November 24 was a festive day for all those who enjoyed watching performances of Armenian folk dances. We were filled with joy when the lights of NOTARIATO Theater shone and when we listened to the sounds of the Armenian zurna.

Our boys stunned the audience with their Armenian Kochari dance, while the graceful dances of the girls affirmed the words of the great Charents when he said, “I love the graceful dances of the Nairyan girls” (“U Nairyan Aghchikneri Hezatchkuyn Parn Em Sirum”).

We all enjoyed the boys’ and girls’ dances, their self-confidence, nice smiles, courage and delicacy.

We also enjoyed the performances by the junior dancers, their courage and love for Armenian dance. They received warm rounds of applause. We took pride and were filled with hope because on the stage we saw the future of SHIRAZ Dance Ensemble, which will preserve the Armenian dance culture. They will help Armenian dance flourish.

The dance ensemble’s artistic director and dance instructor, Maestro Vahram Hambardzumyan, who is also the first ballet soloist for the world-famous GOLON Theater of Buenos Aires, presented a part of Aram Khachaturian’s SPARTAK Ballet with one of the theater’s female solo dancers and showed his professionalism that helped the concert reach its climax.

Indeed, the dancers showed that they had worked hard in the months leading up to the concert. It was a small group that did everything possible to make sure that the concert was a success.

Garo Hekimian

Montevideo, Uruguay