The Paros Chamber Choir performs for Daniel Pearl World Music Days

On 26 October 2009, the Paros Chamber Choir performed at the Naregatsi Art Institute in Yerevan as part of the Daniel Pearl World Music Days. The US Ambassador in Armenia, Marie L. Yovanovitch attended the event and offered her remarks. The program included songs by Komitas, E.Hovhannisian, T.Mansurian, H.Odabashian, K.Zakarian, I.Stravinsky, D.Bortnyansky, G.Faure, and L.Spevacek. The audience was truly inspired by the highly professional and emotional performance of Paros.

This concert organized by the U.S. Embassy in Armenia and the Naregatsi Art Institute was part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days, an annual global event affirming the ideals of tolerance, friendship and our shared humanity. World Music Days is inspired by the life and work of journalist and musician Daniel Pearl, who would have celebrated his birthday on October 10th. Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002.

Paros, the award-winning Armenian choir mostly consisting of disabled singers, joined people around the world in a tribute to all the visionary men and women who use the power of music to lift peoples of different backgrounds and beliefs above the differences that set us apart. Through their music, the Paros singers reaffirm their conviction that humanity will triumph and harmony will prevail.

Armenians Rise to Victory in
Adobe Youth Voices International Photo Competition

In May 2009, Adobe Youth Voices, a global youth media initiative, in collaboration with WKCD (What Kids Can Do), asked youth worldwide to submit pairs of photographs that capture what is challenging and what gives hope in the world today – from their unique perspective.

Learning of the Photo Competition by Adobe, several students from Manana Youth Center submitted their photographs for consideration along with hundreds of other entries from around the world.

In September, the winners of round one of the Competition were announced and Hovnan Baghdasaryan, 13, a student of Manana Youth Center was selected as one of the ten winners.

My brother Moushegh was always a role model for me. When he was only 14, he won an award in the Photoshare competition and I thought I would never be able to achieve that too. I am 14 now, and my photos were selected as winners, too! I feel very proud.
	Everything for Sale  Because of the financial crisis, all the factories in Nor Hajn are closed, and people sell all their property to get money for living. All these papers are announcements about selling something: apartments, houses, garages, furniture, etc.    Dignity Little Davit, who lives in the same town, does not want to sell his toy car and dreams of owning a big, real car one day.

Interestingly, half way around the world in Tasmania, Australia, 17 year old Katherine Goudsouzian, also of Armenian heritage was also notified that she too was selected as a winner in the Competition. 

I am proud to say that I am of Armenian descent and I did notice one of my fellow winners was from Armenia. I thought was really wonderful that Armenia was represented! It is really lovely to be able to contribute to the representation of Armenia and the arts.
Streets of Saigon This photo was taken in Saigon, Vietnam while on a family holiday. I was on the second floor balcony of a bakery called Tous Les Joiurs at the time, after a long day of sightseeing. I took this photograph through the large mass of messy telephone wires that were outside the building and down onto the busy traffic of Saigon. The atmosphere at the moment I took the picture was breathtaking, the roar of the chaotic traffic below and the beeping of horns, but looking past all this you could see the poverty on the streets, the beggars in the gutter. The streets of Saigon are a place of poverty and lack of opportunity.
Two for a Dollar I took this photo just outside the Siem Reap, Cambodia. I was in an ancient temple with my family at the time when I heard footsteps and a little voice behind me saying two for a dollar, miss, wooden flutes, two for a dollar. I turned to see a very pretty, young local girl holding several cased wooden flutes in her hand and a bag full of them over her arm. She told me how she goes to school in the morning and then comes to the temples in the afternoon to sell flutes to the tourists. I bought two of the flutes.

The photos of 8 other young photojournalists from the Manana Youth Center were commended in the Competition through a special category that recognized outstanding single photos.

Many of the photos that the students selected to enter into the competition were taken in the city of Nor Hajin as part of a Bay Area Friends of Armenia (BAFA) funded project to engage the children of Nor Hajin in after school activities through multimedia. The Manana Youth Center conducted a workshop with support from BAFA and paired students from the Manana Youth Center with students living in Nor Hajin. Each team took photos of the town and residents of Nor Hajin. Together they were able to tell the story of life in Nor Hajin through their individual perspectives, Said Ruzan Baghdasaryan, Executive Director of the Manana Youth Center.

Congratulations to all the winners and especially to the Manana Youth Center and to the Bay Area Friends of Armenia. This collaboration and delightful outcome is exactly the kind of outcome we promote through our efforts with outstanding NGOs in Armenia.  Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of the Paros Foundation, a Principle Sponsor of the Manana Youth Center. 

To contribute to the Manana Youth Center, or for more information, please visit their website at www.MananaYouthCenter.org.

Orange Armenia Implements Equal Opportunity HR Policy

Armenia’s third mobile operator, Orange Armenia, has entered the mobile market and plans to launch service by year’s end. France Telecom, parent company of Orange Armenia, has adopted an equal opportunities HR policy, which prevents discrimination on the grounds of disability. Their policy was reinforced during a visit of Orange Armenia CEO Bruno Duthoit to Unison. Mr. Duthoit familiarized himself with the rich database of disabled job seekers registered at Unison, welcomed our initiative and pledged that persons with disabilities will be hired by Orange Armenia.

Following up on this promise, the HR Department of Orange Armenia considered approximately 35 applicants submitted by working with the Unison database. Three young people with disabilities were hired and have signed labor contracts with Orange.

The Unison team wishes both Orange Armenia and their newest employees a very successful relationship. We hope other employable people with disabilities are inspired by this success story and are encouraged to continue their efforts to seek employment.

Orange Armenia now joins a growing list of companies in Armenia that are adding employees with disabilities to their workforce.

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.

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.”