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AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
AGBU Montevideo Grung Choir Performs in Yerevan and Gyumri
Upon the initiative of AGBU and the Diaspora Ministry of the Republic of
Armenia, Grung Choir of AGBU Montevideo, Uruguay, gave two unforgettable
concerts in Armenia. The performances launched a series of concerts
dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence. Established
in 1993, Grung Choir is headed by Maestro Alvaro Hagopian, who is also
the principal conductor of the Montevideo Philharmonic Orchestra. After
touring South American cities with substantial Armenian populations, the
choir headed to Armenia for its first-ever performance in the homeland.
The first concert of the tour, entitled "To the Homeland," took place at
the Arno Babajanian Concert Hall in central Yerevan on April 26, 2011.
Many prominent art figures, government members, representatives of
diplomatic missions, and intelligentsia were present at the concert. In
her opening remarks, Republic of Armenia Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobian said, "My warm and cordial greetings to our compatriots from
Uruguay. We are grateful to Grung for preserving Armenian roots,
Armenian identity, and Armenian culture. This is the result of the
unification of the Armenian communities of South America. Symbolic is
the fact that Uruguay was the first country in the world to recognize
and condemn the Armenian Genocide, and certainly the Armenian community
of Uruguay played a major role in this. For decades, Grung Choir has
been singing about Armenians and Armenia and their heart is, indeed, in
Armenia." Minister Hakobian thanked the choir members and conductor
Hagopian, and awarded them with a certificate of appreciation for the
proliferation and development of the Armenian culture, preservation of
the Armenian identity, and continuous creative activities.
The concert program presented by the choir included pieces by Komitas,
Tigranian, Hekimian, Avetissian, Goosan Sheram, Goosan Ashot, Goosan
Shahen, Kotoyan, Tamatian, and others, as well as various
interpretations of famous folk and patriotic songs. After a long
standing ovation of the packed hall, the choir performed several
additional songs. A warm and touching atmosphere filled the hall and the
choir was enthusiastically received by the audience.
The second concert by Grung took place in the Gyumri Art Academy on
April 28, opening the Renaissance 3rd International Contest-Festival of
Musician-Performers. The concert was attended by town officials,
prominent public and art figures, and students.
The choir members also visited various prominent landmarks in Armenia.
On April 24, together with AGBU Armenian Representation staff, AGBU
scouts, and the Yerevan YP team, the choir visited the Armenian Genocide
Memorial in Tsitsernakaberd to pay tribute to the victims on the
international day of Armenian Genocide remembrance. On April 29, choir
members visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where they were
received by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. On
April 30, Grung was hosted by the AGBU Armenian Representation, where
Ashot Ghazarian, AGBU Armenian Representation Director, made a brief
presentation on the organization's activities in Armenia. The guests
also got acquainted with the activities of AGBU's Armenian Virtual
College. Choir members also attended a beautiful and unforgettable
concert at the AGBU and Holy Etchmiadzin Nork Children's Center. On May
2, Armenian Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hrayr and Anna Hovnanian
organized a farewell evening for the Grung Choir members in their
Yerevan residence.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.
From: A. Papazian
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
AGBU Montevideo Grung Choir Performs in Yerevan and Gyumri
Upon the initiative of AGBU and the Diaspora Ministry of the Republic of
Armenia, Grung Choir of AGBU Montevideo, Uruguay, gave two unforgettable
concerts in Armenia. The performances launched a series of concerts
dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence. Established
in 1993, Grung Choir is headed by Maestro Alvaro Hagopian, who is also
the principal conductor of the Montevideo Philharmonic Orchestra. After
touring South American cities with substantial Armenian populations, the
choir headed to Armenia for its first-ever performance in the homeland.
The first concert of the tour, entitled "To the Homeland," took place at
the Arno Babajanian Concert Hall in central Yerevan on April 26, 2011.
Many prominent art figures, government members, representatives of
diplomatic missions, and intelligentsia were present at the concert. In
her opening remarks, Republic of Armenia Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobian said, "My warm and cordial greetings to our compatriots from
Uruguay. We are grateful to Grung for preserving Armenian roots,
Armenian identity, and Armenian culture. This is the result of the
unification of the Armenian communities of South America. Symbolic is
the fact that Uruguay was the first country in the world to recognize
and condemn the Armenian Genocide, and certainly the Armenian community
of Uruguay played a major role in this. For decades, Grung Choir has
been singing about Armenians and Armenia and their heart is, indeed, in
Armenia." Minister Hakobian thanked the choir members and conductor
Hagopian, and awarded them with a certificate of appreciation for the
proliferation and development of the Armenian culture, preservation of
the Armenian identity, and continuous creative activities.
The concert program presented by the choir included pieces by Komitas,
Tigranian, Hekimian, Avetissian, Goosan Sheram, Goosan Ashot, Goosan
Shahen, Kotoyan, Tamatian, and others, as well as various
interpretations of famous folk and patriotic songs. After a long
standing ovation of the packed hall, the choir performed several
additional songs. A warm and touching atmosphere filled the hall and the
choir was enthusiastically received by the audience.
The second concert by Grung took place in the Gyumri Art Academy on
April 28, opening the Renaissance 3rd International Contest-Festival of
Musician-Performers. The concert was attended by town officials,
prominent public and art figures, and students.
The choir members also visited various prominent landmarks in Armenia.
On April 24, together with AGBU Armenian Representation staff, AGBU
scouts, and the Yerevan YP team, the choir visited the Armenian Genocide
Memorial in Tsitsernakaberd to pay tribute to the victims on the
international day of Armenian Genocide remembrance. On April 29, choir
members visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where they were
received by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. On
April 30, Grung was hosted by the AGBU Armenian Representation, where
Ashot Ghazarian, AGBU Armenian Representation Director, made a brief
presentation on the organization's activities in Armenia. The guests
also got acquainted with the activities of AGBU's Armenian Virtual
College. Choir members also attended a beautiful and unforgettable
concert at the AGBU and Holy Etchmiadzin Nork Children's Center. On May
2, Armenian Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hrayr and Anna Hovnanian
organized a farewell evening for the Grung Choir members in their
Yerevan residence.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.
From: A. Papazian