On 13 April, 2013 the “Hayartun” Cultural Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia in Calouste Gulbenkian Hall hosted exhibition entitled “Armenian Golgotha”, dedicated to the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Union of Armenian Painters of Georgia and Young Artist Association of Javakhk organized the event with the support of the Board of Trustees of the “Hayartun” Cultural Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, RA Embassy to Georgia, RA Ministry of Diaspora and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Artists from Tbilisi, Javakhk, as well as artists, who were born in Georgia, but currently are engaged in creative activities in Armenia, presented their works at the exhibition. Merujhan Shahumyan, Chairman of the Union of Armenian Painters of Georgia, opened the exhibition; he informed that out of 35 artists the majority is young, and they know about the Armenian Genocide only from the stories. On nearly 60 canvases, represented in the hall, by means of colors they expressed their indignation and demand for justice and compensation for the severe torture and suffering of innocent forefathers.
The Head of Georgian NGO “Irakli II Society” Archil Chkoidze welcomed the organization of the exhibition, he bowed to the memory of innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide, and called on the Georgian authorities to respect the pain of the neighboring Christian nation, to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and erect a monument for victims.
Poet and translator Givi Shakhnazari, Van Baiburtian, Advisor to the President of Georgia and the editor of “Vrastan” (“Georgia”), director Michael Grigorian and the historian Yenok Tadevosyan aroused their indignation against unfair and indifferent attitude of the world community.
St. Nerses Shorhali Youth Vocal Ensemble of the “Hayartun” Center (conductor Hovhannes Hambardzumyan) and Surb Etchmiadzin Church Choir (conductor Svetlana Tatoeva) performed classic and spiritual songs; melodies, performed by the duduk player Vano Mkrtchyan and the piano player Karen Mirzoyan, also sounded during the event.
The Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan blessed all the participants and considered this exhibit and similar events a monument to the innocent Armenian martyrs. Noting the young artists, the Head of Diocese expressed hope for brighter future of Armenia and Armenians.
Merujhan Shaumyan, Chairman of the Union of Armenian Painters of Georgia, and the Chairman of the Young Artist Association of Javakhk Haykazun Karagulyan presented those artists, whose works had been recognized as the best.
Christina Bagdatsyan was recognized the youngest participant of the exhibition. Lilit Arsenyan was awarded the third place, Ani Kananyan – the second place, and Maryam Tipukhyan took the first place with her canvas “Weeping Woman”. The residence of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia awarded them with cash prizes.
The exhibition will run until April 30.
