Culture:

Past week presented a gift for culture lovers in Armenia and beyond it

Review of May 10-16 cultural events.

May 20, 2010
Marking the Night of Museums along with the other countries across the globe, Armenia opened the doors of its museums, offering various expositions, performances and concerts. Students’ art exhibition dedicated to Time Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost their lives during the World War II organized jointly by the UN Office in Armenia and Yerevan State Academy of Arts featured 60 works of art, including graphics, paintings, batiks, ceramics and statues were displayed at UN house, attracting the attention of students, professors, international community, civil society groups, media and general public.
Armenia and world:

Erdogan is building a new empire

Restoration of the Turkic Empire or establishment of a new one is impossible with the existence of independent Armenia.

May 18, 2010
The shortcoming of an imperial thinking is that even over several generations it remains a dominant way of thinking. Since 2003, with the advent to power of the Islamist Justice and Development Party led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has taken the path of reviving the Ottoman Empire, and these are neither empty nor fine words. What was done for the past 7 years is the direct evidence of it. The latest was the package of constitutional reforms which, according to still remaining Kemalists, aims to undermine the foundations of the secular state, laid by Mustafa Kemal.
Society:

Student Park: society against new constructions

“We do not want to know who builds, we want to know who authorized the building,” public activists say.

May 17, 2010
With passions over the demolition of Moscow Cinema Open-Air Hall fading, Yerevan residents launched a collection of signatures against construction under way in the Student Park. A group of public activists made a statement, saying that “construction works carried out in the Park can transform the urban green belt into another ferroconcrete structure.” “We are ready to use all legal tools to rescue the parks of Yerevan,” people say.
Sport:

FC Pyunik win Armenian Cup

Review of May 6-13 sports events.

May 17, 2010
Football: FC Pyunik scored a 4:0 victory over FC Banants in the final match for the Armenian Cup on May 10. After the match, Banants coach Stevica Kuzmanoski apologized to his club’s fans, saying: “We didn’t succeed today. The defense was too week and we failed the game.” Vardan Minasyan, Pyunik coach said, for his part, that it was not an easy match. “Although we were leading, we were tensed. Anyway, we showed a good game and I congratulate our players and fans,” he said.
Economy:

Poverty reduction in Armenia possible through boosting agricultural production

By the World Bank’s estimate, poverty in Armenia may reach 27,9% in 2010.

May 17, 2010
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia kicked off in Marriott hotel, Yerevan, Armenia, on May 13, with high-ranking officials from 41 FAO member countries, EU (Member Organization), observers from EU Council, UN and Holy See of Vatican participating.
Politics:

Topics of the week: Karabakh and visits of European and U.S. high-ranking officials to Armenia

Review of May 10-14 political events.

May 15, 2010
The political week in Armenia started with debates on the Nagorno Karabakh problem.
IT & Telecom:

New fixed-line telephony operators’ entry to Armenian market won’t result in lower tariffs

Review of May 3-10 IT and Telecom events.

May 10, 2010
The entry of new fixed-line telephony operators to the Armenian market won’t result in reduction of ArmenTel’s tariffs. “The fixed-line telephony tariffs are determined by the Public Services Regulatory Commission. I see no connection between entry of a new operator and lowering of tariffs,” said Igor Klimko, Armentel CEO.
 
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