Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian commemorated in Cairo

On Saturday 16 March, the Armenian Community in Egypt gathered at the Nubarian Armenian School in Heliopolis to listen to the Arax Choir conducted by Mihran Ghazelian.

The e event commemorated the 110th anniversary of the Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978), Ahram Online reported.

The concert included a few of the original choral works by the composer based on folkloric songs, while other songs were based on Khachaturian's music, with lyrics written by Mihran Ghazelian, the choir's conductor and artistic director. The evening also included short dance numbers to Khachaturian's music and a documentary film about the composer. Though attended mostly by Armenian-Egyptians, the event, like all other concerts organised by the Armenian community, was open to the public. It is evident that the community cherishes its culture by taking meticulous care with all the artistic and logistic sides of the event. This includes providing rich programme notes, printed -- alas -- in Armenian only.

Operating under the Armenian Prelacy of Cairo, the Arax Choir goes back to the 1990s. However, back then, the choir had a different name, Zavartnots, and was conducted by David Zalyan, who was succeeded by conductor Hrant Aghajanian, a music and arts teacher, one of the important mediators of Armenian culture in Egypt. Finally, in 2003, Mihran Ghazelian became the choir's conductor and artistic director, changing its name to Arax. Under Ghazelian's management, Arax expanded to include over 30 amateur singers, including four voices, men and women.

Last summer, for the first time, Arax travelled abroad to participate in the choral works festival organised in Yerevan. Arax also takes active part in the Armenian community's commemoration events, such as the Armenian Genocide in April each year, the anniversary of creation of the Armenian alphabet, along with commemorations of important national battles and victories. The choir also performs on the anniversaries of renowned Armenian composers, among many other historically and culturally important dates. In total, over the past decade, Arax has given 35 music performances.