YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenian painter Teni Vardanian won the gold medal at the 10th international biennale in Cairo with the participation of 135 artists from 53 countries, which took place from December 12, 2006 to February 1, 2007. The RA Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Issues Karine Khondikian stated this at the Februry 28 press conference. In her words, the jury was impressed by T. Vardanian's painting "Chair" displayed at the biennale: "It is a great honor to be awarded the first prize when so many works are shown at the international biennale." The jury was composed of representatives of Italy, Morocco, Spain, Ireland and Egypt. Teni Vardanian said that it was a surprise to her to take first place among numerous participants. According to the painter, the Armenian embassy and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture organized an exhibition of her graphic works in Cairo on February 13-17 with the assistance of the museum of Ahmad Shahuv. She noted that Epyptians are familiar with Armenian culture, while the local Armenian community contributes to presentation of Armenian art abroad. T. Vardanian is a member of the Union of Painters of Armenia, author of more than 20 individual and collective exhibitions, whose works were displayed in Beirut, Nicosia, Paris, London, Saint Petersburg, Aleppo, etc. To recap, the Cairo biennale was intiated by the Fine Art Department of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in 1984. Armenia has participated in biennales since 1996.

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