October 17, 2018
On Friday, October 12, 2018 the AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian High School (MHS) commemorated the 2800th Anniversary of Erebouni-Yerevan with a cultural celebration at Boyajian Hall. All students participated in the two-hour celebratory program, which was filled with performances of song and poetry by the students, the school choir and special guest singer, Joseph Krikorian.
Ms. Lora Kuyumjian started the festivities with opening remarks about the significance of Erebouni-Yerevan, which was founded in 782 BC by Urartian King Argishti I. Arek Aghamanoukian, introduced the opening act of a fellow student, Arthur Keshishyan. To set the tone of the celebration, Keshishyan was dressed as King Argishti and carried in on a chariot built by AGBU’s talented set designer Manoug Satamian. After Keshishyan’s entrance, the choir took the stage with conductor, Mr. Bartev Gulumian and pianist Ms. Elmira Simonian, to sing songs like “Hey Jan Yerevan” and “Garoun Yerevan.” Following the choir’s performance, student Paulina Iezza performed a solo song during the presentation of the “Old and New Yerevan” slideshow. The slideshow juxtaposed Soviet era photos with modern day images of the city. Once the slideshow presentation concluded, guest singer Joseph Krikorian performed “Artsiok Ovker En,” “Hayortik,” and “Veradarts.” Concluding the first hour of the program was a group performance of the song “Yerevan Erebouni.”
The second portion of the celebration took place outside in the courtyard where the dance group, directed by Taguhi Bezatyan, performed cultural dances. The audience watched and enjoyed the taste of fresh baked Armenian lavash, “saji hats.” The celebration served as yet another reminder of how proud the AGBU community is to be Armenian.
