Armenian-American virtuoso Shahan Arzruni gives a concert in Van

Shahan Arzruni, an accomplished piano virtuoso based in New York, had a concert in Van on Saturday, prior the mass ceremony to be served in Sourb Khach Church (Saint Cross) on Akhtamar Island in Eastern Turkey.

The concert took place at the concert hall of the Hundredth Year University and was attended by Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, the Deputy Patriarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate of the Armenian Church, Myunir Karaloglu, the Van Governor, and Hasan Jeylan, the Rector of that university, as well as many other high-ranking officials.

Armenia violinist Gevorg Davtyan and Turkish violinist Sevil Ulucan also performed with Mr Arzruni who astonished the audience with his exclusive talent and was honored by a long applause.

Mr Arzruni had before the concert said that having a concert in Van was his long-lasting dream and that is must come true to life.
Asked whether it would be possible to overcome the existing problems between the Armenian and Turkish societies and launch a dialogue, he said: "Communication is perhaps the only means to understanding each other's aspirations, desires, intentions, thoughts and sentiments. Sometimes a simple smile is enough to communicate a host of feelings. Whatever the case, I am sure the people who will come to visit Akhtamar Island on that historic weekend will be met with open arms by the residents of Van."