On September 25, choirs, dance ensembles and individual performers from Armenia, Artsakh and 12 other countries participated in the gala concert of the “We Sing Komitas” Festival, which is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and was held as part of the Pan-Armenian Cultural Festival organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora at Komitas Chamber Music Hall.
The event began with the song “Patriarchal Wish” by Istanbul’s “Lusavorich” Choir, which performed under the direction of artistic director Hagop Mamikonian.
Armenian and foreign musicians performed the songs of Komitas.
Sona Talyan from Frankfurt performed the song “Seven Songs for the Piano”, after which Tamara Bezludova from Estonia performed the song “Yerkinkn Ampel A”, Hakob Babayan from Artsakh performed the song “Series of Songs”, Tatevik Gevorgyan performed the song “Krunk”, Lebanese-Armenian performer Shoghig Torosian performed Komitas’s song “Antuni”, and Sat Trio performed the song “Khorhurd Khorin”.
The “Vaspurik” Theater of Marionettes performed “Shogher Jan”.
Armavir Dance Ensemble performed the dance “Al Aylukhs”.
The “anthem” for the emotions of every Armenian, that is, “Dle Yaman”, was performed by Leman Stein, who is of Turkish descent and is from Hamburg, Germany.
The “Aghbyur” (Source) Choir of the Alexander Mantashov Educational, Cultural and Youth Center of the Georgian-Armenian Diocese in Batumi performed the song “Hov Arek, Sarer Jan”.
The song “Alagyaz, Es Arun” was performed by Tsaghkazard Choir of Araratian Patriarchal Diocese, followed by the song “Khumar Parke” by the Surp Grigor Lusavorich choir of Vladikavkaz, the song “Im Chinari Yare” by the Nerses Shnorhali Choir of the Hayartun Cultural Center of the Georgian-Armenian Diocese and the song “Maral-Maral” by Yerevan Choir of the Athletic Union of Amman. The “Bells” Choir from the Armenian-populated village of Chaltir in the Myasnikyan District of Rostov region of the Russian Federation performed the song “Sona Yar”.
Shaheh Keshishian’s Ovsanna Choir, which comprises Syrian and Armenian singers, performed the songs “Yar Jan, Ari”, “Ay Sirun Kakav” and “Aghji Maran”.
Athens-based guitarist Hagop Kolanian performed Komitas’s songs “Marali”, “Unabi” and “Vaspurakan”.
The song “Garun A” was performed by Swedish-Armenian singer Karine Helman-Gevorgyan, thanks to whom Swedish singers often include Komitas’s song in their repertoires. Swedish singer Vilund Ann-Christine sang the song “Kanche Krunk”.
The participation of Japanese performers in the festivals devoted to Komitas has already become a nice tradition. Karen Israelyan and Japanese harp player Ulala Ioune performed the songs “Tsirani Tsar” and “Keler Tsoler”.
The concert ended with a performance by the vocal quintet from Garni.
In the end, RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan greeted the participants and expressed his gratitude on behalf of RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan. He attached importance to the continuation of the festivals devoted to Komitas and mentioned that this was the second festival devoted to Komitas following the first one held in 2013 with the title “Komitas Vardapet”.
“It’s not by chance that our events are devoted to the Great Komitas. It’s also not by chance that this festival is entitled “We Sing Komitas”. A hundred years ago, the Turks tried to silence the Great Composer and the call of the spirit of the Armenians, but they erred. Today, we sing Komitas, meaning Komitas has returned, and he is capturing the world and the hearts of people with his breathtaking melodies. His songs will put an end to the past and ongoing crimes, that is, genocides. The art of Komitas is the path towards the unity of all Armenians and preservation of the Armenian identity, which paves the way for new creations and revelations for us Armenian artists and foreign artists. As Pluz Yerznkatsi said, ‘the beginning of art is admiration’. Today, we admired the melodies of Komitas. Thank you,” the RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora particularly mentioned.
Serzh Srapionyan granted certificates of participation to Istanbul-Armenian composer Mazhak Toshikian, artistic director of Istanbul’s “Lusavorich” Choir Hagop Mamikonian and Armavir’s Armavir Dance Ensemble.
