Last farewell to merited actress Galia Novents

A crowd gathered at the Hakob Paronyan Musical Comedy Theater on Wednesday to make its last farewell to Galia Novents, one of the most outstanding representatives of the Armenian and Soviet cinema.

Speaking about the great actress, popular Armenian actor Azat Gasparyan remembered that he had last met her at that theatre.

“I saw her here, when she played Strange Miss Savage. I was present, but only as a spectator. And I enjoyed it; that was an unparalleled performance, with everybody being stunned how Galia was so [good]. She demonstrated an absolutely different quality; there was probably a misgiving that she was playing for the last time,” he said.

The actor then dwelled on the characters of Novents.

“A wonderful personality, a talented creature, with her openness, straightforward nature and the character of an unequalled mother,” he said. “Galia’s type as a constantly creative nature is very important on the stage and on the screen.”

Gasparyan was pleased to note that he had the chance play with the talented actress in such spectacles and movies as Stand up, the Court is Coming; The Tango of Our Childhood, and The White Dreams.

Speaking to our correspondent, Guzh Manukyan, a people’s actor of Armenia, said it is a big honor for him to say that Novents and he had known each other for 58 years, since their very first year at the University of Theatre and Cinema.

The actor noted that Novents created her best images in movies.

“Galia initially felt a certain tension on the stage; the cinema opened her character. No wonder that Galia created a unique image of the Armenian mother,” he said, referring to the actress’ role in the Tango of Our Childhood, a film by director Albert Mkrtchyan.

Albert Santrosyan, an actor who also had the honor to play with Novents, characterized the actress as an excellent stage master.

“I played with her in the same performance in our theatre only once. My memories are excellent, both of an actress and a human being,” he said.

Santrosyan remembers Novents as a reserved, restrained, balanced, reasonable and wise personality.

“One would never hear her speak rudely and loudly or insult anyone; that never happened. Whenever she made a remark concerning a role, she would do that in a tender and civilized manner not to offend the other. I don’t know whether or not we will have such actors; I doubt a little because she, as an actress and as a personality, is a standard for me,” Santrosyan said.