YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The results of the annual contest "Vahan Tekeyan" announced by the Tekeyan Cultural Union of Armenia were summarized on January 23, with awards being given for the works created in 2005. At the same time, the results of the children's and adolescent contest "Ara and Maral" were announced as well. The award giving ceremony was attended by the RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, the Minister of Culture and Youth Issues Hasmik Poghosian, the Chairwoman of the RA National Assembly Standing Committee of Science, Education, Culture and Youth Issues Hranush Hakobian, high-ranking officials and intellectuals. A. Margarian said that the union's awards are given to intellectuals who make their contribution to the development of the Armenian culture. "It does not matter where these artists live - in Armenia or the Diaspora, the most important thing is that they are Armenians by spirit," he noted. According to him, the state will do everything possible to support such people. The winners of the contest "Vahan Tekeyan" received a 1,000-dollar award each in 11 nominations. The poetess Silva Kaputikian was posthumously awarded "Vahan Tekeyan" prize in literature for her book "Last Ring". The prize in humanities was given to Argam Aivazian for the book "The Lithographic Heritage of Nakhijevan". Sargis Hamalbashian was recognized the winner in "fine arts" nomination for his canvas "Dance". Samvel Sevada received the prize in "art photography" nomination for his series of portraits of Armenian intellectuals, and two sculptors received prizes in "sculture" nomination - Arto Chakmakchian - for "The Walking Man" sculture and Samvel Ghazarian - for "The Musicians". Conductor Ohan Durian was awarded the prize in "music" nomination - for his concert programs in 2005. Ara Shirianian was recognized the winner in "television and radio" nomination for the television film "Andranik Iosifian", while Hakob Chakrian received a prize for his articles published in the newspaper "Azg". The prize in "theatre" nomination was given to Yervand Ghazanchian - for the play "The Oriental Dentist" staged with V. Papazian company (Beirut), and Vardan Petrosian - for the plays "Ascent" and "What To Do" in "social and political satire" nomination. Robert Sahakiants was awarded "Ara and Maral" prize was for his cartoon "Tigranakert".

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