“The Orchestra with no experience in playing rock music demonstrated professionalism and I was surprised that musicians knew all songs in the program,” Gillan told a news conference. “Armenia is my spiritual homeland. It has nothing to do with religion… I just like you, Armenians.”

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Theater-lovers had an opportunity to watch the closing performances of Theater X and Armmono festivals.

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On March 27, the World Theater Day, Armenian theater workers were honored with awards. Artavazd annual national theater award ceremony was held at Yerevan Musical Comedy Theatre after Paronyan. According to chairman of the Theater Workers’ Union of Armenia Hakob Ghazanchyan, this year Artavazd award is dedicated to 105th birth anniversary of prominent Armenian theater workers Vardan Ajemian and Arus Asryan.

Named in honor of Armenian king Artavazd II, who is considered to be the founder of Armenian theater, Artavazd award was established in Armenia 10 years ago for best actor and actress, best young actor and actress, best young director, best production, best play, best music, best set design, etc.

* Armenian director Harutyun Khachatryan’s Border was awarded FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) prize at XXIV Freiburg Film Festival held on March 13-20, 2010. Last year, Montevideo, Moscow and Tbilisi hosted retrospective screenings of Harutyun Khachatryan’s films. This year, the film will be screened in Spain, Israel and US.

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Dutch filmmaker Jos Stelling gave master classes in Yerevan from March 23 to 28. Apparently pleased with the visit, Mr. Stelling promised to screen his The Girl and Death new film in Yerevan, once it’s shot.

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The 8th Annual British Film Festival was launched in Yerevan on March 22, initiated by the British Council Armenia and British Embassy to Armenia. The opening ceremony of the festival in Charles Aznavour Square was followed by the presentation of “Duchess” film at Moscow Cinema's red hall. The festival, founded in 2002, aims to present the United Kingdom, its culture, lifestyle, and customs to the Armenian audience.

Six prize-winning films were screened during the five-day festival. Presentation of Bloody Sunday was followed by a discussion with the co-producer of the film, Dan Malan. “I think the film would be congenial for Armenians, who went through the Genocide,” Dan Malan said. “Bloody Sunday tells about the fate of the Irish, who do not want to forget the tragic events of January 30, 1972. Then the British soldiers shot 13 unarmed civilians taking part in the march for civil rights in the city of Derry, Northern Ireland. The Armenian people cannot forget the genocide, but there are many people in Turkey who do not want to remember it. I hope that the film will be a source of inspiration for the Armenians.”