Embassy of Armenia Salutes James Mark Keshishian

PRESS RELEASE
January 13, 2004

Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington , DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: armpr@speakeasy.net ; Web: www.armeniaemb.org
Embassy Hosts Christmas Open House, Concert by Zulal Trio

On January 9, 2004, the Embassy of Armenia hosted the traditional Christmas Open House reception for the Armenian American community of Greater Washington area that featured a concert by the Zulal trio. Before the concert, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. , Dr. Arman Kirakossian spoke briefly on Armenia 's achievements and challenges in 2003, emphasizing the need for continued economic, political, humanitarian, and commercial cooperation between the Diaspora and Homeland to sustain the high economic growth and help address the social needs of the vulnerable people in Armenia . Ambassador Kirakossian also presented his vision for the U.S.-Armenian bilateral relations and cooperation in 2004.

The Armenian Ambassador then presented a moving tribute to the recently deceased Armenian-American enterprenuer, benefactor, community activist, and author James Mark Keshishian who has helped the Armenian Embassy, promoted better understanding of Armenian culture in his capacity as President of the Armenian Rugs Society, and supported political candidates defending issues of interest to Armenia and the Armenian people.

The reception featured a recital by the New York-based Zulal trio, which presented a beautiful a capella rendition of traditional Armenian folk songs. Zulal singers Anais Tekerian, Yeraz Markarian, and Teni Apelian who formed the trio in 2003 have already performed successfully before Armenian and non-Armenian audiences in the United States .

The reception was attended by members of the Armenian-American community, including members of the late James M. Keshishian's family, distinguished visitors from Armenia , and State Department and USAID officials, including Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Vahram Nercissiantz , U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway, and USAID Mission Chief in Armenia Keith Simmons.

TimesDispatch.com | DECISION MAKERS - Howard New

TimesDispatch.com | DECISION MAKERS: "DECISION MAKERS

Richmond Times-Dispatch Apr 24, 2006

Murray Howard
Howard New position: director of historic architecture, Commonwealth Architects Previous position: curator and architect, Academical Village, the University of Virginia Birthplace: Talladega, Ala. Education: bachelor's degree in architecture, Auburn University; master's degree in architecture and doctorate in history of art and architecture, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Career: principal, Disegno, Charlottesville; adjunct professor of architecture, U.Va. Best career move: "Leaping into the unknown on several occasions, finding the surest path to growth in ways I had not imagined." Career goals: "Finding creative outlets in my work until the last day of life." The best advice he ever received: "Treat others as you would like to be treated." His parents Career tip for students: "Fill your life with variety in order to understand how the rest of the world thinks. Work or study abroad whenever the chance arises." What motivates him? "Treating life as a banquet for everyone to enjoy." Role model: "The individual who believes that bringing out the best in another person may be one's highest calling." Pastimes: Study of Oriental rugs and reading, usually biographical and historical works. The most memorable book: "The Razor's Edge" by W. Somerset Maugham Favorite food: French lemon tart at Fleurie in Charlottesville Ideal vacation: Spending April or October anywhere in Italy"

Iran Daily - Ilam Handmade Kelims Unique - 04/08/06

Iran Daily - Panorama - 04/08/06: "Ilam Handmade Kelims Unique

Fine hand-woven Kelims have always been precious souvenirs which tourists can take home from the western Ilam province, IRNA reported.
Ilami artisans have always been famous for skillfully weaving austere Kelims.
In 1987, a Kelim artist from Zanjireh village in Shirvan-Chardavol city, named Sahar Chelangar, designed a new weaving style. She crafted Kelims inspired by designs of Persian rugs.
As evidenced by studies, the Kelim designs are much similar to rugs woven in ancient China.
A handicraft expert in Ilam, Hamid Bakhtiari, believes that the newly-designed Kelims are like a valuable gem among other provincial handiworks.
He is of the opinion that the handicraft has the potential to secure a foothold in overseas markets, provided there is official support.
Bakhtiari said Ilam’s colorful and finely-designed Kelims serve as nice souvenirs.
The expert insisted that Kelims woven by Ilami artists are of high quality and are as valuable as handmade Persian rugs from an aesthetic perspective.
He stated that foreign merchants are keen on purchasing Ilami Kelims.
Bakhtiari reiterated that Kelim-weaving could become a lucrative source of revenue for the western province, provided there is adequate sponsorship."

Iran Daily - 2006 World Cup Carpet Woven - 04/13/06

2006 World Cup Carpet Woven

A great Persian Tabriz Rug

The carpet themed 2006 Football World Cup, measuring 2 meters by 2.5 meters, has over two million Turkish knots and 120 colors. (IRNA Photo)

TABRIZ, East Azarbaijan, April 12--An embossed carpet on the theme of 2006 Football World Cup was woven by a talented Tabrizi carpet weaver, Hossein Kazemi Hamed, IRNA reported on Wednesday.
Kazemi, who has previously woven special carpets for the 1998 World Cup (held in France) and 2002 World Cup (jointly held by Japan and South Korea), said that his main incentive in weaving the new carpet was his personal desire to continue the previous trend.
The carpet, measuring 2 meters by 2.5 meters, has over two million Turkish knots and 120 colors.
Kazemi, who also designed the carpet, noted that the preliminary work and design took over six months.
He said that the flags of 32 countries competing in the 2006 Football World Cup are on the right and left sides of the carpet.
“Images of the World Cup, FIFA Chief Sepp Blatter, the person in charge of the international event, Franz Beckenbauer, Berlin Stadium (the venue for the inaugural game) and also Brandano Gate are embossed on the carpet,“ he said.
The weaver further said the flags of Germany and Iran as well as the symbols of the 2006 Football World Cup and FIFA have been woven on the upper right and left corners of the carpet.
Kazemi concluded by saying that the carpet will be taken to Germany before the start of the international sports event"

Iran Daily - Rasht Bazaar - 04/26/06

Iran Daily - Panorama - 04/26/06: "Sightseeing

Rasht Bazaar

Rasht is known for its unique cuisine, particularly its seafood and traditional rustic lifestyle. This can be best observed during the day in its open air bazaar, with its many small food stores and vendors from surrounding villages offering fresh produce, eggs, live chickens and ducks, olives, fish... and shoppers busy bargaining in the packed alleys of the baazar and adjacent streets.
The uncovered bazaar is bounded by Imam Khomeini and Shariati streets. Little of any great antiquity remains, since most of the bazaar was burned by the Bolsheviks in 1920. If you are looking for caviar, persistent but discreet inquiries at the bazaar may be rewarded. Iranians believe that this is the best place to buy it. Prices here should be a little lower than in Tehran."

See my Persian Rugs: Notes on Resht Textiles

Iran Daily - Persian Rugs Will Adorn Oman Palaces 04/11/06

Iran Daily - Domestic Economy - 04/11/06: "Persian Rugs Will Adorn Oman Palaces


Iran exported $370 million worth of fine rugs and carpets during March 2005-January 2006.

TEHRAN, April 10--Palaces in the Persian Gulf Sultanate of Oman will be adorned with fine Persian rugs, said a carpet industry official here on Monday.
Seyyed Jalaleddin Bassam, who heads the Carpet Joint Stock Company, told Fars news agency that the company has received orders for weaving nine rugs for Omani palaces.
He said the contract is worth $440,000 for the 250 square meters of fine hand woven carpets.
The contract has been signed officially with the government in Muscat.
“Some 45 weavers will work on the project and the carpets will be woven in the northwestern city of Tabriz,“ where the finest Persian rugs are produced.
He said the company has launched an international marketing campaign for promoting its works, stressing that Oman is one of the traditional customers of Iranian rugs.
Iran exported $370.5 million worth of fine rugs and carpets during March 2005-January 2006.
Some 67 percent of the consignments went to Germany, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Japan.
Germany imported $89.6 million worth of carpets from Iran in the period, exports to the US reached $67.2 million while the figures for UAE, Italy and Japan stood at $34.3 million, $33.1 million and $24 million, respectively.
Iran exported a total of $248 million worth of rugs to the five countries. The figure was 10 percent higher compared to the same period in the previous year."

Iran Daily - 46th Hotel Opens in Kish - 04/05/06

Iran Daily - Panorama - 04/05/06: "46th Hotel Opens in Kish

The 46th hotel of Kish Island, Parmis, went on stream at a total cost of 180 billion rials.
Managing director of Tourism Promotion Institute, Ali Ghamkhar, said at the inauguration ceremony of the 9-story hotel that hotel industry is one of the basic pillars of tourism programs in Kish Free Zone, ILNA reported.
He reiterated that apart from accommodation facilities, tourism infrastructure including sightseeing and recreational attractions, transportation and services sectors should expand in the Persian Gulf’s most popular island.
Ghamkhar said tourism promotion cannot be achieved unless by employing a scientific, broad-based and logical strategy.
“Hotel industry in Kish has experienced a remarkable growth in terms of quantity. However, the quality of services has not grown in tandem which means more efforts need to be made to provide premium quality services,“ he noted, adding private resources should be exploited to turn the island to a major tourism hub.
According to Masoud Arbab, one of the hotel’s managers, the facility has a built-up area of 16,000 sq.m.
Constructed through private entrepreneurship, Parmis Hotel has 170 rooms, close to 500 beds, seven restaurants and coffee shops, Internet cafŽ, gyms, sauna and swimming pool, handicrafts store, beauty parlor and laundry.
Kish Island, stretched across 93 square kilometers, receives more than one million Iranian and foreign tourists a year."