THE PASSIONS O F SECTARIANS: A n agreement was reached on May 5 with the leadership of Moscow and Nairi cinemas in Yerevan and the Ararat Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) that audiences attending the film “The Passion of Christ” may be warned against proselytizing by sectarian religious groups outside the cinema.

$1000 TO THE BEST: Tekeyan Cultural Union of Armenia will award "Vahan Tekeyan" prize, a diploma, a medal and AMD equivalent to $1000 to the best pieces of art, literature and science. The union restored its annual award, adding three other branches, namely, architecture, TV-Radio journalism and humanities, to its five basic nominations (literature, music, fine arts, theatre, cinema). The works should be created during 2003.

According to Sergey Galstyan, vice-chairman of Tekeyan union, all works should uncover Armenian mentality, reflect Armenian nature and artistic views of Armenian life. They should support the development and expansion of Armenian culture, literature and humanities.

COMPOSER’S ANNYVERSARY: The Union of Armenian Composers will hold a festival in autumn dedicated to the 75 th anniversary of Armenian composer Avet Terterian.

The chairman of the Union, Robert Amirkhanian told Armenpress the festival will bring to Yerevan prominent performers, critics and composers from many countries.

Terterian is one of the most progressive and original composers of the end of the 20th century who introduced new and revolutionary ways in the development of modern symphony. Terterian is the author of eight symphonies (the ninth was left incomplete), two operas "Ring of Fire" and "The Earthquake", ballet "Richard the 3rd", vocal-symphonic cycle, and many chamber works.

WAR AND ART: An exhibition of works of modern Artsakh artists dedicated to the 12th anniversary of liberation of Shushi and formation of the NKR Defense Army will be opened in Yerevan on May 7. About 100 works of 20 Artsakh artists will be presented at the exhibition, which will last 10 days.

TWO ARMENIAN FILMS IN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: Two Armenian films will be presented at the "Arsenal" international film-festival held in Riga in September 2004: "Zhano, or in Search of Paradise" (film-maker Suren Babayan) and "Documentalist" (film-maker Harutiun Khachatrian). It is these two films that were selected by President of "Arsenal" August Sukut and artist Alexander Buuse, who visited Armenia in connection with the youth film-festival "It's Me". About 200 films will be shown at the "Arsenal" festival. A jury will select 14 winners.

THREE JUBILEES DURING ONE FESTIVAL . Applications for 130 films from 25 countries were submitted for participation in the "Golden Apricot" first international film-festival to be held in Yerevan from June 3 to July 4, reported Noyan Tapan. Applications will be accepted until May 10. Susanna Harutiunian, Chairwoman of the Association of Film Critics and Film Journalists of Armenia, said that besides the contest programs it is expected that three jubilee programs dedicated to the 80th anniversaries of the establishment of the Armenian movie, Sergey Parajanov and Charles Aznavour will be held within the framework of the "Golden Apricot" film-festival.

FIRST PERFORMANCE IN ARMENIA: Karen Shahgeldyan, an Armenian violinist from Moscow and winner of international competitions, will perform in Armenia for the first time in a solo benefit concert. The 27-year old violinist will play the unique instrument made by Antonio Stradivarius, belonging to the State Fund of the Musical Instruments of the Russian Federation. Concerts will be held in Yerevan, Gyumri, Spitak and Vanadzor. The violinist will perform violin concertos by Bach, Vivaldi, Mendelson, Richard Straus. No fees are charged for the concerts.

ON YEREVAN STAGES …

Russian Dramatic Theatre named after Stansilavsky Premier “Paris Twins”, directed by Alexander Grigoryan. Ticket cost 500-2000

May 9 Aram Khachaturyan Philharmonic Concert Hall , Concert of the new pop star Mister X. Ticket cost 1500-6000

May 10 Chamber Music Hall Concert of National Chamber Orchestra “Music, Love and Poetry”, conducted by Aram Gharabekyan, soloists Nune Badalyan (soprano), Lilit Grigoryan (Mezzo soprano), Ruben Nurijanyan (Tenor) and Garegin Hovsepyan from Germany (bariton). Ticket cost 500-2000.

May 12 Aram Khachaturyan Philharmonic Concert Hall Lyric and Music Evening devoted to 80 anniversary of Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak. Ticket cost 1000-3000.

May 15, 16 National Opera and Ballet Theatre Rebirth of the opera “Anush”, Anush – Anahit Mkhitaryan, Nune Badalyan .. , Sosi – Tamazov, Saro – Ruben Nurijanyan. artistic director Gegham Grigoryan. Ticket cost 2000-5000 AMD.