MosJan

aper Tigran Jamkochyan #1 cd

3 hogi en yergum, Tatul, Aloyan, Shavo, te vor cassetnern en chem hishum. yev yergi anun el vstah chem te inch e / portsem gtnel qez hamar Movses

Harout jan, jisht es dzaynimoment@ lav cher, sakayn, da TV micrafonnewri poroblemn er voch te nvagaxmbi, qani vor vorosh gorsikner accustik en yev nuyn yergichner@ arants micrafon eyin, so liovin hamerki dziyn@ kartsum em miyayn iynter yernornern en lsel. 3 spyurqaHayer kayin yev 2 otarner, mek@ vor Noyan yergn er mogonel de gites menq Hayers sirum enq Firmenni baner im @enkers nuynpes hravirvats er , pedro Eustach, duduk yev shvi n@vagelu, sakayn chkaroratsav gnal. Movses

Aghchig jan i havnt got any Emails back yet . Movses

Thanks to Hye TC Hc1 I have watched this program life and it has been my only entertainment for the last 3 days. It’s amassing haw Ara is able to combine the new and the old still of music, haw he can mixes the traditional Armenian melodies wit something like POP or modern, I have no words other then that this is something that will remember for long time. Movses

http://www.armeniaweek.com/may312002/photos/sardarapat_1.jpg Music for the Masses: Sardarapat concert stirs the memory and the emotions By Gayane Mkrtchian ArmeniaWeek correspondent http://www.armeniaweek.com/may312002/photos/sardarapat_2.jpg The music of Ara Gevorkian filled the air at the Sardarapat memorial in a concert that marked both the closing of the Armenia Diaspora conference and the 84th anniversary of the declaration of the First Republic. The show on May 28 featured a collaboration between the synthesizer sounds of Gevorkian and the Symphony Orchestra and Choir of Armenia’s National Opera and Ballet. Gevorkian’s music fuses traditional national Armenian music with modern dance rhythms. Dancers performed for the 2,000-strong audience, which included President Robert Kocharian, the First Lady Bella Kocharian, the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, and the Cilician Catholicos Aram I. Most of those at the concert had attended the two-day conference, which drew Armenians to the Motherland from all over the world to discuss ways of collaboration between the Republic and Diaspora communities. Dancers gave visual interpretations of Gevorkian’s music, while three large multi-media screens flashed episodes from Armenian history from ancient times to the present. Levon Ivanian, director of the program, said it was the first time that such sophisticated multi-media screens, measuring four meters by two meters, had been used in an entertainment event in Armenia. “In the show we tried to reflect Armenian cultural values in miniature,” he said. The Sardarapat monument in Armavir region close to the border with Turkey commemorates the Armenian victory over an invading Turkish army on May 20 to 22, 1918. The Turks were forced back and the success encouraged the provisional Armenian government to declare independence on May 28. The First Republic lasted three years until Armenia was swallowed up by the advancing Red army in 1920.. The emotion of the event and the significance of the day clearly moved many of those present as the music rang out into the evening sky. Samik Poghosian, 41, who attended the conference from his home country of Iran, said: “I am satisfied with the second conference and the concert creates an atmosphere of cooperation and friendship. All the members of our delegation were affected by it.” Osheen Mozdichian, 60, from Brazil, said: “The music of Ara Gevorgian touches us. The last time I was in Armenia was in 1992, when everything was darkness. Today I see not only Sardarapat but also all of Armenia wrapped in light.” Pensioners Mariam and Arturo Manukian from Uruguay said they had not taken part in the conference but “we decided to visit the country especially in these historical days”. She added: “We are in our homeland for the first time and the impressions are very deep. We are touched, and also confused.” Lawyer Sargis Hakmanian from Los Angeles, 41, was less happy. He said: “This show is wonderful, but I consider the organization of the conference to be meaningless. I took part in meetings of four commissions but I was not satisfied. “The money spent on the conference could have been used to populate several villages, which would be a more national deed.” Photos by Photolure ©Copyright ArmeniaWeek May 31, 2002. all rights reserved. WWW.ARMENIAWEEK.COM is published by the FOURTH MILLENNIUM SOCIETY, publishers of ARMENIAN INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE. Articles may not be published without prior consent.

Yerevan for Yesayan: Amid criticism and complaint “NY for NY” packs the house By Gayane Abrahamian ArmeniaWeek reporter http://www.armeniaweek.com/may312002/photos/nyconcert_2.jpg On their walk up the steps and into the Karen Demirchian Cultural Center last Friday and Saturday, patrons of Nune Yesayan’s concert “More Than a Song” could read on the back of their tickets a message expressing the evening’s underlying intention, signed by the singer: “Thank you for your support. All profit from tickets sales will go to families of the (September 11) victims.” Near-capacity (the hall holds 1,600) crowds turned out each night for the concerts that have been publicized – not all of it favorable – for nearly three months. In March, Yesayan announced her plan to produce “NY for NY” (Nune Yesayan for New York), an extravagant musical production, and give profits from the show to families of the terrorist attacks last fall on the World Trade Center. Criticism immediately followed the announcement, both at home and abroad, as locals and Diaspora challenged the pop star’s intentions. Some said it was merely a publicity ploy, while others questioned the validity of a poor country offering financial assistance to one of the world’s richest. “I know I was criticized a lot by my fellow-countrymen,” Yesayan said after the concerts, “But I think this idea is very important.” (Originally scheduled to take place on a special stage in the Hrazdan gorge, with ticket prices affordable only for an exclusive audience, the show was moved to the center following media reports unflattering to the singer’s image. And, instead of tickets priced at an average of nearly $100, prices were reduced from about $2 to about $90. Yesayan also had planned to give 250 tickets per show to orphans and elderly, however organizers could not clearly answer ArmeniaWeek’s question on who ended up getting free tickets.) Indeed, the criticism continued even as the shows were about to begin. “I like Nune and her talent, but even the attempt to assist the USA seems ridiculous,” said 50-year old teacher Irina Galstian. “How much money do they need to collect in order to provide every family with at least 20 bucks?” But among concertgoers, the criticism was lost or at least tempered by a show that some described as thrilling. “Nune’s performance, the way she sings the national songs are just marvelous,” said 60-year old Moscow Armenian Svetlana Mikaelova, with tears in her eyes. “Her songs make my hair tingle. I am so excited. It is not Nune but her soul that sings.” “It was a very beautiful concert, I was astounded by Nune’s performance”, said Edin Hovnanian from New York. “The idea to support the families of the terrorist attack is great. And although Armenia is a poor country it still reaches out and says ‘we are with you.’ ” Minas and Inga Lalayans agreed that the show was spectacular, but disagreed with its purpose. “This was a great show indeed, the first of its kind in Armenia,” Minas Lalayans said. “But still I do not accept the idea of helping USA financially. Armenia is in such a need that this money would have been put to better use here rather than there.” The budget planned for the concert (donated by local and Diaspora businessmen) was reported between $100,000-150,000. When asked by ArmeniaWeek how much money the concert raised, organizers said they would not know the answer for 15 days. Some benefited immediately. For some professional actors in Armenia, who rarely receive salaries, the performances offered a rare opportunity for an income. “We get psychological satisfaction and feel like we are actors in a theater,” says actor Grigor Gabrielian, one of Yesayan’s cast. “But 30,000 Drams (about $50 from Yesayan producers) for three months is not bad, when taking into account that we don’t get salary in a theater for months at a time.” Producer Ruben Jaghinian said the concerts created 250 jobs for local entertainers and crew. If some Armenians were displeased with Yesayan’s intentions, their discontent was not reflected at ticket offices, where tickets were hard to find in the days leading up to the first night’s show. And once inside, ticket-holders were treated to a spectacle rare by theater or concert standards in Armenia. The elaborately-staged musical began in the lobby where cast members moved among the audience – one pulling a wagon, another passing out fruit, another juggling – creating an atmosphere of an old city life. As the show began, an aged blind woman holding her crooked back and chattering with her wooden cane parted the crowd to reach the stage. At center stage, the tattered clothing of the old woman fell away to reveal Yesayan as the story’s heroine, emerging under a salute of fire. Woven together by familiar songs from Yesayan’s 10-year career, the plot told the story of a young girl who – singing with sword in hand – rallies her nation not to give in to acts of terrorism. A storm of applause and shouts of “bravo” accompanied the singer’s performance in a (unusual for Armenia) technically flawless presentation that lasted 90 minutes. Despite her concerts’ success, Yesayan was melancholic after her performance, still stinging from the accusations and misunderstandings about the shows and unhappy that so much attention is given only to money issues. “We will not give profit from the concert as money to those people,” she explained. “We will probably place a khachkar (stone cross) from all Armenians. Or as Hrair Hovnanian suggested, we can buy an ambulance and donate it. There are many choices; one must only wish to do that.” Photos by Mkhitar Khchatrian http://www.armeniaweek.com/may312002/photos/nyconcert_3.jpg ©Copyright ArmeniaWeek May 31, 2002. all rights reserved. WWW.ARMENIAWEEK.COM is published by the FOURTH MILLENNIUM SOCIETY, publishers of ARMENIAN INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE. Articles may not be published without prior consent. [ June 02, 2002, 07:57 PM: Message edited by: MosJan ]

سÛÇëÇ 28 - ²é³çÇÝ Ð³Ýñ³å»ïáõÃÛ³Ý ïáÝ [ May 27, 2002, 11:52 PM: Message edited by: Harut ]

Aghchig jan i my self have send a E-mail. lest see if we can get anything. Movses

FIRST IN ARMENIA BUSINESS-INCUBATOR "TECHNOPARK" CREATED BY AMERICAN COMPANY VIASPHERE INTERNATIONAL IS OPENED YEREVAN, JULY 24. The opening of the first in Armenia business-incubator "Technopark" created by the American company "Technopark" on the basis of the Yerevan plant "Transistor" take place today. As the president of Viasphere International Tony Moroian said on the opening, this complex will provide the beginner Armenian companies mainly in information technologies with all necessary for promoting the business. It includes the provision of the office locations, computer networks, management of companies and assistance in promotion of the Armenian goods to the world market. According to him, a number of Armenian companies in information technologies work already in the "Technopark". Among them is Mosaic Armenia. The company Viasphere International is established in the Silicon Valley and promoted the creation of the new manufactures, provides the venchure capital to the firms biginners. It has branches in Italy, India and Brasil. Except it, the firm cooperates with companies from Japan, USA and West Europe.

WEB-PORTAL SILICONE ARMENIA SOON TO WORK MAY 25. A web-portal Silicone Armenia will soon act, devoted to information technologies of Armenia. The president of the Union of companies on information technologies (UITE) Hovhannes Avoyan informed in the course of the work of the Second Pan-Armenian forum Armenia-Diaspora. According to him, one of the most important component of the site http://www.SiliconeArmenia.com (.am) is to assist increasing the professional level of IT-specialists. Educational materials will be placed in the resource. Moreover, the portal will provide an opportunity of distant education. Besides the educational information in the site, materials concerning the IT-economy of Armenia and the whole work will be placed in the site, it is also planned to create data bases of IT-companies of Armenia and a site B2B for carrying out business operation. However the site will not be a commercial and the whole information will be in open access. This project of creation of web-portal is financed by the World Bank at $50,000, as well as by a number of foreign organizations - UITE, "Armenian Union of higher technologies of the USA", "Armenian association on information technologists" (ARITA) and "IT-incubator of enterprises".

NKR CITIZEN SAMBO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER 27.05.2002 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Citizen of Nagorno-Artsax Republic Ashot Danielian is the sambo champion of Europe. Representatives of 18 countries participated in the tournament taking place in Turin (Italy). As "De-facto" news agency reports, he beat the Russian representative with confidence in the final and won the title. Ashot Danielian has already had a number of titles- he is the sambo fourfold champion in Armenia, the European championship bronze medal winner and the 2001 world youth championship silver medal winner. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

NEW YORK AUTHORITIES RECOGNIZED FACT OF GREEK GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY 27.05.2002 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ The authorities of New York State have officially recognized the fact of the Greek genocide in Ottoman Turkey. The decision to commemorate the Memorial Day of the Greek genocide May 19 annually was made. It should be reminded that since 1916, first the government of "Young Turks" and then the Cemal followers conducted the policy aiming at extirpation of Greeks. As a result, over 300000 Greeks were killed and 1.5 mln escape. The Greek community of Armenia as well as a number of parties raises the question on the necessity to recognize the fact of the Greek genocide in Ottoman Turkey. As it known, the Greek parliament recognized the 1915 Armenian genocide in 1996. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

"MADE IN ARMENIA" INDUSTRY EXHIBITION OPENED IN YEREVAN 27.05.2002 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Made in Armenia" industry exhibition, where about 90 Armenian companies present their products has opened within the framework of the "Armenia-Diaspora" second forum. As "Arminfo" reports, the aim of the exhibition is to show the Armenian compatriots Armenian production that can successfully compete in international markets. "This exhibition demonstrates that Armenia is in the state of poor brother and has a rather developed economy and industry", Armenian Premier Andranik Margiarian stated at the opening ceremony. He noted the key role of Diaspora in assistance in the promotion of the Armenian production in the world markets. The Armenian agency of development is the organizer of the exhibition. The production of over 60 companies presented at the exhibition is exported. The companies specializing in food, agriculture, textile industries as well as in spheres of tourism, information technologies and other fields of economy are introduced. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

http://www.azg.am/IMAGE/200209705.jpg SECOND ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE UNDERWAY Some 1,500 delegates from around 50 foreign countries have arrived in the Armenian capital to join with another 1,500 from Armenia and Artsax to participate in the Second Armenia-Diaspora Conference that opened today in Yerevan, Armenian Armenpress news agency reported.. Armenian president Robert Kocharian, prime minister Andranik Margarian, Nagorno Artsax leader Arkady Ghukasian, parliament members from Armenia and Nagorno Artsax, senior Armenian clergy were attending the opening ceremony of a two-day pan-Armenian gathering, which, as claimed by Armenian officials, is to be a more practical-oriented unlike the first one, held in 1999, which was to rebuild the bridges between Diaspora Armenians and their compatriots in Armenia proper during the years of the rule of ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian who was not favoring too much the Diaspora and its organizations. The opening address was made by foreign minister Vartan Oskanian, who leads the steering commission. Oskanian emphasized the Conference in terms of bringing together Armenians from different corners of the world, describing it as the best means to strengthen the mutual confidence, to specify the priorities and draft practical projects. Armenian president Robert Kocharian briefed the present on the country's foreign policy trends, domestic political and economic conditions. He also referred to the international recognition of the Armenian genocide of the 1915 and the Artsax conflict regulation process. A special emphasis was made on the prospects for furthering Diaspora-Armenia relations in virtually all areas. "Armenia is a Council of Europe member country which means that democracy and human rights protection issues have become our international commitments and are subject to constant monitoring by the international organizations," he said. He also pledged to ensure fair and transparent handling of presidential and parliamentary elections, both slated for 2003. In a reference to economy conditions, Kocharian said the volume of implemented reforms allow free market relations operate at full length. " A favorable business friendly climate is being established in the country, a major reason for attracting new investments, vital for moving ahead, " he said. According to him, Armenia's imminent accession to the World Trade Organization will allow the country to enter all WTO member countries' markets. Kocharian also enumerated a range of achievements, made since the first Conference in 1999, among them broadcasting of Armenian Public TV programs across the globe from Australia to the USA, designing and handling pan-Armenian events, such as pan-Armenian athletic games, pan-Armenian song festivals, the building of pan-Armenian youth Center, to be completed in several years, retraining of Armenian language and history teachers from the Diaspora and many others. In a reference to the ongoing opposition around Nagorno Artsax Kocharian reiterated Armenia's position that it could be resolved by peaceful means only. "We recognize the right to self-determination of the people of Artsax and their right to self-defense and we believe that Artsax must also become a participant to all negotiations," he said. Keynote speakers were then Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the head of the Cilicia Catholicosate Aram I, the leader of Artsax, representatives of Armenian benevolent organizations, prominent Diaspora Armenians. © Copyright AZG

hishum eq dzer verjin zang@ ??? Hay Giti Jahelutyun inch lav orer eyin e, verchin zang , mi hat el party, Qaraqov mek l@tsvats JAhelutyun, ehhhh

Today is the last day of school for about 45 thousand high school graduates around the country. The last day of school traditionally turns into a colorful celebration. Celebrations started in the morning, in every school, but then traditionally moved into Republic Square, where a special concert took place. School graduates from as far as Syunik, Tashir and Tavush attended the concert organized by Yerevan’s municipal authorities.

Ararat Home Kicks Off New Montrose Project LOS ANGELES--The Ararat Home of Los Angeles organized a gala banquet and silent auction at the Crown Plaza hotel in Commerce to kick off plans for a new 70-bed facility in Montrose, which will join the existing Mission Hills and Eagle Rock facilities. "Ararat Rockhaven" as the project is called will be located on the 3.5 acres of land purchased by the Ararat Home for this project. The more than 700 community members who attended the banquet were impressed with the inroads the establishment has made in becoming one of the largest Armenian senior care facilities in the country. The motto of the founders of Ararat Home 50 years ago has been "To care for Armenian seniors who aren't able to care for themselves." For this goal, an endowment fund was created and that fund now has an excess of $3.7 million. Participating in the event were the Prelacy and Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Evangelical Church of North America, the Catholic church, as well as several community organizations and compatriotic unions. The official guest list included former California governor George Deukmejian and his wife Gloria, while the keynote speaker of the evening was LA County Supervisor Mike Antonovich. Master of Ceremonies Larry Sherman welcomed the guests and invited Deukmejian and Antonovich to make their presentations. In his remarks, Antonovich praised the Ararat Home for its commitment to serving the senior community and presented a proclamation to long-time board member and banquet committee co-chair Bob Shamlian. Current board chairman Robert Taylor presented a brief summary of the activities of the home, while Shamlian elaborated on the history and the current capacity of the two existing branches of Ararat Home in Mission Hills and Eagle Rock. The latter facility is to be sold after the construction of the Rockhaven branch. The banquet committee co-chair was Rosemary Saatjian, while the silent auction was directed by Kathleen Kurkjian. The construction of the project is said to begin in the near future, while the organizers anticipate partial community fund-raising activities and state grants to fund the project.

Armenian Cable Television Expands to Pasadena, Montebello GLENDALE--Armenian Cable Television, a 24-hour Armenian television channel managed by Horizon television and operating since June 1999 announced plans to expand its coverage area to Pasadena, Montebello and La Cañada beginning on June 5. The channel, currently airing on Charter Cable channel 55 in Glendale, Burbank and La Crescenta will broadcast on channel 280 in the new communities. Horizon Television, which became a programming affiliate to Charter Cable after the launch of Armenian Cable Television has been in negotiations with the Pasadena outlet of the same cable company in order to ensure that the large and growing Armenian-American community in Pasadena, Montebello and La Canada will be able to view Armenian television 24-hours a day. "Our aim has always been to serve the Armenian-American community by providing to them entertainment, accurate and up-to-the-minute information and live news coverage of events such as the siege on the Armenian parliament on Oct. 27, 1999, the debate on the Genocide resolution in Congress and the tragedy of Sept. 11," explained Ara Khachatourian the director of Horizon Television. "Most importantly, this expansion will allow the very heavily Armenian-populated cities of Pasadena, Montebello, La Cañada and surrounding cities to enjoy the quality programming that we have been providing during the past three years and the commitment to excellence to which Horizon television has adhered since its first airdate in 1989," he added. "We also commend and appreciate Charter Cable for entrusting Horizon Television to become a programming affiliate and ensuring that the Armenian community receives the best programming on television," he stressed. Horizon Television works with more than 35 local Armenian-American producers, each of whom bring a unique approach and outlook to their respective programs. "I really have to say a special thank you to all our fellow producers, without whose talent, commitment and cooperation, this expansion and the achievements of Armenian Cable Television would not be possible," emphasized Khachatourian. Aside from a two live daily newscasts and a daily live talk show, the channel offers a variety of programming to suit the needs and taste of every Armenian family. From music, entertainment and variety programs, to hard-hitting issues-oriented discussion shows, to cultural, religious and educational programs produced in Armenia, the Armenian Cable Television bridges the gap between Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as brings the community together via this most important medium--the television. Special inauguration events are planned in Pasadena and Montebello on June 5 to welcome the launch of Armenian Cable Television to their communities.

SWISS GOVERNMENT ADVISES PARLIAMENTARIANS TO ABSTAIN FROM PASSING RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE FACT RECOGNITION 25.05.2002 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ The government of Switzerland urges the parliament of the country not to pass the bill stipulating the recognition of the fact of the Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey. The document addressed to the lawmakers states the passing of the bill might "affect the Armenian-Turkish relations negatively". Meanwhile, Swiss foreign minister Joseph Deiss has recently stated the government will not interfere in the issue of the recognition of the Armenian genocide by the parliament. He has also expressed hope that the National Assembly's approval of the bill will not influence the bilateral relations of Turkey and Switzerland. The bill, developed by the deputy representing the Christian-Democratic party Jan-Clod Vudro, has been already supported by 115 out of 200 members of the Swiss parliament. This allows asserting that the resolution will be finally passed at the June session of the National Assembly. According to Jan-Clod Vudro, the bill completely conforms to the "Swiss humanistic traditions". It should be reminded, last year in December Swiss Geneva's canton government officially recognized the fact of the 1915 Armenian genocide. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net"

BOOK ON DIASPORA-ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS ISSUED The editor’s office of Armenian Encyclopedia issued a book on ‘Diaspora-Armenian Organizations’ couple of days ago. The book tells about the numerous Armenian organizations, councils and funds, among them being the AGBU, FAR, Hovard Karagyozian fund, Galust Gyulbenkian Fund, AAA, ANCA, Forum of Armenian Associations in Europe and many others, which were initially set up for organizing the community life of the Diaspora Armenians and initiating different cultural and public events aimed at preserving the Armenian soul in the communities. Also the activity of traditional Armenian parties in Diaspora – the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Social-Democratic Hnchakian Party are stressed in the book. During the Soviet times the above-mentioned parties conducted nation-devoted activity and pursued many urgent issues worrying the Armenian Diaspora. The publication of the book, especially on the eve of the Second Armenia-Diaspora Conference is really in time and worth of high assessment. (Those who want to purchase the book can acquire it at the Armenian Encyclopedia’s editor’s office: 17 Tamanyan St., Yerevan, Armenia). By Melania Badalian

KARABAGH WAR KILLED STUDENTS REMEMBERED http://www.azg.am/IMAGE/200209601.jpg Many students of different universities of Armenia fought in Karabagh war as volunteers- defending the motherland. May 24 Armenian defense minister Serzh Sargsian, education and science minister Levon Mkrtchian, parents of the students who were killed during the Karabagh war visited the Yerevan State University (YSU) for paying a tribute to the killed students. The visiting high ranking officials put a wreath on the monument dedicated to the killed Karabagh war volunteer students today, which is located in the yard of the university. Serzh Sargsian said that the privileges of the killed students’ families, including the issue of securing them with apartments, will be reviewed on these days. Members of ‘Vardanank’ military club awarded the defense minister with a diploma of gratitude for special care towards the killed volunteers’ families. The diploma was awarded to Sargsian by a 10 year-old son of a killed Karabagh war volunteer. On the same day the rector of the YSU Radik Martirosian and defense minister Serzh Sargsian signed an agreement on preparing military experts in the YSU. Sargsian said that they plan to train young experts in the university who will inspect law violations in the Armenian army. © Copyright AZG

CANNES FILM TACKLES ARMENIAN 'GENOCIDE' "The film is meant to 'heal old wounds'" -- The director of a controversial film about the Armenian Diaspora that has angered Turkey has said it was not meant to demonize present-day Turks, BBS News Online reported May 21. Atom Egoyan's film Ararat - which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday - is a tale of how Armenians in North America deal with their past history and how they struggle to come to terms with their identity. The film had already stirred fierce reactions before its screening at the festival, causing an outcry in Turkey. There are reports the Turkish Government wants to ban it and several groups have petitioned and threatened to boycott Miramax, the company which released the film, and parent company Walt Disney. A seed a day "This is not a film that is trying in any way to demonize a present-day Turk," Armenian-Canadian director Egoyan told a post-screening press conference. "In fact it's the opposite. "What I am trying to do is ask the viewer to consider what it means to pass judgment on somebody who is alive today for things that were done - for good or for evil - by people who are no longer around." The film by the Armenian-Canadian director is described as a film within a film and features French actor and crooner Charles Aznavour - himself of Armenian origin - playing a director making a film about the killings of Armenians by Turks. Aznavour's character eats one seed of a pomegranate a day to remind him of his mother's flight from Ottoman Turkey when that was all she had to survive on. In real life, the parents of the actor-singer - whose real name is Chahnour Varinag Aznavourian - fled Turkey for France to escape the killings. "I have been asked what is the difference between the Armenian and the French [in me]. I always said I was 100% French and 100% Armenian. "You mustn't show hate on either one side or the other. You must try to understand," he said. Painful history Armenians say about 1.5 million people were slaughtered by Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1923. Turkey rejects the term genocide and says the figure was closer to 300,000 Armenians killed among other numerous victims of a partisan war raging in World War I as the Ottoman Empire collapsed. Turkey has fought hard to block international attempts to raise the issue, while Armenia - with its seven-million strong Diaspora – has pressed for international recognition of the killing. Relations between Ankara and Paris have been strained since last year when the French National Assembly passed a law to recognize the killings as genocide. © Copyright AZG

Computer cafes turn talkers into typists By Lusine Zeytunian ArmeniaWeek reporter Known as a culture that “talks with its hands” Armenia is becoming a place where citizens chat with their fingers. http://www.armeniaweek.com/may242002/photos/internet_2.jpg A joke among Yerevantsis is that if someone wants to start a new business then he or she opens a beauty salon, a taxi service, or an Internet club. We have yet to count the beauty salons and taxi services, but last week ArmeniaWeek took a count of Internet clubs in an area of Yerevan bordered by Mashtots, Amiryan, Nalbandian and Sayat Nova streets. Just within those several blocks, we found 23 Internet cafes and clubs. Ranging from the cramped to the expansive, these new businesses have become something of a phenomenon in the past several months in Yerevan (although the first one opened in 1998). They have become popular not just for cybersurfing, but for socializing. "The Internet club has become my second home," says 19-year-old Anahit Melikian, whose mild character at once changes when she finds herself in front of a computer. Once there she completely dives into the computer world of fantasy and wonder. "I spend the day at home and the night in this club and in the morning I can't make myself get out of my place and go home I am so much in it,” the teenager says. “Maybe this is an illness - but a type that I like." Youngsters aren't the only fans of Internet cafes. "If someone wanted to see a variety of people I would advise him to come to an Internet café," says Sergei Nikoghosian, who operates of one of the most popular Internet clubs, Matrix. "There are school children who come mainly for games, old men and women checking their mail, businessmen working on their projects and even prostitutes who come here at night to chat. You'll see lots of people here that are similar only in that they dedicate their time to computers." The costs may vary a little in different Internet cafes but the average price for an hour costs 400 Drams (70 cents). There are places where the price can range to 600-900 Drams ($1-$1.50) but those cafes have fewer clients. Some Internet clubs offer specials, such as 1,000 Drams ($1.70) for the whole night or 4,000 Drams ($7) for 20 hours. The clubs and cafes also differ in certain services (ICQ, AOL, and MIRC) and in office programs and computer games. But in all locations, chatrooms are the most popular reasons why youngsters spend their Drams in front of a screen. The cheapest and most popular Internet club in Yerevan today is "Matrix" where an hour costs 300 Drams. It is popular, partly, because of its eight-computer Game Zone where people can come in groups and play against each other. Operators say their peak time at Matrix is from 10 pm to 5 am. "It's true that today so many Internet clubs appear because there is a need for it, because people have learned to use computers and because they are no longer ashamed to confess that they can't operate this or that on computers as they were when the first internet clubs appeared," Nikoghosian says. "But it’s also true that people see that someone opens an Internet club and earns money and think they can do the same. That's how we end up with so many Internet cafes in this little city." Four years ago Yerevan’s first club had only four computers. Today, Matrix alone has 40. Photos by Vahram Mkhitarian ©Copyright ArmeniaWeek May 24, 2002. all rights reserved. WWW.ARMENIAWEEK.COM is published by the FOURTH MILLENNIUM SOCIETY, publishers of ARMENIAN INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE. Articles may not be published without prior consent.

Singer Nune Yesayan goes through her paces in rehearsals for her two “NY for NY” concerts in Yerevan May 24 and 25. http://www.armeniaweek.com/may242002/photos/picoftheweek_l.jpg The charity shows – also dubbed Armenia for America - have been organized to raise money for the families of victims of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York last September 11.