Chess: Armenian men and women’s team finished 7th and 12th respectively at the World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Men tied the last round with France, while women scored a victory over Slovenia.

The political week in Armenia started with appointment of Vladimir Gasparyan as Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia.

Stepanakert hosted ICT leaders’ conference on development of technologic enterprises in Armenia and Artsakh and implementation of electronic management systems. Over 30 ICT companies, 80 representatives of international organizations and business sector were invited to participate.

The Armenian government has approved the 2011 draft national budget, with expenditures and revenues totaling AMD 1 trillion and AMD 850 billion respectively. The budgetary deficit is expected to amount to AMD 148,6 billion.

The second barbecue festival was held in Akhtala, Lori region of Armenia, on Sunday, September 12. It was dated to two other events: re-consecration of Surb Mariam Astvatsatsin Church and inauguration of a monument to wedding rings.

For dozens of centuries Armenians had been celebrating the New Year, Navasard, on August 11. Once a favorite popular holiday, it now became a topic of historians’ remarks or Armenian folklore only. “August 11 is the first day of the new year according to the ancient Armenian calendar. It was celebrated by all – the rich and the poor,” said ethnographer Gohar Vardumyan, senior fellow at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences.