Uruguayan Armenian choir tours Homeland

11/5/2011

YEREVAN – Upon the initiative of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the Diaspora Ministry of the Republic of Armenia, Grung Choir of AGBU Montevideo, Uruguay, gave two 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.

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