An evening dedicated to the legacy of Armenian writer Hovhannes Toumanian took place on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 8:30 p.m., at the K. and H. Armenian Hall of Hamazkayin’s Levon Shant Center in Bourj Hammoud. The evening was organized by the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon.
Silva Kurkjian delivered the opening speech on behalf of the Hamazkayin Regional Committee. She said that through this event the audience would have the opportunity to be transported to the world of Hovhannes Toumanian, full of tales, poems, and fables.
The young facilitator and presenter of the event was Serouj Hovsepian. Kourken Papazian narrated two tales by Toumanian. Some of the attendees volunteered to read quatrains by Toumanian. Afterwards, a group of children staged “The Death of Gigos” (“Gigosi Mahe”).
Next, it was Arin Kalousdian’s turn to recite a poem; she read “The Capture of Tmpgapert” (“Tmpgaperti Aroume”). Carmen Adjemian, a Lebanese-Armenian singer, performed “The Farewell” (“Hrajeshde”). Afterwards, a group recited “Old Blessing” (“Hin Orhnoutioun”).
Through a projection, Nora Tashjian presented different sections of the Hovhannes Toumanian Museum in Yerevan. Actor and director Vartan Mgrdichian presented “The Liar” (“Soudasane”), “A Drop of Honey” (“Gatil me Meghr”), and “The Lying Hunter” (“Soudlig Vosgane”) through solo performances.
The event was concluded with the audience singing “With My Fatherland” (“Hayrenikis Hed”), accompanied by Carmen Adjemian.