Day: June 18, 2024
A total of 26 Internet of Things climate devices will be installed this summer in rural communities of Armenia to collect climate data, allowing for the research, prevention, and prediction of weather crises and analysis of local climate patterns. The project is implemented through the Climate Net initiative run by TUMO Labs — an educational hub that provides free education in engineering and technology for individuals over the age of 18.
The devices are installed on top of TUMO Boxes — mini TUMO centers made of recycled containers that serve as satellite TUMO locations in smaller communities. Five TUMO Boxes in Artik, Maralik, Azatan, Panik, and Vazgen Sargsyan University have already been equipped with these devices.
The IoT climate devices are created and deployed by TUMO Labs students who receive educational training where they learn how to make both the hardware and software for the device. The devices measure temperature, humidity and pressure, air quality, air speed, direction, rain, light intensity, and spectral information. This data is open for anyone to use and analyze via the Climate Net website. The collected data can help predict and reduce the damage of severe weather. In the future, students at TUMO Labs can use this data to create different kinds of weather maps.
Climate Net project manager, Ruben Mirzoyan states, “Armenia is a landlocked country that is susceptible to weather changes and natural disasters, and we don’t have the data gathered in one place. When we do have it, it is often scattered. This new data allows for predictions, research, and even testing.”
The summer stage of installment is part of a larger project to design, construct, and deploy a total of 78 IoT climate observatories and weather forecasting stations at various TUMO Box locations before mid-2025.
Climate Net is a project run by TUMO Labs, a tuition-free education program that connects higher education with industry and enables students to acquire knowledge and practical skills in the fields of technology, applied science, and engineering. TUMO Labs hosts projects from international and national companies, allowing students to work and develop these projects and learn up-to-date skills. Climate Net is one of these projects. Climate Net started in January of 2023 in an effort to make weather data in Armenia comprehensive and available to all.
I had the pleasure of speaking with author Astrid Kamalyan about her book Bábo, a picture book that pays tribute to Armenian culture.
Talar Keoseyan (T.K.): Please tell us a little about yourself.
Astrid Kamalyan (A.K.): I grew up in a big, happy Armenian family, where I’m the oldest of five siblings. I have been writing ever since I taught myself to read, but it wasn’t until my son was born that I started writing picture books. My writing comes from a place of happiness, warmth and an unwavering, unbreakable joy that a childhood spent in Armenia has planted in my heart. It is inspired by all the beautiful summers spent in Artsakh. This joy and beauty is what I want to share with my readers.
T.K.: How did you come up with the concept of the book?
A.K.: Bábo was inspired by childhood memories of washing rugs with my siblings and grandmother. I was cozied up on the couch on a particularly cold Chicago afternoon when these sunny memory-vignettes appeared in my mind. I knew instantly that I wanted to share that joy with young readers.
Spread from Bábo
T.K.: How long did it take for your book to be published? Could you describe the experience?
A.K.: Bábo was a publishing dream come true in many ways. First, it’s through Bábo that I found my agent, Karen Grencik. Second, we sold the manuscript to a dream editor at Charlesbridge, Karen Boss, in what was a quick sale for the publishing industry. Third, my agent and editor both were very open-minded and kind in allowing me to suggest an illustrator — the amazingly talented, bright and beautiful Anait Semirdzhyan. I was a fan of Anait’s long before I had any publishing contracts. Her illustrations radiate light; her characters feel so alive. I love how Anait manages to show action while also showcasing so much detail, or tell so much just through facial expressions. I could go on and on about how much I admire Anait’s art, but the key in this story is that most everyone loved it too, my editor and art director included. And so they signed with Anait, and the collaboration made Bábo what it is today.
T.K.: What was your biggest challenge?
A.K.: Authenticity is key to me when it comes to representing Armenia and our precious culture. And while I grew up in Armenia, surrounded by gorgeous Artsakh rugs in our home, I still needed to do a lot of research to make sure I presented every detail correctly. The research process was fun, but the sense of responsibility for representing our culture to Armenian and non-Armenian kids alike was something I thought about a lot.
We don’t have many traditionally published picture books featuring Armenian characters, so whatever we create must be done with the utmost care. What helped was being back in Armenia while editing the manuscript post-acquisition. I was introduced to a wonderful expert on Armenian carpets, Diana Hovhannisyan, who advised us on both the textual references to the rugs and the illustrations. Did we get the color combinations right? Am I using the correct terms to describe the process? It was such a pleasure to learn all this from Diana! I also attended workshops on Armenian carpets, visited museums and had access to all the books I needed, so overall the most challenging part was also a treat.
Astrid Kamalyan
T.K.: Your book is being received tremendously. One of our art teachers did a whole lesson on your book, and the students were very engaged. How has this experience made you feel?
A.K.: That is such an honor to hear! I think as creators we can never get used to the idea that something we create brings so much joy to people. It always makes us feel deeply grateful and humbled.
Bábo was released on September 19, 2023 — the day of the brutal attack that concluded the ethnic cleansing in Artsakh. This was the darkest day of my life, as it was for many Armenians. But Bábo managed to bring hope to people in that utter darkness. I kept receiving messages from teachers and parents. My friends would forward me reviews and feedback from strangers whom I never met, saying how much they needed that light, how it brought hope amid so much grief. When a crime against humanity is committed, a crime of unimaginable proportions, you feel infinitely small, and whatever you create is dwarfed by the distractions. But the words I kept hearing from people were a reminder that we must keep creating and telling our truth. It is a privilege and a responsibility at the same time.
T.K.: What is your advice for future authors?
A.K.: Sing your truth.
T.K.: Any other books in the works?
A.K.: I have many more, from board books to picture books and graphic novels. Traditional publishing is slow and things can sometimes take years, but I hope to announce some soon!
T.K.: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A.K.: I hope all the readers feel welcome in our Armenian home!
Author information
Talar Keoseyan
Talar Keoseyan is a mother, educator and writer. She is the author of Vanna’s Adventures (discusses Armenian traditions and customs); Mom and Dad, Why Do I Need to Know My Armenian Heritage? (a children’s book about being proud of our heritage); Our Tigran and Tigran’s Song (written in honor of Tigran Harutyunyan, a fedayee from the 44 Day War). Talar was a member of the Philadelphia AYF (Papken Suni and Sebouh chapters), as well as Homenetmen, Hamazkayin and ARS. She is currently a member of the La Crescenta “Talin” ARS chapter. She can be reached at talar725@gmail.com or Hokees1111 on Instagram.
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BIRMINGHAM, Mich.—The metro Detroit Armenia Fest Committee, in collaboration with the Detroit Knights of Vartan, is proud to announce that they will be hosting the Annual Armenia Fest on Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 5-10 p.m. at the Royal Oak Farmers Market located at 316 E. 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak, Michigan. This year, the Fest honors Manoogian Manor, a nonprofit home for the Armenian aged and member of the Livonia Business Hall of Fame celebrating its 75th anniversary.
A year in the planning, the festival will begin with the American and Armenian anthems presented by Deacon Rubik Mailian followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony and introduction of special guests at 6 p.m. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and to prepare to travel to Armenia for an evening! Questions regarding the festival can be directed to armeniafestmi@gmail.com.
The first ethnic festival ever held in the city of Royal Oak will again feature a rich collage of Armenian culture. The Royal Oak Farmers Market will transform into a Middle Eastern bazaar with booths exhibiting Armenian crafts, artwork, souvenirs, music, cookbooks and jewelry.
Silent auction items donated by generous supporters will be on view with winning bidders announced the evening of the Fest. Major donors of this year’s Fest to date include the Hagopian World of Rugs, Mardigian Foundation, Robert Ajemian Foundation, Mark Artinian for Crispelli’s Bakery and Pizzeria, Herman Hintiryan Family and Helen Parnagian Corrigan.
Authentic Armenian food including tasty kebabs, stuffed grape leaves, lamajun (Armenian pizza), pastries and breads will be available for purchase. A beer and wine garden including American and Armenian selections will be featured this year. In addition, the 2024 Great Choreg (Armenian Bread) Bake Off contest will take place at the Fest, which will honor the best choreg determined by a panel of judges.
Live traditional and contemporary Armenian music will be performed during the evening by the Armenia Fest All-Stars under the skillful direction of popular Armenian vocalist, oudist and percussionist Vaughn Masropian. The dynamic rhythm of the All-Stars’ performances will be sure to inspire all attending to enjoy participating in line dancing during the Fest.
Another highlight of the evening will be a performance by the Hamazkayin Arax Dance Troupe composed of local Armenian youth trained in the art of Armenian folk dance. The enthusiastic Troupe’s stunning costumes and artistically choreographed dance routines have been a crowd favorite since the inception of the festival.
The Armenian community of metro Detroit numbers well over 70,000 within the tri-county regions of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The Armenia Fest Committee actively sponsors events and programs that focus on Armenian culture, faith and history. Each year, proceeds from the festival are donated to humanitarian Armenian causes.
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Guest Contributor
Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.
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Creative Armenia celebrates the successful conclusion of its Artbox Entrepreneur signature program, designed to turn individual artists into creative entrepreneurs.
22 artists, representing various artistic domains such as music, design, visual and multidisciplinary arts, commenced their entrepreneurial journey at Artbox. Their goal was to kickstart their creative careers, strengthen their personal branding and maximize their revenue. Through weekly workshops, led by top-notch mentors in business and entrepreneurship as well as cultural leaders from Armenia, France, Malta and Switzerland, program participants received guidance on enhancing their self-branding, promotion, sales strategies and more. As the program concluded, the 22 artists received a total of €55,000 in grants to implement their entrepreneurial strategies, developed during Artbox.
The 22 participants who completed Artbox Entrepreneur, and were awarded €2,500 each to bring their entrepreneurial plans to life, are
- Mery Arakelyan (graphic designer)
- Eliza Baghdiyan (musician and graphic designer)
- Mary Bayatyan (visual artist)
- Ashot Ghazaryan (musician)
- Ralph Keuchkerian (composer)
- Mila Ashkhen Khandzratsyan (illustrator, ceramic artist and graphic designer)
- Hakob Machkalyan (architect)
- Vardges Manukyan (cinematographer)
- Anait Markaryan (composer)
- Lilit Martirosyan (visual artist and illustrator)
- Khoren Mikayelyan (guitarist and music producer)
- Lilit Mikoyan (photographer and jewelry designer)
- Pardy Minassian (composer and classical guitarist)
- Lusine MLKE-Galstyan (musician and composer)
- Lilith Mnatsakanyan (visual artist)
- Arusik Nanyan (musician)
- Mariam Papyan (visual artist and designer)
- Bela Poghosyan (interdisciplinary artist and curator)
- Hasmik Soghomonyan (visual artist and designer)
- Sona Turabyan (violist)
- Raphael Vardanyan (singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and composer)
- Anahit Yazichyan (fashion designer)
“Another 22 artists turned into creative entrepreneurs through the definitive structure of Artbox. At Creative Armenia, we believe all artists have the potential and need to build a successful and sustainable profitability channel around their art, and it’s the role of Artbox Entrepreneur to help them do so. We are happy to already have a community of 50+ artists who have become individual entrepreneurs through our pipeline,” said Creative Armenia Director of Programs Anush Ter-Khachatryan.
Inspired by innovative models in business and tech, Artbox is a reinvention of the incubator and accelerator models for the art world — a dynamic entrepreneurial system that supports individuals, projects and institutions across disciplines with potential for success. Through a set of signature cutting-edge programs, Artbox develops commercial viability, audience growth and investable creative products.
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Guest Contributor
Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.
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