YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS: The second visit of the world famous soprano Montserrat Caballé to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic laid a base for a new cooperation, the aim of which is not only to develop the opera art in Karabakh but also to make a path for the Artsakh talents to perform in the international arena. The Minister of Culture of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Narine Aghabalyan told Armenpress about the details on the visit of Caballé and the new cooperation programs.

- Yes, you are right. During the first visit, when Montserrat Caballé came to Artsakh and got acquainted with it, she promised that the cooperation will continue and she is ready to support the Artsakh youth with master classes. We talked on this issue but we could not even imagine that she will come to Karabakh again. It is very difficult in that age, with such health condition, to overcome such a long way. This visit is important also for the reason that knowing where she comes and what difficulties she will have to overcome, Caballé, nevertheless, has come to Artsakh again. The singer was accompanied by the family of her daughter, her grandchild, accompanying musician and singers. Last year in Paris she promised to come and perform a concert in Stepanakert. She had an intention to sing for the Artsakh people by all means. It is interesting that Caballé wrote a letter to the President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan, saying that she was very happy to get acquainted with our country, the nation and the church. “You are going to mark the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of peace. I will come and celebrate it with you. I am ready to change all my plans to come to Artsakh with my friends”, - said the letter. And for us it was a double joy and a big honor to see such readiness from such a celebrity. And according to the agreement a concert was held in Stepanakert.

- Our people met her very warmly. The fans accompanied her everywhere. She visited a recently restored musical college, where the opening of a specialized class after Caballé was held. You know, Artsakh has got quite good trends in opera art. We should explore and develop the talents and in this direction quite a serious work is being carried out and the opening of the specialized class is the start of that activity. Today as well opera performances are held in Artsakh but more serious steps should be done in that area. We asked Caballé for her support so that we could by her advice invite specialists, who will come and give master classes in Artsakh. She promised to help in that issue and also listened to our singers and musicians. She especially liked the violinist David Hakobyan and called him a virtuoso for his skills. Caballé expressed wish that David should be heard in the whole world and one of the directions of our cooperation would be laying path for the Artsakh musicians to the international arena.

- I am very happy about that. Our aim is to show the world that Artsakh is not a conflicting and aggressor state, but a civilized country having a rich history. Via culture the number of our friends increases. People, who are not so principled, get under the Azerbaijan’s hysteric mood and people, who are more stable and live with real values, do not see any obstacles before them. The more they are forbidden to do something, the firmer they become in their wishes. Last time Azerbaijan tried to hinder but it did not succeed. Caballé was included in the blacklist and then they understood that what they did is just foolishness and sent her a concert invitation. But visiting Artsakh for the second time, Caballé showed that she is free in her choice and she herself chooses her friends and with that Caballé has responded to many questions. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interview by Hasmik Harutyunyan