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PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 30, 2004

AGBU SPONSORS KARABAKH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
CONTINUES TRADITION OF PROMOTING PERFORMING ARTS

New York, NY – As part of AGBU’s ongoing mission to promote and
preserve the Armenian heritage and to encourage cultural life in
Karabakh, AGBU, responding to the request of the Karabakh government,
has agreed to sponsor a Chamber Orchestra in Karabakh.

Consisting of 26 members, the Orchestra will initially be housed at
the Musical College is Karabakh’s capital of Stepanakert. At first,
the Karabakh Chamber Orchestra will operate as a string orchestra with
19 musicians and will eventually expand to include brass and drums. In
a show of support, the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Armenian
Chamber Orchestra and the Serenade Chamber Orchestra will assist the
new Karabakh Orchestra with musical notes and publications. Rehearsals
are expected to commence in September 2004.

AGBU has long recognized the importance of the performing arts
throughout its history – in just the past year, the organization has
sponsored the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra in Armenia, the
production of Armenia State Opera’s “Anush” and Gayane Ballet, the
Zvart Operetta in California, and the special 100-year Aram
Khachaturian Anniversary tour with performances and lectures by Sahan
Arzruni.

“On behalf of the Central Board of AGBU, it is with a great sense of
pride and enthusiasm that we engage in this project to advance the
government’s call for cultural programs and revival,” said AGBU
President Berge Setrakian. “We look forward to the Chamber’s
successful debut,” Setrakian continued.

With the addition of the Chamber Orchestra, AGBU’s presence in
Karabakh continues to grow. In fact, AGBU recently opened an office
in Stepanakert to oversee its numerous projects including: the
AGBU-launched Norashen Centennial Project, which is currently helping
to rebuild and repopulate Karabakh; and the reconstruction of a
building to house the widows and veterans of the Karabakh war, as well
as Stepanakert School # 7, among others projects.

AGBU ( is the largest international, non-profit Armenian
organization in the world, and is dedicated to preserving and
promoting the Armenian heritage and culture through humanitarian,
educational, cultural and social programs that serve some 400,000
Armenians annually.