Articles by Mike Agopian,Առավոտ

Technology

Young Musicians of the “Born in Artsakh” Program Bring the Voice of Artsakh to Moscow

On October 24, a concert featuring the young musicians of the “Born in Artsakh” program took place at the Armenian Cultural Academy in Moscow. Through their heartfelt performances, the young artists brought to life the voice of Artsakh and presented the spirit of Armenian culture to the Armenian community of Moscow. The event was made possible thanks to the unwavering dedication and care of Suzy Ayrumyan, a devoted friend of the program, whose commitment enabled the young musicians from Artsakh to perform on an international stage. “I myself am from Artsakh and have always tried to help my compatriots with the support of my friends. When I learned about this program from Sergey Smbatyan, I was immediately inspired by its idea—the children will bring the phrase ‘’Born in Artsakh’’ to stages all over the world. Many of them have lost their homes, but if we remain strong through our culture and preserve our roots, I am confident that Artsakh will live forever. I want to thank all the participants of the event, the founder of the Armenian Cultural Academy of Moscow, Vardush Kareva, as well as all supporters. I believe that when these children proudly say ‘’Born in Artsakh’’ on international stages, your names will also become part of this story. Every contribution matters deeply for these children. My sincere gratitude to Sergey Smbatyan for initiating this wonderful project. Please continue and fulfill the mission that was set from the beginning,” said Suzy Ayrumyan. The program’s author and initiator, conductor and UNICEF National Ambassador Sergey Smbatyan, highlighted the profound meaning behind the project’s concept: “The goal of this program is to provide an opportunity for young musicians who have gone through hardships—but who deeply love music—to receive stable education and make their art heard. As their colleague, I feel it is my duty to emphasize that these children need our faith and support. Their talent deserves to be heard on the world’s finest stages so that the phrase ‘’I was born in Artsakh’’ becomes known across the globe.” Anna Ter- Hovakimyan, President of Art23 NGO, noted that the program currently includes 23 young musicians from Artsakh, and that each of their performances contributes not only to education but also to a spiritual revival: “We believe that together we can make it possible for the phrase ‘’Born in Artsakh’’ to be heard from the world’s leading stages—thanks to our children. This is possible only because of people who believe in them and stand by the program. We are grateful to all partners and supporters for walking this path with us.” During the event, six students of the program performed: Alexander Hayrapetyan (violin), Maria Avanesyan (piano), Nver Baghdasaryan (double bass), Roman Avanesyan (clarinet), Suzanna Ghulyan (violin), and Vladimir Galstyan (piano). Their program included works by Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Rachmaninoff, Dimmler, Eduard Baghdasaryan, and Aram Khachaturian. The audience warmly received the young musicians’ moving performances, which deeply touched everyone present. While in Moscow, the children also visited the city’s cultural landmarks and had the opportunity to attend a concert of Wagner and Tchaikovsky compositions performed by the Russian National Philharmonic Orchestra at the Moscow International House of Music. The event was held with the support of several Armenian companies, including Ararat Park Hotel Moscow, Gayane’s Restaurant, Café Ararat Moscow, Galereya Gradusov, Ijevan Russia, and KaTaro Wine. About the “Born in Artsakh” Program The “Born in Artsakh” program was initiated by conductor and UNICEF National Ambassador Sergey Smbatyan and is implemented by Art23 NGO. Launched in 2023, following the forced displacement from Artsakh, the program aims to ensure the continued education and professional development of talented young musicians displaced from Artsakh. It includes 23 children who receive multi-level support—professional music training, participation in international masterclasses, language courses, cultural visits, stage experience, and monthly scholarships. The mission of the program is to preserve the cultural identity of Artsakh and ensure the continuity of its heritage through the younger generation.

Technology

Ucom Supports the Development of a Safe and Trusted Digital Environment in Armenia

Ucom is the technological partner of the annual international conference titled “Governance, Risk, and Compliance in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Assets”, organized by the Internal Auditors Institute – Armenia NGO and taking place in Yerevan from October 31 to November 1. The conference brings together more than 150 professionals and experts in the fields of internal audit, risk management, compliance, and information security from the UAE, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Slovenia, and other countries. During the event, Ucom’s General Director, Ralph Yirikian, will deliver a speech titled “From Connection to Responsibility: Telecommunications in the Era of AI”, presenting his vision on the development of the telecommunications industry in the age of artificial intelligence. “The era of artificial intelligence compels us to rethink the meaning of connection. Today, connectivity is not merely about technology but also about trust, data protection, and responsibility for cybersecurity. Ucom remains committed to its mission of creating a safe, advanced, and human-centered digital environment for its subscribers,” said Ralph Yirikian, General Director of Ucom. “The goal of the IIA-Armenia 2025 Conference is to promote best practices in corporate governance in the age of artificial intelligence and digital assets. While this era provides vast opportunities for businesses, it also introduces new risks. It is therefore crucial to ensure effective collaboration between governance and oversight functions. The conference aims to serve as a platform where participants can learn from both Armenian and international experts, exchange ideas, and find valuable and applicable solutions for their business environments. We thank our partners for supporting us and, by doing so, helping us achieve our goals,” said Ara Chalabyan, President of the Internal Auditors Institute – Armenia NGO. This annual platform aims to encourage knowledge exchange, foster a culture of governance and risk management, and uncover new opportunities in digital transformation, AI application, and cybersecurity. For the second consecutive year, Ucom is supporting the conference as a partner, contributing to the formation of a safe and trusted digital environment in Armenia.