The concert, sponsored by the Armenian Genocide’s Centennial Committee of Canada and the "Sanahin" Chapter of Hamazkayin Toronto, in cooperation with "Gladzor" Chapter of Hamazkayin Canada, took place on Saturday, 21 November 2015, at 8 pm, at luxurious ″Marguerite Bourgeois″ Hall of ″Regina Assumpta″ College in Montreal.
Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, His Grace Bishop Meghrig Parikian and clerical fathers were among the guests. The head of “Folklore Canada″ Ki Lantri and his wife were also present at the event.
Tamar Shahinian delivered the opening speech in French and Armenian in the name of the Executive Board of “Sanahin" Chapter. She thanked the Regional Executive Board of Hamazkayin Canada, which had initiated the unprecedented performance. It was the first joint concert of the dance troupes, and it will certainly have continuation. "Ani" Dance Ensemble will participate in the concert of "Erebuni" in Toronto soon.
Then, Chair of the Centennial Committee of Canada Mher Karakashian made a speech and said that our cause of recognition has turned into claims. ″We demand our occupied lands, retribution of rights and elimination of consequences″. Mher Karakashian appreciated the Regional Executive Board of Hamazkayin Canada and thanked the Committees and ensembles saying, ″As long as more than ninety young people dance not only as representatives of culture, but also as Armenians, we shall certainly be able to defend the survivor generation’s rights and have united Armenia″.
The theme of the dances in the first part of the program was "The Flying Sorrow”. The artistic director of “Ani", Eva Hayrapetyan has been conducting the ensemble since 1995 always refreshing the repertoire of the ensemble with new dances. "Ani" performed also modern dances reminding the nation’s sorrow such as "Abandonment ", "Do not take me away", "The Flying Sorrow", "Kochari", "Serenade", "Confession" "Inspiration" and "For the Souls of Dead ". All of those dances perfectly express the tragic past of our people but also leave hope for better future.
The performance was exceptional and the dancers’ professionalism was obvious. Marie Hovhannisian’s self-confident and skillful dancing when she performed three solo dances was appreciable.
The expressive and symbolic dances expressed grief, inspiration and revival and were followed by the musical piece ″Lord, Have Mercy″ performed by a trio in a very impressive way, showing our people’s unyielding will and faith. The costumes of the artists were accordant and exceptive.
After twenty minutes of break, during which the guests were treated, the "Erebuni" Dance Ensemble started its performance. The artistic director of the ensemble is Lori Najarian. The theme of the second part was "Nation’s Spirit". The Armenian dances " My Native Home", "Haykazuns", "Dele Yaman," "Tamzara", "Merik Merik", "Pomegranates’ Dance", "Cilicia", "Our Way" and "We are Armenians" thrilled and inspired the audience.
The performance of the brave and intrepid dancers took us to our own native land, inspired us, and made us feel the Armenian spirit even far from homeland and on foreign shores. Lori Najarian delivered a unique performance of "Pomegranates’ Dance". The "Merik Merik" dance was the mix of modern and traditional. During the performance of some dances, pictures of homeland were displayed on the screen hung above the stage. The film telling about the history of the "Erebuni" Ensemble was also displayed on the screen.
At the end, Ms. Tamar Shahinian invited the Committee members, assistants, representatives of ″Gladzor″ and ″Sanahin″ Executive Boards and the two dance instructors to the stage. They received beautiful bouquets and ovation.
Holy Father made a speech and ended the unprecedented concert saying that the young Armenians’ dances prove that our nation will survive ever after. He encouraged the boys and girls saying, "You are our heroes of today, you are the flying up spirit of our nation".
Atom and Seda Malkhasians, whose grandfather Garabed Malkhasian was one of the founders of the Hamazkayin Society, and whose all family members actively participate in the life of Hamazkayin, donated ten thousand dollars to the Society strongly believing that our dances have noble mission, and they serve to the Armenian Cause .
Right after the concert, both troupes were invited to the Armenian Center by the Executive Board of “Sanahin" Chapter to take part in the regale, which lasted until morning. The joyful party once again showed the Hamazkayin great family’s unity spirit and optimism.
Sona Titizian Ketikian
