Stars of Armenian show business expected Sona Shahgeldyan’s to cause furore

Almost all representatives of Armenia were notable for their powerful vocal at New Wave contest in different years, but all of them lacked just a little to win it.

August 5, 2010
An Armenian singer won New Wave song contest for the first time in nine years of its existence. Armenia was represented by Sona Shahgeldyan this year, as she passed through a selection round in April 2010. People had been talking about wonderful vocal of Sona and her unusual timbre for a long time. However, almost all representatives of Armenia were notable for their powerful vocal at the contest. Jury was traditionally delighted with Armenian artists, but each time they lacked several or even one point to win the contest. This refers also to Razmik Amyan, who participated in the contest in 2006, when everyone was speaking with admiration about the singer’s unique voice, but a representative of the U.S. won the contest. Almost the same thing happened to Mher, who participated in New Wave in 2008. He received the People’s Choice Award, but has not won the contest.

Gerald Papasian: it took me 9 months to translate Anoush opera text

It’s hard to imagine Anoush in English; it was even harder to stage it on American scene.

July 27, 2010
The phrase “Armen Tigranian’s Anoush opera in English” may puzzle those who’ve ever seen it. However Gerald Papasian’s translation quite fit into the complicated music of Armen Tigranian. Michigan Opera Theatre was the first to feature English version of the opera in 1981.

Armenia, cradle of Indo-European civilization

Recent discoveries of Armenian archeologists could lead to rewriting history of the Ancient World in the near future.

July 13, 2010
Armenia, cradle of Indo-European civilization
In the study of ancient civilizations Armenia often remained on the sidelines, as if she had not been involved in major historical turnovers. The researchers’ interest was almost always confined to the territory of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. But, naturally the “factor” of Armenia could not be excluded in the formation of ancient civilizations. There is much evidence to prove it. Nevertheless, for one reason or another Armenia, yet, was left out from the list of possible leaders.

Golden Apricot passions flaring up

Review of June 22-27 cultural events.

June 27, 2010
Renowned Claudia Cardinale, who co-starred in Henri Verneuil’s Mayrig (Mother) film, will attend the opening ceremony of the festival. The actress will be awarded a silver copy of a thaler made by Sergei Parajanov during the years of his imprisonment.

Past week was an intrigue for cinema and music lovers

Review of cultural June 14-20 events.

June 21, 2010
Organizers of the 7th Golden Apricot Film Festival continue revealing secrets regarding the event. It became known that the opening and closing ceremonies will be conducted by Serge Avedikian, the winner of Palme d'Or. The festival will open with the screening of Henri Verneuil’s Mayrig (Mother) film by will open. This year, the program includes more films. The core of the festival will be German film director Eric Friedler’s Catastrophe documentary dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Past week was the week of intercultural cooperation

Review of June 7-13 cultural events.

June 17, 2010
Secretary of the Armenian National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan met with Eurasia academy president Oleg Poptsov, rector of Moscow Institute of TV and Radio Vasily Karelsky, political observer Leonid Ioffe and rector of the Armenian Academy of TV and Radio hamlet Ghushyan to discuss information security and digitalization issues. “Armenian-Russian cultural ties need to be expanded,” the NSC Secretary said.

Oldest shoe in the world found in Armenian cave

The discovery came in a cave in the Vayotz Dzor region of Armenia, near the settlement of Areni which is known for its wine industry.

June 11, 2010
Oldest shoe in the world found in Armenian cave
Archeologists have found the oldest shoe in the world. The discovery came in a cave in the Vayotz Dzor region of Armenia, near the settlement of Areni which is known for its wine industry.

Past week was a week of Armenian cinema and intercultural cooperation

Review of May 31-June 6 cultural events.

June 11, 2010
One of the major cultural events of the past week was screening of “From Ararat to Zion” documentary which was watched by 20 000 people in Moscow cinema. Besides being named the best Documentary-Europe of the Swansea Film Festival in UK, the film was selected for the finals of 8 other festivals and will also be presented ay Moscow Film Festival and Docuwest Festival in Colorado.

Eurovision over, passions continue

French businessman of Syrian descent Omar Harfouch has accused Azerbaijan of falsifying the voting results of 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

June 4, 2010
May 29 was the day all were waiting impatiently. From the very beginning, Eva Rivas’s Apricot Stone was screened with mystery. Some said that David Copperfield will make an apricot tree grow at the stage for a huge fee. Participation of famous duduk player Djivan Gasparyan was also questioned.

Yerevan acquires new charm

Review of May 17-23 cultural events.

May 27, 2010
On May 18, the International Museum Day, Armenian museums opened their doors for visitors again, with the slogan Museums for Social Harmony. Director of the International Council of Museums Office in Armenia, Hasmik Haroyan, said that the principle of social harmony is in the availability of museums, exhibits, entire cultural heritage for all groups of population, including disabled people.
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