CULTURE RUSSIAN CHANNEL IN ARMENIA: President Kocharyan received the head of Russian State Radio and Television Company Oleg Dobrodeev on Wednesday. Dobrodeev arrived in Yerevan to discuss issues related to retransmission of Russian TV channel Culture in Armenia.

Kocharyan said the Culture channel’s programs would provide Armenians with opportunity to be closer to genuine culture values.

OLD YEREVAN in PHOTOS: A photo exhibition "Old New City" is to be opened in 11 Teryan street, in Yerevan, on June 18, Arminfo reported.

The exhibition, which has been organized by the Caucasian Institute of Mass Media, will display the works of the photo reporter Haik Biyanjyan. A contest for students will be announced during the exhibition, the best three works will be published, and their authors will receive awards.

ART AGAINST CORRUPTION: Hasmik Manugyan of Yerevan has won first place in “Art Against Corruption”, an exhibition sponsored by the Yerevan office of Transparency International. The winner received $300.

A total of 36 different organizations and individuals from Yerevan, Vanadzor, Ashtarak, Abovyan and Vaik presented 117 works. A total of 48 works were selected for the exhibition. At the second stage, the best eight works were announced.

NEW RELEASE: Gohar Harutyunyan, head and founder of the House-Museum for Aram Khachatryan is being dismissed. Under the decision of the new Minister of Culture Hovik Hoveyan, pianist Armine Grigoryan will hold the post of the head and Gohar Harutyunyan will be the vice-head. The Minister’s decision is reasoned by the age of Harutyunyan, who is 75.

PASSing NEXT STAGE On May 25-26 pop singer Araik Martirosyan took part in the festival “Armenian Music Award” held in Moscow. Armenian singers from several countries took part in the festival. The singer passed next round. In the month of September Araik will take part in the semifinal, according to www.abide.am

ON YEREVAN STAGES …

June 23, 24 State Song Theatre of Armenia Concert of pop singer Erna Yusbashyan, she will present her popular old songs, as well as new songs. Ticket cost 2000-5000 AMD

 June 28 Komitas Chamber Music Hall, National Chamber Orchestra is presenting pianist Narine Harutiunyan, in the program Tchaikovsky, Alexander Harutiunyan, Jean Sibelius. Ticket cost 1000-2000 AMD

June 29 Aram Khachaturyan Philharmonic Concert Hall, “Perspectives XXI” presents Fifth Music International Festival dedicated to the 75 year Jubilee of Avet Terteryan, within the Festival will be the concert of 2003 Grammy Awards Laureate “Kronos” Quartet. Ticket cost 3000-20000 AMD