Armenian president awards State Prize to authors of ‘Parajanov’ film

Under Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s decree, the film ‘Parajanov’, a joint production by Armenia, France and Ukraine, has been awarded a State Prize.

The State Prize has been handed to Armenian-French director and producer Serge Avedikian, director and producer Martoun Adoyan and producer Taguhi Karapetyan.

Ukrainian producer Olena Fetisova, who is among the State Prize winners, could not arrive to attend the ceremony.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan noted he has received a letter from the Ukrainian producer.

In her letter, Olena Fetisova explains the reasons for her not arriving in Yerevan.

“I will hand the State Prize over to her through her fellows and, in accordance with her wish, we will direct the financial component to charity, doubling it from the Armenian presidential fund. I understand Ms Fetisova’s motives, but I would like to address dear Ms Fetisova and the Ukrainian people and say that we are friendly nations, and thousands of facts are evidence of this friendliness and fraternity – from the medieval temples in Lvov to the active Ukrainian community in Armenia,” President Serzh Sargsyan said.