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KNIGHTS OF VARTAN
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.kofv.org
PRESS RELEASE
Date: March 10, 2014
KNIGHTS OF VARTAN ANI LODGE PERFORMS SECOND ANNUAL PLAY IN CELEBRATION OF
VARTANANTZ DAY
Washington, D.C. - Last month, the Knights of Vartan Ani Lodge #21 and
Daughters of Vartan Dikranouhi Otyag held two special events to mark the
annual Vartanantz Day celebration. On Sunday, February 9, the Hamasdegh
School at Soorp Khatch Armenian Church hosted the Knights and Daughters of
Vartan for the first performance of a play on the historic Battle of
Avarayr. The following Sunday, February 16, the Shnorhali School at St.
Mary Armenian Church hosted the second performance of the play. The
Dikranouhi Otyag hosted the receptions at both churches and provided gifts
for the school children.
"I was touched and delighted," stated St. Mary Parish Council member Sintia
Petrosian-Gusmao. "I grew up watching the performances in the same St.
Mary's hall 25 years ago where I met my lifelong Armenian friends," she
said. "Having the tradition continue and presented with elaborate detail
was wonderful for our younger generation and watching their eyes light up,
knowing they learned an important part of Armenia's history, is priceless.
Hats off to all the performers for making it possible!"
The play featured Richard Vann as Persian King Hazgert II, Ani Lodge
Commander Jake Bournazian as Prince Vassag of Syunik, brother Taniel
Koushakjian as Armenian Army General Vartan Mamigonian, brother Ara
Avedisian as Ghevont Yeretz and sister Seda Gelenian as Shushanik
Mamigonian the Narrator. Around 200 people attended the performances,
including the school children, which were excited to see one of their
Armenian history book stories come to life.
Armenians frequently come to the public eye as victims: of genocide, an
earthquake, and most recently, as refugees from Syria. Making a character
like Vartan Mamigonian come alive on stage teaches people, especially the
youth, that Armenians are not passive victims and that they have an
enduring faith and culture. As Vartan says in the play: "Our religion is
not like a garment that we might change according to the circumstances; it
is part and parcel of our bones, our blood and personality."
Much of the dialogue was taken directly from historical chronicles from the
5th and 6th centuries. The narration was complimented with the projection
of slides depicting historical scenes and locations. The story focuses on
two feudal Armenian princes, Vartan and Vassag. In the first scene, they
meet with King Hazgert II of Persia, who demands that Armenians renounce
their faith and worship his fire god. Vartan heroically refuses, but
Vassag urges cooperation with Persia. Later, we see Vassag turn traitor
and join forces with the Persian King in his attack on Armenia. The play
climaxes at the Battle of Avarayr, famous in Armenian history as the place
where the Armenian army, outnumbered three to one, was led into battle by
General Mamigonian. The night before the battle, Vartan gives an
encouraging speech to his men, and the soldiers are blessed by Ghevont
Yerets. The battle is depicted in the play as a swordfight, where Vartan
was enthusiastically cheered on by the school children at both
performances. The play ends with a tableau of St. Vartan, the Yerets, and
the traitor Vassag in chains, while the narrator explains the significance
of the battle.
"The Knights of Vartan have a special role in educating each generation of
Armenians about the courage and sacrifice of Christian Armenians who fought
and died against overwhelming odds in the Battle of Avarayr so that today
Armenians can worship and live as a free and independent people," said Ani
Lodge commander Jake Bournazian.
The performances were so successful that the Ani Lodge continues to enhance
the production and dialogue and present it every year in celebration of
Vartanantz Day, this being the second annual performance.
The Knights and Daughters were especially pleased by the incredibly
hospitable and warm receptions displayed by the leadership and parishioners
at both Soorp Khatch and St. Mary Armenian Churches. It was also a
delightful way for the Knights to bring Armenian history to life while
having a little fun showcasing their inner Broadway talents.
Photo Caption 1: Clockwise from top left: Jacob Bournazian and Taniel
Koushakjian, Ara Avedisian, Seda Gelenian, Taniel Koushakjian and Ara
Avedisian, Richard Vann.
Photo Caption 2: The Cast of the 2014 Vartanantz Day Play: Top Row (L-R):
Richard Vann, Ara Avedisian, Jake Bournazian; Bottom Row (L-R): David
Bournazian, Seda Gelenian, Taniel Koushakjian.
Editor's Note: Photographs attached for print at publishers discretion.
###
PR#: 2014-01
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.kofv.org
PRESS RELEASE
Date: March 10, 2014
KNIGHTS OF VARTAN ANI LODGE PERFORMS SECOND ANNUAL PLAY IN CELEBRATION OF
VARTANANTZ DAY
Washington, D.C. - Last month, the Knights of Vartan Ani Lodge #21 and
Daughters of Vartan Dikranouhi Otyag held two special events to mark the
annual Vartanantz Day celebration. On Sunday, February 9, the Hamasdegh
School at Soorp Khatch Armenian Church hosted the Knights and Daughters of
Vartan for the first performance of a play on the historic Battle of
Avarayr. The following Sunday, February 16, the Shnorhali School at St.
Mary Armenian Church hosted the second performance of the play. The
Dikranouhi Otyag hosted the receptions at both churches and provided gifts
for the school children.
"I was touched and delighted," stated St. Mary Parish Council member Sintia
Petrosian-Gusmao. "I grew up watching the performances in the same St.
Mary's hall 25 years ago where I met my lifelong Armenian friends," she
said. "Having the tradition continue and presented with elaborate detail
was wonderful for our younger generation and watching their eyes light up,
knowing they learned an important part of Armenia's history, is priceless.
Hats off to all the performers for making it possible!"
The play featured Richard Vann as Persian King Hazgert II, Ani Lodge
Commander Jake Bournazian as Prince Vassag of Syunik, brother Taniel
Koushakjian as Armenian Army General Vartan Mamigonian, brother Ara
Avedisian as Ghevont Yeretz and sister Seda Gelenian as Shushanik
Mamigonian the Narrator. Around 200 people attended the performances,
including the school children, which were excited to see one of their
Armenian history book stories come to life.
Armenians frequently come to the public eye as victims: of genocide, an
earthquake, and most recently, as refugees from Syria. Making a character
like Vartan Mamigonian come alive on stage teaches people, especially the
youth, that Armenians are not passive victims and that they have an
enduring faith and culture. As Vartan says in the play: "Our religion is
not like a garment that we might change according to the circumstances; it
is part and parcel of our bones, our blood and personality."
Much of the dialogue was taken directly from historical chronicles from the
5th and 6th centuries. The narration was complimented with the projection
of slides depicting historical scenes and locations. The story focuses on
two feudal Armenian princes, Vartan and Vassag. In the first scene, they
meet with King Hazgert II of Persia, who demands that Armenians renounce
their faith and worship his fire god. Vartan heroically refuses, but
Vassag urges cooperation with Persia. Later, we see Vassag turn traitor
and join forces with the Persian King in his attack on Armenia. The play
climaxes at the Battle of Avarayr, famous in Armenian history as the place
where the Armenian army, outnumbered three to one, was led into battle by
General Mamigonian. The night before the battle, Vartan gives an
encouraging speech to his men, and the soldiers are blessed by Ghevont
Yerets. The battle is depicted in the play as a swordfight, where Vartan
was enthusiastically cheered on by the school children at both
performances. The play ends with a tableau of St. Vartan, the Yerets, and
the traitor Vassag in chains, while the narrator explains the significance
of the battle.
"The Knights of Vartan have a special role in educating each generation of
Armenians about the courage and sacrifice of Christian Armenians who fought
and died against overwhelming odds in the Battle of Avarayr so that today
Armenians can worship and live as a free and independent people," said Ani
Lodge commander Jake Bournazian.
The performances were so successful that the Ani Lodge continues to enhance
the production and dialogue and present it every year in celebration of
Vartanantz Day, this being the second annual performance.
The Knights and Daughters were especially pleased by the incredibly
hospitable and warm receptions displayed by the leadership and parishioners
at both Soorp Khatch and St. Mary Armenian Churches. It was also a
delightful way for the Knights to bring Armenian history to life while
having a little fun showcasing their inner Broadway talents.
Photo Caption 1: Clockwise from top left: Jacob Bournazian and Taniel
Koushakjian, Ara Avedisian, Seda Gelenian, Taniel Koushakjian and Ara
Avedisian, Richard Vann.
Photo Caption 2: The Cast of the 2014 Vartanantz Day Play: Top Row (L-R):
Richard Vann, Ara Avedisian, Jake Bournazian; Bottom Row (L-R): David
Bournazian, Seda Gelenian, Taniel Koushakjian.
Editor's Note: Photographs attached for print at publishers discretion.
###
PR#: 2014-01