Audición Gomidas of Uruguay, the first radio program of the Armenian diaspora, celebrates 90 years on air

Ninety years ago, in Montevideo, Uruguay, a group of young Armenians launched a radio program that would become the first of its kind in the diaspora. On August 18, 1935, Audición Gomidas (Komitas) went on air for the first time. What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a daily presence, carrying Armenian music, culture, language and news into homes.

In an interview with the Weekly, Armenuhí Sheherlian, former host and member of the advisory group, remembers that “a group of young people launched the initiative to found an Armenian radio program with the aim of bringing Armenian music, culture, customs and words into homes, thus filling a large void in the community. On August 18 of the same year, the first Gomidas program, previously known as the Gomidas Choir, was broadcast on CX42 Tribuna Sonora. Its first hosts were Hagop Arakelian, Krikor Seferian, Hagop Kopushian, Garbís Karakirian, Smpat Izmirlian, Avedís Karamanukian and Vartan Izmirlian. From the beginning, Gomidas also had its own orchestra.”