PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
April 27, 2010
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AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL, MARTYRS DAY IS HONORED THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC,
AND DRAWS HOPE FROM SORROW
"Requiem and Resurrection," a concert of remembrance on the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide, was held in the sanctuary of New York’s St. Vartan
Cathedral on Friday, April 23, as part of the Diocese’s commemoration of the
milestone.
Some 800 people gathered for the event, including Ambassador Garen Nazarian,
Armenia’s representative to the United Nations, along with other dignitaries
and diplomats from U.N. member nations.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America, presided and officiated at the requiem service that began
the evening.
The concert featured works by Komitas, Khachaturian, and others, as
performed by pianist Karine Poghosyan, the Merlin Virtuosi string quartet,
and the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir under the direction of Maestro Khoren
Mekanejian.
Ms. Poghosyan received a standing ovation for her stirring performance of
Khachaturian’s Piano Sonata (1961). "She made a jaw-dropping impression,"
commented master pianist Sahan Arzruni of Ms. Poghosyan’s performance. "The
three-movement Khachaturian Sonata-a rarely performed composition-is a real
tour-de-force for the virtuoso pianist. Technically pristine, Ms. Poghosyan
brought out the driven qualities of the outer movements, and the
heart-rending beauty of the middle section."
Soloists Vagharshak Ohanyan, Anahit Zakarian, Anoush Barclay, Hasmig
Meikhanedjian, and Maro Partamian also moved the audience with their
renderings of Armenian choral pieces, with the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir
lending a beautifully balanced texture and precision of tone.
The event was sponsored through the generosity of the Edward and Grace
Alexanian Fund. Floral crosses-donated by Adrienne Alexanian in memory of
her parents and grandparents-were displayed on trees surrounding St. Vartan
Cathedral.
The concert was organized by creative directors Karine Poghosyan and Maestro
Khoren Mekanejian, and the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan
Cathedral.
"We see such horrors even today"
In formal remarks to the audience after the concert, Armenia’s UN Ambassador
Nazarian noted the importance of bringing to an end Turkey’s policy of
denial of the Armenian Genocide, emphasizing the important role played by
the international community and the diaspora in this effort.
He also stressed that it is important for the international community to be
committed to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide and other international treaties on human rights, and to press
Turkey to respect the provisions of these documents.
Failure to recognize the Genocide "resulted in untold suffering for millions
others during and after World War II," Ambassador Nazarian said. To the
audience, and especially to his colleagues in the diplomatic community,
Ambassador Nazarian said he saw them all as a coalition "committed to
education aimed at the eradication, once and for all, of racism, xenophobia,
and the prevention of genocides."
The ambassador affirmed that "Throughout their history, Armenians have
experienced intolerance over and over again." But genocide was not something
that ended in the remote past: the events of 1915 find echoes in the news of
today, and "we see such horrors even today in different parts of the world."
Appealing to his diplomatic colleagues, he said: "Today the international
community is not responsible for such crimes [of genocide]. But we are
responsible for not recognizing that crime."
The story of a miracle
To close the dignified commemoration at the Diocesan Center, Archbishop
Barsamian thanked the Ambassador and visiting diplomats, the artists and
organizers, the Alexanian Fund, and the audience for taking part in the
evening’s tribute.
He reflected on the significance of observing Armenian Martyrs Day in
church-under the great Christian symbol of suffering and redemption: the
Cross.
"As we pray for the peace of our martyrs’ souls, we must also remember that
the surviving Armenians rebuilt their lives, raised families, and lived
creative lives of contribution and dignity. And they succeeded in preserving
our Armenian Christian identity," he said.
"It’s truly the story of a miracle-and we must be grateful to God for
letting us be a part of that miracle."
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: Some 800 people gathered at St. Vartan Cathedral on April 23 for a
concert of remembrance on the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Photo 2: The Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian during the requiem service
held before the concert at St. Vartan Cathedral on April 23.
Photo 3: St. Nersess seminarians take part in the requiem service held
before the concert at St. Vartan Cathedral on April 23.
Photo 4: The Merlin Virtuosi string quartet performs at St. Vartan Cathedral
on April 23.
Photo 5: Pianist Karine Poghosyan performs Khachaturian’s Piano Sonata
(1961).
Photo 6: The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Maestro
Khoren Mekanejian, performs Armenian choral pieces.
Photo 7: Armenia’s UN Ambassador Garen Nazarian reflected on the global
repercussions of the Armenian Genocide in remarks after the concert.
Photo 8: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian spoke about the significance of
observing Armenian Martyrs Day in church-under the great Christian symbol of
suffering and redemption: the Cross.