Author: Emil Lazarian

Our time on this earth is all about relationships. We define them on a personal level with spouses, children and extended family. For many, they are reflected in a professional capacity, and hopefully we experience a divine relationship with our Lord. Human beings are a social creation, and Armenians as a culture are a shiny example of that attribute. One of the most rewarding aspects of building relationships is that it is a continuous process. Many of us add to our family trees as we start our own families. Some relationships are from our childhood, yet others begin later in life. All are important because they influence what we contribute to our earthly civilization. Just when we think we have fulfilled our quota on relationships, new branches emerge in our life’s journey. When Armenia became independent in 1991, an entirely new universe opened for Armenians in the diaspora. Discovering the homeland has produced friendships and familial relations that were not imagined. These experiences have made permanent improvements in our ability to make a difference and reconnect the broken Armenian nation.

The AYF afforded many of us lifelong friendships that have been sustained for decades. During our youth, several of us committed to each other that when Armenia became free (the optimism of youth), we would visit together. After years of trying to coordinate the availability of everyone, 17 of us went with our spouses (an odd number because one of the wives could not leave her teaching position). To accommodate our diverse group (several were first timers), we decided to hire a guide and transportation for the trip. Working through an established tour group, we were randomly assigned a young woman named Mary Mirzakhanyan. Similar to many of the bright educated guides in Armenia, it was more a mission than a job. She was representing Armenia to this group from the diaspora. Her skills were remarkable in language, knowledge and creativity. Little did we know that Mary would soon become part of our extended global family. We stayed in communication and returned a few years later with our children and granddaughter. Mary became like a sister to our kids and an aunt to our granddaughter Anoush. We explored the unique hidden wonders of Armenia and began to build our relationship base with farmers, NGOs and other quiet heroes. During this time with Mary, we initiated our connection with the Paruyr Sevak village on the southern Nakhichevan border. Our connection with Armenia has not been the same since that first encounter. Our eyes were opened to the remarkable people of the homeland. It became good fortune to build friendships and establish an identity. 

Since first visiting Armenia many years ago, I had longed to know people in a border village. I wanted to understand their struggle and through them perhaps discover the secret to Armenia’s resilience. My paternal grandfather was from a small village in Sepastia and always remained connected to his roots, when he left work in a foundry to run a poultry farm. This was where I spent my summers and imagined what his youth was like on the family ranch in Koch Hisar. As odd as it seemed, it felt like I was meeting my grandfather in his youth when we explored village life in Paruyr Sevak. We were in awe of their commitment and understanding that maintaining the land is the essence of patriotism. Through these regular folks, we have gained such valuable insight into the homeland. Our desire to listen, learn and fulfill a common vision with resources from the diaspora was a beautiful match for these people who have little materially, but are wealthy in every meaningful way. We were searching for something and somewhere to make a difference. God brought us to Mary and the Paruyr Sevak village. It’s that simple.

Sharing a meal with village mayor Ludwig Stepanyan, his family and our dear friend Mary and Paros partners

If we can, just for a moment, forget about geo-political turmoil, political unrest and the enormous challenges of nation building that dominate our thinking. If we choose to search, there is something special awaiting each of us. At the very foundation of the pyramid of life are people and our relationships. It’s what motivates the human soul and provides the creative energy for adding value. From 1894 to 1923, an unnatural state was formed as a result of the atrocities of the Genocide. We became a fragmented people scattered around the globe subject to the impact of cultural assimilation. Our recovery began in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas as we established a new identity with each other. Communities were built in Detroit, Boston, New York and elsewhere. One major piece was missing—a connection to the homeland. Those of us born in various countries of the diaspora longed for an identity with the highlands based on the stories our grandparents told us and by reading the ever-increasing number of volumes on our history, geography, culture and genealogy. When the homeland became more accessible to the diaspora, it was not the buildings but the people within those structures that helped us dissolve the stereotypes established by decades of separation and boosted our global recovery. Building real human relationships with our brethren in Armenia contributes slowly to the reconnection of this dispersed state. It is somewhat tragic when we contribute financially to the development of schools, infrastructure and the economy in the homeland and never realize the opportunity to meet the faces benefitting from our contribution to a prosperous Armenia. Our story is similar to many and has produced global friendships that are life-changing. 

In 2018, when our extended family first visited the arid region in southern Armenia where the village of Paruyr Sevak is located, we were looking to help a border village but the reality was we were looking to make friendships. Friendships build trust and combined with listening created a process of continuous improvement. We live in the United States but love Paruyr Sevak as if we lived there. I feel the same sadness when we leave the village as I did when I left my grandfather’s farm as a kid. I am filled with a void but also the anticipation of return.

There is great opportunity with a simple model of Armenians from the diaspora committing to a long-term relationship with a border village with the assistance of outstanding foundations such as Paros. It is a winning formula that is effective and relatively easy to replicate. It requires a sincere effort to build relationships based on their needs and respect. The physical results are but one aspect of the success. When young people have schools, playgrounds and other quality of life projects, two special things occur. The children begin to dream again as the burden of life is slightly lifted. These people are resilient and ask for little but create small miracles when they are supported. The other gift is that your paths will cross with like-minded Armenians who are going about their important work. We met a group called Focus on Children Now that donates school and playground equipment. They furnished the new preschool and exterior in Paruyr Sevak. Another group called Hoops for Haiastan installed a basketball court with soccer capability for the secondary school. It is their first real playground. The point is that no one is an island in this journey. We network together and move rocks previously thought to be immovable. We lost the longtime mayor of the village Edik Stepanyan to COVID during the pandemic. He was our friend and compatriot. His son Ludwig is now mayor. We met him in late October and immediately bonded in a common vision. He invited us to his home several times to share a meal and more importantly to become family. I was thrilled to hear that a fellow AYF alumnus and longtime supporter of Camp Haiastan John Mangassarian is continuing his own journey in Armenia. He is leading an effort to renovate the gym at the Ginevet/Nor Ughi school that is posted as a project on the Paros website. The village is located near Khor Virap. If you find it in your heart, please contribute to his effort or join them when they go to Haiastan in July. With each project, the foundation between the diaspora and the homeland is strengthened ever so slightly as respectful relationships are formed. The joy that we from the diaspora receive is continuous and self-sustaining. We have never met finer people than our friends in the homeland.

In our quest to understand the people of Armenia and their perspectives on politics, security and sovereignty, there is no better source than those who live on the edge of reality every day holding the land. Go to Tavush, Syunik or Artsakh (when we can) to listen, learn and make incredible friendships. Imagine a diaspora and homeland anchored by thousands of relationships that transcend governments, politics and alliances. These are the foundations of a lasting bond with the homeland. There are times when we as Armenians from the diaspora may inadvertently advocate ideas that are based on where we live. Through friendships like Mary and the countless residents in this precious border village, I have learned that the views of the people securing our presence is invaluable. There are times when geo-political analysis and external sources must be subordinated simply to the idea of what the people who have made the commitment to the land believe. With this approach, together we have made incredible progress, and we have been blessed with enduring relationships.  

Aramayis Nikoghosyan, Tigran Hovhannisyan, John Hodian, Harutyun Chkolyan, Hasmik Baghdasaryan, Tatevik Movsesyan and Arpine Ter-Petrosyan (pictured left to right) of the Naghash Ensemble performing during their NYC debut (Photo: Zenop Pomakian)

NEW YORK, NY—On Saturday, March 11, 2023, the Naghash Ensemble made its New York City debut at Carnegie Hall to a sold-out audience at the 38th Musical Armenia concert sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Church. 

The ensemble humbly took the stage in traditional all-black concert dress; its three female vocalists wore decorated sashes around their waists. The ensemble consisted of Aramayis Nikoghosyan on oud; Tigran Hovhannisyan on dhol, daf and dumbeg; John Hodian on piano; Harutyun Chkolyan on duduk, shvi, pku and zurna; and vocals by Hasmik Baghdasaryan (soprano), Tatevik Movsesyan (soprano/mezzo soprano) and Arpine Ter-Petrosyan (alto). Aside from Hodian, all members are born and raised in Armenia. Narration of the poems that inspired each original composition was provided by Garen Hamamjian, a candidate for the priesthood of the Armenian Apostolic Church and a student at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.

The first half of the concert included pieces based on poems by the ensemble’s namesake, Mkrtich Naghash, an Armenian medieval poet who was born in Bitlis in 1394 and died in 1470. Hodian told Naghash’s story during the first set, explaining that during that time in history, people of multiple religions were living in relative peace in the Ottoman Empire. However, Naghash built a church with a steeple higher than most of the mosques. He refused to take down the steeple and was forced into exile. The poems that inspired the musical pieces are all that are left of Naghash. Hodian felt that writing music based on poems about exile continues to capture the Armenian experience, even today. This portion included live performances of “Meditation on Greed,” “If in this World by Sin You Wander,” “Lamentations on the Death of a Child” and “Woe to Those That Keep a Grudge.”

Naghash Ensemble vocalists (pictured l. to r.) Hasmik Baghdasaryan (soprano), Tatevik Movsesyan (soprano/mezzo soprano) and Arpine Ter-Petrosyan (alto) during the performance (Photo: Zenop Pomakian)

The second half of the concert was a last-minute change by the ensemble and based on theological poems by Kostantin Erznkats’i, who was born around 1250 and died around 1320. These were newer pieces for the ensemble and more experimental than the first half of the concert. They included “Another Answer,” “Futile Judgment,” “The Work of Darkness” and “Agvor Es.” Their excitement, joy and playfulness around performing newer material was palpable.

The ensemble instantly drew the audience in and cut to a deep emotional core. The musicians displayed a strong connection to each other and the music. They impeccably executed tight harmonies and rhythmic changes, with eye contact, body language and synchronized breathing that demonstrated a flow state indicative of true professionals. The general format for many of the pieces began with an ethereal musical presence and built into more concrete rhythmic structures. The variation between these styles allowed for a range of reactions to the music – moments for meditation followed by moments that could encourage movement or dancing. The influence of Hodian’s background as a film composer is evident in his pieces, but he also took the audience on a journey through Armenian music, jazz, medieval sounds, a capella chants, Western folk, modern classical and more. There is an expert use of tension and release, with dedicated moments of silence that allow for processing, for breathlessness and for discomfort while wondering what will happen next. “It made me feel as if Lord of the Rings was set in Armenia,” said Davit Gregorian of New York, who was in the audience. The pastoral elements of the music could evoke both a connection to and longing for the homeland.

Each ensemble member brought a special quality of their unique talent to contribute to the whole. Baghdasaryan angelically floated on her high notes, exemplifying Hodian’s inspiration when he heard her sing in the monastery. Her voice was the catalyst to form this ensemble. Movsesyan displayed an incredible range throughout the pieces and appears to be able to sing anything. She can carry both high soprano notes and low alto parts, often with the most difficult job of holding the middle harmony with precision and ease. Ter-Petrosyan was striking on her alto notes. The depth of her tone seemed to reach to the center of the earth. She is affectionately known as “Arpi Alto” online and has a large following due to her resonant contralto voice. In addition to the three vocalists, each instrumentalist played an important role. Nikoghosyan played challenging and intricate passages with relaxation and ease. Hovhannisyan steadily played the various rhythmic structures that allowed for the ensemble to stay together. According to Hodian, Hovhannisyan will take the parts that were written for the rhythmic instruments and embellish them to make them even better. Chkolyan expertly moved between the various wind and reed instruments, capturing the essence of each, from the gut-wrenching sounds of the oud to the strong horn-like sounds of the zurna. All were held together by Hodian, who not only meticulously composed each piece, but also played the piano and conducted the ensemble at the highest standard.  

John Hodian and Harutyun Chkolyan (Photo: Zenop Pomakian)

Perhaps one of the most impactful pieces in the program was “Lamentations on the Death of a Child.” Naghash wrote the poem after his son fell in battle. The piece began with just female voices and piano, like the sound of mothers in mourning. The grief was palpable, especially in light of the devastating Artsakh War. A more modern vocal placement rather than round operatic tones was also implemented in this piece, further reinforcing a connection to modern times. The use of all women vocalists in the ensemble provides an interesting platform for the feminine voice to be amplified, as it is often silenced in the traditional patriarchal Armenian society. It was reminiscent of how slaves utilized the blues for self-_expression_ of their work and hardships; some of the same techniques such as call-and-response were implemented here as well. 

“I was very happy it was a sold-out hall, and the crowd was half Armenian and half non-Armenian,” he told the Weekly. “So far, all of the concerts we have played (except for one), have been sold out, and I am hoping we come back to North America again sometime in the next two years.” 

Ter-Petrosyan shared her feelings about performing and visiting New York for the first time. “It was astonishing, especially because it was the first time in New York and in the beautiful Carnegie Hall. I am so excited, and it’s so important that I am here. It’s the first time, but I hope it’s not the last time!”

During intermission, audience members shared their impressions of the ensemble with the Weekly. “I feel every song in my body. I feel like I am crying, dancing and having chills, and I feel like their songs are coming up from the earth,” enthused Christopher Janigian of New York City.  

“I thought the whole ensemble was quite beautiful, and it was very spiritual,” said Lori Messerlian of New York. “It had parts of Armenian culture but also modernized with today’s music – timeless but timely.” 

The ensemble has now concluded its North American tour, but the group has more performances scheduled in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg in April and May. The tour schedule and further information can be found at www.naghashensemble.com.