Armine Grigoryan: We must not blame young people for being uninterested in classical music and art

YEREVAN, AUGUST 20, ARMENPRESS: The number of young people participating in classical concerts is gradually growing in Armenia. About its causes and some other similar issues Armenpress interviewed Director of Aram Khachatryan House-Museum pianist Armine Grigoryan.

-An active flow of young people is noticed during the events periodically organized at Aram Khachatryan House-Museum. Has the interest in classical music grown among young people or it is the Khachatryan music that brings them here?

- This is really an actual question. In general, a work should be carried out with young people to provide the flow. Young people are in such a period of life when they need guiding to some degree. When one manages to present something in an understandable language for them and awaken interest, they surely make a step toward it. We should not wait till young people visit museum. In our days any young person gets much additional unnecessary information both through internet and television. We must compete with that information. Each of us must apply his/her opportunities. We use the capacities of the museum. I cannot say it is possible to achieve big results, but steps should be undertaken in all cases, without blaming young people for being uninterested in classical music and art. Lack of interest means that the art has not been properly presented in time: it depends on family, school and environment.

We have numerous programs with schoolchildren. In July we implemented an interesting program, hosting schoolchildren on Fridays. If a child enters the museum, participates in any event being its direct participant, an interest rises in him.

-How do you see the presence and future of the sphere? Are there descendants worth Khachatryan?

- A generation change must take place or else any dynamics or progress stops. Numerous talented young people work at the moment, but it is difficult to say whether their works will remain in centuries, like Khachatryan’s.

-What would you advise those who make new steps in this sphere?

-First of all they must be very committed and like their work very much, as this is a profession which fills person’s life from the beginning to the end. You never stop, and can never say you have reached the height you must stop, that is, an uninterrupted work lasting till the end of life is needed. They must be ready for those difficulties from the beginning.

-Would you tell a bit about programs connected with your personal career?

-There are agreements, invitations. We also have concerts for the near future. We prepare a very interesting program August 18 and 24 collaboratively with Gafesjian Center. In September we have an agreement on tours in Georgia. The concert in Tbilisi will be dedicated to 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

-How do you manage to resist temptations, to stay and work in the homeland?

-Maybe it is necessary to decide once that you will not go to that step, as the temptation is really great, especially in regard to job. When you see that can make outstanding steps in your profession and work with big musicians, it becomes difficult to resist that temptation and not make any step. I have big programs in Armenia and must surely implement them, or else I cannot be engaged in my profession in any other country. We have established a foundation for classical music development, and though with difficulty, but try to make some steps.