YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS: Hayrik Muradyan NGO organized a course of the Armenian traditional song and dance in the months of June-July in Lisbon. It was held in the open amphitheater in Gyulbenkian Foundation Park. The press service of the Youth Foundation of Armenia informed Armenpress that the necessary technical equipment was provided to hold the event, due to which the Armenian music sounded for several hours in the Lisbon Park. Though there are not many Armenians in Lisbon, but they participated in the event. The participants were mainly pupils and students, as well as their parents. As a rule the Armenian group was joined by the foreigners as well – the representatives of China, France, United States of America, Africa and Portugal.

Hayrik Muradyan was born on May 3, in 1905 in the village of Jnuk (Shatakh province of Van Vilayet). He is a unique phenomenon within Armenian popular folklore. By profession Muradyan was a historian, who rendered invaluable service for saving various popular songs from extinction. During his long life dedicated to different areas he constantly replenished traditional songlists that he had mastered and sang in his childhood (he performed more than 150 songs by heart).

It is also worth mentioning that Hayrik Muradyan vividly describes the daily life, lifestyle and particularly music in the background of general historical events going on in his native province in the early 20th century. His profession much contributed to this work.

Hayrik Muradyan was not a mere choreographer, but also a performer of a delicate taste. The nature generously endowed him with a keen ear, great musicality, soft, beautiful and supple voice and a surprisingly good memory. From the 1960s onward Muradyan’s voice appeared everywhere; on stages, on a radio and television, in halls of various organizations and educational institutions, where he was invited to have hearty talks about the undeservedly neglected traditional Armenian folklore. The participants were delighted by his charming voice, calm, ordinary and purely national performing style. Naturally, there was a growing desire among youth to learn folk songs and dances, their invaluable and ancestral inheritance that had come to them from generations. So, this marked the birth of Yerevan State University National Ensemble, which prepared ground for the creation of YSU Cultural Club. Afterwards “Van” and “Tsiler” Ensembles were created in Politechnical University (currently Engineering University) consisting of students and children respectively. It was with great love and excitement that Hayrik Muradyan supported and taught them to perform songs and dances of Vaspurakan. He was loved and respect by people. His participation and performances gave special breath and air to Annual May Folkloric Festival that was initiated by Politechnical University and soon became a tradition. He was a respectful member of the Festival jury.