On August 7, the solo concert of the Glendale “Komitas” Choir (USA), led by Choirmaster Michayel Avetisyan, was held, for the first time in Armenia, at Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, in scope of Days of Choral Art of the 2^nd “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

The Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan conveyed to the participants the greeting from the Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, and her regrets at not being able to participate in the first solo concert of “Komitas” choir in Yerevan. In his speech, the Deputy Minister particularly said: “Komitas” Choir of the Armenian Youth Association of California was created in 2004 with the view to preserve the Armenian culture and language in Diaspora. Every year, in October, the Choir, comprised of 48 people, performs, with its concert program, at the event dedicated to the Month of Culture. It has performed concerts in Fresno and San Francisco in California, participated in various events and was rewarded with awards and certificates of honor.

By virtue of Order of the RA Minister of Diaspora, the choir is rewarded with Golden Medal, the highest award of the Ministry, for its great contribution in preservation of the Armenian identity and voluminous pro-Armenian activity.

It is my pleasure to comply with the assignment of the RA Minister of Diaspora, which has its continuation.

For the great contribution in the challenging work of creation of the choir and for continuous advocacy of the Great Komitas’s art, the Minister awards one of the pillars of the choir Mr. Varand Hovnanian with “Komitas” Medal.

Great benefactor Vahagn Hovnanian and his wife Hasmik Hovnanian were present at the concert and enjoyed the performance.

“Komitas” choir, having the works by Komitas, Sayat-Nova, M. Yekmalyan, B. Kanachyan, K. Avetisyan, as well as Armenian folk songs on its repertoire, performed in a packet auditorium and received warm rounds of applause and high appreciation from the audience.