Recently Government approved the concept represented by the Ministry of Economy on the establishment of international highland sports center on Lake Sevan shore, near the village Tsovagyuh, which, by the ministry's assumption, will be a unique in the world, and will be equipped with ultramodern sports equipment. The complex is going to occupy 3 km long shore area and will consist of both indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including water sports. It is planned to build a golf course with 18 holes, 4 tennis courts, covered football field, basketball and volleyball courts, a swimming pool ... In general, the list includes almost all summer sports, including even such as Geocaching (a treasure hunting game where you use a GPS navigation). The feature of the complex will be its total power supply by solar energy. In the concept was noted an agreement with German 'Ersam & Gottwald GbR' company on writing a preliminary business plan, which has requested 32.75 million drams($91000) for this, of which 19.2 million drams ($53300) will be paid immediately, regardless of the fate of the project, and the residue, 13.47 million drams($37400), will be paid only after finding an investor for the next stage of the project. The project will be implemented by the National Competitiveness Fund, which recently successfully completed Tatev monastery restoration project, including the longest Ropeway in the World. Maybe we can find investments for this ambitious project, but however, it will be very hard to achieve the status of the unique international high-end sports center.

As reported by Hurriyetdailynews on December 8 in Istanbul opened an exhibition of photos of more than 100 buildings built by Armenian architects living and creating in Istanbul in XIX and in the beginning of XX century. The exhibition is called "Armenian architects of Istanbul in the Era of Westernization" and will continue until January 2. Istanbul is deservedly considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with beautiful monuments of architecture built since the Byzantine Empire. As noted by the Turkish daily Radical, Istanbul never would have been so beautiful without architects of the Armenian origin. Especially remarkable mark was left by famous Balyan family architects, who designed and built the most beautiful palaces, mosques and barracks for more than 100 years. To slightly understand the Balyan's contribution to the whole Istanbul architecture, here are only some photos of perfect Palaces. Also we want to drive our gratitude to the curator of the exhibition, Hasan Kuruyazici, who carried out a 15-year study about the works of Armenian architects in Istanbul and the photography took one year.

On November 17 in Nairobi, Kenya, at a meeting of Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding by UNESCO, a list of 47-cultural traditions of peoples around the world was approved. The art of creation Armenian Khachkars (cross-stones) was also included in the list, as the centuries-old tradition of the Armenian people, transmitted from generation to generation. As reported in the official site of UNESCO, among more than 50,000 Khachkars in Armenia, each has its own pattern, and no two are alike. The source also notes the height of the cross-stones up to 1.5 m, but most likely the authors have forgotten about such magnificent works of art as cross-stones in monastery complex Sanahin (complex included in the list of UNESCO's historical heritage by in the year 2000) or Goshavank, that astonish not only by their bigger size but also by perfect craftsmanship. Also note that when information like this appears in such well-known news portals as REGNUM.RU, (http://www.regnum.ru/news/fd-abroad/armenia/1347782.html) the news must be accompanied by photographs, that really would help the reader better understand the centuries-old fine art of khachkar creation. Also, we'd like to mention a sad fact of recent vandalism of this "cultural heritage". Since 1987-2005 in the territory of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, thousands of beautiful cross-stones of the monastery complex Nor Jugha have been completely destroyed, and the facts of this heinous vandalism, for many years was "pestering" by Armenian government to UNESCO and other concerned international organizations. More than 500-hundred Armenian cemetery with khachkars and 218 Armenian churches were destroyed in Nakhichevan. The reason for the complete destruction of the cross-stones and churches by Azerbaijani side is certainly understandable; it's a destruction of all identification evidences for centuries-old Armenian stay on this land. But we want to live in the world where everything that relates to the history and culture will be really appreciated, to live in the world where neighbor nations will respect each other, and will recognize real history and existing reality. Watch the video of the destruction of khachkars in Nor Jugha.

After five months of construction, the auto traffic on Tsitsernakaberd highway was reopened. That's how long the first phase of construction works lasted. Works, that were carried out by Shinforum construction company, began on June 12 and were scheduled for completion until October 15. As a result of reconstruction a two-way single-lane traffic was replaced with a two-way two-lane, the road was widened by about five meters, new drainage and lighting systems were installed, the lack of which caused serious problems before. Pavements have also been renovated and expanded; now pedestrians can enjoy the 1.5-meter sidewalks. In parallel with the first stage of reconstruction, the second phase of works are also being carried out and new overpass is being built in the center of the highway. It will allow drivers to make a turning without help of traffic lights. That is why the middle section of the road isn't repaired and there is no pavements and new asphalt. Also note that as a basis for the new asphalt was mainly used the old road surface, which may lead to the deformation problems of the coating in the future. For the reconstruction of Tsitsernakaberd highway Yerevan municipality allocated about 1 billion 500 million drams, of which 866 million drams will be used for the second phase of construction works. We also note that recently the overpass in Garekin Nzhdeh street was opened (popularly known as "Meeting bridge"), and the construction works were undertaken by Griar CJSC. Work was delayed because of improper pre-assessment of the bridge condition and the corresponding changes in the construction documents and in the amount of work.

A first-ever dolphinarium, named "Nemo" will be soon opened in Yerevan, in Pantheon named after Komitas. The construction works are implemented by Ukrainian "Nerum" company. As company director, Alexander Merlyan mentioned, the whole building will be made of metal, which allows building the dolphinarium in a short period of time. He also assured that it will be open to public in two months. Four lively dolphins, two sea bears and one fur seal will soon inhabit the dolphinarium in Yerevan and it will be able to accept about 900 visitors. The construction of dolphinarium is a part of park restoration project which was initiated by Yerevan Municipality. The project scope also includes a large-scale tree planting in spring, with the maximum preservation of functional significance and architectural harmony of the Pantheon. Dolphinarium has already opened Yerevan Dolphinarium was opened on 24 December. In addition to watch dolphins and fur seals, fur seals, you can also take advantage of additional services of the Dolphinarium: take a picture and swim with the sea inhabitants, as well as treatment called "Dolphin therapy". New Dolphinarium also has its own Internet site, by which you can get full information about performances and additional services. 25.12.2010