends have been observed since the beginning of
2010 after the crisis-induced decline in production within 2009.
Traditional markets began recovering.
"The highest production growth is forecasted in November-December
2010. Production will grew more than 50% at the end of the year versus
the same period of 2009 and may reach the pre-crisis level of 2008,"
he said.
Statistics say that brandy production in Armenia for Jan-Jun 2010 grew
45.9% versus the same period of 2009 to 4611.2 thousand liters. The key
sales markets of Armenian brandy are Russia and Ukraine. The global
crisis-induced production of Armenian brandy fell 38.4% in 2009 to
9.869 million liters. The share of the Yerevan Brandy Company in
total production and export of brandy is the biggest.
ArmInfo
2010-08-17 15:35:00
ArmInfo. Brandy production in Armenia may reach the pre-crisis level
of 2008 - 15.961 million liters in 2010, Avag Haroutiunyan, Chairman
of the Union of Armenian Winemakers, told ArmInfo.
He said that upward trends have been observed since the beginning of
2010 after the crisis-induced decline in production within 2009.
Traditional markets began recovering.
"The highest production growth is forecasted in November-December
2010. Production will grew more than 50% at the end of the year versus
the same period of 2009 and may reach the pre-crisis level of 2008,"
he said.
Statistics say that brandy production in Armenia for Jan-Jun 2010 grew
45.9% versus the same period of 2009 to 4611.2 thousand liters. The key
sales markets of Armenian brandy are Russia and Ukraine. The global
crisis-induced production of Armenian brandy fell 38.4% in 2009 to
9.869 million liters. The share of the Yerevan Brandy Company in
total production and export of brandy is the biggest.
ABOUT 2500 BOOKS ARE BEING ANNUALLY PRINTED IN ARMENIA
ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 17, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS; About 2500 books are being annually
printed in 70 printing houses functioning in Armenia of which 70-80
in the printing house of the Armenian Writers' Union. Chairman of
the Armenian Writers' Union Levon Ananyan said it is a quite large
index for the small number of population of Armenia. About 3000 of
the printed books are state funded. Ananyan said the state-funded
books are of two types - financed fully and partially - 40-60
percent. Levon Ananyan said state budget releases 140 million AMD
annually for printing.
ARMENPRESS
AUGUST 17, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS; About 2500 books are being annually
printed in 70 printing houses functioning in Armenia of which 70-80
in the printing house of the Armenian Writers' Union. Chairman of
the Armenian Writers' Union Levon Ananyan said it is a quite large
index for the small number of population of Armenia. About 3000 of
the printed books are state funded. Ananyan said the state-funded
books are of two types - financed fully and partially - 40-60
percent. Levon Ananyan said state budget releases 140 million AMD
annually for printing.
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