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The Komitas International Conference-Festival, dedicated to the memory and creative legacy of Komitas, kicked off on September 26, the birthday of the renowned musicologist and composer, and will continue until October 8.
The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia said in a press release that before the start of the festival, a requiem service was held at the Komitas Pantheon.
Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Alfred Kocharyan, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Member of Parliament Arayik Harutyunyan (Civil Contract), Ambassador of Italy Alessandro Ferranti, renowned composer Tigran Mansuryan, participants of the Komitas International Conference-Festival, scholars, artists and guests were present at the event.
The participants paid tribute to the memory of Komitas and laid flowers at his grave.
The opening of the festival-conference then took place. Deputy Minister Alfred Kocharyan emphasized the importance of the annual “Komitas” International Festival in the context of promoting Komitas’ legacy.
“Our main mission is to preserve Komitas’ entire legacy and pass it on to generations. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, as the authorized body, will always support the implementation of such initiatives, with programs aimed at disseminating and promoting Komitas’ legacy at the core of its policy,” Deputy Minister Alfred Kocharyan said, adding that the Komitas Museum-Institute is included in the agendas of high-ranking delegations visiting Armenia.
As part of the festival, the “Eden” temporary exhibition opened at the Komitas Museum-Institute, featuring artists from Armenia and abroad. Gago Chtchyan is represented from Armenia, Hermine Demiro from Mexico, and Arman Tadevosyan from France.
The festival program brings together different layers of Komitas’ legacy: his musical works, scientific and literary heritage, visual art, theatrical readings, as well as the preservation and public presentation of materials related to his life and activities.
Particular importance is attached to the donation of Komitas-related materials to the museum’s collection: Lusine Sahakyan, director of the Komitas Museum-Institute, donated Komitas-related materials to the museum’s collection, according to the ministry.
The final event of the festival will take place on October 8. During the evening, the book “Komitas Vardapet: Piano Works” will be presented, followed by a piano music concert featuring Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia Hayk Melikyan.
The festival program is available at the following link.