Karakashian Presents Komitas Book at Sts. Vartanantz
On Sat., Oct. 12, Sts. Vartanantz Church and Hamazkayin of New Jersey hosted a presentation by Dr. Meline Karakashian on her book, Komitas: A Psychological Study.
Dr. Karakashian with the organziers
Komitas is remembered for having saved Armenian folk music from extinction before the Armenian Genocide, and for his compositions that are dear to Armenians all over the world. He remains the symbol of Armenian suffering.
Dr. Karakashian analyzed Komitas’s mental state after 1915 from a psychological perspective. She spoke about the man and the clergyman who survived life’s adversities. Following his exile in 1915, he suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, and his musical career ended with his commitment to psychiatric institutions.
Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church, presented a plaque to Dr. Karakashian on behalf of Sts. Vartanantz Church and the Hamazkayin of New Jersey in appreciation of her presentation and important work.
