On July 29, the RA Minister of Diaspora received the members of the Glendale “Komitas” Choir that had visited Armenia to participate in “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival. 

Greeting the guests, the RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan gladly stated: “It is a pleasure to see that you are in the middle-age group. Devotion to the culture and spending time adequately is very important; then one stays younger. I like the name of your choir. Komitas means the king of the Armenian song, Mashtots of song, the symbol of the Genocide. Choir named “Komitas” cannot but sing outstandingly”.

The minister focused on the problems of the preservation of the Armenian identity in Diaspora; she particularly said: “We have a problem to stay Armenian in Diaspora, and particularly in the USA. For the growing generation the most important thing is the example. I appreciate the strength of the example, by which we bring up generation and preserve it as the Armenian. All the children should at least once see the Homeland. We do not have the right to assimilate and eliminate our generation”.

The minister assured that “Komitas” Choir will be one of the jewels of the Festival, and will inspire, by its performance, the other choirs. The Choir will also perform a solo concert.

“Komitas” Choir under the Armenian Youth Association of California , was established in 2004 with the view of preserving the Armenian culture and the Armenian tongue. The Choir, comprised of 48 people, had concerts in Fresno and San Francisco, California, and participated in various events; it was rewarded with awards and certificates of honor. In December, 2014, the Choir will perform a concert at “Alex” concert hall.