The Paros Chamber Choir performed their first public concert under the direction of Maestro Raffi Mikaelian

Yerevan, Armenia, On July 18, 2009 the Paros Chamber Choir performed their first public concert under the direction of Maestro Raffi Mikaelian. The Concert featured the Choir’s new repertoire of “Songs for Summer” featuring songs from composers Komitas, E. Hovhannisyan, K. Zakaryan, T. Mansuryan, H. Odabashyan, I.Stravinsky, G. Faure and L. Spivacek.

“I am very pleased with the progress that the Choir has made in the relatively short period of time that we have been working together.” Said Maestro Raffi Mikaelian, “In five months of rehearsals, the Choir has made tremendous progress and I look forward to our next concert.”

The Choir performed to a full house at the Ghomidas Chamber Music Hall. U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, and diplomats from the European Union and the Embassy of Iran attended the Concert at the invitation of organizer and Principle Sponsor, The Paros Foundation.

“The Concert tonight was a solid step forward in the evolution of the Paros Chamber Choir. It is impressive that the Choir performed 17 new songs as part of its program tonight.” Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation, “The Paros Chamber Choir continues to serve as an inspiration to people around the world and as a shining star for Armenia and we are proud to be supporting their work.”

MUSEUM GIFT SHOP OPENS IN VANADZOR
Proceeds to benefit Vanadzor Museum and local artists

Vanadzor, Armenia – On Friday, July 3, the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts (www.vanart.org) hosted the opening of their new Museum Gift Shop. The Gift Shop was dedicated in the memory of Angela and Karekin Barsoumian (Allepo – Los Angeles) by their families and friends, who travelled to attend the ceremony from the United States and Lebanon.

“My mother and father had a strong passion for Armenian arts and would be very proud to know that thanks to the support of their family and friends, we were able to create a venue for Artists in the Lori Region to sell their art work and support their families. I am so pleased that the proceeds from this store will solely benefit the Museum and the artists.” Said Houry Barsoumian Abajian.

Following the short opening ceremony, students from Music School #3 in Vanadzor performed a short concert at the Museum featuring students playing traditional instruments and dancing.

“Today’s opening is of great benefit to the Lori Region, Vanadzor and our Museum,” said Papag Aloyan, Director of the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts. “Both tourists and our local visitors now have the opportunity to purchase local arts and crafts. We are very grateful to the Paros Foundation and to the family and friends of Angela and Karekin Barsoumian who made this all possible.”

The Paros Foundation (www.paros-foundation.org) coordinated the project with the Museum and the family to facilitate and oversee the construction and opening of the Gift Shop. The Gift Shop will serve many purposes including supporting the local economy by promoting tourism in the Lori Region, providing local artisans and artists an additional venue to promote sales of their artwork and crafts, and supporting the Museum itself.

“I would like to thank the Mayor’s office, the Museum and its staff and the family and friends of Angela and Karekin Barsoumian for supporting this project.” Said, Peter Abajian, Executive Director of the Paros Foundation. “The addition of the Museum Gift Shop here at the Vanadzor Museum is another step towards our overall goal of attracting visitors to Vanadzor and the Lori Region. I am very pleased that we successfully implemented a project such as this and I am hopeful other families will see the value and benefit of such an effort and consider The Paros Foundation as the conduit to implement their own project in Hayastan.”

The Paros Foundation (www.paros-foundation.org) is a Berkeley-based private 501(c)3 foundation. The Paros Foundation has identified and works with six organizations in Armenia involving the arts, children and people with disabilities, which serve as leaders within their respective fields. Foundation support comes in the form of organizational funds, quality office space and operational mentoring. The goal of the Foundation is to invest in these organizations to help them attract other partners and sponsors for their important and innovative work. The Foundation provides families and individuals with a cost-effective and easy way of implementing their own small projects in Armenia via the Foundation and its presence in Armenia.

Photo Caption: (pictured left to right) Family members Bearj Barsoumian, Jacqueline Gurgenian, Hratch Hagopian, Houry Abajian and Museum Director Papag Aloyan cut the ribbon to the new Vanadzor Museum Gift Shop at the opening ceremony on July 3, 2009.