"The cultural heritage of ethnic minorities living in Armenia"

Starting from 21 of October to 2nd of December, 2008, "Naregatsi Art Institute" (NAI) in collaboration with the "Open Society Institute. Budapest" realized the program "The cultural heritage of ethnic minorities living in Armenia".

The program introduced Greek, Assyrian and Kurdish cultures through concerts, exhibitions and film screenings in Yerevan, Gumri, Vanadzor and Charencavan. The aim of the program was to introduce to the public the spiritual values of ethnic minorities, to give an opportunity for having discussions in a language of culture, to activate the cultural life in regions and at the same time to support young artists.

The opening, on October 21, Assyrian young artists Leonid and Arthur Badalov brothers presented sculpture, ceramics and woodcarving exhibition at "Naregatsi Art Institute" and announced the beginning of the "National Minorities Cultural week in Armenia". On October 23 and 30 director Khiner Salem’s "Vodka Lemon" (about Kurdish people living in Armenia) and director Peter Brook’s "Meetings with Remarkable Men" (about G. I. Gurdjieff) were screened at "Naregatsi Art Institute".

On October 31 at 5pm program continued at the St. Grigor Naregatsi Church event’s hall in Vanadzor and on November 2nd at 3 pm at the Gumri Fine Arts Academy Hall, the works of the Badalov brothers were showcased and Gurdjieff’s folk pieces arranged for Armenian folk instruments were performed. The concerts featured Assyrian, Kurdish and Greek folk tunes. Many artists were present at the events. The discussions between the audience, organizers and the musicians followed each event and evidenced of the great interest the initiative had generated. The last concert of the initiative as well as of the regional tour took place in the city of Charentsavan.

However, prior to the last concert, on November 8 the major concert of the program took place in Yerevan. The musicians at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall performed the program of the Yerevan concert differed in content as well as in repertoire.

"Naregatsi Art Institute" planed the publication of CD which will include Assyrian, Greek, Armenian, and Kurdish music.