An evening of recitation of poems featuring renowned reciter Silva Yuzbashyan from Armenia was organized by the Washington, DC, Chapter of Hamazkayin on Friday, September 27, 2013. The event was dedicated to the 22nd anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia and took place at the Armenian Embassy in Washington, DC.
Levon Balian, a member of the local Hamazkayin Chapter, delivered a speech in memory of the recently deceased prominent Armenian actor Sos Sargsyan, who was the founder of the Hamazkayin office in Armenia. Based on his personal acquaintance with Sargsyan, Mr. Balian highly praised the late actor’s contributions to Armenian culture and his faith and dedication toward Hamazkayin. The audience observed a moment of silence in honor of the great artist. Father Sarkis Aktavoukian, the priest of St. Cross Armenian Church, led a prayer for Sargsyan’s soul.
Afterwards, Hagint Terpenjian welcomed Silva Yuzbashyan, on behalf of the local Hamazkayin Chapter, and expressed words of gratitude to the Ambassador for readily accepting to host this Hamazkayin event at the Embassy Hall. Andranik Hovhannisyan delivered a speech on behalf of Ambassador Margaryan, highly praising Ms. Yuzbashyan’s art. Mr. Hovhannisyan also thanked Hamazkayin for dedicating this event to the anniversary of Armenia’s independence. Dr. Dikran Kazanjian, the chairperson of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin (East Coast), also attended the event.
In the following one hour, acclaimed reciter Silva Yuzbashyan mesmerized the audience who delved deep into the poetry of Hamo Sahyan and Vahagn Davtyan. Yuzbashyan’s sonorous voice, charming expressiveness, and vivid reciting skills brought to life the vision of the grand representatives of Armenian poetry about Armenian literature and Armenianness. Also, Yuzbashyan shared with the audience stories about the two poets, based on her personal acquaintances with them. The poetry evening reached its peak when Yuzbashyan recited an excerpt by William Saroyan on two Armenians meeting at a pub.
The high-quality recitation by Yuzbashyan offered the attendees of this Hamazkayin event in Washington, DC, an unforgettable experience. The audience left the hall enriched with memories of great Armenian poets and with memorable impressions of Yuzbashyan’s performance.
A Hamazkayin member