“My Armenia-2014”. “I had a dream to perform the song “Armenia” in the Motherland”. Edik Tamrazian

Edik Tamrazian considers the participation in the 2nd Festival of “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival of the RA Ministry of Diaspora as an achievement of the choir. He thinks that the opportunity to present in Armenia the talent of the Armenian young people from Tehran, which haspreparedfor the performance in the Homeland with great responsibility, is a precious fact.  “Zvartnots” choir of Tehran led by himself as Artistic Director, has a rich biography, and has managed to acquire significant reputation in Tehran.

-Mr. Tamrazian, would you, please, present the background of “Zvartnots” choir?

– “Zvartnots” is35 years old.  It is the choir of “Anahit” Union adjunct to “The Armenian Woman” Union. Initially, it was a children’s choir. Later on, when I became the artistic director of the choir, I made a decision to increase the number of the members by involving young people, as there was high demand for it. Then by posting announcements, we gathered the people wishing to be involved in the choir. Their number increased to 40, representing 17-26 years old young people. I am the artistic director for already 16 years; my specialty is conductor-musician; as a soloist I have performed for “Urartu” ensemble. This year is the 35th anniversary of my stage career.

-What principle is used inthe selection of members?

– Mandatory requirement is considering the musical education. Firstly, we test their voice data, after which involvement of the students in a respective group becomes clear. Thereafter, we begin to work on voice training. We have two different groups – one for the beginners and the other for the professionals. We equally work with both groups. Children attend the classes with pleasure, as they understand that performing Armenian songs is the best way to preserve the Armenian identity and to bear Armenia in their souls. As it is easy to assimilate in a foreign environment, on my part, I do everything compassionately, so that they could preserve their Armenian identity. There is a healthy atmosphere in the collective, it is like a family.

-What is the path of the creative career of “Zvartnots” choir?

– It should be noted that our choir has a great recognition in Tehran. We receive invitations for participation in all state events.  We wereeven invited by the President of Iran, for three times, to perform songs in the Presidential Palace.  During such events, along with Persian songs, I usually insist on singing Armenian songs as well, and this is my principle. When performing various Armenian songs, people representing other nations would approach us, praise and ask about the songs performed. We have an invitation from Greece; after we go back to Tehran, we’ll begin the preparatory work for the tour.

–         How it comes that you made the decision on participating in the 2nd “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival?

– Over the last years, we hadexpressed wish to participate in the Festival, but because of some documentation problems our trip failed.  This year, we have come to participate in “My Armenia” Festival with great excitement and enthusiasm. This would provide us an opportunity to return to Tehran with the vigor received from the Homeland and to continue working with positive energy. I had a dream to perform “Armenia” song on the Motherland. Now, thanks God, I can consider that my dream has become truth. During our Vanadzor performance, together with the choir, we performed the song and received warm rounds of applause. Note that for “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival, I have written a song to poet Wanandi’s poem, named “Hayk Dyutazun”. We have planned to perform it at the solemn closing ceremony of the Festival. The song is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

                         Interviewed by Gevorg Chichiyan 

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