From Grodno with victory: Armenian sacred songs win in international music Festival
19/2/2010
By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Geghardavank Choir from Armenia won the Grand Prix at the International Sacred Music Festival, in Belarus, beating out 40 participating groups from 5 countries.
The 9th international contest-festival of Orthodox music called ‘Kolozhski Blagovest’ took place in Grodno, Belarus, last week, where the Armenian choir performed a 25-minute program consisting of Armenian medieval sacred music and choral sacred songs.
Five countries (Lithuania, Serbia, Poland, Russia and Belarus) belonging to the Orthodox Church participated in the contest. (Although Apostolic, Armenia was invited to participate in the festival.)
“Of course, it was a great responsibility to present Armenia and the Armenian sacred music, moreover that it was unknown to the audience. We are proud that we came back with a victory, and we carried that responsibility with honor,” says Anahit Papayan, head of the choir founded in 2001.
The Armenian ensemble consisting of nine women, had concerts in Germany, Austria, Finland, Czech Republic, however director Mher Navoyan says one of their main goals is spreading Armenian sacred music in Armenia, too.
“Currently sacred and classical music is broadcast on TV and radio very seldom, therefore the Center of Sacred Music of the Ministry of Culture of Armenia organizes concert tours in provinces to fill the gap,” says Navoyan, PhD in Art Science, professor at Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory.
Every summer the ensemble has concert tours in one province of Armenia: such concerts have already been held in Lori, Vayots Dzor, Aragatsotn provinces. A concert tour is expected in Shirak province soon.
