On May 16, members of the U.S.-based Kantegh Adult Folk Choir gave a press conference at the RA Ministry of Diaspora. The speakers were RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan and artistic director of Kantegh Adult Folk Choir Gevorg Chakmanyan.

The Deputy Minister of Diaspora expressed gratitude to the choir’s members for traveling from the U.S. to stand with our people and soldiers and to support and motivate them during these days of panic and troubling. “The Kantegh Adult Folk Choir is known for its new interpretations of Armenian folk songs and will try to convey more energy to us with the power of song,” Srapionyan emphasized.

Choirmaster Gevorg Chakmanyan stated the following: “Thank you for the cordial reception. This is not the first time the Ministry of Diaspora is supporting our initiatives. This time we have come to the Homeland with a special mission, and that is to inspire and support Armenian soldiers.

Today, Armenians need our support like air and water, especially the Armenians living in the bordering regions. On May 18, Kantegh Adult Folk Choir will give a concert dedicated to the 25^th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia and Armenian soldiers at Aram Khachaturian Grand Concert Hall. The choir will perform the songs of troubadours Sheram and Havasi and Sayat-Nova with the Aram Merangulyan Folk Instruments Ensemble of the Public Radio of Armenia.

After the concert, we will give concerts in the Movses, Paravakar, Baghanis, Aygepar and Chinari villages of Tavush Province.”

Let us mention that this is the third time the choir is giving charity concerts in Yerevan and in the bordering villages of Tavush Province.

When asked how the choir was created, Mr. Chakmanyan said the following: “When I left for the U.S. in 2010, during my first concert, I noticed that many elders in the audience were singing along to the songs. That is how I came up with the idea of creating an adult choir. Many adults responded to the announcement. Today, the choir has singers between the ages of 47 and 98. We will celebrate our eldest singer Hovhannes’s 100^th birthday in Armenia.”

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan also received the members of Kantegh Adult Folk Choir, welcomed them and particularly stated the following: “I am pleased with the fact that you have come to the Homeland again to inspire and convey energy to our soldiers with your songs and warmth. Armenia is the only country where the people don’t leave in times of trouble, but return and become more unified. Thank you for being here, and welcome!”