3 Massis Weekly January 19, 2019 Oxford Armenian Studies Launches Armenia Most Improved Country in ‘Research Notes’ Democracy Index 2018 OXFORD, UK -- Oxford Arme- in medieval colophons (Notes 5) and LONDON — Armenia saw the provement in citizens’ perception of cor- nian Studies launched short video “Re- women in 5th century Armenia (Notes most improvement among all “hybrid ruption and confidence in the govern- search Notes” featuring Armenian stud- 6). In Notes 7, Dr. Tchilingirian speaks regime” countries in Eastern Europe in ment and political parties. The Velvet ies scholars in the Faculty of Oriental about his research on identity and notes 2018, raising its score to 4.79, from 4.11 Revolution resulted in an increase in voter Studies at University of Oxford. a “connection” to chess in 12th century in 2017. This led to a jump in its ranking turnout and in the percentage of citizens Prof. Theo Maarten van Lint Armenia and, in Notes 8, discusses dea- from 111 to 103, according to the elev- actively participating in demonstrations (Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of conesses in the Armenian Church. enth edition of the Democracy Index, to remove Sarkisian from power. Armenian Studies), Dr. Hratch All “Research Notes” are on Ox- compiled by the Economist Intelligence Armenia’s neighbors Georgia Tchilingirian (Associate Faculty) and ford Armenian Studies (OAS) Youtube Unit (EIU), which reveals that political (89th) and Turkey (110th) are also in Dr. David Zakarian (British Academy channel and accessible through the participation is on the rise in almost the same group of “hybrid regimes”. Fellow) highlight various aspects of following links: every region of the world. Whilst clearly Azerbaijan (149th) and Russia (144th) their current research in these audio- Research Notes 1—Theo Maarten disillusioned with formal political institu- are listed among “authoritarian re- visual notes. van Lint: the making of an Armenologist tions, the population has turned anger gimes”. Among former Soviet repub- “This new initiative aims to Research Notes 2—Theo Maarten into action, and turned out to vote, and to lics, Armenia is behind only Moldova reach a wider audience beyond van Lint: Narek in Dutch protest, it says. (79th), Ukraine (84th) and Georgia academia and to draw attention to the Research Notes 3—Theo Maarten The report says the “Velvet Revo- (89th). The Index is topped by Nor- depth and scope of Armenian studies van Lint: Grigor Magistros, an 11th lution” against an attempt by Serzh way, Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand by providing a snippet of a subject or century prince poet scholar Sarkisian, the former president, to stay and Denmark. Syria and Northern research findings,” explained Hratch Research Notes 4—Theo Maarten in power by switching to the post of Korea are on the bottom of the list. Tchilingirian, who conceived and pro- van Lint: Ezekiel’s Vision prime minister resulted in the appoint- The EIU Democracy Index pro- duced the clips. Research Notes 5—David ment of Nikol Pashinian, an opposition vides a snapshot of the state of world The five “Research Notes” posted Zakarian: Medieval colophons leader, as prime minister. democracy for 165 independent states on social media so far have reached Research Notes 6—David It says Pashinian’s opposition and two territories. The Democracy some ten thousand people online. Zakarian: Women in 5th century Ar- coalition subsequently swept the Index is based on five categories: elec- In “Research Notes 1”, Prof. van menia Yerevan municipal election and won a toral process and pluralism; civil liber- Lint speaks about his intellectual and Research Notes 7—Hratch staggering 70% of the vote in a parlia- ties; the functioning of government; academic journey into Armenian stud- Tchilingirian: identity and a ‘connec- mentary election in December 2018. political participation; and political cul- ies. In three additional clips (Notes 2, 3 tion’ to 12th c. chess in Armenia? These developments, and Pashinian’s ture. Based on their scores on 60 and 4), he presents highlights of his Research Notes 8—Hratch subsequent anti-corruption campaign, indicators within these categories, each work on medieval Armenian authors. Tchilingirian: Female deacons in the improved the country’s scores for country is then itself classified as one Dr. Zakarian speaks about his research Armenian Church. government accountability and trans- of four types of regime: full democ- parency. racy; flawed democracy; hybrid re- They also resulted in a vast im- gime; and authoritarian regime. over 100 films, including Quentin Shanghai and Venice International Film Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds”, Festivals (2017); Awarded Best Feature Roberto Begnini’s “Life is Beautiful”, Film at the Scandinavian International Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale”, Film Festival in Helsinki, Finland (Octo- American vampire series “The Strain” by ber 2017); The film has been purchased Guillermo dell Toro and many other films. and licensed by HBO to air in Eastern In 2012, he won “Best Actor” at the European countries. The Last Inhab- Syracuse International Film Festival in itant, also features Homayoun Ershad, New York for his performance in Ruggero who played the lead role in Taste of Dipaola’s “Apartment in Athens”. Cherry by Abbas Kiarostami and was Jivan Avetisyan’s previous films, awarded the Palme d’Or at the 1997 Tevanik and The Last Inhabitant have Cannes Film Festival. received numerous accolades and Jivan Avetisyan’s team contin- awards. Tevanik has won over ten ues its efforts to complete the film awards in International Film Festivals about Artsakh. The film is a co-pro- including the Xian, Silk Road Interna- duction between Armenia, Lithuania, Gate to Heaven a Film by Jivan Avetisyan tional Film Festival- China “Best Germany and France. Art enthusiasts Viewer’s Choice” Award and Italy’s and non-profit organizations who have Director Jivan Avetisyan from journalist, played by Richard Sammel, International Overload Film Festival- an interest in the Arts took part in the Armenia has been inspired to tell Ar- who returns to Artsakh in 2016 to Juries Prize for “Most Original Work.” creation of the film about Artsakh/ menian stories especially those from cover the war, which reignited after a The Last Inhabitant, Jivan Armenia. The production team has Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) from a 22-year ceasefire with its neighbouring Avetisyan’s second feature film, was also launched a Crowdfunding cam- young age through his Arthouse films country, Azerbaijan. In the result of considered for the 74th Golden Globe paign on GoFundMe to help with post- that have received international recog- his journalistic investigation, Robert Awards (2017). Recognized by A-Class production funding. nition at various film festivals. Jivan meets a young opera singer, who hap- International Film Festivals including www.gatetoheaven.am believes that while film is a source of pens to be the daughter of missing entertainment, they are also a powerful photojournalist whom he had aban- medium of educating the mass. doned in captivity during the fall of the Gate to Heaven, is director Jivan village of Talish in 1992. Robert and Avetisyan’s third feature film. The Sophia’s frequent rendezvouses leads films backdrop takes place in Artsakh to a passionate romance… with a storyline of a German photo- Richard Sammel, has starred in.