More than 70 years after leaving his birthplace, Lebanon and settling in Armenia, world famous Armenian composer Tigran Mansurian is back to the country these days to be hosted by the Lebanese Armenian community upon the invitation of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

On Wednesday, 13 February, Mansurian held a meeting with Lebanese Armenian art lovers at Levon Shant Cultural Center, Aztag Daily reports.

The renowned musician, who most recently celebrated his 80th birthday, expressed great joy to be back in his birth country, sharing memories from the past 70 years of his life.

“I have never betrayed any episode, chapter of my past,” Mansurian said.

He told the attendees how he grew up in the Armenian town of Artik, where people are strict but have sensitive souls, which has greatly influenced his life. The composer said the collapse of the Soviet Union opened up a whole new world for him, where he also succeeded.

“Although I have followed international avant-garde music, I have never forgotten that I have a home the host of which is Komitas,” the maestro said.