2024 September 05, Thursday 19:00
Naregatsi Art Institute marked its 20th anniversary in Komitas Chamber Music Hall within the framework of a beautiful concert program and an exhibition entitled “20-year Ascent”.
The festive event began with the Lord's Prayer by Father Shahe Hayrapetyan, Spiritual Pastor of St. Sarkis Church of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese.
In his welcoming speech, Nareg Hartounian, the Naregatsi Art Institute founder, thanked everyone who has been with the Institute for 20 long and hard years, through which many important cultural programs have been implemented.
"Every Armenian has a mission and obligation; to serve God and the motherland, there is nothing more important and primary than that," emphasized the NAI founder.
At the end of the event, Nareg Hartounian presented cross-stones to Vahan Artsrun, John Hodian, Paros Chamber Choir, Artem Khachatur, artistic director of Naregatsi Orchestra, Helbert Asatryan, Artistic Director of the Nova Folk Instruments Ensemble and singer, dancer, lawyer Marianna Poghosyan as ambassadors of Armenian culture.
NAI founder also handed presents to H.E. Mr. Lukas Rosenkranz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Armenia, H.E. Mr. Cornel Ionescu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Armenia, and Frank Hess, representative of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, who graced the event dedicated to NAI 20th anniversary with their presence.
The concert program featured excerpts from Vahan Artsruni’s CD "Komitas. Ten Revelations", excerpts from Naghash Ensemble "Songs of Exile" (text by Mkrtich Naghash, music by John Hodian). Spiritual and folk compositions were performed by the Award-winning Paros Chamber Choir (Artistic Director and Conductor: Raffi Mikaelian, Choirmaster: Ruben Karaseferyan), Nova Folk Instruments Ensemble (Artistic Director: Helbert Asatryan) and Naregatsi Orchestra (Artistic Director: Artem Khachatur).
Soloists: Knar Hartounian, Nova Hartounian, Lusin Vanes, Smbat Khalatyan, Harutyun Muradyan.
Marianna Poghosyan gave a surprise musical performance.
The attendees had the opportunity to enjoy the video-clip dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Naregatsi Art Institute.
The works of famous Armenian painters and sculptors Arto Tchakmakjian, Hakob Hakobyan, Robert Elibekyan, Tigran Matulyan, Armen Khojoyan, Robert Askarian and Samvel Tavadyan were presented within the framework of the exhibition. The photographic works of Nareg Hartounian, the founder of Naregatsi Art Institute, were also exhibited.
The concert program closed up with Smbat Khalatyan’s composition "Ode", dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Naregatsi Art Institute.
The RA Honored Artist Samvel Baghinyan and actress Ruzanna Hakhnazaryan were the hosts of the concert program.
Naregatsi Art Institute (NAI) is a non-profit organization that was established and currently operates on purely charitable bases. Named after Saint Gregory of Narek, the NAI’s principle mission is to preserve and promote Armenian art, culture and spiritual values.