Organized and initiated by the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon and the cultural committee of AGBU, a unique cultural event took place on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at 8:00 PM. World renowned soprano Hasmik Papyan and acclaimed Lebanese-Armenian conductor Harout Fazlian performed together.
The event was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Hovig and Maral Kurkjian and commenced without opening speeches or national anthems: the entrance of Maestro Harout Fazlian to the stage and his bow implied the start to the evening. With an intermission of ten minutes, the duo’s concert with the accompaniment of the National Symphonic Orchestra of Lebanon spanned over two hours and enchanted the audience of Lebanese and Lebanese-Armenian attendees. The atmosphere was extremely impressive as the audience included members of the parliament, the minister of state, ambassadors, academicians, educators, spiritual leaders, community activists, and representative of national organizations.
Soprano Papyan, the holder of several international honors, carried away the audience with her incredible voice to the world of the titans of classical music, such as Aram Khachatouryan, Gomidas, Arno Papajanyan, Parsegh Ganachian, Vincenzo Bellini, Cylia, Verdi, and others. The audience was enchanted and its absolute silence was interrupted only by the applause upon the arrival of Papyan and Fazlian to the stage. “Oror” (“Lullaby”) was especially moving: it channeled a greeting to Armenian mothers, an emotional track that evoked memories of the blessed ancestral home of Armenians, and where the words of blessing hummed by a mother to her child are always heard.
The 25th anniversary of Papyan’s talents was not forgotten by the organizing committee. The artist, who has received multiple honors, merits, and medals was honored once again, along with Maestro Fazlian and the National Symphonic Orchestra of Lebanon. On this occasion, a Letter of Appreciation was conveyed by the RL Minister of Culture Gabi Layoun, who had expressed pride and thankfulness on behalf of the Lebanese nation for the opportunity to host Papyan on the Lebanese stage.
Similarly, RA Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, and Ashot Kocharyan, the Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon congratulated the artist with special letters of acknowledgement. This all was culminated with a letter of blessing from Catholicos Aram I, read by Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian. After honoring Papyan with a Mesrob Mashdots medal in 2004, the Catholicos once again acknowledged the exceptional artist.
Toward the end of the evening, Armen Eurneshlian on behalf of AGBU and Silva Kurkjian, on behalf of Hamazkayin thanked the audience, the performers, and especially Hovig and Maral Kurkjian, who had sponsored the event. Ms. Kurkjian then read the greetings from the RA Ministers of Culture and Diaspora, and concluded the event by a closing speech in English.
(Excerpts from “Aztag Daily”)