Rhode Island Holds ‘Tribute to Survival’ Concert

On Sun., April 12, the Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of Rhode Island held a concert titled, “A Tribute to Survival,” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The concert took place at the Park Theatre in Cranston, R.I., which was filled to capacity with 800 present.

Steven J. Zaroogian opened the program with a welcome message and introduced the master of ceremonies, Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian who spoke about his family arriving in America. Allan W. Fung, the mayor of Cranston, brought the greetings of the city.

The first part of the concert featured a performance by the Armenian Chorale of Rhode Island, accompanied by the Armenian Symphony Orchestra and Mari Panosian on the piano. It was conducted by artistic director, Maestro Konstantin Petrossian. The concert started with the American and Armenian anthems. The program included “Hankchetsek,” in memory of the April 24 Martyrs, as well as “Akh Vaspourakan,” with soloist Elizabeth Souin; “Odar Amayi,” soloist David Ayriyan, on kamancha; “Dle Yaman,” soloist David Gevorkian on duduk; “Der Zor,” by Krikor Piledjian, soloist Kate Norigian; “Groong,” by Gomidas, soloist Joanne Mouradjian; “Lorig” by Gomidas, soloist Debra Pjojian; “Azgi Sird, Ararat” by Konstantin Petrossian; “Dalvorig” and “Azg Parapantz” by Arno Babajanian, soloist Vagarshag Ohanian.

“Srbazan Hayastan” by Levon Chaushyan and “Tsakhgir Hayrenik” by Yervand Yerznkyan, which was written especially for April 24, was heard for the first time, performed by soloist Gohar Manjelikian. Daniel Ayriyan produced the backround videos, which were shown while the chorale was singing. It was a beautiful and inspirational program.

The second part of the concert featured the Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston, performing “Journey through Time,” under the direction of Apo Ashjian, described as taking a journey “…from the pagan times of 2,000 B.C., through the adoption of Christianity in 301 A.D., to the Battle of Vartanantz in 451 A.D., and on to the beauty of Sayat Nova’s 18^th-century poetry, to the angst of the Armenian [Massacres and] Genocide 1895 to 1923, and lastly to the celebration of nowadays independent Armenia.”

The following dances brought to life these stories: “Pagan Era”; “Khor Virab”; “Yarkhoushda”; “Sayat Nova Ashkharoumes Akh Chim Kashi”; “Dance of the Twenty Brides”; and “Rebirth.”

“From the ashes of the genocide, we rise again. We sing and dance again. A century after the genocide, we remember the lives lost and celebrate Armenia with a suite of ethnographic dances.”

The choreography, costumes, and stories through dance were outstanding. The program ended with the audience on their feet for a standing ovation.

The Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee would like to thank all who participated in the program and who made it such a special day for the Armenian community of Rhode Island.