Blog Archives
Armenian Genocide Centennial Concert in Tallahassee to Feature Classical Armenian Music
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Armenian Americans in Florida’s capital will gather for a classical Armenian music concert in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Produced by Danny Bedrosian, the Armenian Genocide Centennial Concert will feature select pieces of Armenian music covering over 3 millennia of music. The concert will be held at Florida State University, Opperman Music Hall, on Friday, April 17, 2015 at 8:00 PM.
“The Armenian Genocide commemorative concert will be an unforgettable moment for our community,” stated Florida Armenians Tallahassee Chair Margaret Atayants. “We have been planning this commemoration for years, and practicing for months, in an effort to present the Armenian experience and our civilization to the audience,” she said.
The concert will be performed by an orchestra of players that Bedrosian specifically assembled for the daunting task of summarizing 3,000 years of Armenian music. With mini lectures included, this unique concert is intended to capture the heart and soul of Armenian music, sampling through many different eras and regions of Historic Armenia, leading up to and after the Armenian Genocide of 1915. “This performance will capture the burning passion in our hearts,” Atayants said.
Artists performing include: Daniel Bedrosian, music director, grand piano, vocals, lecturer; Professor Michael Bakan, doumbek, assorted percussion; Dr. Silviu Ciulei, classical guitar; David Cobb, bass guitar; Ramin Yazdanpanah, percussion; Stacy Christofakis, bass clarinet, clarinet, douduk; Margaret Atayants, vocals; Sean Gorman, contrabass/upright bass; Katelyn Best, vocals; Nicole Schommer, vocals.
Full musician biographies are available here.
The Armenian Genocide Centennial Concert is produced by Danny Bedrosian and sponsored by the Compatriotic Union of Habousi, Florida Armenians, Side Bar Theatre, and Crepevine Restaurant. The concert is free and open to public.
Florida State Senate Recognizes April 24 as Armenian Martyrs Remembrance Day
Florida Armenians with Senator Jack Latvala (R-Pinellas)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Yesterday, the Florida state Senate adopted SR 1878, the Armenian Martyrs Remembrance Day resolution to mark the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, reported Florida Armenians. Armenian-Americans from Miami and Boca Raton joined members of the local Tallahassee Armenian community to mark the historic day.
“It’s like a weight lifted off my back,” stated Margaret Atayants, a student at Tallahassee Community College. “I’m grateful to the Florida Senate for honoring and recognizing the victims of the first genocide of the twentieth century,” she said.
Senator Jack Latvala (R-Pinellas) introduced SR 1878 and spoke in favor of the resolution on the Senate floor. He then recognized Armenian-American community members observing the historic moment from the gallery.
“The entire St. Hagop Armenian Church community of the Gulf Coast is thankful for the efforts of our elected officials,” stated Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, pastor of St. Hagop Armenian Church. “Each time a genocide recognition resolution is introduced and passed, a small bit of justice is served for victims of the Armenian genocide and all victims of genocide and mass-atrocities,” Fr. Demerjian said.
In 2006, Florida Governor Jeb Bush issued an official proclamation recognizing the Armenian Genocide. However, the Florida legislature had not affirmed this crime against humanity until yesterday.
“This is a historic day for Florida and for all Armenian-Americans,” stated Taniel Koushakjian. “On behalf of the entire Florida Armenian-American community, we thank Senator Latvala, Senate President Gaetz and the entire Florida Senate for their leadership on this important human rights issue,” stated Koushakjian.
Florida Armenians would also like to recognize and give special thanks to Henry Petraki and the Atayants family for their steadfast efforts and support.
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Florida Armenians 