Armenia and world:

Stakes on Presidential Elections of Iran

Quite possibly Iran enters a new phase that was once interrupted after the withdrawal of Khatami, one of the first reformers.

June 12, 2009
In the Iranian Presidential Elections, the first stage of which is on June 12, main opponents are current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi, the latter supported by reformers and, what is quite important, by the youth up to 30 years old, who form 60% of the country's population. The elections in Iran are not so much important for the country itself. The vital point is whether the country will be able to join the world-wide system of values, which it has been refusing for 30 years already.
Culture:

Bashmet's "Soloists of Moscow" and the Armenian-Japanese abstractionism

Brief review of cultural events in Armenia on June 1-7.

June 9, 2009
Bashmet's
On June 1, on the International Children's Day, public organizations organized a number of activities in the gardens and parks of Armenia with participation of children. Children made an artificial tree with the colors of the national flag of Armenia, sang, danced, drew pictures on the asphalt and on the school desks, all this accompanied by traditional games and dances.
Politics:

One more "road map" or just another myth?

No president of Armenia, if he values his life, will sign a murderous agreement with Baku, whose fruits will be first of all used by Turkey, and then by great powers.

May 9, 2009
The successive meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Prague once again was unproductive. Such was, at least, the impression of the statements, which as always, were filled with on-duty, non-committal phrases. In a word, no "breakthrough" occurred. Nevertheless, Mathew Bryza as always stayed true to himself and again said inopportunely that "an agreement on the Basic Principles was achieved", which immediately caused sharp reaction in Stepanakert.
Society:

Armenia celebrates the Holy Resurrection

The symbols of Easter in the old days were straw dolls Grandma Utis, mistress of the Armenian cuisine, and Grandpa Paz, who held in hands exactly 40 threads, a stone being tied at the end of each one.

April 11, 2009
On April 11, the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) begins to celebrate the Easter, one of the six patronal festivals. From sunset till late night all the churches of the Armenian Apostolic Church serve Liturgy that marks the end of Lent and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The celebration of the dead and resurrected god dates back to the ancient Egyptian religion, when the Egyptians celebrated the death and resurrection of God Osiris. Present Christian Easter takes its origin from the Old Testament. The old Jews celebrated the Passover (Pesach) as the holiday of exodus of Jews from Egypt.
Economy:

World financial crisis blighted the Armenian job market

According to analysts' assessments, demand for specialists in PR, marketing and graphic design will decrease dramatically.

February 23, 2009
The impact of the world financial crisis on the Armenian economy and social state of people has already become perceptible, especially in the population employment sector. The alarm has already sounded for a number of employment agencies: employers' offers are decreasing in ratio with the increasing labor supply.
 
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