Asbarez

Its new five-year plan unveiled on Thursday, the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not cite Armenia’s relations with Russia as “strategic,” while pledging to advance “strategic partnerships” with the United States and the European Union. This is sharp contrast with the government plan unveiled in 2021. That plan emphasized Russian-Armenian “strategic alliance” as a key element of Armenia’s national security doctrine.

Despite warnings and calls by international religious and rights groups, the government of Nikol Pashinyan has codified the outside of Catholicos Karekin II in the five-year program, which was unveiled on Thursday.

GLENDALE – Mek Contemporary will inaugurate its exhibition program this September with “Idols in Bloom,” a solo exhibition of paintings by Rafael Megall.

Golden Globe-winning producer Sev Ohanian and producer Natalie Qasabian have joined the Armenian Film Society’s Advisory Board. Their appointment reflects the continued growth of Armenian Film Society as a leading cultural institution dedicated to supporting filmmakers, celebrating Armenian achievement, and creating opportunities for future generations of storytellers.

Armenia has applied to a third—neutral—country to have its diplomats visit Armenian prisoners being held in Azerbaijan, with official Baku’s consent. In a written response to a question from the Sputnik Armenia news agency, the Foreign ministry did not specify which country Yerevan had applied to. The news agency also asked the foreign ministry whether it had received official letters from the relatives of the prisoners requesting state support for organizing a visit to Baku.

Community Walk Will Support the Search for Lifesaving Stem-cell Donors WATERTOWN — The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry will hold its 15th Annual Walk of Life on Saturday, September 19, beginning at St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mount Auburn Street in Watertown. Walk-in registration will open at 10:30 a.m., and the walk will begin at 11:00 a.m. Advance registration is available online.

The Armenian Bar Association invites the community to attend an important in person discussion addressing the impact of prejudicial public rhetoric, ethnic profiling, and online hate on the Armenian-American community and other communities across Los Angeles. Earlier this year, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, visited Los Angeles and posted a video in which he made a number of unfounded allegations against the Armenian-American community.

DALLAS — Teachers from all over Texas attended the Texas Summer Institute on Genocide Education, getting professional development training on appropriate pedagogy and methods for teaching about the difficult topic of genocide, and learning about numerous genocides in modern history, their similar patterns and unique characteristics, as well as multiple approaches to teaching about these events across secondary school curriculum. The institute was held June 3 to 6.

LOS ANGELES – A group of 11 young people traveled to Armenia for the SERVICE Armenia program, spending three weeks volunteering, touring, and experiencing Armenian culture from July 4 to 26. The program welcomed participants ages 17 to 22 coming together to serve communities throughout the country. During their three-week stay, the SERVICE Armenia group completed several service projects supporting children, families, schools, and community organizations.

PASADENA — Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena marked one of the most cherished occasions of the liturgical calendar with a joyous and spiritually uplifting celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of Saint Mary, commemorating the falling asleep and bodily assumption of the Holy Mother of God into heaven.