On May 29, 2022, the 22d annual concert of the Hamazkayin Sipan, Ani, and Giligia Dance Ensembles and the Nanor Children’s Dance Ensemble, under the direction on Krikor Keleshian, was held at the Strovolos Municipal Hall. The event was organized by the Hamazkayin Cyprus Oshagan Chapter.
The event was dedicated to the Melkonian Educational Institution. It was carried live on the chapter’s Facebook page, which allowed Melkonian alumni around the world to follow it.
The concert was held under the aegis of Annita Demetriou, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, and Vartkes Mahdessian, member of parliament for Armenians in Cyprus. A delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, led by Speaker Artur Tovmasyan, which happened to be in Cyprus at the time, was present.
In the first part of the program, the audience enjoyed fifteen dances. The theme of the second part was Melkonian. The Melkonian brothers Krikor and Garabed were represented on the stage. At first, they were conversing about starting an orphanage. Then, they gradually saw its founding and development. During their conversation, the Sipan ensemble would come in with various dances.
Later, longtime Melkonian music teacher Vahan Bedelian and his successor Sepouh Abkarian had a conversation. Bedelian’s actual violin was shown on stage. At the conclusion, the dance ensemble, under Abkarian’s direction, performed while the songs “Zartir Lao” and “Artyok ovker en” played.
There were tears of joy on the faces of many Melkonian alumni, who warmly thanked Hamazkayin and dance instructor Krikor Keleshian for this initiative.
