December 31, 2006


Happy New Year

Unless there are any breaking news stories or events before 2007 is upon us, Oneworld Multimedia would like to wish all of its readers a Happy New Year. And while we reflect upon the year that’s passed and look forward to the next, RFE/RL’s journalists detail what they consider to be the main events of 2006. See you all again in 2007.

Posted by Onnik @ 2:34 am. Filed under: Armenia, Caucasus




11 Comments »

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  1. Thank you Onnik for keeping us up-to-date.

    Comment by Hagop — December 31, 2006 @ 9:42 am

  2. ARMENIANS STARTED CELEBRATE NEW YEAR ON JANUARY 1 IN 18TH CENTURY

    YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenians called New Year “Amanor” (”am” meant “year” in ancient Armenian, and “nor” means “new”) or Navasard (”nav” means “new” and “sard” - “year” in Indian). This holiday was called differently in various Armenian regions - Taremut, Tareglukh or Kaghand. Ancient Armenians used to celebrate New Year in summer. In the 18th century they started to celebrate New Year on January 1 by the calendar of the Catholicos of All Armenian Simeon Yerevantsi. Many nations decorate Christmas trees, which symoloize the Tree of Life in the Paradise, while stars on the top of Christmas trees - the Star of Bethlehem. The most desired guest Dzmer Pap (Santa Claus) comes with his presents. He was Partriarch Saint Nicolas the Miracle-Worker who was born in the family of rich, pious and virtuous
    people in 280 in the province of Likia in Asia Minor. Nicolas the Mircale-Worker was a kind and generous man always ready to help those in need, he took care of children, gave them presents. Sain Nicolas was the saint of children. According to astrologer Hranush Kharatian, Armenians used to prepare for New Year several months before this holiday. In autumn they preserved dried fruits and nuts for their New Year tables. It is noteworthy that January 1 falls on the week of Armenian Christmas and it is a fast day so many dishes contain food suitable for observing fasting. People bake bread to start the new year with new bread. Besides, ritual bread is baked in various regions of Armenia. By tradition, some small “sign” is put in this ritual bread and divided among family members: the new year will bring good luck to the person who gets this sign.

    Comment by Onnik — December 31, 2006 @ 3:06 pm

  3. Happy New Year to you too Onnik and thanks for all your hard work in reporting what really is going on in our Armenian world.

    Comment by Ara Manoogian — December 31, 2006 @ 4:06 pm

  4. Happy New Year Onnik.

    Comment by Haik — December 31, 2006 @ 7:18 pm

  5. Happy New Year for you Onnik ! Have a good time!

    best regards from Germany, Rapho

    Comment by Rapho — December 31, 2006 @ 9:17 pm

  6. Interesting. Every New Year since 2000 there’s been a stage with a tree and a concert put on in my part of the Arabkir district of Yerevan. What we usually get is some dude dressed up like Santa Claus and a whole load of Armenia’s pop stars bused in to mime to their tracks before being shipped off to another district for 5 minutes each.

    Anyway, it must be a major area of the district as Kocharian as well as opposition candidates campaigned there specifically during the 2003 presidential election. Anyway, this year there was nothing. Not Santa Claus, not a stage, not even a tree. Very bizarre, especially as this has become part of the New Year calendar here and also because it’s parliamentary elections in May.

    Comment by Onnik — January 1, 2007 @ 3:47 am

  7. I also noticed that New Years this year in Martuni was not what it has been like in the past. It seems like people understand what resources they have to live with and are adjusting their lives based on that. Though we had a very nice tree and people were telling each other Happy New Years and wishes for a better 2007, the tables had much less on them (though still more than was needed). I think it is a good sign that people are living within their means and adjusting to life with what resources we have. On the other hand, this also means that there is a good chance they have also decided not to demand change to get rid of the problems the government is giving us and are just going to let them continue to bring us down more. It’s really hard to read the situation.

    Comment by Ara Manoogian — January 1, 2007 @ 10:32 am

  8. Probably the reason for no event in Arabkir and other districts is that the “celebrities” are being shipped to various restaurants instead. I was reading in Haykakan Jamanak that a dinner in those restaurants starts from 55000 and according to some event programs the same singer sings in various places. The article is here

    http://www.hzh.am/27.12.06.html

    The New Year’s table has always been a show-off item in most of the families. It also comes from the tradition that your prosperty for the rest of the year depends on how you begin your year. Most likely a pagan tradition when people shared their food with gods near the river Aratsani. I guess it is better to switch the new year celebrations back to August. That way it will be more pleasant for eveybody.

    Comment by Haik — January 1, 2007 @ 1:36 pm

  9. French marchers say ‘non’ to 2007

    Hundreds of protesters in France have rung in the New Year by holding a light-hearted march against it.
    Parodying the French readiness to say “non”, the demonstrators in the western city of Nantes waved banners reading: “No to 2007″ and “Now is better!”

    The marchers called on governments and the UN to stop time’s “mad race” and declare a moratorium on the future.

    The protest was held in the rain and organisers joked that even the weather was against the New Year.

    The tension mounted as the minutes ticked away towards midnight - but the arrival of 2007 did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm.

    The protesters began to chant: “No to 2008!”

    They vowed to stage a similar protest on 31 December 2007 on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6222153.stm

    In pictures: New Year celebrations
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6221869.stm

    Comment by Onnik — January 1, 2007 @ 2:48 pm

  10. ArmRadio carries the full text of President Kocharian’s address to the nation.

    Dear compatriots,

    In a few minutes we’ll say good bye to the year 2006. It was peaceful and productive. The country went on to develop steadily. Due to this, next year the state budget will considerably increase. Therefore, the salaries and pensions will also rise. We intend to accomplish a number of social programs, which will be targeted at the improvement of quality of life.

    This year with due luxury we celebrated the 15th anniversary of Armenia. From the height of the past way the achievements of the country are obvious, more precise are the future deeds. In 2007 we shall celebrate the 15th anniversaries of formation of the Armenian Army and liberation of Shushi. According to tradition, Armenians will raise their glasses to the Armenian Army. I wish good service to servicemen who welcome the New Year in military divisions and bow before the memory of the dead.

    Last year Armenia’s international involvement increased. The relations with Russia became significant for the conduct of the Year of Armenia in Russia. An active political dialogue was launched, the economic ties turned more active, a rich cultural program was accomplished. The visit of the French President Jacques Chirac and Charles Aznavour’s unforgettable concert marked the start of the Year of Armenia in France.

    The Action Plan of the European Neighborhood Policy was adopted. The accomplishment of the Millennium Challenge Program started together with the US Government. These provide new opportunities for the country’s development. Soon the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be pt into commission. A number of new important energy programs are envisaged with Iran.

    The negotiations on Karabakh also continued. In the result of these the de facto existence of Nagorno Karabakh and the right of Artsakhi people to live free and safe should be determined. Te resolute stance of the Artsakhi people was once again reflected in the Constitutional referendum.

    The past year was significant also for the Armenia-Diaspora relations. The third forum was held in Yerevan, which mainly focused on rural development programs. I’m confident that the result of it will be felt in the nearest future. The Telethon of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund was held with great inspiration. Tens of thousands families made their contribution to the development of Artsakh.

    Dear compatriots,

    We are entering the next year with resoluteness to continue the reforms. Among these the most important are the formation of fair competitive field, provision of an effective judicial-legal system, the fight against corruption. Consistent work is the guarantee of result.

    In 2007 parliamentary elections are expected. I’m sure these will be held on a proper level. Conduct of free and fair elections should be a priority for every of us.

    Dear compatriots from Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora,

    I wish you a Happy New Year. May 2007 be a year of health, joy and prosperity for your families. Let the New Year bring success and happiness to your homes.

    Happy New Year!

    The full text of the Catholicos’ address is also on the site.

    Comment by Onnik — January 1, 2007 @ 4:07 pm

  11. Yea, I watched part of the Presidents address to the people. I loved the part about the Armenia Fund and the part about the tens of thousands that made their donation, bla, bla, bla. Here in Artsakh everyone talks about how they were made to give 1.000 dram (a little less than $3). We have also started to talk about the $3.5 million that was not collected that the president used to get the Diaspora to give. One thing that really is being talked about is how 2007 will be our year of needed changes. That I will believe when the sheep really start to ask questoins and demand those elected to serve to so what is right.

    Comment by Ara Manoogian — January 2, 2007 @ 6:27 pm

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