Speech Delivered by Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan at the chamber concert “On the Road to Armenia”

23 April, 2023

23 April, 2023 Victoria Hall, Geneva

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset I would like to extend my gratitude to the organizers of this wonderful concert, as well as to all artists and musicians who contribute to this journey to Armenia, as the concert is entitled. Allow me to add several words about my beautiful country that I hope will also help your virtual transfer through the road to Armenia.

Armenia is a modern country at the crossroads of East and West with an ancient history spanning thousands of years. Wild nature, sanctuaries next to Hellenistic temples and early Christian churches nestled in emerald green forests, Cyclopean fortresses and skyscraping mountain-tops all rest in one place.

Armenia has a rich and colorful history, interwoven with legends and lore such as the landing of Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat and Marco Polo's voyages along the Silk Road.

Armenians are an ancient people with a strong sense of cultural identity. As the first nation that adopted Christianity in 301, Armenia has preserved unique culture throughout the centuries, keeping traditions alive by integrating them into a modern way of life, so that the two complement and enrich each other.

The most tragic period in the centuries long history of the nation is the Armenian Genocide committed in the Ottoman Empire between 1915-1923. Tomorrow, 24 April is a commemoration day of the Armenian Genocide, a day when we pay tribute to the innocent victims of what is usually referred to as the first genocide of the 20^th century.

Giuseppe Motta, the President of the Swiss Confederation raised the issue of the Armenian massacres in the League of Nations. He concluded the statement by calling on Armenians “not to die, but to live and declare the works of Lord”. Against all odds, my nation continues to live and thrive, notwithstanding the current challenges that we face, which again remind us of our tragic past. It is noteworthy that many Armenians survived the Genocide due to the dedicated efforts of Swiss missionaries such as Antony Krafft-Bonnard, Beatrice Rohner, Jakob Künzler among others. In 1922 an orphanage was established in Begnins, not far from Geneva, which hosted around 200 children survivors of the Armenian genocide.

The horrors of Genocide divided the history of Armenia to the “before and after.” It had an indelible impact on all walks of life of the Armenian nation, including its art and music.

Armenia has a long-standing musical tradition that encompasses diverse secular and religious masterpieces, along with the indigenous khaz musical notation. Just to bring you only one example on the richness of the Armenian musical traditions: this year we mark 850^th anniversary of the Armenian composer and religious leader Nerses Shnorhali. This occasion is included in the UNESCO calendar for this year. Folk music was notably collected and transcribed by Komitas Vardapet, a prominent composer, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. He performed in many countries of the world, including in Geneva. In 2019 we celebrated his 150^th anniversary also here in the Victoria Hall. The Armenian music has been presented internationally also by numerous other famous composers, such as Aram Khachaturyan, as well as by traditional performers, such as players of duduk, a national musical instrument inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage.

In a few minutes you will have the opportunity of listening to the masterpieces of the Armenian music, including to Komitas Vardapet and magical tunes of duduk. I hope your virtual journey to Armenia will be pleasant and memorable.

Thank you.

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