Kevork Hadjian, a singer who repatriated from Lebanon to Armenia, on September 28 performed in the Artsakh border village of Norshen in a program organized by the Artsakh office of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society. He was accompanied by the dancers of the “Tnjre” group from Stepanakert and the “Monte” group from Norshen.
Hermine Avagyan, head of Hamazkayin’s Artsakh office, opened the program. She said the concert was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Hamazkayin, the centennial of the first Armenian republic, and the 30th anniversary of the Karabakh movement.
The audience greeted the singer with great enthusiasm, participating wholeheartedly in the singing and dancing throughout the program.
On stage, the Hadjian said that when he sings on the soil of Artsakh, he feels the full power of every word in his lyrics. He said he is convinced again and again that the future of the homeland starts with having developed villages. Villagers must be tied closely to Armenian culture and have opportunities to connect with it.
With rhythmic clapping, the audience signaled its thirst for such events. The singer said this enthusiasm serves as a special lesson in patriotism.
From the nearby villages of Ashan and Hatsi, people had come to get their fill of art despite bad weather.
Members of the audience received the artist’s CDs as gifts and had a chance to chat with him.
Hadjian closed the concert with words of gratitude to the Yerevan and Artsakh offices of Hamazkayin, the ARF bodies in Artsakh and especially to Davit Ishkhanian, for helping organize the concert. He also thanked his friend Alex Baghdasarian.
The singer’s costume was provided by the Teryan art center in Yerevan.
The singer and his friends had brought gifts for village families with many children; the money was handed to the village leaders.
On September 29, Hadjian held concerts at two barracks in Artsakh to inspire and support the Armenian soldiers. The songs sounded “more authentic” in the soldiers’ presence, as they were dedicated to them, Hadjian suggested.
The barracks’ command gave the singer a special certificate of gratitude for his support of the Defense Army.
On September 30, Hadjian was to perform in Karvadjar, concluding his Artsakh tour. He promised to keep returning to the republic for more concerts.