On June 12, under the high patronage of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon, the Lebanon local chapter of Tekeyan Cultural Association organized a concert entitled “Pieces of Armenian Music Performed in Lebanon” at Tekeyan Center in Beirut. The concert, which was the result of the hard work and valuable efforts of Rita Asilian, featured performances of the works of great Armenian composers by 21 young boys and girls and created an Armenian environment at Tekeyan Center, as reported Hayern Aysor, citing Lebanon’s Zartonk.

Among the attendees were RA Ambassador to Lebanon Samvel Mkrtchyan, former deputy of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) and chairman of the board of founders of the TCA Hagop Kasarjian, General Elia Francis (brother of the late famous artist Watih Safi), President of the Association of Ambassadors of the United States of America Graziella Monop, Lebanese director, songwriter and poet Gilbert Rami and others.

“First, we should recall that this concert coincides with the 25^th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and the concert is dedicated to this anniversary. Music is eternal because culture has always been light of nations. Tekeyan Cultural Association has always preserved and disseminated Armenian culture by presenting Armenian poems, dances, sculptures and paintings to the whole world. Music is a direction that links nations to each other. Taking this as a basis, this evening we will present a part of Armenian music to be performed by Lebanese performers,” Rita Asilian said as she expressed her greetings to the guests.

At the end of her speech, Asilian asked the audience to listen to the video message of RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan: “I cordially express my warm greetings to all the participants and guests of this special event dedicated to the 25^th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia and of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It is an event that is one of the regular, but extraordinary initiatives of Tekeyan Cultural Association. Today, Armenian traditional songs and classical music have gathered young Armenian and Arab musicians on one stage, proving once again that the centuries-old friendship between the Armenians and the Arabs is laid on strong foundations. The event being held today serves as further evidence of the pro-Armenian activities that Tekeyan Cultural Association has been carrying out for years. After all, each participant of the concert will become a strong bridge between the two nations and will become a unique ambassador of the centuries-old Armenian culture in the Arab World. And after all, by introducing foreigners to the heritage of Armenian national culture, we Armenians increase the international fame and reputation of our culture,” the Minister of Diaspora emphasized in her welcoming remarks addressed to the participants of the event.

After the performances of the works of great Armenian musicians (Alexey Hekimyan, Aram Khachaturian, Komitas), Diran Sarkisian expressed his heartfelt words to the attendees. “Music is a universal language. When the sons of a nation play the music of another nation, this becomes a powerful signal for unity. Armenian music is very rich. And now, we see that the geography of that music is expanding and has reached Lebanon. It is spiritually satisfying to see these handsome boys and beautiful girls taking their first steps in the field of music by performing Armenian music.”

At the end of the concert, RA Ambassador Samvel Mkrtchyan and Hagop Kasarjian granted the musicians the letters of appreciation of the RA Ministry of Diaspora for presenting and disseminating the best traditions of Armenian music, as well as for making their contributions to help preserve and eternalize Armenian culture.