The Hamazkayin Nicosia “Oshagan” Chapter dedicated its cultural evening of February 24, 2023, to the late, great sculptor from Armenia Ara Harutyunyan, on the occasion of his 95th birthday. The 40 or so guests included Archbishop Khoren Doghramadjian, the pontifical vicar for the Diocese of Cyprus; Vartkes Mahdessian, member of parliament for Armenians in Cyprus; and Martiros Minasyan, honorary consul of the Republic of Armenia in Limassol.
Chapter Executive Board chairperson Arto Tavitian opened the evening by noting that the sculptor’s 95th birthday coincided with Hamazkayin’s 95th anniversary. He invited to the stage Iris Yedalian, who described the life and work of the sculptor in a beautifully prepared presentation.
The honoree’s daughter Syuzanna Harutyunyan told stories from her father’s life. She described various sculptures, shown on the screen. These include the monumental statue Mother Armenia that is an unmistakable part of Yerevan’s skyline; the Sardarabad Memorial Complex, sculptures adorning the entrances of the Erebuni Museum and the Sundukian Theater, the Musa Ler Memorial Complex, and others.
She focused on the odyssey of the conceptualization and development of the Mother Armenia sculpture and the efforts that went into making it. A video clip included the honoree’s voice.
Syuzanna Harutyunyan received warm applause as well as the thanks of the sponsors.
