Armenian artists say last farewell to Ohan Duryan

Gathered at the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre on Monday, outstanding Armenian artists, representatives of political parties and parliamentarians made their last farewell to great Armenian composer and conductor Ohan Duryan.

The first president of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, was also present at the dirge ceremony.

President Serzh Sargsyan and Premier Tigran Sargsyan did not attend the event.

Instead, Armenia's first lady Rita Sargsyan and the speaker of the National Assembly, Hovik Abrahamyan, were present there.

Speaking to journalists, actor Armen Elbakyan considered Duryan's death a great loss.

"This is a loss for all of us. I hope our nation will continue giving birth to such talents," he said.

Film director Albert Mkrtchyan characterized Duryan as a man of talent and a modest individual, while singer Ruben Matevosyan was unable to fight back his tears.

"One move of Duryan's hand symbolized the birth of a new melody. Our great sorrow is combined with a feeling of pride, because we are saying farewell to a man who bore the values of his contemporary singing art," Matevosyan said.

"Our farewell today is of physical nature. We bid our farewell to conductor Duryan long ago, when he could give concerts and compose music, handing down a huge legacy," said Tigran Hekekyan, artistic director of a choir called Little Singers of Armenia.