From Armenia in brief: Third annual One Nation, One Culture Festival concludes

by Betty Panossian-Ter Sarkissian

Published: Saturday August 30, 2008

One Nation, One Culture festival. Photolure

Yerevan - On August 23, the third annual pan-Armenian One Nation, One Culture festival came to an end at Republic Square in the heart of Yerevan. The closing ceremony which was a song and dance festivity, brought together various cultural ensembles from Armenia and from around the world. Pop stars from Armenia also joined the festivities on stage. The celebration-concert wrapped up a week of cultural events that had taken place throughout the country.

The festival was organized by Armenia's Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the One Nation, One Culture Fund, and under the patronage of President Serge Sargsian.

Launched on August 17 at the Alexander Spendaryan Opera and Ballet Theater, the One Nation, One Culture festival brought together 940 participants from 16 countries, who showcased their talents in theater, fine arts, choir, and individual singing and dancing.

"The festival gives its participants a thrilling feeling," said Dianna Saribekyan, a member of the Hayortik Armenian Dance and Song Ensemble of Moscow. "It is very pleasant to hear Armenian dialects from so many communities of the Armenian world." The ensemble, which took part in the festival for the second time, had performances in Yerevan and Vanadzor. "I liked all the participating groups and I think the next time we will return with great pleasure," added Arthur Gasparyan, another member of the Hayortik Ensemble.

"The general atmosphere, the assembling of Armenians from so many countries, and forming new friendships are what moved me in this festival," said Khanoum Vardanyan, a singer from Javakhk. She added that this year the Armenians from Javakhk took part in the festival with a song choir and a theater.

"The coming together was indeed very exciting," said Alec Karapetian on the meeting of various cultural groups from all corners of the diaspora in Armenia. As a member of the Ararat committee and a performer in one of the two choirs from the Ararat Organization in Tehran, Alec had performed with the four-part choir. The choir had performances in Giumri and Yerevan, while the Kavaran Rock Choir of the same organization performed in Armavir. This year was the first time the festival expanded its activities outside Yerevan and into the regions of Armenia, as well as Nagorno Karabakh.