KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

The state graduation examination of students of the Faculty of Culture [Department of Dance Pedagogy] was held at the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiaryan. In addition to demonstrating their knowledge of the subject, graduates of the 2014-2015 academic year also performed a final concert as part of the examination. 

The new generation of choreographer-pedagogues and ballet masters entered into the professional dance world with the choreographic presentation “Battle Cry of Soul” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The students presented the story of one photo, with a Genocide survivor telling his grandson the last episode of his childhood memories. 

“Wedding,” “Traditions,” “Genocide,” “Migration Route,” “Loss of Mother,” “Komitas,” “Struggle,” "Faith," “Heroism,” “ABC,” “Ararat,” “Memories,” “Commemoration,” “Battle Cry of Soul”… Fifteen separate and at the same time one full story presenting the experiences and life of Armenian people, their grief and pain that the entire universe cannot bear on its shoulders. 

“When they ask me how old I am I keep silent. I only know the age of my pain. It has 100-year-old history which today our students presented to the audience through dance. My heart is filling with pride. I was unable to conceal my excitement during the final rehearsal. It is amazing that our students were able to present their ideas in the language of dance in such a short period of time. They conveyed to the audience what they did not see themselves but was experienced by their ancestors,” Karen Gevorgyan, Head of the Department of Dance Pedagogy at the ASPU, told old.aspu.am.

“Armenians scattered around the world, including our students, have expressed their grief and claims in the language of their professions. I am glad and proud that these students are entering into the world of dances armed with profound knowledge about their profession and with the desire to pass down their knowledge and experience to future generations and maintain the traditions of dance,” said Vera Avetisyan, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences. 

“And I whose name is Armenian, whose name is centennial pain, tell you, “There is a shaft of sunlight in my age-old pain, there is a prayer in my revenge. Do you hear me? Look how Armenians are dancing today! Listen how they are blowing their trumpets of life and victory! They have not forgotten anything, but they continue to live for their homeland.” The bouquet of dances was completed with Kochari, an Armenian folk dance, which conveyed this powerful message to the world.