Armenian theater companies also make significant contributions to national preservation and the development and dissemination of Armenian culture in the Diaspora. With their performances, they make sure Armenians, especially young Armenians never forget the literary heritage of the Armenian nation in their respective countries of residence. The Ahazank Theater Group of Alex Manoogian Cultural Center of AGBU Paris has dedicated itself to this mission, and this year marks the theater group’s anniversary.

On the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the theater group, Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with Ahazank Theater Group’s director Meguerditch Basmajian, who has also worked at the Noubarian Library in Paris for many years.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Basmajian, was the creation of the theater group an imperative of the time? How did you create this major “smithy” for the preservation of Armenian culture?

Meguerditch Basmajian: It all started in 1986 when Mher Mkrtchyan was in Paris to stage the operette “Baghdasar Akhpar”. There were four performances.

We had the unprecedented opportunity to work with the great actor for three months. We had fun and established very close ties. When we were bidding farewell to each other, Mkrtchyan advised us to open a theater group and stage plays based on daily topics and community events.

Mher Mkrtchyan’s words of advice immediately became imprinted in my mind. I started taking action. With a paper and pen in my hand, I would go to Armenian quarters to see commotion, listen to people speak and see how they behave.

In the beginning, a couple of my supporting friends and I gathered and, with the purpose of revaluing, disseminating and enhancing Armenian performing arts in France, established the Ahazank Armenian Theater Group at AGBU Paris Alex Manoogian Cultural Center with limited resources in 1992. The first performance was based on the play “Pages of Life: Perfectly Imperfect”. The creation of the theater group was necessary in order to solve the issue of preservation of the native language.

Hayern Aysor: Why did you name it “Ahazank” (Alarm)?

Meguerditch Basmajian: Since we felt that we Armenians are becoming assimilated in foreign countries and are under the influence of European culture, morals and civilization, we thought that “Ahazank” would be a wakeup call for Diaspora Armenians, particularly the Armenians of France so that they think about this major issue.

Hayern Aysor: If we recap the past 25 years of the theater group’s existence, what would you say the theater group’s major achievement is?

Meguerditch Basmajian: I think gaining the trust of the French-Armenians is our major achievement. In the beginning, we feared that the Armenian community of France wouldn’t pay attention to us, but we are pleased with the fact that the French-Armenians received us with open arms. This made us very excited.

When they see all that we have done, they want to come back and ask us about our new performances from time to time.

Hayern Aysor: Are the actors only French-Armenian actors?

Meguerditch Basmajian: Not only. Currently, the group also has Armenian actors from Armenia, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. The main ��?core’ of the theater group has been maintained to this day. The secret of our unity is that we live and work as a family, sharing our joys and sadness.

Of course, there are also young actors who are engaged in our efforts with great enthusiasm. Generally speaking, there is no age limit, and the doors of the theater group are open for everyone.

Hayern Aysor: The correct selection of plays is one of the major conditions for any theater group or company. What performances are included in the ��?theatrical palette’ of Ahazank?

Meguerditch Basmajian: The theater group’s performances are exclusively in Western Armenian. Among the more well-known performances are the performances based on Hakob Paronyan’s “Honorable Beggars”, Mushegh Ishkhan’s “It Is So Hard To Die”, Yervand Otyan’s “Khafien N 17”, Pertch Zeytuntsyan’s works and more. Six of my ten plays have also been performed, including “The Horse is Breaking Down” and the recent play “The Diary of a Migrant”, which describes the current state of the Armenian Diaspora, the activities of pan-Armenian organizations and institutions, as well as the thoughts and concerns of Diaspora Armenians.

We have performed these plays in many Armenian communities of France.

Hayern Aysor: Has the theater group ever played in Armenia and received the warmth and applause of the audience in Armenia?

Meguerditch Basmajian: Not yet. We all want to perform in the Mother Homeland. The Alex Manoogian Cultural Center is in close collaboration with Armenia and particularly the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia.

We might perform during the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival to be organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora next year. We will see. We are currently considering it.

We receive more energy from the generosity of Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan to work harder.

Whenever the honorable Minister is on a working visit to Paris, she always visits us, asks us about our activities and encourages us.

Recently, when I was visiting Armenia for the first time, Hranush Hakobyan awarded Ahazank Theater Group with the William Saroyan Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, for which we are more than grateful.

Interview by Gevorg Chichyan