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FUNDAÇÃO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN
Armenian Communities Department - Service des Communautés Arméniennes
Av. de Berna, 45 A, PT-1067-001, Lisboa, Portugal
Tel: +351 21 782 3658
E-mail: [email protected]
Oscar O'Sullivan
Gestor de Projetos Junior
Serviço das Comunidades Arménias
FUNDAÇÃO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN
Thousands of People Take Part in First "Armenian Culture Week" at
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
The first ever Armenian Culture Week (12-19 October 2014) at the
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation generated much excitement and interest
in Lisbon. Sixteen events took place in eight days, including
concerts, lectures, seminars and exhibitions.
"It was an intense week," said Razmik Panossian, the Director of the
Armenian Communities Department, "as we brought to Portugal various
aspects of Armenia culture and history. I was truly and pleasantly
surprised at the great interest the Week generated among the general
public and among my colleagues at the Foundation."
Music
Five concerts highlighted traditional and classical Armenian music as
the sound of the duduk and other Armenian instruments filled the
packed the 1000-seat Grand Auditorium on several occasions.
Shoghaken Ensemble's Road to Armenia concert kicked off the Week on
October 12. Founded in 1995, the Ensemble interprets songs and
melodies, playing them on traditional instruments. The results "are
stunning in their drive, beauty and mystery" according to the Boston
Herald.
On Tuesday night, the 14th of October, a free Armenian chamber music
concert was given by Gulbenkian Orchestra soloists and their guests,
performing pieces by Arno Babajanian, Tigran Mansurian and of course
Komitas. The audience was captivated by the delicate music and the
voice of soprano Manuela Moniz whose repertoire included the classic
song of longing, "Krunk."
Thursday and Friday nights the full Orchestra, conducted by Pedro
Neves, played Armenian and Portuguese composers as part of its regular
series: Luís de Freitas Branco and Aram Khachaturian, including the
famous Suite no. 3 from Gayane. Nareh Arghamanyan, the invited piano
soloist, enchanted the audience with her spirited interpretation of
Khachaturian. Friday's main concert was followed by another Armenian
chamber music concert, playing compositions by Harutiun Dellalian,
Karen Khachaturian and Vache Sharafyan.
The music series was closed on Sunday 19 October by the Jordi Savall's
wonderful "Spirit of Armenia" sold-out concert. His ensemble,
including invited musicians from Armenia produced an enthralling
musical experience.
Roundtables, Lectures and Book Launch
Three public events provided much needed information about the Founder
and his culture on Wednesday 15 October.
The roundtable "More than Mr. 5%: The Early Life of Calouste
Gulbenkian" focused on the Founder's early life and his inspiring
example still relevant to us. The President of the Foundation, Artur
Santos Silva, opened the proceedings. The Director of the Library and
Archives, Ana Paula Gordo, brought the archives to life by
highlighting some of the hidden treasures it contains, including
letters from a very young Gulbenkian to his father. Jonathan Conlin,
the biographer of Calouste Gulbenkian, presented some of the early
findings of his research, leaving the audience eager for the
publication of his book. Finally, Martin Essayan, Gulbenkian's
great-grandson and Trustee, delivered an inspiring speech aimed
largely at the employees of the Foundation. Openness, cooperation and
effectiveness were key words throughout his discourse. The roundtable
was moderated by Razmik Panossian.
The Portuguese version of Vassili Grossman's book, An Armenian
Sketchbook, was launched on Wednesday as well. Published by Don
Quixote, it appears under the title Bem Hajam! Apontamentos de Viagem
à Arménia. Filipe Guerra, one of the two translators of the book
explained the context of the book and Grossman's visit to Armenia in
the early 1960s.
The formal opening of the "Networks of Circulation and Exchange:
Armenian, Portuguese, Jewish and Muslim Communities from the
Mediterranean to the South China Seas" conference took place on
Wednesday evening. Once again, the President of the Foundation
formally opened it, emphasizing the spirit of cooperation and
collaboration, as well as the parallels between Armenian and
Portuguese history. The keynote speaker, Professor Sebouh Aslanian, a
historian from UCLA, gave a fascinating account of Armenian merchants
and their international networks in the 17th and 18th centuries. The
conference continued on Thursday and Friday.
Another roundtable, attended by nearly 80 people, was on the topic of
"Armenian Music: Past and Present." Moderated by Rui Vieira Nery, the
Director of the Portuguese Language and Culture Programme, it was not
only an informative but also an emotional event. Marina Dellayan, a
Portugal-based pianist, explained the history of Armenian music and
gave an overview of Armenian culture, while musician Gevorg Dabaghyan
introduced the "most Armenian instrument," the duduk, and graced the
audience with a private concert of three pieces, including Komitas's
"Dle-Yaman."
Jordi Savall too had gracefully agreed to take part in another
roundtable on Armenian music prior to his concert. Answering questions
posed by the moderator, Risto Nieminen, the Director of the Music
Department, Savall emphasized the healing power of music and how
resilient people like the Armenians have produced culture in - and in
response too - adverse conditions, violence and exile.
At the Modern Art Centre of the Foundation, Professor Kim Theriault
delivered a fascinating lecture about the life and art of one of the
most important American artists of the 20th century, "Towards the
abstract: the imaginary and imagination of Arshile Gorky." She
discussed Gorky's development as an artist, his work and his impact on
modern art. Gorky created, she argued, a unique abstract art that was
a bridge between European Surrealism and American Abstract
Expressionism, and that ultimately it was a visual manifestation of
his displacement as an artist of Armenian origin.
Film Premiere
The Grand Auditorium was once again full for the premiere of the
documentary film "ARtMENIA," directed by Ricardo Espírito Santo (Terra
Líquida Films), in collaboration with Helena Araújo. The movie
artfully introduced Armenian history, culture and traditions to the
Portuguese audience, weaving it through the music of Tigran Mansurian.
Seminars
During the week, two two-day international seminars were hosted by the
Foundation. The first, on Monday and Tuesday, brought together 35
leaders and prominent thinkers in the Armenian world to discuss
strategies for the future. Under the rubric of "Armenians at 2115,"
the invitation only seminar was a seminal step in fostering long term
planning and strategic visioning. A separate communique will soon be
issued on this event, followed by a seminar report.
The second two-day seminar, continuing from the keynote address of
Wednesday evening, was an academic gathering on the topic of "trade
networks." Some 40 international experts focused on the use of
commodities and paper instruments in the early modern period. Some of
the top experts in the field were present, along with younger
colleagues researching the topic. Comparisons were drawn between
Armenian, Portuguese and other trade networks. The papers will be
published as a book.
Exhibitions
Two key exhibitions accompanied the Armenian Culture Week and have
received wonderful feedback from the general public.
The first is an exhibition focusing on the early life of Calouste
Gulbenkian, based on his personal papers, entitled More Than Mr.5%:
The Early Life of Calouste Gulbenkian. Among the first visitors was
the illustrious novelist Orhan Pamuk. The exhibition opened on October
2 and will run until 3 November.
The other exhibition, Arshile Gorky and the Collection is at the
Foundation's Modern Art Centre, and runs until 31 May 2015. It
focusses on Gorky's surrealist work "in conversation" with other
modernists of his period, including prominent Portuguese artists.
Martin Essayan, Trustee of the Foundation summed up the Week: "It was
touching to see and hear the culture of our Founder resonate in the
Foundation. The collaborative spirit in which Armenian Culture Week
was planned and executed is exemplary. The Armenian Communities
Department reached out to various other parts of the Foundation - from
the Presidency to Communications, from the Music Department to the
Museum, CAM, the Archives, and the Programme of Portuguese Language
and Culture. The success of the week was contingent upon such
collaboration. Indeed, it was a wonderful week celebrating Armenian
culture at one of the premier foundations in Europe headquartered in
Lisbon."
For more Information visit our webpage:
www.gulbenkian.pt/armeniancommunities Or please contact
[email protected]
Armenian Communities Department - Service des Communautés Arméniennes
Av. de Berna, 45 A, PT-1067-001, Lisboa, Portugal
Tel: +351 21 782 3658
E-mail: [email protected]
Oscar O'Sullivan
Gestor de Projetos Junior
Serviço das Comunidades Arménias
FUNDAÇÃO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN
Thousands of People Take Part in First "Armenian Culture Week" at
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
The first ever Armenian Culture Week (12-19 October 2014) at the
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation generated much excitement and interest
in Lisbon. Sixteen events took place in eight days, including
concerts, lectures, seminars and exhibitions.
"It was an intense week," said Razmik Panossian, the Director of the
Armenian Communities Department, "as we brought to Portugal various
aspects of Armenia culture and history. I was truly and pleasantly
surprised at the great interest the Week generated among the general
public and among my colleagues at the Foundation."
Music
Five concerts highlighted traditional and classical Armenian music as
the sound of the duduk and other Armenian instruments filled the
packed the 1000-seat Grand Auditorium on several occasions.
Shoghaken Ensemble's Road to Armenia concert kicked off the Week on
October 12. Founded in 1995, the Ensemble interprets songs and
melodies, playing them on traditional instruments. The results "are
stunning in their drive, beauty and mystery" according to the Boston
Herald.
On Tuesday night, the 14th of October, a free Armenian chamber music
concert was given by Gulbenkian Orchestra soloists and their guests,
performing pieces by Arno Babajanian, Tigran Mansurian and of course
Komitas. The audience was captivated by the delicate music and the
voice of soprano Manuela Moniz whose repertoire included the classic
song of longing, "Krunk."
Thursday and Friday nights the full Orchestra, conducted by Pedro
Neves, played Armenian and Portuguese composers as part of its regular
series: Luís de Freitas Branco and Aram Khachaturian, including the
famous Suite no. 3 from Gayane. Nareh Arghamanyan, the invited piano
soloist, enchanted the audience with her spirited interpretation of
Khachaturian. Friday's main concert was followed by another Armenian
chamber music concert, playing compositions by Harutiun Dellalian,
Karen Khachaturian and Vache Sharafyan.
The music series was closed on Sunday 19 October by the Jordi Savall's
wonderful "Spirit of Armenia" sold-out concert. His ensemble,
including invited musicians from Armenia produced an enthralling
musical experience.
Roundtables, Lectures and Book Launch
Three public events provided much needed information about the Founder
and his culture on Wednesday 15 October.
The roundtable "More than Mr. 5%: The Early Life of Calouste
Gulbenkian" focused on the Founder's early life and his inspiring
example still relevant to us. The President of the Foundation, Artur
Santos Silva, opened the proceedings. The Director of the Library and
Archives, Ana Paula Gordo, brought the archives to life by
highlighting some of the hidden treasures it contains, including
letters from a very young Gulbenkian to his father. Jonathan Conlin,
the biographer of Calouste Gulbenkian, presented some of the early
findings of his research, leaving the audience eager for the
publication of his book. Finally, Martin Essayan, Gulbenkian's
great-grandson and Trustee, delivered an inspiring speech aimed
largely at the employees of the Foundation. Openness, cooperation and
effectiveness were key words throughout his discourse. The roundtable
was moderated by Razmik Panossian.
The Portuguese version of Vassili Grossman's book, An Armenian
Sketchbook, was launched on Wednesday as well. Published by Don
Quixote, it appears under the title Bem Hajam! Apontamentos de Viagem
à Arménia. Filipe Guerra, one of the two translators of the book
explained the context of the book and Grossman's visit to Armenia in
the early 1960s.
The formal opening of the "Networks of Circulation and Exchange:
Armenian, Portuguese, Jewish and Muslim Communities from the
Mediterranean to the South China Seas" conference took place on
Wednesday evening. Once again, the President of the Foundation
formally opened it, emphasizing the spirit of cooperation and
collaboration, as well as the parallels between Armenian and
Portuguese history. The keynote speaker, Professor Sebouh Aslanian, a
historian from UCLA, gave a fascinating account of Armenian merchants
and their international networks in the 17th and 18th centuries. The
conference continued on Thursday and Friday.
Another roundtable, attended by nearly 80 people, was on the topic of
"Armenian Music: Past and Present." Moderated by Rui Vieira Nery, the
Director of the Portuguese Language and Culture Programme, it was not
only an informative but also an emotional event. Marina Dellayan, a
Portugal-based pianist, explained the history of Armenian music and
gave an overview of Armenian culture, while musician Gevorg Dabaghyan
introduced the "most Armenian instrument," the duduk, and graced the
audience with a private concert of three pieces, including Komitas's
"Dle-Yaman."
Jordi Savall too had gracefully agreed to take part in another
roundtable on Armenian music prior to his concert. Answering questions
posed by the moderator, Risto Nieminen, the Director of the Music
Department, Savall emphasized the healing power of music and how
resilient people like the Armenians have produced culture in - and in
response too - adverse conditions, violence and exile.
At the Modern Art Centre of the Foundation, Professor Kim Theriault
delivered a fascinating lecture about the life and art of one of the
most important American artists of the 20th century, "Towards the
abstract: the imaginary and imagination of Arshile Gorky." She
discussed Gorky's development as an artist, his work and his impact on
modern art. Gorky created, she argued, a unique abstract art that was
a bridge between European Surrealism and American Abstract
Expressionism, and that ultimately it was a visual manifestation of
his displacement as an artist of Armenian origin.
Film Premiere
The Grand Auditorium was once again full for the premiere of the
documentary film "ARtMENIA," directed by Ricardo Espírito Santo (Terra
Líquida Films), in collaboration with Helena Araújo. The movie
artfully introduced Armenian history, culture and traditions to the
Portuguese audience, weaving it through the music of Tigran Mansurian.
Seminars
During the week, two two-day international seminars were hosted by the
Foundation. The first, on Monday and Tuesday, brought together 35
leaders and prominent thinkers in the Armenian world to discuss
strategies for the future. Under the rubric of "Armenians at 2115,"
the invitation only seminar was a seminal step in fostering long term
planning and strategic visioning. A separate communique will soon be
issued on this event, followed by a seminar report.
The second two-day seminar, continuing from the keynote address of
Wednesday evening, was an academic gathering on the topic of "trade
networks." Some 40 international experts focused on the use of
commodities and paper instruments in the early modern period. Some of
the top experts in the field were present, along with younger
colleagues researching the topic. Comparisons were drawn between
Armenian, Portuguese and other trade networks. The papers will be
published as a book.
Exhibitions
Two key exhibitions accompanied the Armenian Culture Week and have
received wonderful feedback from the general public.
The first is an exhibition focusing on the early life of Calouste
Gulbenkian, based on his personal papers, entitled More Than Mr.5%:
The Early Life of Calouste Gulbenkian. Among the first visitors was
the illustrious novelist Orhan Pamuk. The exhibition opened on October
2 and will run until 3 November.
The other exhibition, Arshile Gorky and the Collection is at the
Foundation's Modern Art Centre, and runs until 31 May 2015. It
focusses on Gorky's surrealist work "in conversation" with other
modernists of his period, including prominent Portuguese artists.
Martin Essayan, Trustee of the Foundation summed up the Week: "It was
touching to see and hear the culture of our Founder resonate in the
Foundation. The collaborative spirit in which Armenian Culture Week
was planned and executed is exemplary. The Armenian Communities
Department reached out to various other parts of the Foundation - from
the Presidency to Communications, from the Music Department to the
Museum, CAM, the Archives, and the Programme of Portuguese Language
and Culture. The success of the week was contingent upon such
collaboration. Indeed, it was a wonderful week celebrating Armenian
culture at one of the premier foundations in Europe headquartered in
Lisbon."
For more Information visit our webpage:
www.gulbenkian.pt/armeniancommunities Or please contact
[email protected]