Remarks by H.E. Mr. Andranik Hovhannisyan Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Armenia At the concert of Tigran Hamasyan

15 December, 2023

Victoria Hall, Geneva 15 December 2023

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great privilege and a particular pleasure for the Permanent Mission of Armenia in Geneva to take the high patronage of this concert. At the outset I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the organizers, “Avetis” Association of Geneva for bringing all of us together this evening, to the virtuosic performance of Tigran Hamasyan, at the magnificent Victoria Hall.

As Tigran Hamasyan himself stated, his art is heavily influenced by the folk music, especially Armenian folk music and musical traditions. Armenia has an ancient musical culture and rich heritage. To give only one example, this year marks the 850th anniversary of the death of Armenian Saint Nerses Shnorhali (The Gracious), a religious leader, renowned composer of prayers, liturgical songs, and chants. It is fascinating to realize that his hymns survived hundreds of years and still marvelously sound in the Armenian churches.

The Armenian people introduced the world with the charming sounds of Duduk and other authentic musical instruments. Improvisation is at the core of jazz, as it was in the Armenian ashugh (bard) songs that encompasses centuries-long tradition. We also take pride of having world-famous singers and composers such as Komitas, Arno Babajanyan, Aram Khachaturian, Charles Aznavour and many others. In our country, music is appreciated in all its manifestations.

Armenia has embraced jazz with open arms. Its improvisational nature and diverse influences, have found a unique and soulful home among our people adding an extra layer to its rich cultural tapestry. Jazz fusion here creates a distinctive music that is both rooted in history and modernity, but also reaches towards the future. “When I write melodies, I tend to think that I’m composing a 21^st century folk song”, Tigran Hamasyan acknowledged.

This year we celebrate the 85^th anniversary of the Armenian Jazz, marking the day of the foundation of first official jazz band in our country. Jazz in Armenia has not confined solely to concert halls and jazz clubs, even though we have several really good ones, but it spills out into the streets, squares and cafes becoming really a nation-wide endeavor.

It is also a true testament to the openness of my nation to diverse cultural traditions. As the UNESCO has proclaimed, Jazz aims to develop and increase intercultural exchanges and understanding for the purpose of mutual comprehension, tolerance and the promotion of a culture of peace.

Finally, I would not be the first one to compare Jazz to Diplomacy. Richard Holbrooke, for instance, once famously said that “Diplomacy is like jazz: endless variations on a theme.” I very much hope that the variations that we will enjoy today will give us some peace of mind at the end of a truly challenging year and energy for boosting further our efforts for the celebration of peace, tolerance and cultural dialogue, as Jazz truly symbolizes.

Thank you.

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