BOOK OF GENOCIDE DOCUMENTS: The Turkish Belge Publishing House has just released a volume of studies by scholar Vahagn N. Dadrian, titled "The Role of Organizations in the Armenia Genocide." Reported Yerkir online on April 21.

This collection contains three monographs and five journal articles on the World War I Armenian Genocide and is the first of a two-volume series Belge has projected for publication. The translations from English into Turkish were done by the Turkish intellectual Attila Tuygan.

As the publisher has stated, one of the many aspects of the significance of this publication derives from the fact that the primary sources and data that Dadrian relies on are mainly authentic Ottoman-Turkish documents; they are complemented and reinforced by extensive use of the state archive documents of Imperial Germany and Imperial Austria-Hungary.

ARMENIAN-BRAZILIAN CULTURAL RELATIONS: A concert of the Brazilian pianist and composer, Joao Donato was held at the Armenian Embassy in Russian Federation, Arminfo writes on April 21.

Armenian composer and producer Vardan Tonoyan was the organizer of the concert. Armenian Ambassador in Russia Armen Smbatyan received honorary guests during the concert.

RUSSIAN ORDER OF FRIENDSHIP: On April 21 Armenian translator and publicist Armen Hovhannisyan was awarded the Order of Friendship at the Russian Embassy in Armenia in conformity with the decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hovhannisyan was awarded for his contribution to development of Russian-Armenian cooperation in the sphere of culture.

Speaking at the awarding ceremony, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly Dryukov said that the Union of Writers of Armenia made a petition for the award of Armen Hovhannissyan. This initiative was supported by the Scientific Council of the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University. The Russian diplomat said that they proposed conferring the Title of the Honored Art Worker of Russia on Armen Hovhannisyan, however the Presidential Administration of Russia explained that such a title is conferred on the citizens of Russia only.

NEWS FOR SHUSHAN PETROSYAN’S ADMIRERS: Shushan Petrosyan’s new CD, her fifth, titled “Hayastan Aselis” (Saying Armenia) is expected to be on sale soon. On April 17 the singer left for America. Van radio station will broadcast programs by Petrosyan every Friday from 10:00 p.m. to midnight reported abide.am on April 20.

FILM FOR “STREET CHILDREN” NOMINATION: The "Law and Society" sixth international film festival of documentaries has started in Moscow. According to the Information Center of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), the "Spoiled Childhood" documentary shot by the center will also participate in the "Street Children" nomination of the festival. The Armenian film depicts the activities of the Yerevan Center of Children's Admission and Orientation. Levon Lachikian, Head of the FAR Information Center, is the author of the script. Satik Stepanian is the film-maker.

MONUMENTS IN SHUSHI: Head of the Department for Protection and Study of Monuments, the NKR Ministry for Education, Culture and Sports, Slava Sargsyan categorically disagreed with the statement of Azerbaijani Milli Mejlis Speaker Murtuz Aleskerov that the cultural monuments in the town of Shuhsi, in particular, the fortification of the town, are allegedly destroyed by the NKR authorities.

According to Arminfo’s correspondent to Stepanakert, Slava Sargssyan said that the fortification as a historical and architectural monument is under protection of the country like other Moslem monuments, including the mosque. "In the period when Nagorno Karabakh was part of Azerbaijan, as well as in the period of the military aggression of Azerbaijan against NKR, 167 churches were exploded, destroyed and fully liquidated, as well as 8 monastery complexes, 123 historical cemeteries. 2,500 highly artistic 'khachqars' and 10,000 gravestones were destroyed and used as construction material," he said.

ON YEREVAN STAGES …

April 26-30 Aram Khachaturyan Philharmonic Concert Hall Cultural days of Russia, during which will participate humorist Efim Shefrin, singers Alexander Buynov, Nadezdda Babkina etc, “Vivaldy orchestra” directed by Svetlanna Bezrodnaya, Ticket cost 500-3000.

May 2,3,4 Young Spectator’s Theatre Performance of Hrant Matevosyan’s story “Autumn Sun” by actress Violet Gevorgyan and director Artashes Hovhannsiyan. Tickets cost1000-2000.