The Big Brother - the large screen in the Republic Square of Yerevan has been silent for 3 months now. Apparently the capital of Armenia cannot generate enough advertising revenue, for the AD Technology advertising company to keep it running. So what’s it going to be? I caught a discussion on the AR TV two days ago, as to what should be done to the TV, and what kind of a statue would replace it. So even if it’s not really decided yet, the Big Brother will most likely follow Lenin, to go lie down somewhere in the dust. more…

Today as I read the newspaper, Serzh Sarkisyan’s comments struck me as unbelievably short sighted and almost comical. I was reading a week old paper and in it Serzh said that he does not see Russia’s acquiring of Armenia’s utilities as dangerous. He continued to say that he does not see Russia using its economic interests, implying that Russia is not using its economic power to control Armenia. What? Serzh, are you living in the same country as I am?

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I was very happy to see that Air Arabia is now serving Yerevan! In my opinion, this is a very important link for business. The fact is air links equate business expansion and opportunity. If you look at most any major economic development initiative in Europe or America, there is an emphasis on having air links with business hubs. Air Arabia has many links with up and coming business centers which could truly add to real, knowledge economy expansion in Armenia.

Why do I see this as such a good thing? The main reason is the fact this past week we saw a huge issue made about the lack of skilled technology professionals in the developed world and even more of a surprise was the projection of a huge shortage in India. Just imagine if Armenia can continue to increase its knowledge work force especially in high technology to become a destination for knowledge work! A cheap air link with the knowledge centers of India could boon well for true economic expansion. Of course the jewel in the cap of the Armenians is the fact that Armenians are excellent linguists, picking up languages easier than most due to the difficulty of Armenian. Couple language with increasing technical know-how and we have a strong mix for future growth!

This is a wonderful thing! I hope that Armavia sees the competition and picks up its own expansion. Yerevan could become a hub of engineering excellence and if served by solid air links it could grow tremendously fast! Here is to open borders and expansion of ties!

Another tragic loss for Armenian music occured yesterday when well known entertainer, singer and songwriter Aram Asatryan passed away from a heart attack.

Aram is a household name in all familes and was awarded the title of “Gusan” a number of years ago by the then Culture Ministry of Armenia. Armenian media generally shunned him of late due to him being labelled ” rabiz ” singer. However, he continues to be one of the most popular Armenian singers throughout the world. He moved to Glendale in the 90’s and worked there before returning to Armenia very recently.

Aram was at a family gathering in the village of Oshakan when he suffered a heart attack, he was unable to survive the incident. I really hope Armenian media pays attention to this loss, as regardless of taste, he has entertained Armenians for many years - and some label his music as rabiz, whilst this may have sometimes been true, Aram had a passion for entertaining that lacks in so many artists in Armenia today.

This news comes just 1 month after Armenia lost another popular artist, young singer Varduhi Vardanyan, in a tragic car accident.

31 October, 2006 - A1Plus reports on the press conference held by Shavarsh Kocharyan, head of the National Democratic Party (NDP) board, where he claims, that the “forthcoming elections will be fabricated”. more…