FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016 | 19:00

Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU makes a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Nagorno- Karabakh and the Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, it has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU has an active presence in 31 countries and 74 cities and addresses the needs of Armenians with traditional and progressive programs — from schools, scouts, camps and support for the arts to internships, virtual learning and young professionals’ networks. AGBU actively collaborates with strategic partners to expand its reach and ensure that it has a positive lasting impact on Armenians around the world.

ABOUT

MESSAGE FROM THE AGBU PRESIDENT

DEAR GUESTS,On behalf of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, I am proud to welcome you to tonight’s performance of HOKIS, a much-anticipated highlight of the AGBU 110th anniversary celebration. This major milestone in the history of AGBU leads us to look back and reflect on the great accomplishments of the Armenian people, which are exemplary and far-reaching in numerous fields. It also gives us the opportunity to look ahead to determine what we would like our future to become. There is no doubt that our successes to come are in the hands of our children — an idea that AGBU has understood since the very beginning.

Throughout our long history, investment in youth has been — and will remain — one of AGBU’s greatest priorities. Tonigh we bear witness to a remarkable example of the value of this commitment to our youth and of continuing support to the new generation whose talent, ingenuity and originality know no bounds.

Hokis is a testament to the vitality of Armenian arts and the importance of encouraging the creative potential of our youth both in Armenia and across the diaspora. AGBU prides itself on its array of youth programs and is grateful to have the opportunity to expand

its impact through partnership with institutions like the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies.

The extraordinary talent showcased in HOKIS assures us that the Armenian people will continue to prosper culturally and artistically well into the future. I would like to thank the entire creative and administrative team who — from Marseille to Yerevan to New York- diligently coordinated the event down to the smallest detail with the help of a sea of volunteers who offered their time and expertise to make HOKIS a success. Finally, I extend a special thank you to all of our donors whose generosity made this special evening possible.

Thank you for joining us for tonight’s historic performance and for helping to support the creativity of our youth.

Sincerely,

Berge SetrakianPresidentArmenian General Benevolent Union

From the spark of youth to an enduring spirit...

From the struggle between three kingdoms to the birth of a nation...

From embracing faith and tradition to expression without fear...

What if we change it all?

From finding love and harmony to a sudden fateful rift...

From a proud, distant yearning to the realization of a new

homeland...

What if we change it all?

From the difficulties of the past to the promise of tomorrow...

What if we change it all?

What if we start all over?

What if we change it all?

It doesn’t have to be a mind blower –

Just something small.

DREAM

LOVE

BELIEVE

ACT ONE

ACT TWO

What If .................................................................................................................................................................I Remember ................................................................................................................................................Three Tribes ............................................................................................................................................One Nation ...............................................................................................................................

Two Babies .....................................................................................................................................................................

Meeting ................................................................................................................

Dreaming ........................................................................................................................................

Building .................................................................................................................................................................

Christians .....................................................................................................................................

Miniatures .............................................................................................................................

Invasions .....................................................................................

Crying .........................................................................................................................................................

The Wall ...........................................................................................................Separation ........................................................................................................................................................

Longing .......................................................................................................................................

Liberation Spirit ....................................................................................................................................

The Movies ........................................................................................................................

The Music ..........................................................................................................

Sunshine .......................................................................................................................................

Painting .......................................................................................................................................................................

Pride ...............................................................................................

Trumpet of Independence ...........................................................................

Together Again .............................................................................................................................................

Cold and Dark .........................................................................................................................................

New Armenia ................................................................................................................................

Joy .......................................................................................................................

Mosaic ..................................................................................................................................................................

“What if” by Decibelle*

“Elegy” by Arno Babajanian

“Symphony” by Avet Terterian

“Totik” by GATA and Andranik Manukyan

“Oror” by Komitas

“Zeituni Dzar (Olive tree)” by Arto Tunçboyacıyan

“After the Phone Call” by Katuner

“Kitour” by The Bambir

“Ov Zarmanali” by Grigor Pahlavuni

“Aysor Dzaynn Hayrakan” by Hovhannes Erznkatsi

“Dancing Hands” by Arto Tunçboyacıyan

Symphony No. 3-‘Symphony-Poem’(1947)” by Aram Khachaturian

“Vocalise” by Arno Babajanian

“River” by Armenian Navy Band & Arto Tunçboyacıyan

“Ai Nina” by Deti Picasso

“Leaving Paris” by Tigran Hamasyan

“Armenner” Percussion Band

“I love you D” by Arto Tunçboyacıyan

“The Black and White Rag” by Gary Arentz

“Les Parapluies de Cherbourg” by Michel Legrand

“Lav Ban (Good thing)” by Katuner

“Khio” by TmbaTa*

“Al Ayloughs” arranged by Komitas

“Trumpet of Independence” by Artemi Ayvazyan

“Faraway” by Apocaliptica

“Armenner” Percussion band

“Narina” by System of a Down & Arto Tunçboyacıyan

“New Armenia” by Stepan Lusikyan

“Fountains” by Miqayel Voskanyan & Friends Band

“Mosaic” by Decibelle*

*original student compositions

AGBU NORK CHILDREN’S CENTERThe AGBU Children’s Centers in the Yerevan suburbs of Arabkir, Malatia and Nork were established in 1993 in partnership with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Each year, they provide more than 2,000 students with the opportunity to learn, discover and enhance their artistic and athletic talents in a safe and nurturing environment. The three AGBU Children’s Centers offer a haven for children and young adults, ages 4-25, seeking creative and physical expression as well as a wide range of enriching programs, including art, choir, computers, crafts and gymnastics. Many of the centers’ young artists have performed with the award-winning Performing Arts Troupe in Yerevan and have traveled to Brazil, Canada, France, Georgia, Poland, Russia, Uruguay and the United States, drawing standing ovations from tens of thousands of spectators.

TUMO is a free, afterschool program where technology and art merge to provide thousands of teenagers with a competitive edge in a digital world by encouraging them to create new possibilities for themselves. The educational program has four focus areas (filmmaking, web design, animation and video game development) and nine complementary skills (drawing, 2D graphics, 3D modeling, programming, robotics, photography, music and writing). With access to state-of-the art technology and some of the world’s leading professionals, TUMO students are encouraged to expand the boundaries of today’s cutting-edge industries and explore creative expression of Armenian culture using modern formats of music composition and digital recording, Armenian calligraphy, art, film, and fashion design workshops. TUMO was launched in Yerevan in 2011 with a second center opening in Dilijan shortly thereafter. In 2015, the TUMOxAGBU partnership expanded the reach of this groundbreaking program to Stepanakert and Gyumri. A new center in Koghb is anticipated to open its doors in 2017.

MARIE LOU PAPAZIANMANAGING DIRECTOR

REV. FR. KOMITAS HOVNANYANSPIRITUAL DEAN

LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP

ARAM GYUMISHYANDEPUTY DIRECTOR

AIDA ANDRIASYANDIRECTOR

TUMO CENTER FOR CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

ACROBATICS ENSEMBLEThe AGBU Nork Children’s Center’s Acrobatics Ensemble is where skilled gymnasts transform their talents to art.

When Avetis—the instructor of the ensemble—catches a glimpse of especially skilled young gymnasts, he puts them on the fast track to becoming one of the exceptional acrobats we see tonight. Known the world over for its stellar gymnastics program, the AGBU Nork Children’s Center acrobats have earned tremendous acclaim for their daring feats and dazzled audiences near and far. The complete ensemble includes acrobats, jugglers and contortionists of every shade and style, but tonight we feature the aerialists, who cannot help but mesmerize us as our imaginations soar with their high-flying tricks.

AVETIS GINOSYANINSTRUCTOR

DECIBELLEDecibelle is girl power incarnate. A powerhouse quintet launched in 2014, Decibelle gradually grew into an all-female music production team with a commanding sound and inspirational strength.

PROJECT LEADER

The technical skills of the Decibelle members astonish in their breadth and depth. Along with computer-based music arrangement, soundtrack creation and audio production, these remarkable young women stir admiration in their creative skills, which comprise songwriting, vocal and instrumental performance. The name Decibelle is a cross between decibel, the sound intensity unit, and belle, a girl with an artistic, creative charm. HOKIS is Decibelle’s first live performance as a band. Eager to follow in the footsteps of their idol Serj Tankian, Decibelle hopes that their first live performance tonight rocks the audience.

ARAM RIAN

NAREK DANCE ENSEMBLEThe AGBU Nork Children’s Center’s Narek Dance Ensemble is the largest group to light up the stage tonight.

One of the many jewels of the center, these world-class dancers are rigorously trained in modern, jazz and classical along with traditional Armenian dance, making for a style like no other. Many of the performers tonight began dancing in the ensemble as children and have continued to nurture their talent into young adulthood, playing a major, enduring part in creating the ensemble’s reputation for grace, fast footwork and power of expression.

ARMENNERPERCUSSION ENSEMBLEThe thumping, exotic beats of the AGBU Nork Children’s Center’s Armenner Percussion Ensemble have thrilled audiences around the world with its eclectic sound and rhythmic innovation.

INSTRUCTOR

Making its way into the hearts of thousands with their unique aesthetic, this all-male group has set the tone for the center’s countless performances and complemented the work of the dancers and acrobats in its sister ensembles with its own unique flair.

GURGEN TAMRAZYAN

PYRAMIDZPyramidz is TUMO’s one and only electronic music ensemble.

Conceived four years ago, the members first came together to score a film, but had such great chemistry that they knew they needed to keep working together. Using a variety of computer music programs, Pyramidz creates exhilarating and innovative compositions, including the ones showcased in tonight’s performance. Their name is born from the structure of their work relationship: they all have different strengths and opinions, but together they work as one to reach the top—just like a pyramid. Inspired by the work of electronica masters Flying Lotus and Gramatik and rapper J Dilla, this group is excited to contribute its own work to this increasingly international genre of music here in Yerevan premiere of HOKIS performance.

PROJECT LEADERVIDEO PROJECTION & VIDEO PROJECT LEADERSHAHEN KHANDKARYANNSHAN PAPARIAN

TMBATATmbaTa, tmbaTa, tmbaTa is the sound you’ll hear if you happen to pass by this groundbreaking group as they’re warming up.

Formed in 2012 during a workshop at TUMO, the group fuses each member’s individual style to tell one overarching story through original video and audio compositions. Unveiling original pieces and modern arrangements of traditional Armenian songs tonight, TmbaTa draws on the stylings of 70s rock idols Led Zepellin, Jethro Tull and Frank Zappa to bring their own work to life.

PROJECT LEADERARIK GRIGORYAN

ARTISTIC DIRECTION

PATRICK MALAKIAN

ARMAN JULHAKYAN

GRIGOR KHACHATRYAN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

BALLETMASTER

PERFORMANCE DIRECTORGrigor, a native of Yerevan, is an artistic soul by definition. An actor, painter and theater director, he is a graduate of both the Yerevan State Institute of Fine Arts and the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinematography, where he currently teaches acting. A four-time “Artavazd” annual theater award winner, Grigor has participated in many European festivals. He has been offering his creative spirit to the children at the AGBU Nork Children’s Center since 2006, closely collaborating on their productions, including “Eternal”, which he directed with Patrick Malakian’s creative guidance.

Patrick is a French Armenian filmmaker and producer who knows world-class talent. He has seen it in the youth of Armenia on every single one of his visits to the country. Awe-struck by their artistic prowess and tremendous promise, he believes that their revolutionary blend of modern and traditional styles is a glimpse into what the future of Armenian art can be.Having grown up outside the Armenian community, Patrick is new to the Armenian world and has quickly become enthralled by its artistic culture, lending his charisma and cultural vigor to its development as the AGBU Marseille chapter chair. As the chapter chair, Patrick put his ideas into action last November by bringing young performers from the AGBU Nork Children’s Center to Marseille to stage Éternels, a sold-out performance of song, dance and acrobatics in honor of the centenary of the Armenian Genocide.An eye for the arts runs in the Malakian family. Son of the famed filmmaker Henri Verneuil (Ashod Malakian), Patrick has written, directed, produced

Arman Julhakyan has started his dancing career at the Nork Children’s Center of Holy See of Mother Etchmiadzin and AGBU. Trained as a drama theater director at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography, he has brought his talent to the “Narek” Dance Ensemble at the Nork Children’s Center, spearheading numerous charitable performances in Armenia, Artsakh and abroad. As artistic director of the ensemble since 2001 and the author of numerous projects, Arman has been involved in different creative performances in USA, Canada, England, UAE, Europe and Russia, thus promoting Armenian culture and dances among the youth in the Diaspora. Besides his work as a choreographer, he is also the principal dancer for the “Barekamutyun” Armenian State Dance Ensemble. For his valuable input in promotion and popularization of Armenian dances, Arman has been awarded with the Narekatsi Medal from the Misitry of Culture of RA.

and acted in numerous films and television series in France and abroad. It was while working as assistant director on 588 rue du Paradis, the sequel to his father’s beloved film Mayrig, that Patrick became more acquainted with his family’s past and the proud history of the Armenian people.Now he is playing a major part in redirecting the artistic trajectory of those very people. As the creative director of tonight’s performance, Patrick brings his innovative spark, his passion for performance and his devotion to the Armenian people to this stage in hopes of guiding Armenian arts in an entirely new direction.

Seta is the founder, choreographer and artistic director of the Shushi Dance Ensemble of Saint Vartan Cathedral in New York. Drawing on her childhood love of dance, she has connected hundreds of young Armenians to their artistic heritage and inspired a generation of talent since 1992 through large-scale performances around the world.

Luiza is a classically trained singer who strives to introduce non-Armenians to the musical heritage of the Armenian people. As a soloist with the Geghard Choir and a graduate of the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan, she specializes in both Armenian folk music and European classical music. She joins the stage tonight as lead soloist.

The Ardēan Design Studio is where culture, history, design and art collide. Founded in 2014 at the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, Ardēan has since branched out on its own as one of the first start-ups out of the center, offering a historical interpretation of Armenian culture through the eyes of contemporary art and design by creating modern products based on traditional motifs. Ardēan epitomizes the creativity of Armenian youth, harnessing their talent to join the distinctive cultural heritage of the Armenian people with the new technologies of the 21st century. The sets

SPECIAL GUESTS

SETA PASKALYAN-KANTARDJIAN

LUIZA YEREMYAN

ARDÉAN DESIGN STUDIO VASKEN BRUDIAN

SOLO PERFORMERSMELINE ARAKELYANNORK CHILDREN’S CENTER, DANCE INSTRUCTOR

GEORGI BABAYANNORK CHILDREN’S CENTER, DANCE INSTRUCTOR

ARSHAK MANUKYANNAREK DANCE ENSEMBLE, DANCER

ANAHIT ORBELYANNAREK DANCE ENSEMBLE, DANCER

NAREK JULHAKYANNAREK DANCE ENSEMBLE, DANCER

LILIT AGHLAMAZYANNAREK DANCE ENSEMBLE, DANCER

NORK CHILDREN’S CENTER, DANCE INSTRUCTOR

YURA PETROSYAN

for tonight’s performance have all been designed with the innovative flair of the young artistic minds of the Ardēan Design Studio and their work—inspired by stone carvings, carpet weavings, embroidery, cross-stones, traditional architecture and illuminated manuscripts—will be on display to enjoy throughout the weekend. Through their artwork and products ranging from scarves and tablecloths to paper products and leather goods, Ardēan is creating a new visual narrative and is on its way to revolutionizing the design industry in Armenia with its sophisticated aesthetic.

PRODUCERSPatrick Malakian & Ani Manoukian

www.agbu.am

performance general sponsors