Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society
Greater Washington DC Chapter
4906 Flint Drive
Bethesda, MD 20816
hamazkayindc@yahoo.com

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:
Areg Abrahamian
Aabrahamian1@aol.com
hamazkayindc@yahoo.com

HAMAZKAYIN PARTNERS WITH KENNEDY CENTER TO SPONSOR NEW
YEARS ARMENIAN FOLK MUSIC CONCERT IN WASHINGTON

Performance Part of Hamazkayin Evening Dedicated to Supporting Young
Armenians in the Arts

Washington, D.C. – January 2, 2005 – The Hamazkayin Armenian
Educational and Cultural Society joined forces with the John
F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to sponsor a New Year’s
weekend performance of Armenian folk music on the Center’s Millenium
Stage. The concert was part of an evening organized by the Hamazkayin
Washington chapter dedicated to supporting young Armenians in the
performing and visual arts.

The Zulal Armenian A Capella Trio performed a range of songs
showcasing Armenia’s folk music heritage before a standing-room-only
audience of more than 600 Washingtonians gathered at the
world-renowned Kennedy Center. Using original arrangements of melodies
and harmonies, the group presented a repertoire of songs that drew on
the rich tradition of Armenia’s rural music, including songs such as
`Sari Siroon Yar’ and `Sareri Hovin Mernem.’

Following the concert, the Hamazkayin Washington chapter hosted a
photography exhibit titled `A Window to Armenia,’ featuring the works
of Arsineh Khachikian at the Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church
Hall. A Washington DC native, Ms. Khachikian shared with attendees a
photographic journey across Armenia’s mountains, villages and
people. The exhibit displayed more than 30 color and black and white
images depicting a range of subjects from panoramic landscapes to
poignant close-up portraits.

`By sponsoring such performances and exhibits, Hamazkayin is pleased
to help young Armenian artists gain increased exposure in the nation’s
capital,’ stated Maggie Simonian, chair of the Hamazkayin Washington
DC chapter. `Hamazkayin would like to thank the Kennedy Center for
opening their Millenium Stage to our organization as well as
acknowledge the Armenian Embassy for their collaboration in making
this event a success.’

Founded in 1928, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the
history and the cultural heritage of the Armenian nation. Hamazkayin
has chapters throughout the United States, Canada, South America,
Europe, the Middle East and Australia, as well as the Republic of
Armenia.

A recording of the concert featuring Zulal is available on the Kennedy
Center Website at: