Commercial Secret: The Independence Day Celebration to Be Organized by 'Domino Productions' with Huge Funds

In October, we will not celebrate the traditional 'Erebuni-Yerevan' festivities because the nation lacks the heart to do so, but we will have the Independence Day on September 21. The Prime Minister has decided that the celebration is necessary. He announced yesterday that a large-scale and colorful celebration would take place in Yerevan's Republic Square on September 21, dedicated primarily to the memory of our heroes who sacrificed their lives for Armenia's independence, security, and sovereignty.

Thus, after colorfully cursing the essence of independence, we will celebrate its day in a colorful manner. This is reported by 'Hraparak.'

The term 'large-scale' primarily refers not to the way of commemorating the fallen heroes but rather to the expenses involved. How much money will be allocated for the September 21 events, and which organization is tasked with organizing the celebration?

According to sources, 1 billion dram (approximately 2 million dollars) will be allocated from the budget for the Independence Day celebration. To put this into perspective, in 2018, the 27th anniversary of independence cost the Armenian state budget 84 million 775 thousand dram. This amount was used for installing and servicing stages and musical equipment. About the same amount, 100 million dram, was allocated for the 25th and 26th anniversaries of independence. The difference is enormous. During those years, Armenia was a significantly more prosperous country, we had Artsakh, and we were not dying from various infections; we did not have daily rising prices, and so on.

There will be no competition for spending the 2 million dollars. The government has defined the purchase as urgent and is conducting it through a single entity, that is to say, without a tender. That entity is the government's favorite company, 'Domino Productions LLC,' which has received large orders during Nikol Pashinyan's time.

The owner of this company, Ashot Arakelyan, has close friendships with Araik Harutyunyan, the Prime Minister's chief advisor, and it is Araik Harutyunyan who ensures Ashot Arakelyan's 'approval' during the new government. Between 2018 and 2021, government orders were given to 'Domino Productions' for various events, from International Children's Day celebrations to initiatives from the Ministry of High-Tech Industry. Even the State Non-Commercial Organization for Mine Clearance and Expertise placed orders for film and video production with this company.

It is unclear what merits Ashot Arakelyan possesses that allow him to implement all these projects when dozens of similar companies exist. His company is known only to professionals and solely for one project, the historical miniseries 'Cilicia: Land of Lions.'

Ashot Arakelyan began his rise at the media office of the Yerevan City Hall when Gagik Beglaryan was the mayor. He was discussed before the 2008 presidential elections when there was a leak of raw material for a famous campaign video, and everyone saw how Albert Azaryan and Grant Tokhatyan insulted Serzh Sargsyan and Yervand Zakaryan. At that time, the media reported that the video was filmed by Arakelyan, and the leaking was carried out by the shooting crew.

In those days, the 6th department gathered everyone who might be connected to the video. Ashot Arakelyan and several others were dismissed from their positions. After these events, in 2009, Arakelyan, alongside others, including French-Armenian Sevak Serobyan, founded 'Domino Video Productions.' In 2013, the company was fined for publishing false information and engaging in unfair competition.

We tried to confirm the information with Ashot Arakelyan. He denied some claims, confirmed others, and was unaware of others. For example, he did not know what the procedure was for being chosen for the September 21 program.

- Is it correct that your organization is responsible for the independence day events?

- Yes, that is correct.

- What amount are we discussing? Is it true that 1 billion dram is allocated for a single-source purchase?

- No, no, it's not an amount like that, nor a single-source purchase.

- You mentioned that you are the one to implement it. How were you chosen?

- Where did you get such figures? That's incorrect information. We were not chosen; we presented the program, and there are sponsors for the program. The government has not paid us.

- What kind of events will take place?

- There will be a concert program with a symphonic orchestra performing songs about Armenia's independence and value.

- Approximately what is the amount in question?

- It’s a commercial secret. Soon, you will also see the banners of sponsors, and you will see their logos.

- I want to clarify—did you work during Gagik Beglaryan's time?

- There has been cooperation.

- Were you involved in the famous Tokhatyan video?

- I have nothing to do with that. At that time, that was fabricated media information that had nothing to do with me.

Ashot Arakelyan stated that he knows Araik Harutyunyan, as he knows many others, but he does not have close relations with him. He has worked in this field for over ten years and has received numerous orders, as there are very few similar quality and experienced organizations like his in Armenia. He has implemented concert programs such as 'Gohar' and 'Stars of Armenia' and not only in Armenia. However, he was unable to say how many orders he has received from the government in the last three years and through what procedures. "The order from the Mine Clearance Agency was three-sided, implemented with an international organization; a tender was conducted, and our organization won, and in all other cases, a competition has been held. I see an intention in your questioning. You asked about the past. We submitted the September 21 program a long time ago, and it received approval for us to implement it. I don't know if other organizations have been involved or not." In other words, was there a competition or not? "I don't organize competitions; I presented it, and that's it."

PS: Two days ago, the Ministry of Health cut the state order for the treatment of wounded and disabled soldiers. Meanwhile, there is money for the holiday. But how much money, and how can this be kept secret from the public? After all, this is our common money, and when the amount is not disclosed, we can assume that our information corresponds to reality.