Merrimack Valley Armenians to observe 94th anniversary of Genocide

by Tom Vartabedian

Published: Thursday April 16, 2009

The Ar-Li-Na Ensemble.

North Andover, Mass. - Ninety-four years have passed since the Armenian people were forced into exile that sent them from their homeland into alien lands.

In an effort to commemorate the loss of 1.5 million lives in the Genocide, Armenians from throughout Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire will join together to honor those victims.

The commemorative event will take place Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. at North Andover High School, 430 Osgood St., sponsored by the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley.

Theme of the observance will be "A Musical Tribute to the Martyrs" and will feature a trio of Armenian-born artists called Ar-Li-Na making its professional debut in the valley.

The group includes Lilit Muradyan, viola; Nara Shahbazyan, cello/piano, and Armenuhi Kekheyan, violin. They will be joined by a fourth member, guest violinist Sargis Karapetyan. The women are studying music at Boston University, looking to make a name for themselves in the performing arts.

Ms. Muradyan began her formal studies on violin at age 8 before receiving a full scholarship to Yerevan State University. She completed an assistantship for her master's degree at Miami University in Ohio, currently performs with the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, and teaches at McCormack Middle School in Dorchester.

Ms. Shahbazyan has studied piano since the age of 5 and cello at age 7. She is a highly accomplished solo and chamber musician who is pursuing a doctoral degree at Boston University. Among her performing credits are symphonies with Boston University, Miami University and Florida State. She is principal cellist with the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra and teaches at Musical Arts Academy in Exeter, N.H.

Ms. Kekheyan began her musical studies at age 7, becoming the youngest violinist to win the Armenian National Youth String competition. She earned a master's degree in violin performance at Western Michigan University and has appeared at several prestigious festivals throughout England and the United States while performing for different symphonies and orchestras.

Accompanying the trio will be Mr. Karapetyan, a former concertmaster of the Children's Opera Theater of Armenia with a master's degree in violin performance from Komitas State Conservatory in Armenia.

Since the committee's inception in 1990, special homage has been paid to Armenians lost at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish Empire during the genocidal years of 1915–1923.

Over that time, proceeds totaling $50,000 have gone toward assisting worthy Armenian charities both here and abroad.

Eight remaining area survivors will be honored at this commemoration: Verjin Chilingirian, Ojen Fantazian, Mary Garavanian, Arpine Hamamjian, Thomas Magarian, Carl Mootafian, Nellie Nazarian, and Jennie Vartabedian.

A joint requiem service will precede the concert, conducted by area clergy. Complementing the service will be appropriate hymns by the Armenian Choral Group of Merrimack Valley, a blend of various voices from the church sector, directed by Paul Ketchoyian, Chelmsford.

Aram Gurekian, a Waltham student, will give a recitation. Armenian School students from Merrimack Valley will be recognized for their winning essays in a contest surrounding genocide studies in public and private schools.

"Throughout Armenia's long history of turmoil and persecution, nothing has withstood the fury of time and deportation more fervently than those who survived the genocide," said Sossy Jeknavorian, committee chairperson.

"Over these nine decades, Armenians have become an asset to the growth of our land through hard work, education, healthy family values and strong religious practices," she continued.

The anniversary is being planned jointly by individuals from different organizational populations surrounding the catchphrase: "Remembrance, Renewal, Resolve – We Shall Survive."

Various local communities in Haverhill, Lowell and Lawrence have proclaimed the week in recognition of the Armenian Genocide through proclamation signings, radio and televised interviews.

A reception will follow in the school cafeteria. There is no admission charge. The public is invited.