In this installment in our series focusing on foreign ambassadors serving in Armenia, we talked with Hans-Jochen Schmidt, appointed Ambassador of the Federal republic of Germany to Armenia in October, 2009.

Prior to his Yerevan posting, Mr. Schmidt headed the OSCE Minsk Office. During his long and distinguished career in the German diplomatic corps, he has served in Cairo, St. Petersburg and Kiev. »»»»»

Hetq is starting a series highlighting various members of the RoA National Assembly. This week we would like to bring to your attention MP Hrant Grigoryan who represents District 20 in Armavir Marz.

For the past month, Hetq reporter Natasha Harutyunyan has attempted to organize an interview with MP Hrant Grigoryan. He has never made a speech on the floor of parliament and once told a reporter that he doesn’t give interviews. »»»»»

First “Bjni” now “Byuregh”: Authorities seek to cripple opposition supporters

Khachatur Sukiasyan supported the candidacy of Levon Ter-Petrosyan in the 2008 presidential elections and has paid the price.

Even though he was “granted” his freedom after coming out of hiding, the preliminary investigation in his case continues. »»»»»

Japanese Scholar Researching Post WW II Armenian Repatriation

Rumour has it that you can bump into more than a few interesting and unusual characters at an opposition rally here in Yerevan. That’s exactly what happened on March 1, when by pure serendipity, I bumped into Takayuki Yoshimura. »»»»»

Last minute sponsors finance team’s trip to Canada

By a stroke of pure luck and dogged determination, a five member Armenian delegation leaves Yerevan today headed for Vancouver, Canada, to participate in the 2010 Paralympics. The games will host 1,000 disabled athletes from 40 nations. »»»»»

Humanity has existed from time immemorial and during the past 20,000-30,000 years gas was never burnt. Now look at what’s happening. People in Armenia are all emotional; they want to burn gas. Go to your homes and burn cow dung.”

The above statement was made by RoA MP Vardan Postanjyan during a press conference after it was declared that the price of gas would be going up. »»»»»

After Interlaken ECHR Will Resemble Kafka’s “The Castle”

On February 18-19, in the Swiss city of Interlaken, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers met to devise ways to reform the overburdened European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). A joint declaration was issued setting the course for the future reform of the ECHR. »»»»»

MP Tigran Torosyan: “People must understand officials are not here to hand out favors”

Trying to reach the village of Vardenis, Aragatzotn Marz, especially during the winter, is an arduous and nearly impossible journey. Roads leading to the village, located just five kilometers from the town of Abaran, are covered with slick ice from the hardened snows. »»»»»

It’s the people of the RoA who suffer from “strained relations”

There’s a conference taking place in Washington D.C. these days on the state of Diaspora-Armenia relations during the past twenty years since independence. Now that’s a pretty big bite to chew off and digest in a few days, but I wish them success. »»»»»

Plans Underway in Syunik for Community Credit Consultants

Before I could even get my foot in the door of the Babayan house, three year-old Davit yelled out, “Kamo was here. He tore the rug from the wall and took off with it.” He repeated this a few times, probably hoping to hear some words of consolation from the unknown guest.  »»»»»

Mariam Sukhudyan and Friends Stumble on Some Disturbing Evidence in Forest

On February 20, a group of young people travelled to Dilijan for a hike in the woods. Upon entering the forest they heard a familiar but unwelcome sound. »»»»»

Inferior construction in Gyumri leads to new contract in Spitak

Two months ago, it became apparent that the buildings constructed by Glendale Hills with government money intended to house homeless families in Gyumri, were sub-standard. »»»»»

Raises Three Grandchildren in Hut Next to Town Garbage Dump

For the past two years Laura Tadevosyan has been raising her three young grandchildren next to a smoldering garbage dump in the village of Sasunik, Aragatzotn Marz.

This is where Carmen Ghahramanyan, the children’s mother, died in December, 2009. »»»»»

Building Hosts Village Weddings and Playground

Even in the dead of winter, pupils at the Vardenis village school in Aragatzotn have a place to play football.

The cold winds blowing through the broken windows of the gymnasium and the thick dust rising up from its crumbling floor doesn’t seem to bother the kids though. »»»»»

Vardanyan Family in Lori Cries Foul; Seek Redress in European Court

Vardan Vardanyan, a resident of the village of Shnogh, Lori Marz, has applied to the European Court of Human Rights. He is seeking financial and moral compensation for loses he claims the family has suffered after land was taken from them.

 The land in question was the only source of income for the family of five. »»»»»

Refugees from Azerbaijan Need “Crash Course” in Armenian to Find Work

Tamara Amirdjanova, an Armenian refugee from Azerbaijan, had the following to say regarding the issue of refugee return bandied about in the Karabakh conflict settlement negotiations:

“I will never go back to Baku. I can’t even think about returning for I remember how we grabbed our kids in our arms and fled that place. Better I live in poverty in Karabakh, the homeland, than return there.” »»»»»

Her paintings are void of people; The city has swallowed its residents

“Everyone knows, especially politicians and government officials, that artists are capable of changing everything. That’s what is dangerous. That’s why they often exert pressure on artists. It’s happened before and continues today,” says Mary Moon, the artist formerly known as Arakelyan.

“And it won’t change, because artists have always thought about what takes place around them more than others,” she continues. »»»»»

My cultural experience of Armenianness tells me that in the course of modern Armenian Diaspora history the practice of raising children who have successfully proven themselves as professionals, while remaining predominantly complacent and inactive as political beings, has been the norm rather than the exception. »»»»»

Can Yerevan Play the “Iran Card” to its Advantage?

Yerevan’s official “shift” to Tehran clearly signified that Armenia has decided to put Plan-B into action. Given the unlikelihood of ratification in the current Armenian-Turkish deadlock, many in the Armenian government are mulling over the possibility of putting various back-up plans into effect. »»»»»

Farmers can’t pay off loans when 3,500 tons of grapes remain in refrigerators

Everyone in the village of Verin Artashat, in Ararat Marz, is unhappy about their lot in life. Almost all have put their homes and land up as collateral for loans.

“There’s absolutely no one who cares about the villager. »»»»»

Over the Years Locals Have Taken Pride in Their Town

At the beginning of the 20th century, Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city, was renamed   Alexandropol from 1840-1924 in honor of Czar Nicholas I’s wife. Back then, the main thoroughfare and center of attraction was Aleksandrov Street, since renamed Abovyan. It stretches from the neighborhood of Slabodka to Dzori Tagh. »»»»»