On May 1, at the initiative of the Central Board of Ararat Armenian Sport and Cultural Union of New Julfa, the Tatul Altunyan State Song and Dance Ensemble gave a concert in the sessions hall of the Union. The concert was organized by the Union’s Culture Unit.

The concert, which was dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Armenia, began with performances of music played on the Armenian dhol and zurna and was followed by the entrance and performances of the ensemble’s choir, orchestra and dance group.

The Master of Ceremonies Marine Malyan greeted the audience and stated that the Tatul Altunyan State Song and Dance Ensemble was in Iran at the invitation of Ararat Armenian Cultural Organization of Tehran, HUSK Institution and the Armenian Club. She also extended thanks and expressed gratitude for the invitation and for the opportunity to perform in Iran. “Culture is the best way of strengthening unity and instilling the idea of uniting around Armenia. You proved that patriotism is first and foremost an act, not just words. The 80-year-old ensemble, which has performed on five continents of the world, captured the hearts of thousands of people and performs its mission, has presented Armenian traditional songs and dances, as well as Armenian national instruments and national costumes to the world.”

During the event, the ensemble performed the folk and patriotic songs and music of Sayat-Nova, Aram Khachaturian, Alexander Hekimyan, Arno Babajanyan, Gusan Sheram and others and performed dances with high quality and splendor, to which the audience gave long rounds of applause.

After the concert, on behalf of the Central Board of the Union, Mania Ghukasyan expressed gratitude for the concert and for conveying a great mood to the audience with the performances, after which Primate of the Diocese granted a commemorative gift to the ensemble’s artistic director, Merited Art Figure of the Republic of Armenia Zhirayr Altunyan, who considered it a joy and pride to perform in the city of arts and crafts (New Julfa) once again, adding that the first time the Tatul Altunyan Ensemble performed in New Julfa was in 1944, and he considered it a pride that the mix of arts and culture has created a quality that is referred to as brotherhood and joint activity. At the end, Altunyan expressed gratitude to the Union’s representatives for the kindness and generosity.

Let us add that the ensemble’s artistic director is Merited Art Figure of the Republic of Armenia Zhirayr Altunyan, the general balletmaster is Merited Cultural Figure of the Republic of Armenia Hovhannes Khachikyan, the director is Grigor Voskanyan, and the head of the musical arrangements division is Edgar Avetisyan.

The concert was sponsored and attended by Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Isfahan, Bishop Sipan Kechejian. Among other attendees were the clergy, representatives of the National Bodies and the Armenian National Committee, the Union’s licensor Tatul Ohanian and Aileen Melikian, members of the Union and many others.

Yeranoush Tahmazian

Correspondent for

Ararat Armenian Sport and Cultural Union of New Julfa