UNISON NGO LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Unison, the leading non-governmental organization in Armenia, which advocates for the rights of people with disabilities, is pleased to announce the launch of its new bilingual website www.unison.am.

Our new website will serve as a tremendous resource for not only people with disabilities, but also international organizations, prospective donors and anyone who would like to learn more about our organization, available resources for or the issues facing people with disabilities in Armenia, said Armen Alaverdyan, Executive Director of Unison.  Our new website’s functionality allows visitors to download most of the publications and videos produced by Unison free of charge. Our photo gallery illustrates the success of our many projects and achievements from 2003 until today. In addition, the disability related resources section provides valuable information on many important issues including: Accessibility, Education, Employment, Rehabilitation, Laws and others.

The website redesign and build was made possible through a grant from The Paros Foundation. The website was designed and built through a collaborative effort by the capable team of Lilit Khudoyan and Sevan Amirians.

Bringing Unison’s valuable message and resources to people throughout the world via this website and the internet was an attractive investment for the Paros Foundation. I am certain that the visitors to this site, both disabled and not, will appreciate Unison’s capable and important work, said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation.  Our hope is that Unison’s website will serve as a gateway and catalyst to attract other project sponsors and resources.

Founded in 2002, Unison has aggressively worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities. As the first and most effective non-profit organization of its kind in Armenia, Unison helps protect, advocate for, and shape the rights of people with disabilities. Beginning in 2006, The Paros Foundation has supported the work of Unison through annual grants. In addition, as part of its philanthropic model, The Paros Foundation provides quality office space rent-free to Unison. The Paros Foundation is also the Principal Organizational Sponsor of the Paros Chamber Choir, a project of the Unison, NGO.

Please visit Unison’s new site at www.unison.am and tell us what you think!

Concert dedicated to commemoration of Armenian Genocide

Yerevan, Armenia—On April 24, 2009 at 7 p.m., the Paros Chamber Choir will perform three songs at a Concert dedicated to commemoration of Armenian Genocide, and organized by the Naregatsi Art Institute.

The Concert will take place at Naregatsi Art Institute which is located at: Vardanants Street 16/1, Yerevan, Armenia. The Paros Chamber Choir will close the event with three songs – Hayastan by Edgar Hovhannisian, Asatsvats Hor Hamar by Tigran Mansurian and Garoon by Komitas. The concert is open to public and admission is free.

NEWS RELEASE

PAROS CHAMBER CHOIR PERFORMS AT THE VANDAZOR MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

Vanadzor, Armenia—On Tuesday, October 16, 2007 the people of Vanadzor were treated to a concert by the Yerevan based Paros Chamber Choir, which performed at the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts. The concert was organized and sponsored by the Paros Foundation.

The concert, entitled “Autum Songs,” attracted more than 250 guests to the second floor exhibition hall of the museum. This location was ideal both esthetically and acoustically. Sitting amidst an impressive sampling of the Museum’s collection of paintings, the audience was treated to musical selections from well known composers including Komitas, T. Altunian, A. Ter-Ghevorkian and C. Kara-Murza.

The Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts was established in 1974 and is one of the most prominent cultural centers in the Lori Region. The museum houses more than 1,700 works of art including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and decorative arts. The museum is dedicated to excellence in art by increasing the knowledge and appreciation of art through its collection, exhibition and education for diverse audiences.

“It was quite exciting to listen to such beautiful music surrounded by the impressive artwork of the Vandazor Museum of Fine Arts,” said Roger Strauch, Chairman of the Paros Foundation. “I am delighted that we were able to bring these two organizations together to produce the event for Vandazor.”

Since 1993, the Paros Chamber Choir has dazzled audiences throughout Armenia, the Middle East and Europe with its repertoire of classical chamber music and ethnic folk music by Armenian, Russian and Western composers. The Paros Chamber Choir has blossomed into a beacon of hope for people with disabilities in Armenia as most members of the Choir are individuals with spinal cord injuries and are wheel chair bound. The mission of the choir is to strive for musical excellence, while at the same time raising awareness of the conditions of the disabled in Armenia and beyond. The Choir entertains worldwide audiences, participates in international competitions, and encourages people with disabilities to live full and active lives
More information about the Paros Chamber Choir and the Paros Foundation can be found at http://www.paros.am.

The Paros Foundation is a Berkeley, California based foundation and was formed in 2006 to support non-governmental organizations in the Republic of Armenia. Since its inception, it has identified and supports several organizations including the Paros Chamber Choir, the UNISON NGO-Supporting People with Special Needs, Manana Youth Center and the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts. The Foundation was founded by the Strauch Kulhanjian family and takes a special interest in organizations that nurture and harness Armenian artistic talent. The Paros Foundation hopes to serve as a beacon for people and institutions who seek guidance towards exemplary innovative NGOs in Armenia. More information about the Paros Foundation can be found at www.paros-foundation.org or by contacting Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 (in the US) or (093) 99-80-99 (in Armenia).

PAROS CHAMBER CHOIR PERFORMS CONCERT REMEMBERS SLAIN JOURNALIST DANIEL PEARL

Yerevan, Armenia—On Tuesday, October 9, 2007 more than 100 people including representatives of Armenia’s media corps joined Ambassador Rudolf Perena, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Armenia and friends of the Paros Foundation at the Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of slain American journalist Daniel Pearl with a concert by the Paros Chamber Choir.

The Harmony for Humanity Concert featured works by such renown composers as Komitas, Altunian, Vivaldi and Harutyunyan, and were well received by the enthusiastic audience.

The Harmony for Humanity Concert was underwritten by a grant from the United States Embassy in Yerevan and the reception was sponsored in part by the Paros Foundation. The concept for the Daniel Pearl Day of Music and the Concert Series was inspired by the life of Daniel Pearl, who was murdered by terrorists in 2002 in Pakistan. Music Days connects thousands of diverse groups, using the universal language of music, to diminish hatred, respect differences and inspire “Harmony for Humanity.”

Ambassador Perina during his opening remarks spoke of how the concept for this series of international concerts began as a result of an Armenian. “It is fitting that this event takes place in Armenia, as it was Daniel Pearl’s Armenian American friend, George Pehlivanian, who, the day after the world learned of Daniel’s death, directed the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 as a tribute to Daniel’s life.” Music becomes the best way to recognize Daniel Pearl. This successful tribute ultimate inspired the Daniel Pearl Foundation to sponsor concerts around the world.

“It was such an honor for the Paros Chamber Choir to be asked by the U.S. Embassy to perform here today to honor Daniel Pearl and perform for Armenia’s media corps.” Said Paros Chamber Choir Musical Director Armen Alaverdyan.

Since 1993, the Paros Chamber Choir has dazzled audiences throughout Armenia, the Middle East and Europe with their repertoire of classic chamber music and ethnic folk music by Armenian, Russian and Western composers. The Paros Chamber Choir has blossomed into a beacon of hope for people with disabilities in Armenia as most members of the Choir are individuals with spinal cord injuries.

The Paros Chamber Choir takes its name from the Armenian word for lighthouse. Indeed the choir is seen as a beacon of hope and artistic excellence by fans around the world. The Choir entertains worldwide audiences, participates in international competitions and encourages people with disabilities to live full and active lives. More information about the Paros Chamber Choir and the Paros Foundation can be found at www.paros.am or www.paros-foundation.org.

PAROS CHAMBER CHOIR PERFORMS SUMMER SONGS

YEREVAN, ARMENIA—On June 29, the Paros Chamber Choir held a concert dedicated to “Summer Songs” at the Gomidas Chamber Music Hall. More than 250 people filled the concert hall to listen to this amazing group of performers.
“It was a special honor for us this evening to perform for our Diasporas friends,” said Armen Alaverdyan, Musical Director of the Paros Chamber Choir. “We were especially honored that the Georgian Ambassador to Armenia, H.E. Ambassador Revaz Gachechiladz, joined us for the concert and reception.”
“I was so pleased to join you this evening to witness the delightful performance of the Paros Chamber Choir,” said Ambassador Gachechiladz. “It was most enjoyable and inspirational event.”
Since 1993, the Paros Chamber Choir has dazzled audiences throughout Armenia, the Middle East and Europe with their repertoire of classic chamber music and ethnic folk music by distinguished Armenian, Russian and Western composers. The Paros Chamber Choir has blossomed into a beacon of opportunity and inspiration for people with disabilities in Armenia as most members of the Choir are individuals with spinal cord injuries.
The Paros Chamber Choir takes its name from the Armenian word for lighthouse. Indeed the choir is seen as a symbol of hope by fans around the world. The Choir entertains worldwide audiences, participates in international competitions and encourages people with disabilities to live full and active lives.
The Paros Foundation, a California-based foundation sponsored and organized the successful Concert.
“Two of the goals of the Foundation are to promote and nurture Armenia’s culture and to help improve the quality of lives of people with disabilities in Armenia,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of the Paros Foundation. “The Paros Chamber Choir is a bright star within Armenia and we hope to help them deliver their message to the world.”

PAROS CHAMBER CHOIR TO PERFORM JUNE 29, 2007

YEREVAN, ARMENIA—On June 29, 2007, the Paros Chamber Choir will hold a concert at the Gomidas Chamber Music Hall. The Paros Foundation is organizing and sponsoring the event.

Under the direction of Vachagan Navasardyan, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Paros Chamber Choir, the group will perform a wide variety of songs from composers including: Komitas, M. Yekmalian, A. Ter-Ghevondian, R. Petrosian, J. Gyozalian, T. Altunian, C. Kara-Murza, B. Kanachian, A. Harutyunian, A. Vivaldi,
G. Verdi, D. Bortnyanski and E. Manolov. Following the Concert, a reception will take place offering concert goers an opportunity to meet and greet the performers.

Since 1993, the Paros Chamber Choir has dazzled audiences throughout Armenia, the Middle East and Europe with their repertoire of classic chamber music and ethnic folk music by Armenian, Russian and Western composers. The Paros Chamber Choir has blossomed into a beacon of hope for people with disabilities in Armenia as most members of the Choir are individuals with spinal cord injuries.

The Paros Chamber Choir takes its name from the Armenian word for lighthouse. Indeed the choir is seen as a beacon of hope by fans around the world. The Choir entertains worldwide audiences, participates in international competitions and encourages people with disabilities to live full and active lives.

The Paros Foundation is a California-based foundation. For more information about the Paros Foundation, please visit www.paros-foundation.org.