First Concert Tour Abroad

2010 First Concert Tour Abroad.
Mission: aimed to develop and spread Armenian music, at the same time strengthening the connection with Armenian culture and history.

From April 22 to May 6 Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble on the invitation of “Yerkir Europe” organization had a concert tour in ten cities of France and Switzerland – Zurich, Geneva, Romans, Montelimar, Paris, Lyon, Cahors, Toulouse, St. Chamassy, Sarlat, presenting Armenian folk and spiritual music. The ensemble also held master classes with the students of the local conservatory of Montelimar and Romans.
The concerts aroused great interest abroad, and were actively covered by the French, Swiss, and also local Italian media.

Three unique manifestations have evolved due to this tour։

1.Concerts in Switzerland dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
2. April 30, Paris, benefit - concert for ten-year-old Alex Chuflakyan, who was paralyzed in the result of the accident and was taken to Paris for medical treatment.
3. May 5, St. Chamassy, concert dedicated to the memory of vice commander of the French Mediterranean Fleet, saver of thousands Mousa Ler Armenians, Louis Dartige du Fournet.

On this occasion, on May 9 a press conference was held at Naregatsi Art Institute. The founder of NAI Nareg Hartounian, Artistic Director of the ensemble Hovik Sahakyan, coordinator Anahit Davidyants, and the musicians participated in the press conference.

Nareg Hartounian
Our visit to Europe had a very important mission, to sound, to rebirth Armenian melodies by the efforts of these children, to preserve the connection with our roots, culture and history. At the same time, we understood, that people were yearning to hear pure music, culture… I would like to mention the fact that not only Armenians were present at the concert, but also many foreigners, who were all impressed and later on they will be interested in our music. We managed to fill this gap by the efforts of these children.

Hovik Sahakyan
The concerts had a great influence on the audience. Everywhere people were applauding for almost 15 minutes and asking to play again. All this reminds us once again that what we are doing is correct and timely. We must go on, because one of our goals is to find, to restore those Armenian instruments, which today aren’t used or are kept only in historic papers and miniatures։ pander, tavigh, qamani, etc. We wish to give rebirth to the instruments and to open new classes. In this way, we will save our instruments from oblivion."
The group is faithful to its aim։ to rebirth Armenian folk instruments, which are always striking with their originality, to present Armenian traditional music and to talk to all people using the language of music.