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YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS. The honored Armenian state dance ensemble “Barekamutyun” (“Friendship”) can turn 2014 into an abundant creative year. Along with the numerous performances on the Armenian stages, the ensemble will travel to France in the end of June of the current year and will give a row of concerts there.
In a conversation with “Armenpress” the Artistic Director of “Barekamutyun” dance ensemble Norayr Mehrabyan underscored: “We’ll depart for Paris on June 28. We’ll give 4 concerts in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. I have been there a couple of days ago and watched their concert halls. There were brilliant halls and creative collectives of big theatres introduce their performances there. It’s a great responsibility for us to give concerts on the prominent stages. Currently we are engaged in the preparation of a program, so that we could introduce the concerts appropriately.”
The Armenia state dance ensemble “Barekamutyun” (“Friendship”) was created in 1987 by Mr. Norayr Mehrabyan, who was an “Honorable artist of Armenia” at that time, and currently is the recipient of the prestigious title of “The national artist of Armenia”, bestowed upon him by the president of Armenia.
From the inception, the “Barekamutyun” ensemble attracted large audience and gained wide recognition due to its unique and multi-genre dance program, its vibrant array of folk dances of various peoples and nations. Their professional approach, the painstakingly work and great love and passion to the art of dancing and choreography became the main pledge of the ensemble’s success.
The “Barekamutyun” ensemble presented the Armenian national dance to the public in a classic and chorographical style. The performances arranged by Mr. Norayr Mehrabyan created an exclusively distinctive and new direction in modern armenian dance, combining elements of the folk, classical and contemporary choreography.
In 2008, “Barekamutyun” received the title of “the Honored troupe” awarded by the president of Armenia, for the group’s significant contribution to the cultural heritage of the country.
Armenian dances have been arranged based on the musical works and adaptations of Komitas. Sayat Nova, A Khachatryan, A Babajanyan, Kh. Avetisyan, T.Masuryan. A. Terteryan, E. Hovhannisyan. R . Altunyan. A. Gevorgyan. G Yeranyan. R. Amirkhanyan and G. Hakhinyan.
In addition to the national dances staged on Armenian folk music, the ensemble also performs modern dances on the music of Elton John and Karl Orph.
The dances performed by “Barekamutyun” have been choreographed by the artistic director of the ensemble, the National artist of Armenia, Mr. Norayr Mehrabyan and by the choreographers invited from Armenia and other countries.
The “Barekamutyun” ensemble has participated in numerous cultural events and concerts dedicated to various official state holidays and celebrations, as well as in many governmental events, the opening and closing ceremonies of which have been staged by Norayr Mehrabyan. Some of these celebrations include
· the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia
· the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet
· the Pan-Armenian festival of the “Mek Azg, Mek Mshakuyt” (“One nation, one culture”) foundation and pan-Armenian games.
The ensemble has participated in rock operas “Grigor Lusavorich”, “Jesus Christ Super Star”, “Lilit” and in the “Ave Maria” musical performance, the dances of which have been choreographed by the artistic director of the “Barekamutyun” ensemble Mr. Norayr Mehrabyan.
In 2009 the “Barekamutyun” ensemble presented the premier of the “Heroic Ballad” choreographic performance, based on the music of Arno Babajanyan, and the “Dance of the girls” from the “Prince Igor” opera.
Choreographic Performance of “Loretsi Sako” (music by Grigor Hakhinyan) and the concert program of the “Dances of different nations of the world” have been restored.
Since February 2009, for more than four months, the “Barekamutyun” ensemble has been involved in performing and staging works of the “Spartak” ballet (producing choreographer – Yuri Gregorovich.). Presently, the ‘Barekamutyun” ensemble is also participating in the performances staged at “the National academic theater of the opera and ballet of Armenia”.
In 2011, the ”Barekamutyun” ensemble has officially celebrated the 70th anniversary of the artistic director of the ensemble , the National artist of Armenia Mr. Norayr Mehrabyan. The premier of the choreographic performance “The Polovetion Dances” (from A. Borodin’s “The prince Igor” opera) has been presented on the 1st of July, 2011 within the framework of the jubilee concerts dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Mr. Mehrabyan. On the 2nd of July, within the framework of the same jubilee concerts , the “Barekamutyun” ensemble organized the performance of leading ballet dancers invited from Europe.
From the first years of its establishment the “Barekamutyun” ensemble has successfully performed in different countries of the world – among those:
Germany, Russia, India, Italy, England, China, France etc. , presenting Armenian dance art to the foreigners and to the Armenians of the world diaspora with dignity and in a high professional level. Periodically, the “ Barekamutyun” participates in interstate events, such as “the Armenian days” in different foreign countries, benevolent concerts, festivals.
For 25 years the Armenia state dance ensemble “Barekamutyun” remained as the most active and creative group in Armenia, actively implementing various concerts and cultural events thanks to its strong leader Mr. Norayr Mehrabyan and the professional staff always aiming for perfection.