Turkish President Recep Tayyip #Erdogan sang the #Turkish version of “Sari Aghjik”, an #Armenian #folk #song, during a meeting with young people in #Erzurum.The song, originally recorded by renowned Armenian composer #Komitas, holds significant cultural value in Armenian #heritage. This instance adds to ongoing concerns over #Turkey and Azerbaijan’s attempts to appropriate Armenian music and cultural elements.#akoonkmedia
The Christmas tree lights up Republic Square: Yerevan welcomes the holiday season
36 years after the earthquake: Armenia remembers victims and struggles of this disasterOn December 7, 1988, at 11:41 a.m. local time, a catastrophic earthquake struck northern Armenia, devastating the cities of Spitak, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Stepanavan, and over a hundred villages. The Spitak earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, caused widespread destruction, killing more than 25,000 people, injuring 19,000, and leaving 530,000 homeless. Entire cities and towns were reduced to rubble, with Spitak completely destroyed.The earthquake obliterated 80% of the residential, social, and industrial infrastructure in Gyumri (then Leninakan), Armenia's second-largest city. In total, 21 cities and towns, 324 villages, and vast stretches of northern Armenia were either completely or partially destroyed.Every year, millions of Armenians in the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora come together on December 7 to honor the memory of the earthquake’s victims. Since 2019, this day has also been officially recognized in Armenia as the Day of Remembrance of Earthquake Victims and Disaster Resistance.Despite decades of state efforts to address the aftermath, the term "disaster zone" remains in circulation. Numerous government programs have aimed to provide permanent housing for those who lost their homes. However, progress has been slow, and the problem remains unresolved for many. In 2022, the Armenian government launched its fifth state program with a commitment to eliminate the "disaster zone" and provide housing for all affected by the earthquake by 2027.
#Yerevan will host the 5th Global #Forum Against the Crime of #Genocide on December 12-13, 2024, focusing on the theme: “Strengthening the effectiveness of international mechanisms for early warning and early response to the risk of genocide and other atrocity crimes.”The Forum aims to address the challenges of identifying risk factors for genocide and ensuring timely and effective responses. Discussions will bring together experts, policymakers, and advocates to enhance international mechanisms and foster global cooperation in preventing atrocity #crimes. #akoonkmedia
Armenian-American entrepreneur and #Reddit Co-Founder Alexis #Ohanian recently shared a rare piece of Armenian history with his followers: a coin from 95 BC bearing the image of King Tigran (Tigranes) the Great.“I’m not a coin #collector by nature, but I had to pick this up,” Ohanian said. “If you’re Armenian, you know about Tigranes the Great and how, under his reign, the Armenian kingdom expanded to become the most powerful state to the east of the Roman Republic. This is a piece of Armenian history right here.”Ohanian, reflecting on the significance of the coin, expressed pride in owning a tangible piece of his heritage: “This beautiful coin, featuring the legendary Tigranes II, a very famous Armenian king, makes me proud every time I see it on my desk. And if you know anything about being Armenian, we’re proud to be Armenian.”Tigranes the Great, a member of the Artashesian Dynasty, ruled from 95 BC to 55 BC. During his reign, the Armenian Kingdom reached its zenith, expanding beyond its traditional borders and establishing itself briefly as the most powerful state east of the Roman Republic. Tigranes claimed the title of Great King or King of Kings, cementing his legacy as a defining figure in Armenian history.Ohanian added, “This coin from 95, 96 BC is now here on my desk in 2024. It’s a reminder of our rich heritage and resilience.” #akoonkmedia @alexisohanian #Armenia
The BBC’s program "Sunrise in Armenia" has brought Armenia’s stunning beauty to a global audience. This captivating video, created through a partnership between Armenia’s Tourism Committee and #BBC Global News, showcases the country’s rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.The BBC crew visited #Armenia to #film remarkable footage, which was broadcast 18 times on BBC TV, drawing attention to the nation’s unique charm and cultural heritage. This collaboration underscores Armenia’s efforts to position itself as a must-visit destination on the world tourism map.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, in an exclusive interview with Public Radio of Armenia, expressed her support for the Armenian people and revealed plans to visit Armenia soon. Speaking from Tbilisi, Thunberg voiced concern over Azerbaijan’s hosting of the COP climate conference, warning that the country could use the event to “greenwash” its actions against Armenians, particularly in the context of recent tensions and violence.
“It’s heartbreaking that the world has so often forgotten about them [Armenians] and their struggles,” Thunberg stated. She criticized the international community’s failure to address these issues and called on global leaders to take a firmer stance. “Now with the COP being held in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani regime will most likely use it as an opportunity to greenwash their crimes and ethnic cleansing towards Armenians. The world cannot just stand by and watch that happen.”
Thunberg also addressed the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, highlighting the country’s crackdown on government critics, which she argued contradicts the spirit of an international conference focused on environmental justice. “The repercussions for government critics in Azerbaijan do not align with the values of hosting an international climate conference,” she noted.When asked about Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, Thunberg called for the immediate release of “all political prisoners and hostages.” She urged the global community to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan and halt fossil fuel imports from the country, citing both climate and human rights reasons. Thunberg pointed to the “extreme hypocrisy” of nations, particularly the European Union, that continue to import Azerbaijani fossil fuels while claiming to uphold human rights.“Azerbaijan’s actions not only impact Armenians but also tie into broader issues of regional conflict and support for military operations,” she added. Thunberg underscored Azerbaijan’s sig
A museum employee at the Morgan Library in #Manhattan uncovered a dusty music notebook containing notes of an unknown waltz by Frederic #Chopin. Preliminary examination suggests the piece was composed between 1830 and 1835, with the handwriting confirmed as Chopin’s own.#akoonkmedia
#Spain mourns as devastating #floods have led to at least 155 deaths and numerous missing persons, marking one of the deadliest flooding events in #Europe.Spain declares three days of mourning as floods claim over 155 lives in one of Europe’s deadliest disasters#akoonkmedia
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol #Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham #Aliyev held a 1.5-hour discussion during the #BRICS summit in Kazan. The key topics of their conversation included the ongoing peace treaty negotiations and the demarcation of #borders between #Armenia and #Azerbaijan.Both leaders agreed to instruct their foreign ministers to continue bilateral negotiations on the “Agreement on the Establishment of #Peace and Interstate Relations.” The goal is to finalize and conclude the agreement as soon as possible, advancing efforts toward a lasting peace between the two nations.
The first step of Armenia’s Independence#akoonkmedia #september21 #Armenia
