"Nor Harach" Newspaper – On Sunday 17 April 2016, at the beautiful and spacious Amphithéatre Berlioz of Le Palais des Congrès d'Issy of Issy-le-Moulineaux, more than 800 people enjoyed Noune Yessayan’s concert organized by the Hamazkayin Paris Branch, "Tarkmanchats" School of Hamazkayin and Homenetmen France. The concert was initiated by the native singer Noune Yessayan, and it was the last (15th) concert in the range of concerts dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide organized in the four corners of the world. The proceeds from the concert will be donated to the benevolent goal appointed by the community. In case of France, the concert will be held for the benefit of Hamazkayin’s "Tarkmanchats" Bilingual School of Issy-le-Moulineaux.
Hourig Baghdasarian delivered the opening speech of the event in the name of three structures, which organized the event. First, she thanked N. Yessayan for her amicable and voluntary participation, then, she welcomed Mayor of Issy, Andre Santini, Mayor of Menton, Hervé Marseille and Mayor of Vanves, Bernard Gauducheau, vice-mayors and municipal advisors, Arthur Khanjian, Bernard de Garer, Arda Kalayjian, Jacqueline Minassian and Pascal Vrtanesyan, RA Embassy representatives, Vahagn Atabekian, military attaché Garegin Margarian and Consul Narine Nikolian, co-president of CCAF, Murad Papazian, clergy from churches of Paris and Alfortville, Rev.Fr. Husik Sargsyan and Rev. Fr.Tirayr Gelechian and from Evangelical Church Rev. Joel Mikaelian, Chair of National Association of Former Armenian Fighters and Resistant, Antoine Bagdikian, representatives of community organizations and media, as well as the rest of the audience in the overcrowded hall.
Mrs. Baghdasarian said that the event itself is unique because three associations have united their efforts around one single goal for the first time, and second, 100 years later, more than ever, we demand the recognition of Genocide, as its impunity causes new atrocities to Artsakh, where our soldiers are heroically fighting now. Speaking about education and school issues, the speaker said, "Schooling, knowledge and respect towards others are the only stronghold against violence. Only through teaching and upbringing we can establish democracy." Then she thanked the vice-mayor of Issy, Arthur Khanjian, which had made great contribution to the successful implementation of this project and is the best representative of the Armenian community in the municipality. Mrs. Baghdasarian also praised Mayor Andre Santini, which has always supported the "Tarkmanchats" Bilingual School of Hamazkayin, which exists today due to his efforts and support. Hourig Baghdasarian also appreciated the work of the founder of the 20-year-old college, Easter Aslanian, the administrative and parental councils and all volunteers. She was pleased to announce that the college has strengthened after joining the Hamazkayin Society, which was founded in1928 and has 46 regional branches in the world and four bilingual schools, two of which are in France.
The Hamazkayin "Tarkmanchats" enjoys also the patronage of the Armenian General Gymnastic Union (Homenetmen), which was founded in Istanbul in 1918 and has 103 chapters and 26,000 members.
"The Hamazkayin "Tarkmanchats" School is progressing and will continue to progress and improve in future."- said Hourig Baghdasarian in Armenian and invited the guests to visit the school, meet the staff of teachers and the management and urged the parents to enrol their children in school next year.
Then, she invited Mayor Andre Santini to the stage.
Andre Santini as always expressed his support to the Armenian community and condemned Azerbaijan for the attack against the peaceful population of Karabakh. He also severely criticized all those countries that sell arms to Azerbaijan. Then, he offered to hold a moment of silence in memory of soldiers who perished in Artsakh. Mayor also praised the Armenian organizations, which always get united in difficult periods to help their compatriots. He finished his speech by wishing long life to Armenia, Artsakh and France. On the stage, Mayor was accompanied by Arthur Khanjyan and the school principal Vazgen Dedeyan. Finally, Noune Yessayan came to the stage and performed a selection of Armenian songs.
Each song was accompanied by pictures, which were displayed on the screen of the stage. They were symbolizing our Homeland, Armenia, Artsakh, also Ani with its dilapidated churches, poetry such as the birth of Vahagn, Sayat Nova and Gomidas, the freedom fighters, Genocide victims, Tsitsernakaberd with its eternal fire and eventually, the soldiers heroically defending the borders of Karabakh. The boys and girls of "Navasart" Dance Ensemble performed dances during the singer’s national, patriotic and revolutionary songs adding a unique luster to the concert.
The entire audience, young and old, spontaneously started to sing with the singer. Noune, with her captivating voice and deep feelings, performed the song dedicated to Sosse, "Ball Thundered", "De le Yaman", "Ardyok Ovker en", " The Brave Boy from Agulis ", "Kele Lao", "Hoy Nazan", "Tamam Ashkharh","Kyamancha" and "Wake up Lao"․ Surrounded by children, Homenetmen Scouts and "Navasart" Dance Ensemble, Noune Yessayan performed her new song "We are, shall exist and will flourish". She said to the people, "We should cherish these children, because they are our future generation." In the end, the audience stood and sang "Our Homeland" along with Noune, while the tricolor flag was waving on the screen.
Note that Noune Yessayan’s CDs and DVDs are made available to purchasers, and the generated proceeds, as it was told by the singer, will be completely allocated to Artsakh soldiers. Many appreciations to the organizers, due to which the audience enjoyed an impressive Armenian concert full of unique and joyful moments.
M.L.
