The ceremony of handing the RA 2011 Presidential Awards took place at the Presidential Palace

The ceremony of handing the RA 2011 Presidential Awards in different areas took place today at the Presidential Palace. The President of Armenia congratulated the awardees for the achievements and received awards, expressed gratitude for their important work and wished them new success.

Congratulatory Address by President Serzh Sargsyan at the ceremony of handing RA 2011 Presidential Awards

Dear Laureates of the RA Presidential Awards,

I cordially congratulate you on your achievements. Success of the scientists and art workers are pleasing for all of us, and we see it as our duty to highlight and emphasize your work. For me, and I am confident for our entire society, particularly important are the awards bestowed on the young people since they allow us to maintain permanence and continuity of our culture’s development.

While discoveries in the area of precise sciences often remain within the realm of narrow scientific circles, which is quite natural, the works of the artistes, historian and, in general, works pertinent to the humanitarian sciences should have serious public acclamation and impact. They are also more far-reaching and serve as important instruments for shaping a demanding society.

I believe that those present have a special approach on the fact that Ragıp Zarakolu, a citizen of Turkey has been awarded the Presidential Award for his significant contribution to the process of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. His activities signify a special mission. His struggle for bringing the historical truth to the Turkish society is a brilliant example of the decent civic position and courage. Your presence here and acceptance of this award is also a courageous act. This posture of yours is has not only aimed at a deeper comprehension of the past but it is also aimed at elevating mutual understanding of the neighboring peoples to a new level, and it is aimed into future. I thank you.

Dear attendees,

In the past, when this award was established through the initiative and sponsorship of the Poghossian family, it was based on these very ideas and noble goals. I express gratitude to the sponsors for carrying on with this job. I also express gratitude to the Executive Board of the All-Armenian Hayastan Fund for its organizational efforts, as well as to the specialized commissions, which are doing a difficult but a very gratifying work.

I once again congratulate you and wish that our laureates continue to be successful in their work and raise the Armenian arts and sciences to the new heights.

***

President Serzh Sargsyan signed decrees to award the RA Presidential Award 2011 to Harutyun Marutian for the research on the longevity of the memory of the Armenian Genocide, studies on the interrelation of the Armenian Genocide and the Karabakh movement with the application of the new scientific methodologies and approaches and to Ragip Zarakolu (Turkey) for the elucidation of the Turkish society regarding the historical credibility of the Armenian Genocide, active translation and publishing works on this topic, as well as for his uncompromising and principled struggle for the freedom of speech and respect for human rights.

The Presidential Award 2011 in the natural sciences is awarded to Ashot Saghian for the monograph titled “Superefficient asymmetrical synthesis of the optically active nonprotein amino acids” and for a series of scientific articles; in the area of technical sciences and information technologies Albert Gulian, Armen Abrahamian, Robert Simonian, Hamlet Pirumin, Andranik Sanoyan were awarded for a series of scientific articles “Design and creation of the automated complex for the territory control”; in the arts Harry Rashidian was awarded for the research, development and implementation of the “Problems of the modern architecture on the new stage of development and impeding tasks”; in the area of physics Gagik Kryuchkian, Tigran Gevorgian, Diana Antonosian and Anna Shahinian were awarded for the series of scientific articles “Optoelectronics in the structural vacuum and nonlinear materials”; in the area of literature Hrachia Tamrazian received the award for the collected verses “Sacred Mist”; in the area of humanitarian sciences Hasmik Stepanian was awarded for the book “Armenians’ Contribution in the Ottoman Empire.”

In the area of classical music the Presidential Youth Award 2011 was awarded to Lilit Zakarian (piano), Hasmik Vardanian (violoncello) for the best performance in the nomination “Instrumental performance.

In the area of arts the Presidential Youth Award 2011 was awarded to Arman Hambardzumian for the series of sculptures “Legends”; Ashot Gevorgian for the series of sculptures “Metamorphic transactions”; Astghik Stepanian for the set and costumes for the S. Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet ballet; in the area of literature to Nare Vardanian for the book “Waiting for the Independent.”