On June 29, Ministers of Diaspora and Culture of the Republic of Armenia, co-chairs of the organizing committee for the Nairi Pan-Armenian Music Festival Hranush Hakobyan and Armen Amiryan had a meeting with the recipients of awards at the Nairi Pan-Armenian Music Festival.

Among the participants were President of the Union of Composers of Armenia Aram Satyan; Director of Nairi Pan-Armenian Music Festival Samvel Haroyan, as well as the festival’s main award recipients, including People’s Artist of the USSR, choirmaster Ohannes Chekidjian; People’s Artists of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, dudukist Jivan Gasparyan, composer Vladilen Balyan, folk singer Ruben Matevosyan, cellist Medea Abrahamyan, canon player Angela Atabekyan; People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia, operatic singer Barsegh Tumanyan; folk craftsman, dhol player Gagik Hakhverdyan and the festival’s special award recipients, including dudukist and maker of musical instruments Georgy Minasov; cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan and dudukist Jivan Gasparyan Junior.

Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan greeted the guests and particularly stated the following: “The great artists gathered here today are not only the pride of the Armenian nation, the brilliant representatives of our nation and great Armenians who have represented Armenians in concert halls around the world, but also people whom we all respect for their merit, reputation, glory and grandeur. We are happy that you are with us. You are the main “heroes” of this festival, and it is not by chance that the committee for the Nairi Pan-Armenian Music Festival nominated you to win.”

The Minister emphasized that the Nairi Pan-Armenian Music Festival will be held under the high patronage of the President of the Republic of Armenia. The festival is organized by the RA Ministries of Diaspora and Culture, in partnership with the Nairi Foundation and the Union of Composers of Armenia. “The awards will be granted during the Armenia-Diaspora Pan-Armenian Conference on 20 September when 1,500 great Diaspora Armenians, leaders of pan-Armenian organizations and intellectuals will be gathered in the Homeland.

RA Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan cordially greeted the attendees and noted that every similar festival enhances and enriches cultural life in Armenia. Addressing the award recipients, the Minister of Culture added the following: “You guide young Armenians of Armenia and the Diaspora towards Armenian culture with your merit and tremendous contributions. I am more than happy to see that this festival serves as a pan-Armenian cultural platform, and I am certain that, under your leadership, we will be able to make more achievements in the advancement of Armenian culture. I congratulate us all.”

Afterwards, the RA Ministers of Diaspora and Culture granted the certificates to the award recipients.

At the end of the meeting, the attendees expressed their words of gratitude and made recommendations.