The Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) in cooperation with Tekeyan Trust London (TTL) and the Armenian Society of King’s College London organized a special event entitled “Genocide and Revival” dedicated to the 103d memorial of the Armenian Genocide.
This classical concert honoured 1.5 million innocent Armenians massacred by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and marked the fortitude, dignity and endurance of the Armenian people.
It was under the honorary presence of Minister Plenipotentiary of Armenia to the UK, Armen Liloyan, in addition to other representatives of the Armenian Embassy, Father Shnorhk Baghdasarian from the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland, clergymen, social and cultural figures, and members and representatives of the Armenian community in the UK.
Honorary Secretary of the Tekeyan Trust, Chairman of the Komitas Chamber Choir, Vartan Ouzounian, delivered a speech conveying the work that is still needed across the Diaspora countries to get the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey. He called on all Armenians to help Armenia, in general, and Artsakh, in particular, to keep the revival of the Armenian nation into being more powerful for a better future by strengthening its army against the Azeri enemy. He said: “Once we keep our cultural heritage in our heart, our love of our Armenian Apostolic Church, our Armenian language and our motherland, Armenia and Artsakh, our revival will succeed.” Mr. Ouzounian stressed on the importance of populating Armenia to enable it to survive over the coming centuries. He hailed the efforts of the newly elect president, Dr Armen Sarkissyan, hoping that he would further strengthen the Diaspora and improve economic conditions in Armenia. At the end of his speech, Mr Vartan Ouzounian, asked the audience to stand one minute in silence to honour and pray for the souls of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, and also the Armenian soldiers and people who were killed in Artsakh and in Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad.
Co-Founder of the KCL Armenian Society and member of the TCA committee, Vahe Asatryan, delivered a speech. He confirmed that this event was organized to mark the continued resilience, endurance and unity of spirit of Armenians and to pay respect to their sanctified ancestors. He highlighted the objectives of the KCL Armenian Society of promoting Armenian culture, traditions, history and language by organizing events to bring together young Armenians from all walks of life. He said: “We strongly believe that a strong youth and vibrant student body are the future for a prosperous nation. We are united in our common purpose and vision for a bright future for Armenia and Artsakh.”
The celebration continued with a cultural program featuring performances by Armenian singers, musicians and poetry recitalists. Mezzo Soprano, Anais Heghoyan, dazzled the audience by her astounding voice while singing Krung and Karouna by Komitas. The trio Arkadi Antonyan, Ara Petrosyan and Harutyun Melikyan played Armenian musical instruments, duduk and dehol, in addition to the accordion. They played Armenian popular songs “Akh Im Djampen” and “Jahel Chenk Mena”. Young soloist, Miganouch Baghramian, touched the audience by her modern voice singing Adanayi Voghberk, Gilikia and ending by a love song Bingyol.
The audience greatly appreciated conductor and choirmaster Grigor Najaryan’s Acappella of “Dele Yaman” which he combined with Ellegi and Vokegoch in a new version. EOS Trio featuring Violinist, Angel Najaryan, Clarinettist, Paul Evernden, and pianist, Thomas Ang, delivered their mesmerizing performance of Aram Khachaturyan’s Trio. Young performer, Vanouhi Petrosyan, was invited to recite a poem written by Shantoukhd. She joined the Komitas Chamber Choir to sing the poem that was composed by choirmaster Griogor Najarayan.
Komitas Chamber Choir, under the artistic direction of conductor Grigor Najaryan, opened the ceremony by singing the Armenian Hymn. They took the stage, once a again, to sing eight Armenian cultural songs most of which were composed by renowned Armenian composer Komitas whose name the choir carries. The choir, that comprises 15 Armenian singers, was accompanied by violin, piano and clarinet. Komitas Choir is the first Armenian professional choir in the UK. It was founded in 2013. Its repertory includes a wide variety of songs including folk, classical, spiritual and international.
The event was concluded by the blessing of Father Shnorhk Baghdasarian who praised the activities and efforts of TCA London and wished more prosperity to this association in the future.
The Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) was established in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1947, in honour of the renowned Armenian poet and man of letters Vahan Tekeyan. The TCA is a network with chapters and sister organizations around the world that are committed to the educational advancement of Armenian literacy, history, music, and culture. The TCA London Chapter was established in 1975 and is affiliated to the Tekeyan Trust London (TTL), a registered charity since 1979. In furthering their mission, the TCA London and the TTL organize cultural events, concerts, exhibitions and public debates. They are also engaged in the rehabilitation of schools and supporting needy schoolchildren through various educational, cultural, sports, social and humanitarian programs.
