Québécois and Armenian Artists Take the Stage in Montreal

From 8 to 10 pm on Oct. 1, Québécois and Armenian artists will be coming together for a gala concert in Montreal, Canada, according to the concert site.

According to the website, Montreal mayor Gérald Tremblay paid a visit to Armenia in Oct. 2010, during which time a bilateral agreement was signed with former Yerevan mayor Gagik Beglaryan to make Montreal and Yerevan sister cities. The agreement was set up to facilitate tourism, as well as technical and economic cooperation between the two cities. Furthermore, when Mr. Tremblay returned to Montreal, he declared October the month of Armenia.

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Urban project: First ‘Yerevan’s smile’ appears in city center

The “Smile, Yerevan” project was launched today in the Armenian capital, its first ‘beneficiary’ being the mosaic reproduction of Martiros Saryan’s painting “My yard” was unveiled today on the facade of a residential building in Saryan Street.

“Smile, Yerevan” is a project initiated by a group of artists, architects and entrepreneurs, within which mosaic reproductions of prominent Armenian painters’ works on the walls of dwellings in Yerevan. The project is also planning installation of vases, benches, and garbage bins.

As part of the project the building of Romanos Melikyan’s music school is decorated by notes and a giant conductor, authored by sculptor David Minasyan, a residential building in Tpagrichner Street (Publishers’ Street) now bears a mosaic by the motifs of artist Albert Hakobyan’s pieces.  Read more... (741 words)

Golden Talent 2011: Armenian singer declared best vocalist

Armenian singer Lilit Hovhannisyan has been recognized the best vocalist in the Golden Talent 2011 international music contest heldin Batumi, Georgia.

Hovhannisyan who won the fifth place has also been also awarded the jury’s special prize.

Topping the list of participant countries were Georgia and Moldova which won the first and second places, respectively.

Following the first two days of the concert, the Armenian participant was in the second place.

Golden Talent 2011 also brought together participants from Estonia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Azerbiajan, Belarus, Moldova, Malaysia, Thailand, Lithuania, Spain, Ukraine Italy, Great Britain, Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Slovenia.

Overall, 18 countries were represented in the contest.  Read more... (148 words)

Charles Aznavour Suggests a Different Word for ‘Genocide’

The Armenian lobby in France has stepped up pressure on French-Armenian musician Charles Aznavour for recent remarks in which he expressed uneasiness over the use of word Genocide for the World War I-era killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks, reports Today’s Zaman.

Aznavour has become the target of harsh criticism from Armenian groups in France since he said during a television program on Sunday that “the word genocide disturbs him.”

“A different word should be found to reopen the Turkish-Armenian border and to [facilitate] dialogue with Turks,” the chansonnier said during a TV program titled “Vivement Dimanche” and aired on France 2. He also expressed a wish to visit Turkey, referring to Turks as “good people.”  Read more... (143 words)

“ArmenTel” supports launching of musical project

“ArmenTel” (Beeline trademark) and the Classical Music Development Foundation launched today a long-term cooperation project, thanks to which cello classes will be opened in Armenia’s different regions.

Within the framework of the project a number of concerts and master-classes of Aram Khachaturyan trio will be performed; the most talented pupils will receive a scholarship.

“Being the largest national operator of Armenia, “ArmenTel” realizes its role in upbringing the young talents who can continue the best traditions of the Armenian classical music,” “ArmenTel” Director General Igor Klimko said.

Source: Armenia Now – Originial Article

Marmashen Monastery Needs Some Tender Loving Care

Our little group somehow traversed the long neglected road to the equally neglected 10th century Marmashen Monastery perched atop the Akhurian River gorge a few kilometres northwest of Gyumri.

We had come by car and I could only imagine the trek on foot that awaited pilgrims of an earlier age.

Approaching the monastic complex of four churches, the now familiar strains of “a la Turkish” music being played by yet another group of party goers pierced our ears.

It seems that this tranquil and spiritual site has become a favourite pilgrimage site for “kefchi” picnickers as well ever since Armenia declared its independence.

The monastery lies 2 kilometres from the village of Vahramaberd.  Read more... (548 words)

Armenia’s anthem to have new musical arrangement

Armenia’s national anthem will be re-recorded with a new musical arrangement, a Ministry of Culture official has said.

Speaking to Tert.am, Sona Harutyunyan, the head of the Department of Contemporary Art, said that the applications for the contest have already been reviewed.

According to her, in principle this contest differs from the previous one.

“In this case neither the words are changed, nor the music. What is meant is a contest of a new type of recording with ensemble and orchestra,” said Harutyunyan.

Further, she said that everything is already ready for the contest. They will only wait for some commission member to return from holidays, she added.

“The contest will start in September,” she said.  Read more... (171 words)

Will ‘pop music diplomacy’ delay war in a long, bitter Azerbaijan-Armenia land dispute?

Azerbaijan is set to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, an American Idol-type show watched by 125 million European TV viewers this year, when the little-known country was the surprise winner. But will the expressed willingness of Azerbaijan to let its arch-enemy Armenia take part in the 2012 competition produce a breakthrough, where international negotiators and military threats have failed? Will “pop music diplomacy” postpone a war, thanks to an Armenian singer named Lucia Moon?

The answer to the first question is probably not, given the still-heated climate of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations after the failure of recent internationally-led talks. The Israelis and Palestinians seem closer to okaying a return to 1967 borders than Azerbaijan and Armenia – two former Soviet bloc countries – are to settling their dispute over the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh, an area the size of Delaware in the Southern Caucasus neighbored by Georgia, Turkey and Iran.  Read more... (995 words)

Innovative Musical Exchange Program Coming to Armenia

Traveling Notes, a cultural exchange program for young musicians, is coming to Armenia starting August 13.

One of the most important aspects of Armenian culture is its music. Many of the country’s classical music interpreters and composers have reached international recognition.

Traveling Notes will form a full symphonic orchestra with highly talented young musicians from different parts of the world, who will study and perform together during twelve days of superior music making.

The program includes full orchestra rehearsals, sectionals, master classes, a chamber music workshop, as well as several concerts in a variety of venues and for very divergent audiences, including disadvantaged children. The international faculty with top professionals and experienced educators from different countries will ensure a fantastic learning experience for all participants.  Read more... (138 words)