Day: July 9, 2024

On July 9, the Press Office of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation claimed that there is a “determined attitude in Washington to achieve a change of government in Georgia following the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 26 this year,” accusing the Biden administration of developing “an extensive information campaign” to discredit Georgia’s ruling party.

“The main plot lines of the fabricated scenario, crafted “in the best Hollywood traditions,” have become known. With the typical anti-Russian sentiment of the White House as its basis, the propaganda campaign plans to center on a “sensational exposure”: blaming Russia for all of Georgia’s troubles…” the statement said.

The Russian authorities claimed that Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili is poised to play a pivotal role in stoking anti-government sentiment. The statement further accused the “American ‘curators’” of instructing the Georgian opposition to initiate planning of protests timed to coincide with the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

“The population of Tbilisi is expected to act as a “battering ram” against the authorities, having been “stirred up” during the anti-government protests earlier this spring due to the “foreign agent” law. The plan includes a “sacred sacrifice” among the protest participants, which will direct the “people’s anger” towards the security forces. American provocateurs have ample experience in this regard, as seen in the Kiev “Maidan” a decade ago, where hundreds of people were sacrificed on the “altar of democracy,” including some shot by Georgian sniper-mercenaries,” the Russian Intelligence said.

Also Read:

• 09/03/2021 – U.S. Undermines Georgian Dream, Russian Foreign Intelligence States

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WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Eastern USA is proud to announce the awarding of $87,200 in scholarships to 75 deserving students. The committee and regional executive board selected the students based on financial need, academic achievements and involvement in the Armenian community.

“We are honored to support these exceptional students who have shown remarkable dedication to academic excellence and community service,” said Caroline Chamavonian, chairperson of the ARS of Eastern USA. “As an organization, we aim to empower the next generation of Armenian scholars and community leaders,” she continued. 

Following is a list of the recipients based on each scholarship category. The scholarships provided by the ARS of Eastern USA are made possible through the generous endowments and memorial funds established over the last couple of decades by individuals and families who wholeheartedly believe in the power of education and its transformative impact.

The recipients of the ARS of Eastern USA Undergraduate Scholarships are:

Avakyan, Lusine (Nursing – Pace University)

Ayazian, Andre (Mechanical Engineering – Stevens Institute of Technology)

Badalyan, Gayane (Chemistry – University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

Bardakjian, Sona (Communications – Boston College)

Bedrossian, Aren (Accounting – Fairfield University)

Blonkvist, Christie (Biomedical Engineering – University of Virginia)

Boudakian, Arev (Anthropology – Oberlin College)

Buchaklian, Arev (Political Science – University of Wisconsin)

Chanakian, Celine (International Studies – Louisiana State University)

Chekijian, Berj (Business Administration – Northeastern University)

Dabbaghlian, Roupen (Computer Science – Eastern University)

Emirzian, Haig (Cybersecurity – Stevens Institute of Technology)

Gevorkian, Narineh (Business and Marketing – University of Connecticut)

Hardy, Aren (Mechanical Engineering – University of Illinois)

Hartounian, Areni (Health Administration – Rutgers University)

Hovasapyan, Erik (Human Biology – Hunter College)

Jackmakjian, Galy (Studio Art and Education – University of Maryland)

Kalandjian, Lena (Human and Organizational Development – Vanderbilt University)

Kalpakgian, Ari (Economics – Franciscan University of Steubenville)

Kasbarian, Sita (Nursing – Rutgers University)

Kazarian, Sophia (Education – Michigan State University)

Koceyan, Alex (Fine Arts – Wayne State University)

Kojoian, Nikolas (Industrial Engineering – Northeastern University)

Maragoudakis, Sophia (Hospitality Administration – Cornell University)

Martirosyan, Meline (Science in Nursing – West Coast University)

Mardanyan, Tigran (Classical Piano – Berklee College of Music)

Matevosian, Vana (Psychology – University of California, Los Angeles)

Mkrtumyan, Taron (Mathematics – University of Minnesota)

Oganezov, Ardashes (Biochemistry – McGill University)

Ohanyan, Katerina (Fashion Merchandising – LIM College)

Ourlian, Arek (Computer Science – Wayne State University)

Panoosian, Ejmin (Aeronautical Science – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University)

Santerian, Nicole (Economics – Villanova University)

Soulakian, Aleen (Marketing – Illinois State University)

Tenekedzhyan, Vardui Izabell (Accounting – Bentley University)

Topouzian, Teny (Psychology – Michigan State University)

Torikian, Philip Nareg (Civil Engineering – Drexel University)

Varin, John Aram (Aerospace Engineering – The University of Alabama)

Zobian, Maral (Interior Design – Suffolk University)

The recipients of the ARS of Eastern USA Lazarian Graduate Scholarships are:

Abgaryan, Nare (Data Science – Georgetown University)

Aleksanyan, Kristina (European and Eurasian Studies – Georgetown University)

Asilyan, Lida (Education Policy and Analysis – Harvard University)

Babaian, Nareg (Law – Civil Litigation and Advocacy – Southwestern Law)

Bagiryan, Anahit (Education – Stanford University)

Bardakjian, Lena A. (Public Relations and Sociology – Villanova University)

Cortada, Tiana (Communication Sciences – Emerson College)

Dishoyan, Galin (Law, Civil Litigation and Advocacy – Seton Hall University of Law)

Gevorkian, Datev (Plant and Soil Sciences – University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

Karaghousian, Chant (Architecture – Woodbury University)

Khachatryan, Angelina (Fashion Management – Parsons School of Design)

Koceyan, Cecile (Veterinary Medicine – Michigan State University)

Loussararian, Tatiana (Education – National University)

Magardichian, Marco (Osteopathic Medicine – California Health Science University)

Makaryan, Martin (International Relations – John Hopkins University)

Manoukian, Aram (Law – University of San Francisco Law School)

Manoukian, Sevana (Law – Columbia Law School)

Mardanyan, Hayk (Applied Economics – University of Minnesota)

Mesrobian, Kalina (Law – St. John’s University)

Oknayan, Gasia (Epidemiology, Public Health – Columbia University)

Pogosyan, David (Medicine – University of Arizona)

Sarafian, Melanie (Dental Medicine – Boston University)

Sargsyan, Elina (Counseling Psychology – University of St. Thomas) 

The Karnig Alajajian Family Scholarship is given to students of Armenian descent from the Middle East pursuing their higher education in the United States. This year’s recipients are:

Arda Terterian (Epidemiology and Biostatistics – Boston University)

Bedig Tourousian (Animal Sciences – Rutger University)

The Hagop and Pearl Mooradian Scholarship is given to students from the United States who are pursuing their education in Armenia. This year’s recipient is:

Varak Ghazarian (Medicine – Yerevan State University)

The ARS Regional Executive Board also awarded scholarships to the following deserving students as part of their commitment to supporting educational pursuits:

Alikhanyan, Davit (Global Finance and Business Law – Chicago-Kent College of Law IIT)

Bairamian, Nora (Near Eastern Language and Cultures, Armenian Studies – University of California, Los Angeles)

Janesian, Hakob (Data Science – Boston University)

Jermakian, Ani (Art Education – University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

Martirosyan, Armen (Music – University of Miami)

Mikhaelyan, Alena (International Relations – John Hopkins University)

Shahverdyan, Nina (Educational Policymaking – Columbia University)

Terterian, Arda (Epidemiology and Biostatistics – Boston University)

Each year, the ARS of Eastern USA also awards the Areen Armenian Fund Scholarship to Melankton and Haig Arslanian Djemaran (Mezher, Lebanon) allowing the school to select a talented student in poetry or another creative art.

The ARS of Eastern USA has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships over the last several decades. The next application cycle will begin in January 2025. Interested applicants can learn more on the website.

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The “Hearths of Hope” program, initiated by the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) in January 2024, is dedicated to offering homes to Artsakh families who have been displaced due to Azerbaijani attacks. 

Through this program, two houses were purchased in Akhourik Village in the Shirak region. The houses are currently undergoing renovations, including installing sewer systems or septic tanks and digging new wells to enhance the overall infrastructure.

Click to view slideshow.

The Armenian Relief Society is steadfast in its commitment to its mission, actively seeking to purchase and renovate more houses for families displaced from Artsakh.

The ARS Central Executive Board is hopeful that many displaced families from Artsakh will be able to spend the upcoming winter in the comfort of their own homes.

The ARS is confident that the “Hearths of Hope” program will fulfill its noble objectives through the collective efforts and shared responsibility of its global entities and devoted supporters.   

Click to view slideshow.

You can support the “Hearths of Hope” program by visiting the ARS social media pages or  ars1910.org/hearthsofhope.

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The post Hope and Resilience: Sustainable multi-family housing for Artsakh Armenians appeared first on The Armenian Weekly.

Nowhere, an award-winning and Oscar©-qualifying short film from Armenia by Garin Hovannisian, is now available for streaming on YouTube. Hailed as “the best short film of the year” by The Jerusalem Post and “a twisted fairytale for our time” by LA Weekly, Nowhere is a 12-minute black-and-white film set in the city of Nowhere, where shadows dream of a life without their human masters — and finally declare their independence.

The film recently completed a successful festival run, winning “Best of Fest” at the Oscar©- and BAFTA©-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival (United States) and “Best Experimental Short” at the Short Encounters International Film Festival (Greece). It was also screened at 11 festivals in total, including the Odense International Film Festival (Denmark), Cinequest Film and VR Festival (United States) and RiverRun International Film Festival (United States).

Click to view slideshow.

“On its face, Nowhere is a simple fairytale — a love story,” said Hovannisian, the writer, producer and director of the film. “But hidden under it is something a little darker and more complicated than that: an allegory of freedom — a parable about so many people struggling across the world.” 

Nowhere was written, produced and directed by Hovannisian, produced by Alec Mouhibian and co-produced with cinematography by Suren Tadevosyan, ACG. The VFX producer of the film is Vasil Shahbazyan, and the associate producer is Anush Ter-Khachatryan. The film features production design by Tigran Asaturov, music by Andranik Berberyan and costume design by Narine Sahakyan.

Click to view slideshow.

Hovannisian is a writer, filmmaker and illusionist who lives in Yerevan, Armenia. His films include 1915 (2015), which won Armenia’s top film prize; I Am Not Alone (TIFF 2019), an official selection of the European Film Awards, IDA Award nominee and winner of AFI Fest and DOC NYC; Truth to Power (Tribeca 2020); Invisible Republic (GAIFF 2022); and City of Cards (2023). He produces his films through Avalanche Entertainment, a production company he founded with Alec Mouhibian. He is also the author of Family of Shadows and has written for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and The Atlantic. You can explore more of Hovannisian’s works, including his series of ideas and illusions Magic Stories, at hovannisian.com. 

Hovannisian is also the founder of the arts foundation Creative Armenia and the incubator Artbox, through which he discovers, develops and champions emerging artists.

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The post Oscar©-qualifying short film “Nowhere” from Armenia now streaming appeared first on The Armenian Weekly.

Fidan Farzaliyeva was appointed advisor to the president of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL), Report informs.

TEHRAN, Jul. 09 (MNA) – The 24th edition of the Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) will kick off on Aug. 15.