Republican Party of Armenia

By the decree of President Serzh Sargsyan, at the recommendation of the State Award Commission in the end of 2011, a group of individuals were awarded RA State Awards for 2011. The official ceremony of handing the awards took place today at the Presidential Palace.

RA State Award for 2011 in the area of arts and literature were awarded to:

In the area of literature and political journalism - to the Holder of Movses Khorenats medal, writer and translator Hovhannes Grigorian for the book “I am telling you - never die”;

In the area of music - to the Holder of the Saint Mesrop Mashtots Order, RA People’s Artist, composer Robert Amirkhanian for the musical composition “Yerevan Rhapsody”;

In the area of dramatic art and cinema – to the Holder of Movses Khorenatsi medal, RA People’s Artist, Artistic Director of the Yerevan H. Kaplanian Dramatic Theater Armen Khandikian (producer); RA Distinguished Artist Karen Grigorian, Art Director of the Theater (interior and costume designer); Holder of Movses Khorenatsi medal, RA People’s Artis Arthur Utmazian; RA Distinguished Artist Hrachya Harutyunian and Grigor Gabrielian (actors) for the “Julius Caesar” production;

In the area of precise and natural sciences, RA State Awards for 2011 were awarded to the Holder of Anania Shirkatsi medal, member of the RA Academy of Sciences, physicist Eduard Ghazarian, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, professor Hayk Sarkissian and Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Associate Professor Karen Dvoyan for the Research on the Physical Properties of the Semiconducting Nanostuctures with Complex Geometry.

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Statement by Serzh Sargsyan at the official ceremony of handing the 2011 State Awards

Dear Recipients of the 2011 State Awards of the Republic of Armenia,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

State awards hold special import for our country and our society, and our awardees are the most brilliant individuals of our nation, who rightly deserve public acclaim and veneration. For that very reason, we have decided to conduct the official award handing ceremony with a greater grandeur to underline the state’s attitude toward them and their accomplishments.

I am very pleased with the fact that this year, for the first time awards have been bestowed also in the area of precise and natural sciences. I believe, absence of nominations in this category was wrong, and the redressing of the situation has been an appropriate decision. Our scientists should know that the state and the people are considerate of them and their accomplishments. Armenia has been and will remain a country of science and innovative technologies. In this sense, we have no other way for development. I am confident that a backward Armenia, particularly in the area of science and education, simply cannot be.

I congratulate all the laureates on receiving the State Awards of the Republic of Armenia. I have no doubt that art workers and scientists of this caliber do realize seriousness and responsibility stemming from these awards. From our side, we realize that accomplishments worthy of state awards are not made in one day. An entire creative life is behind each and every one of them – searching, sleepless nights, ups and downs. Success is achieved not only through a God-given talent but also through great dedication and huge work.

I thank the members of the Commission, who have done a great job and made difficult choices. I regret that this year we have no laureates in some nominations. On the other hand, I salute the principle of staying true to the adopted standards and maintaining the high set bar.

I once again congratulate you and wish good health and boundless energy so that with new and interesting works you enrich our common culture and our science. Be assured that it is very important for our nation.

Thank you.