PRESS RELEASE
Armenian General Benevolent Union Inc.
Viken L. Attarian
Chairman
805, Manoogian street
Ville St-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5
Tel: 514-748-2428
Fax: 514-748-6307
E-mail: agbumontreal@bellnet.ca
Website:

AGBU MONTREAL CENTENNIAL AUDIOVISUAL CULTURAL EVENT A MAJOR SUCCESS

Montreal, April 26, 2006 – On Saturday April 22, 2006 AGBU Montreal held its
second centennial celebration event with a unique artistic presentation
entitled A Harmonic Synthesis of Armenian Poems and Music, an audio visual
libretto, produced and directed by Khatchig I. Pilikian of London, England.

Close to 200 attendees had filled the AGBU Jirair and Elise Dervishian hall
and were treated to a unique artistic event of exceptionally high caliber.
AGBU chairman, Viken L. Attarian made the introduction, stressing the
dedication of the event to the memory of the 1.5 million martyrs of the
Armenian people; he highlighted the historical contribution of the AGBU to
the well-being of the survivors of the Genocide, and to the subsequent
rebirth of our nation. He also thanked the major sponsors, as well as the
president of the event, Dr. Sarkis Yeretsian.

The production included a slide presentation from a selection of Armenian
artistic works, paintings, architecture and photographs as well as rare
photographic records depicting the victims of the Armenian Genocide by the
German medical officer Armin Wagner. The music was a synthesis of Armenian
composers’ work as well folkloric songs and chants. Prof. Pilikian also
sang acapella some mediaeval Armenian songs such as the lament of Mogats
Mirzeh and the lament of the Braves of Sassoun.

The poetic readings were performed by prof. Pilikian and several talented
local young Montrealers, who were Ani Tanielian, Shoushanig Melkonian,
Hermineh Bechakjian, Mary Pashayan, Shahe Tanashian, Rafael Khatchadourian,
as well as the very young Ashod Hovhannesian and Sevan Rezian.

At the conclusion of the presentation, a large stage-sized map of historic
Armenia was covered by the participants with red carnations, in all the
areas of the killing fields of the Genocide.

A special publication of the content of the libretto and a poster of
historical depictions of Armenia on various world maps from ancient times
(1000 B.C. until the map of modern Armenia and Artsakh) were made available
to the attending audience.

On Wednesday, the 26th of April, prof. Pilikian gave a special lecture
analyzing the content of the Harmonic Synthesis, to an appreciating audience
of the AGBU Montreal Armenian Studies program. During the lecture, the
attendees had the opportunity to ask specific questions on the selection of
the artistic works as well as to comment on the literary content of the
presentation.

For further information, please contact the AGBU at 514-748-2428 or visit
the website at