On May 4, Japanese pianist Takahiro Akiba gave a concert called “In the Land of Komitas” at Komitas Chamber Music Hall with the support of the RA Ministry of Diaspora. The concert was part of the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and featured performances by Arax Mansourian.

Among those attending the concert were RA First Lady Rita Sargsyan, the wife of the Speaker of the RA National Assembly Janna Sahakyan, acting Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Armenia Kenichiro Sasame, RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan, as well as artists, intellectuals and guests.

The special guest of the event was Armenian opera singer, Soprano Arax Mansourian.

“This event goes to show once again the truth that Armenian culture is universal in nature and can attract thousands of people and make them become the followers of Armenian music. The best example is the presence of our guest, Takahiro Akiba. Living in the distant Japan, he fell in love with the melodies of Komitas and started performing them, winning first place at a festival-competition dedicated to Komitas in Germany. Today, he is creating an organization that will advocate the art of Komitas in Japan. This is the artist’s contribution and an expression of his reverence to the Armenian people,” RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan mentioned as he spoke on behalf of the RA Minister of Diaspora.

Attaching importance to Arax Mansourian’s invaluable career, Serzh Srapionyan added: “The Armenian nation is rich with people like you. With your art and pro-national activities, you set an example for many people, especially the young generation, and not only Armenians. Evidence of that is this concert.”

The concert included performances of the works of great composers, including Komitas, Arno Babajanyan, Alexander Harutyunyan and Eduard Mirzoyan. The performances were often interrupted with warm rounds of applause.