The goal of the Russian-Armenian University is to promote, educate and popularize unique talents and their achievements, and RAU will continue to organize events that will allow young people to become acquainted with the great figures of art and culture of Armenia and Russia. This was stated by the rector of RAU, Doctor of Economics of the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation Edward Sandoyan on November 12, opening a creative evening dedicated to the great Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian.

 

Aram Khachaturian is one of the most expressive and temperamental composers of the 20th century. According to UNESCO statistics, Khachaturian is among the five most performed composers of all time. For the incredible popularity of the "Sabre Dance" from the ballet "Gayane", he was called Mr. "Sabre Dance" all over the world, because "Sabre Dance" is performed somewhere in the world every 2 minutes.

 

"The knowledge we receive at the university forms the basis of our future, and this is especially pertinent for the Russian-Armenian University. We were able to create a symbiosis of all the best that there is in science, education and culture of both countries. The life of Aram Khachaturian is proof of how cultural diversity influences creativity.

Remember other famous personalities, for example, the extraordinary composer Alexey Ekimyan, about whom we will also talk during tomorrow's creative evening. Their paths are intertwined, and they become part of our common history," the Rector noted.

 

RAU's honorary guest, author and host of music programs on the Mayak radio station Lyudmila Dubovtseva shared her memories of the great composer.

 

"The creativity of Aram Khachaturian inspires and excites the hearts of people around the world to this day. Their warmth and respect for his talent knows no bounds," she emphasized.

 

Lyudmila Dubovtseva presented unique gifts to the RAU Museum.

 

The creative evening featured famous compositions by Aram Khachaturian performed by the director of RAU House of Culture Georgy Saradzhyan.

 

The event included a film screening by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, member of the Russian Television Academy Valentin Ternyavsky about the life and work of the composer.

 

Honored guests of the RAU, among them Honored Cultural Worker of the Russian Federation, composer Mikhail Ekimyan, author of programs on the Public Radio of Armenia Olga Arakelyan, as well as senior researcher of the Aram Khachaturian House-Museum Lena Misakyan, helped those present immerse themselves in the world of the composer's amazing music. They told interesting facts from the life of Aram Khachaturian, and introduced the audience to the history of the creation of his famous works.

 

Nina Kevorkova, Head of the Creative Industries Department, spoke about the days when the world mourned the composer's death: "The State Choir of Armenia stood in the pouring rain. Men in elegant tailcoats, women in luxurious velvet dresses - all of them, although soaking wet, continued to sing. Their voices merged into one, reviving the works of Komitas, until the last passenger got off the plane and the body of the great Aram Khachaturian was carried out. Thus, Armenia greeted its greatest son - the music of the past, which elevated the spirit of the nation. The funeral of Aram Khachatourian was truly unique. As Edward Martinovich rightly said, our young people need to know about this, remember, be proud and remain Armenians, no matter what." In turn, Director of the Institute of Media, Advertising and Cinema Karen Markaryan noted that Aram Khachaturian, when he was called an Armenian composer, answered with a slight grin: "No, Komitas is the Armenian composer, and I write music for the whole world."

 

"Aram Khachaturian will forever remain in our memory not only as a great composer, but also as a person whose heart and soul were open to the whole world, which did not leave any generation indifferent," Markaryan said.

 

It should be noted that the event was organized by the Department of Journalism of the Russian-Armenian University. Among the guests was also Deputy Head of the Russian House in Armenia Victoria Deripasko.

 

 

Translated by Mari Stepanyan,    
I year Master’s Student in Translation & Interpretation, RAU