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 www.agbumontreal.org