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Aznavour Angers Javakhk Armenians
asbarez
Wednesday, August 15th, 2012
Charles Aznavour
AKHALTSKHA, Javakhk - Renowned singer and Armenia's Ambassador to
Switzerland Charles Aznavour has angered the Armenian population of
Javakhk by agreeing to perform at an official ceremony on Thursday for
the reopening of the historic Rabat Fortress, where reportedly he will
be performing in front of a mosque, which has also been renovated by
official Tbilisi.
Several organizations from Samtskhe Javakheti and Kvemo Kartili, in an
announcement, expressed distress over Aznavour's decision to perform
at this government-sponsored celebration, arguing that while official
Tbilisi has funded the reconstruction of a mosque, it is dragging its
feet to return the St. Mark (Neshan) Church back to the Armenian
Diocese.
The group urged Aznavour to cancel his plans.
`By taking part in the concert, Aznavour will inadvertently bolster
the official Georgian policy of violating the rights of the Javakhk
Armenians,' the statement by the several organizations warned.
`Aznavour's participation will have a negative impact on the great
singer's reputation among Javakhk Armenians,' the organizations
claimed
Aznavour, whose ancestors are from Akhltskha, reportedly will be
joined by a 25-person orchestra and will perform his traditional
repertoire during the government-sponsored celebration. He arrived in
Georgia on Wednesday.
Last week, a group of Javakhk Armenians in Russia also made a similar
request from Aznavour. They claimed that while the majority of the
funding for the renovation of the 16th century fortress was provided
by the Georgian government, there was Turkish funding that augmented
the costs of the renovation.
The Russia-based Javakhk Armenians stated that according to Georgian
press reports that during negotiations with Turkey, Georgia has
proposed that alongside renovation of the Azizieh Mosque in Batumi,
the Ahmadieh Mosque at the Rabat Fortress be included in the plans. In
return, the Georgian government will declare the Ahmadieh Mosque, in
front which Aznavour is reportedly scheduled to perform, will be
declared a historic monument.
Aznavour nor his representatives have commented on whether the singer
is scheduled to perform at the fortress opening ceremonies.
asbarez
Wednesday, August 15th, 2012
Charles Aznavour
AKHALTSKHA, Javakhk - Renowned singer and Armenia's Ambassador to
Switzerland Charles Aznavour has angered the Armenian population of
Javakhk by agreeing to perform at an official ceremony on Thursday for
the reopening of the historic Rabat Fortress, where reportedly he will
be performing in front of a mosque, which has also been renovated by
official Tbilisi.
Several organizations from Samtskhe Javakheti and Kvemo Kartili, in an
announcement, expressed distress over Aznavour's decision to perform
at this government-sponsored celebration, arguing that while official
Tbilisi has funded the reconstruction of a mosque, it is dragging its
feet to return the St. Mark (Neshan) Church back to the Armenian
Diocese.
The group urged Aznavour to cancel his plans.
`By taking part in the concert, Aznavour will inadvertently bolster
the official Georgian policy of violating the rights of the Javakhk
Armenians,' the statement by the several organizations warned.
`Aznavour's participation will have a negative impact on the great
singer's reputation among Javakhk Armenians,' the organizations
claimed
Aznavour, whose ancestors are from Akhltskha, reportedly will be
joined by a 25-person orchestra and will perform his traditional
repertoire during the government-sponsored celebration. He arrived in
Georgia on Wednesday.
Last week, a group of Javakhk Armenians in Russia also made a similar
request from Aznavour. They claimed that while the majority of the
funding for the renovation of the 16th century fortress was provided
by the Georgian government, there was Turkish funding that augmented
the costs of the renovation.
The Russia-based Javakhk Armenians stated that according to Georgian
press reports that during negotiations with Turkey, Georgia has
proposed that alongside renovation of the Azizieh Mosque in Batumi,
the Ahmadieh Mosque at the Rabat Fortress be included in the plans. In
return, the Georgian government will declare the Ahmadieh Mosque, in
front which Aznavour is reportedly scheduled to perform, will be
declared a historic monument.
Aznavour nor his representatives have commented on whether the singer
is scheduled to perform at the fortress opening ceremonies.