There can’t be any significant progress in our life without hard work. What we do becomes more meaningful and the future success is guaranteed if we strive for it collectively and contribute to it individually, and share everything we have. After all, as Tekeyan said, we still have what we give to others. The Tsaghkunq musical evening organized by the Gladzor Chapter of Hamazkayin was a celebration of mutual love, confidence, respect, ″rise and help to rise″, and of our united efforts. It bridged the professional, talented artists and the promising young ones and was the result of their months’ or even years’ work. Tsaghkunq was their Native Home, the Cherry blossom, love and peace, survival, hope and light coming from the past and going to future. We really enjoyed on those festive days leaving aside all our troubles.
On Saturday, December 16, 2017, the theater hall of the Hamazkayin Armenian Youth Center was full of Armenian and foreign guests who were carefully reading the program list, which included classical, lyrical, and folk songs in the Armenian, English, French, Italian, Russian languages. The performances were accompanied by the piano, duduk and kanon music, as well as dances by graceful Armenian girls. No need to say that we anticipated having a magnificent, rich and diverse evening.
Soloist Minne Tsaturian developed her immense love and interest towards singing being a member of the Hamazkayin Armenian Stars Choir. She achieved brilliant results participating in the contests of the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her vocal teacher is conductor Hripsime Tovmasyan. A 12th grade student Minne has already won a number of awards and has given many solo performances.
Some of the adult soloists of the Armenian Stars Choir that have always impressed the audience with their harmonious vocal talent and beautiful voices, were going to join Minne on the stage. One of them was Sevak Haroutiunian, honored by the audience for his unique voice and impressive interpretations. The other was Levon Karagyulian, born in Aleppo and recently settled in Toronto. Levon has already participated in our many events enriching the program and charming the audience with his beautiful voice.
The next participant of the program was the kanon player Matiana Torosian. She has also participated in our cultural events and has greatly charmed the audience.
Our thousands years old purely Armenian instrument duduk in the hands of Seyran Ghazaryan gave a new charm to the fabulous musical evening.
The next was the professional pianist Talin Artinian Gelebozian whose solo performances and accompaniments have fascinated us over the years. The graceful girls of the Erebuni Dance Ensemble of Hamazkayin, directed by choreographer Arevik Martirosian, gave an additional fragrance to Tsaghkunq.
We are so lucky to have a talented pianist and accompanist such as Vanik Hovhannesian who exerts every effort for the success of the Hamazkayin Armenian Stars and Gusan choirs. The director and founder of Tsaghkunq Hripsime Tovmasyan, being a talented, professional conductor and experienced vocal trainer, spares no efforts to ensure the success of the Hamazkayin Armenian Star and Gusan choirs․
After Tamar Donabedian Kuzuian’s bilingual and comprehensive opening speech, the red velvet curtain was lifted. The stage decoration made by Arpi Gatrjian displayed a fabulous scene, the moon in the blue sky, Charents Arch, and both big and small peaks of Massis.
The audience greeted the pianist Talin Artinian Gilipozian and soloist Minne Tsaturian with applauses.
After the first two short performances (vocalise), they performed the songs Let there be peace on earth, Già La Notte S’avvicina, Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, Old Irish blessing, Empty chairs at empty tables, after which they sang Ave Maria. After each song, the audience heartily applauded the performers․ It was hard to believe that the young girl in a red long dress with such beautiful voice is the former Armenian star Minne.
The Makhmour Girl gave a new breath to the performance. Kanon player Matiana Torosian, pianist Talin Artinian Gilipozian, soloist Minne Tsaturian and the girls of Hamazkayin Erebuni Dance Ensemble, Vani Yagoupian, Maria Manoogian and Lana Ter-Petrosian, in their dreamlike blue dresses created a magnificent scene on the stage. The performance was staged by Arevik Martirosian.
Makhmour Girl was followed by the heartfelt Dle Yaman, accompanied by Seyran Ghazaryan. The interpretation of the song by Minne and Seiran made us forget the real age of the young artists standing in front of us.
Blossomed Cherry dance accompanied by the song Blossomed Cherry on kanon and piano received an ovation. Lana Ter-Petrosian, Adrine Artin, Emma Ghupatian, Vani Yagoupian, Maria Manoogian and Berla Bushmanian presented a gorgeous and gentle dance staged by Arevik Martirosian. The first part of the program ended.
During the interval, the audience was impatient to enjoy the second part of the program, which started with My Sweet Motherland. It really captured our souls. Vanik Hovhannessian accompanied on the piano, and the Hamazkayin Armenian Star’s elderly members joined Minne Tsaturyan and presented high-quality interpretations of the songs Illusion Wing, In Mother's Arms and My Home. The wet eyes of the audience and the thunderstorm ovation showed the high level of admiration. We should mention here about Vanik Hovhannesian’s great contribution in preparing the program of the choirs.
The song of the seventies I will survive created a completely different atmosphere. Hripsime Tovmasyan accompanied Minne Tsaturian on the piano, after which the duet of Minne and Sevak Harutiunian, accompanied by the pianist Vanik Hovannisian, performed our dearest Elegy.
We returned to the seventies once again. This time it was ABBA's Winner takes it all by Minne Tsaturian, accompanied by Vanik Hovhannessian. The famous song What a wonderful world was performed by Levon Garakyulyan and Minne. The audience was enchanted by their performance. Then, we again enjoyed Sevak Haroutiunian's voice. Sevak and Minne performed the song Where Can I Find You?
Minnie Tsaturian performed the songs Padonne-Moi, Maybe I, Maybe you, Love is like a dream in French, English and Russian. The variety of songs was significant. Duin Gatrdjian and Altina Yaltisjian accompanied Minne in performing Amirkhanian's With You My Love. The song was arranged by Vanik Hovhannessian.
At the end, Minne expressed her gratitude to Hamazkayin, her teachers, her vocal teacher Hripsime Tovmasyan and to all those who were supportive in preparing the performance.
Then, Minne and Levon tenderly performed the song Con te partirò (Time to Say Goodbye).
″As the great poet said, one should rejoice when others are joyful, one should be happy for others’ happiness․․. Long live Tsaghkunq! ", said Tamar Donabedian Kuzuian in her speech. She expressed her gratitude to all participants, particularly, to musician Khachik Babayan, chief donor Levik and Sevana Matevosians, Samvel and Lilit Shahbazians, to all material and moral supporters, Minee's parents, Vahe and Anabel Tsaturians, and to the choir's administrative contact Lorik Gatrjian.
All the participants entered the stage and sang the last songs - Happy Christmas and Let it be a good one without any fear.
The participants received plenty of flowers at the end. The words of congratulations, hugs, love and wishes continued around the table with plenty of colorful drinks and fruits.
We were so enthusiastic about the event. Soon we shall celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia and the 90th anniversary of Hamazkayin's establishment. We hope to continue what we are entrusted with, to celebrate and preserve our culture and inspire our new generation to believe in our bright future.
Maratuk