ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF ESTONIA PLANS TO ACTIVIZE ARMENIAN-ESTONIAN CULTURAL CONTACTS

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
community of Estonia did much work in the past years to present
Armenian culture in that country and Estonian culture in Armenia.

Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed about it by Arsen Klian,
the Chairman of the International Union of Painters functioning in
Tallinn, the Founding Director of the Private Art School.

He said that Armenian culture and national cuisine are periodically
presented in Tallinn within the framework of the City’s Day annual
festival, Armenian painters present their works at exhibitions
organized by the International Union of Painters and other
exhibitions. However, according to A. Klian, the most important
achievement in promotion of Armenian culture is that Estonian Chamber
Choir presents Armenian sacred song in Armenian at concerts, as well
as has recorded a compact disk of Armenian church psalms.

According to A. Klian’s information, over 2 000 Armenians live in
Estonia, mostly in the cities of Tallinn and Tartu. An Armenian
Apostolic Church functions in the capital city, the mother tongue is
taught at the above mentioned Art School. More than 50 children take
part in art and Armenian language courses.

The cultural figure is convinced that Armenian community’s cooperation
with the RA Ministry of Diaspora will contribute to implementation of
programs aimed at preservation of Armenian identity and development
of Armenian-Estonian cultural contacts.

The painter said that on the basis of three kept portraits of great
Armenian enlightener Khachatur Abovian he and his mother, Anahit Klian
created a new portrait each. Anahit Klian gave her canvas to Tartu
(formerly Dorpat) University where the enlightener had studied and
Arsen Klian gave the portrait to Yerevan K. Abovian House-Museum. The
artist has painted portraits of Estonia’s, Finland’s political figures,
Russian and Armenian variety stars. In early November he organized
his first personal exhibition in the homeland, in addition to many
personal exhibitions organized in other countries. Painter’s second,
larger Yerevan exhibition will be held by late 2009 at Arno Babajanian
concert hall’s lobby.