On September 25, the solemn closing of the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival was marked by an event called “Armenian Song Day” at Gabriel Sundukyan National Academic Theater.

The event was dedicated to the 145^th birthday of Komitas, who is the founder of modern Armenian classical music, and  included performances of Komitas’s songs in different genres, a short presentation of Komitas’s life, his legacy and parts from his words on Armenian culture.

The event began with a performance by the Bardiner Dance Ensemble named after Vanush Khanamiryan, as well as Professor of the University of Los Angeles, singer Margarit Shahinyan and Professor of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory Samvel Galstyan.

The other participants of the festival, including Shoghig Torosian and Avedis Melkon from Lebanon, Artur Baghdasarian from Turkey, the Margaritner Traditional Song-Dance Ensemble of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, Zvartnots Quartet, the Tsakhkazard Ensemble of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese and others performed the songs of Komitas and the songs of other Armenian composers.

The event was hosted by Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia Sargis Najaryan, who called all the participants to the stage at the end of the event.

In her closing speech, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan mentioned that Komitas is the Mesrop Mashtots of Armenian songs, deciphered the Armenian spirit through song, conducted an in-depth study on his predecessors’ contributions to the development of professional music of Armenians and established a new school of national musicians, proving to the whole world that Armenians have unique music.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan particularly mentioned: “Today, we are ending the series of cultural events that have been held since July. Through the Days of Armenian Dance and Days of Choral Arts Programs and the Duduk Festival, we had the chance to enjoy watching the performances of our talented compatriots from the Homeland and the Diaspora.
Today, you helped us enjoy the wonderful melodies of Armenian songs. We became convinced once again that there is a warm and familiar world of Armenians in our national music that instills the spirit in Armenians of the Diaspora and serves as a strong barrier against unfavorable influences from foreigners.”

The minister expressed gratitude to all the participants of the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival, wished them more success and achievements and voiced hope that the participants would be more active and would become the guarantors for preservation of the Armenian identity.

The  2^nd “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival was sponsored by Orange Armenia (general sponsor) and Tashir Group (sponsor). The information sponsors were the Public Television of Armenia, Shant TV, Yerkir Media TV and the Public Radio of Armenia.