On May 28, KOHAR, the world-renowned choral and music ensemble, showcased its largest concert with “Stars of Armenia” at Liberty Square near the Opera House in the heart of Yerevan.
The star-studded event brought together the most popular singers of Armenia, who performed with KOHAR songs admired by fans and audiences alike.
The live concert was broadcast live by Armenia’s Channel 1 TV and for the first time via internet live stream.
Over 10,000 spectators, in addition to tens of thousands of TV and internet viewers from Armenia and the diaspora, were mesmerized by the program, which was dubbed the biggest show ever performed in Armenia.
KOHAR’s latest production by Hayasa (Cyprus) and Domino (Armenia) boasted a superb 3D mapping and projection of images of Armenia’s unyielding history on the facade of the Opera House—from Noah’s Ark to its national symbol Ararat, to its rich alphabet—the Ayp Pen Kim—and the historic Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.
KOHAR’s over-150 orchestra and choir members, along with the 15-member dance ensemble. performed in the presence of the presidents of the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno Karabagh Republic; the prime minister and the speaker of the National Assembly; church representatives headed by Catholicos Karekin II; and many celebrities and artists.
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With this concert, Cyprus-born conductor, Maestro Sebouh Abcarian, engraved the Armenian culture with yet another golden page titled KOHAR. His enchanting baton movements brought onto stage the A-list of Armenia’s entertainment scene: Hayko, Arsen Safaryan, Shushan Petrosyan, Leyla Saribekyan, André, Aramé, Zaruhi Papaian, Nune Yessayan, Inga and Anush Arshakyans, Roland Gasparyan, and Tata Simonyan.
The culmination of the night was the performance of the song “Babenagan Giligia,” which has topped the charts in Armenia as the number one song for the past eight consecutive weeks. Together with KOHAR, the audience joined in the performance, waving more than 3,000 flags of the Kingdom of Cilicia, which were distributed by the organizers. Enthusiasm from the audience also erupted with the song “Veraganknir Giligia,” which has become KOHAR’s anthem.
KOHAR is the brainchild of Harout Khatchadourian of Lebanon, who sustains all the activities and concerts of KOHAR in memory of his late father Aram Khatchadourian, and as a tribute to his mother, Kohar Khatchadourian.
With this concert, KOHAR infused an eternal flame in the life of Armenia’s culture that will be cherished for many years to come.
—S. R. Seropian
Guest Contributor
Wish I had been there. The 3D mapping must have been spectacular live.
Bravo to Kohar, Hayasa, and Domino!
Hayoc hogin var pahogh,hayrenatench spyurcahayeri hogin gerogh Kohar iskakan gohar ansambli yeluytner@ cuyc tvin vor hayoc hogin pyuniqi pes mokhric durs e bkhum ev havat nershnchum apagayi handep.