NEWS ON ARMENIATV

2007-10-30 “Sun Child” festival concludes

President of “Sun Child” first regional environmental festival - Rouben Khachaterian says the festival was set up to establish collaboration amongst the countries of the region. “Sun Child” first regional environmental festival, in the nomination “The best nature preservation film” recognized the film “Aghbyur” or the “Source” as the best in it category and “Shikahogh” was second to the best. The “Source” was filmed 2 years ago in Azerbaijan and was premiered in the framework of this festival. Writer Martin Skalski says the film is to reveal the consequences of petrol abuse on people and the surrounding environment and the fact that people have become over-dependant on petrol. As part of the festival the first individual exhibition of Australian-Armenian photographer Jacob Majarian was presented.

2007-10-30 Armenian pianist performed in Washington

Renowned drummer Jeff Ballard and Bassist Joe Sanders accompanied Tigran Hamasian throughout the concert. Ballard said that he met Hamasian in Armenia in 2000. He said that once he head him play the piano he was astonished and speechlessly got up from his place and started accompanying him. According to Armen Hamasian, Tigran Hamasian’s uncle and teacher, Tigran mixes Armenian elements with standard jazz while improvising. The artist said that the concert was very important for him, as he had the opportunity to perform next to Jeff Ballard and Joe Sanders. According to him for him, performing next to such talented and famous artists is an honor and a dream come true. The New York Times wrote “The 2006 Telonious Monk international piano competition winner Tigran Hamasian approaches ‘nearly every tune as an arc, beginning in contemplation and building into a crashing fury”.

2007-10-30 Director of the Peace Corps’ operations worldwide, and Regional Director in Yerevan

US Charge d’Affaires Joseph Pennington and representatives of Armenian Ministries participated in celebration of the 15th anniversary of US Peace Corps in Armenia. During the event a Memorandum of Understanding between the Peace Corps and Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs was signed to strengthen the idea of developing volunteer work in Armenia and also to make sure that Peace Corps Volunteers’ activities continue to align with Ministry efforts. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Peace Corps and Ministry of Nature Protection was also signed to collaborate and cooperate on environmental education activities in Armenia. Peace Corps Armenia was established in 1992 at the invitation of the Government of Armenia. Since then, 574 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Armenia. The US Peace Corps was founded in 1961 by US President John F. Kennedy. The organization has three goals: to provide trained assistance to people of other countries as requested, to promote a better understanding of Americans by the people of the countries in which they serve, and to promote a better understanding of other cultures by Americans.