Hayasdan All-Armenia Fund Annual Charity Concert for New Kindergarten in Sassounik
The Annual Charity concert of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Affiliate in the UK has become a tradition, when young Armenian artists sparkle with their bright talents in St. John’s Concert Hall in Smith Square, London.
Individuals and organisations that persist in bringing young talented artists to perform in the United Kingdom perform a truly heroic act, since it is extremely hard to attract audiences to such performances. If organisations fail to sell tickets, many talented young artists would not have the opportunity to present Armenian culture outside their homeland.
One of these rare events is the annual Charity recital organised by Hayastan All-Armenian Fund which took place this year on the 21st of February. According to the UK representative of the Fund, Mrs. Armine Carapeti, the concert needs to cover the costs such as hiring the hall as well as inviting the artists. This year the participants were three young and prominent soloists from Armenia: award- winning mezzo-soprano Varduhi Khachatryan; soloist of the Armenian Opera, soprano Lilit Soghomonyan; young soloist of the Armenian Opera, tenor Liparyt Avietisyan and pianist Armen Aghajanyan, winner of “the Best Accompanist” international singing competition in 2002. Maryam Shahinyan, the Artistic Director of the concert, had put together a varied and appealing programme: from Armenian to Western composers. The audiences were enchanted by the vocal performances of all artists during the evening. The Armenian artists performed arias from favourite European operas and Armenian composers with great accomplishment in the almost packed St. John’s concert hall.
“We were very lucky to be able to book such renowned soloists who have extremely busy timetables both in Armenia and abroad”, confessed Armine Carapeti proudly. ”Every year we try to introduce exceptionally talented musicians ranging from child prodigies to mature professionals, vocalists and various instrumentalists: violinists, pianists, clarinettists, saxophonists”.
Mrs. Carapeti explained, the proceeds of the 2015 London concert will go to the construction of a new kindergarten in the village of Sassounik in Aragatsotn region. The main occupation of the 4000 inhabitants here is winemaking, and while there are two schools in the village, there is no kindergarten since the collapse of the old one some twenty years ago.
“A kindergarten is essential so that young families can leave their little ones in safety, and go to work. The new state of the art kindergarten will open its doors in May 2015 for around 100 children”, said Mrs. Armine Carapeti with satisfaction.
The Charity recital was not merely a celebration of dazzling musical talent from Armenia, but equally served the noble cause and the gratifying project of the construction of a new kindergarten for the youngest inhabitants of Sassounik village in Armenia.
By Hasmik Harutunyan, London
Reporter for ACCUK.
