AGBU Gala Concert Showcases Armenia's Top Talent during 87th General Assembly Celebrations

On the eve of the AGBU General Assembly, over 1,300 guests filled Yerevan's Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex. It was Friday, October 19, 2012, and the occasion was the AGBU Gala Concert, one of the numerous events organized throughout the week in celebration of AGBU's 87th General Assembly.

On the eve of the AGBU General Assembly, over 1,300 guests filled Yerevan's Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex. It was Friday, October 19, 2012, and the occasion was the AGBU Gala Concert, one of the numerous events organized throughout the week in celebration of the organization's 87th General Assembly.

The Gala Concert was attended by the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and RA National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, among many other dignitaries, government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, leading academics and AGBU delegates. Before they took their seats in the concert hall, the crowd made their way through a special exhibit highlighting AGBU's 100-plus year history. Displayed throughout the venue's lobby were rare photos with text detailing the organization's ever-expanding presence both in Armenia and Karabakh and across the diaspora. They offered a sweeping overview of AGBU's exponential growth throughout the decades, profiles of the strong leaders who have brought the organization to prominence today and a glimpse into an even brighter future.

Creating a promising future that builds on AGBU's rich past was a central theme of the General Assembly, one that AGBU President Berge Setrakian emphasized at the Gala Concert. In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Setrakian stated, "We have gathered in this beautiful hall, filled with pride and patriotism, to listen to and be inspired by the performances of our most talented artists. During the past two days of meetings and discussions, we have reaffirmed AGBU's century-long mission of serving with faith and devotion the Armenian people, homeland and the Armenian Church. Proud of the prosperity and progress that we have witnessed, firm in our belief in joining our forces for the prosperity and strengthening of Armenia, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and Artsakh, ready to meet all the demands and challenges the future presents toward the 100th anniversary of the Genocide and the future. We dedicate this concert to AGBU's 87th General Assembly, which once again has united us in our homeland." Following Mr. Setrakian's words, both President Sargsyan and the Catholicos addressed the audience before the stage was opened to the artists.

Throughout the rest of the evening, the guests enjoyed one dramatic performance after another by world renowned dancers, musicians and singers. The concert featured the Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Eduard Topchjan, the AGBU and Holy Etchmiadzin Children's Center Choir, composer Ara Gevorgyan and his band, the Barekamutyun Dance Ensemble, singer Shushan Petrossian and famous soprano Irina Zakyan. Short video clips on AGBU's history and present-day activities were also screened.

To view more photos from the event, visit the AGBU album posted on Flickr:http://www.flickr.com/photos/agbu/sets/72157631913497457/.
To see footage from the event, watch this YouTube video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uwd90O_SPV8&feature=youtu.be.
To see additional photos from AGBU’s 87th General Assembly, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/agbu/collections/72157631913503978/

To read a copy of the speech made by AGBU President Setrakian (in Armenian) click here.
To read a copy of the speech made by Republic of Armenia President Serzh Sargsyan (in Armenian) click here, (in English) click here.
To read a copy of the speech made by His Holiness Karekin II (in Armenian) click here.