AGBU Sofia Holds Series of Events "For You, Armenia" to Mark 20th Anniversary

Sofia's cultural calendar was full this past fall with a series of events celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, AGBU Sofia and Anima Art Gallery.

It began with a photo exhibit during the month of September by Bulgarian artist-photographer Bedros Azinyan, entitled "Crossroads," at the Anima Art Gallery of the Sofia Hilton Hotel. The opening was conducted by the owner of the gallery, Anna Panayotova, together with the photographer and AGBU Sofia Chapter Chair Sonia Avakian–Bedrossian.

There is hardly anything more natural than to be facing different roads. To see opportunities and make choices, to seek new solutions or new beginnings. In his exhibition "Crossroads," Azinyan hints at such alternatives through his photography. Renowned not just in Bulgaria, he has won many prestigious awards and has published his photographs in hundreds of publications.

The series continued with a concert of AGBU Sofia Chamber Orchestra with the AGBU Sofia Nur Dance Ensemble at the Pancho Vladigerov Concert Hall on September 18, 2011. The impressive program, conducted by Maestro Bedros Papazian, was comprised of works by Bulgarian and Armenian composers amidst a backdrop of photos of Armenia. On behalf of Armenia's Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan, Arsen Sehoyan, Armenia's Ambassador to Bulgaria, awarded the famous artist Onnik Karanfilyan with a special award certificate and Maestro Papazian with a gold medal for their creative achievements following the program.

A second month-long exhibit of architecture and painting by designer-architect Agop Karakashyan followed at the Union of Architects in Bulgaria from September 19 to October 23, 2011. The exhibition was opened by the Chairman of the Union of Architects in Bulgaria, Georgi Bakalov, who congratulated Karakashyan for the rich creativity of designs and pictures shown in the exhibition, which consisted of 28 panels featuring a selection of his paintings and projects.

On October 8, 2011, a charity ball took place at Hotel Sheraton, with the assistance of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Sofia. On this occasion, funds were raised to support the completion of the Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Sofia.

An art exhibit by Zara Manucharyan, entitled "Armenian Shapes," was held at the Anima Art Gallery from October 3-23, 2011. The following thoughts of the artist express the basis of her work: "'Armenian Shapes' is the movement of my spirit beyond time and space, an esoteric movement inspired by Narekatsi's holy texts and by the mysterious shapes of old, abandoned temples. These symbols and psalms deliver encoded messages, which give off curative and positive energy."

A second concert to mark the 20th anniversary of Armenian independence – the second of the autumn season -- took place on November 20, 2011. It featured soloists Anahid Agopyan (piano), Nina Kouyoumdjyan (violin), Kalina Hristova (violin), Rositsa Boyadzieva (flute) and Nikolai Temeznikov (tuba) performing the works of Handel-Aslamazian, Joseph Haydn, Artin Poturlyan, J. Rossini, Masne, Nestiko, and Henry King.

A third and final concert in celebration of Armenia's independence took place on December 11. The AGBU Sofia Chamber Orchestra presented "Christmas Jazz" with soloists Militsa Gladnishka (vocal), Mihail Yosifov (trumpet), Vasil Spasov (piano) amd Boris Taslev (contrabass).