PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
April 10, 2006
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ARMENIAN SCHOOL PROGRAM MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF ALPHABET
They took the stage with pride on Saturday, March 18, 2006, celebrating not
just an historic anniversary, but also an entire culture.
Dedicated to the 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian
alphabet, students from New York’s Khrimian Lyceum program of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) performed in “Dagh oo Daghant”, a
showcase of Armenian language, culture, performance, and fine arts.
The Khrimian Lyceum is a monthly educational program for graduates of local
parish Armenian schools. In addition to the program in New York City, the
Diocese offers Khrimian Lyceum sessions in Boston and Chicago. Along with
teaching Armenian language and history, the program also focuses on
expanding the students’ cultural and artistic expression, as well as other
public-speaking and leadership skills.
“These are the young leaders who will be tomorrow’s Armenian community
leaders and professionals, painters and singers, dancers and musicians,”
said Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian, the Diocese’s coordinator of Armenian
studies who oversees the program. “To see their confidence grow as they go
before a crowd, speaking and singing in Armenian, is wonderful. It shows
their true dedication to the Armenian culture.”
More than 150 friends, family, and community members attended the evening of
poetry, song, dance, music, and theater. Also on display were student
drawings and paintings inspired by the work of Toros Roslin and Ayvazovsky,
thanks to art teacher Susan Kirby.
Two young students, Lori Khrimian and Laurie Dabaghian, were mistresses of
ceremonies for the evening. The program featured a choir of young singers,
conducted by Maro Partamian, and accompanied by Florence Avakian on the
piano, with soloists Anita Apanossian and Markrete Krikorian. Rosine
Ghichlian and Nayad Manukian read poems in Armenian about their living
native tongue. Deanna Gulmezian played “Vagharshabadi bar” on the piano.
The students performed two traditional Armenian dances, under the guidance
of dance instructor Nayra Lazarian and with thanks to the Shushi Dance
Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral, which provided costumes.
There was also a theatrical presentation based on Goriun’s “Vark Mashdots,”
directed by Vartan Garniki and featuring performances by Nayad Marukian,
Lori Khrimian, Sareen Jebejian, and Christine Shahian. The story traced the
invention of the alphabet from Mesrob Mashdots to the spread of Christianity
throughout Armenia.
Khrimian Lyceum teachers also performed, with Shakeh Kadehjian reciting
readings in Armenian and Maro Partamian singing songs by Gomidas.
— 4/10/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Students from the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum in New York
City recite in Armenian during Dagh oo Daghant, the talent show held at the
Diocesan Center on March 18, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Maro Partamian, one of the instructors of the Khrimian
Lyceum, leads a chorus of young singers during Dagh oo Daghant.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): The instructors of the Khrimian Lyceum, the Diocesan
educational program for graduates of local Armenian schools.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
