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Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cathcil.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm
MEET ING WITH THE "SHENOHALI" CHOIR
HIS HOLINESS STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE
OF ENCOURAGING ARMENIAN MUSIC
The Catholicosate of Cilicia's "Shenorhali" Choir, its director, Zakar
Keshishian, and its spiritual adviser Rev. Fr. Magar Ashkarian paid an
official visit to His Holiness Aram I on February 6.
The choir's director and spiritual adviser talked generally about the work
of the choir and its future plans.
His Holiness Aram I praised the choir's spiritual and cultural contribution.
He commended all the members who voluntarily and actively contribute to the
choir expressing their dedication towards the Armenian Church and culture.
The Pontiff also praised the commitment of Zakar Keshishian towards the
Catholicosate of Cilicia and Armenian culture in general.
The Catholicos then advised "not to be satisfied with what exists, to aim
higher and from good to better." He expressed his concern for the "faceless
and quality lacking music that is being presented to Armenians both in
Armenia and the Diaspora under the name of Armenian music."
His Holiness said: "I often speak about the importance of quality and by
quality I mean spirit, dedication, conflict, and professionalism. All these
should be reflected in your musical performance. Singing in the right way is
not enough. Singing should become a feeling, a conflict. Art can't be kept
to the self; it needs to be delivered to others. The artist is a means of
transmitting art to humans and creating a dialogue among them. You have the
obligation of opening up Armenians to the depths of Armenian music, to the
roots of the Armenian nation, delivering in such a way that Armenians would
become proud of their identity and contribute to our history's collective
and eternal progress."
The Pontiff praised the concert of the "Zvartnots" Choir of Aleppo in
Damascus recently. He stressed the importance of paying special attention to
Armenian culture and especially Armenian music in the Armenian communities.
He assured the Catholicosate of Cilicia's readiness to support initiatives
for the advancement of Armenian music both in Armenian and foreign circles.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, http://www.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cathcil.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm
MEET ING WITH THE "SHENOHALI" CHOIR
HIS HOLINESS STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE
OF ENCOURAGING ARMENIAN MUSIC
The Catholicosate of Cilicia's "Shenorhali" Choir, its director, Zakar
Keshishian, and its spiritual adviser Rev. Fr. Magar Ashkarian paid an
official visit to His Holiness Aram I on February 6.
The choir's director and spiritual adviser talked generally about the work
of the choir and its future plans.
His Holiness Aram I praised the choir's spiritual and cultural contribution.
He commended all the members who voluntarily and actively contribute to the
choir expressing their dedication towards the Armenian Church and culture.
The Pontiff also praised the commitment of Zakar Keshishian towards the
Catholicosate of Cilicia and Armenian culture in general.
The Catholicos then advised "not to be satisfied with what exists, to aim
higher and from good to better." He expressed his concern for the "faceless
and quality lacking music that is being presented to Armenians both in
Armenia and the Diaspora under the name of Armenian music."
His Holiness said: "I often speak about the importance of quality and by
quality I mean spirit, dedication, conflict, and professionalism. All these
should be reflected in your musical performance. Singing in the right way is
not enough. Singing should become a feeling, a conflict. Art can't be kept
to the self; it needs to be delivered to others. The artist is a means of
transmitting art to humans and creating a dialogue among them. You have the
obligation of opening up Armenians to the depths of Armenian music, to the
roots of the Armenian nation, delivering in such a way that Armenians would
become proud of their identity and contribute to our history's collective
and eternal progress."
The Pontiff praised the concert of the "Zvartnots" Choir of Aleppo in
Damascus recently. He stressed the importance of paying special attention to
Armenian culture and especially Armenian music in the Armenian communities.
He assured the Catholicosate of Cilicia's readiness to support initiatives
for the advancement of Armenian music both in Armenian and foreign circles.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, http://www.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.