KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Professor Edouard Barseghian, Dr. of Philosophy (Musicology), has delivered a three-day lecture course at ASPU. He is also an honorary member of the Ararat International Academy (France) and the University of Fundamental Studies of the Oxford University Scientific Society (OUSS).

The requalification course entitled "Ancient Origins of Armenian Music" was dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the musicology course. The aim was to familiarize the general public, including the young generation, with the oldest national musical instrument in Armenia and their genealogy.

Ara Gevorgyan, Acting Head of the Chair of Music, hailed the initiative saying it introduces people to national values, helps transfer and preserve knowledge.

Mr. Gevorgyan says Professor Barseghian studies the ancient historical samples of the Louvre and produces scientific evidence that the musical instruments have Armenian origins, at the same time comparing them with the instruments used in the manuscripts and miniatures in the Matenadaran (a museum and repository of manuscripts in Yerevan).

"These are scientific meetings aimed at development and enrichment of students' knowledge," Ara Gevorgyan noted and added that Professor Barseghian is also a brilliant musician and trumpet player, who performs national compositions and makes them known in France.

Let us add that in the 1980s Edouard Barseghian worked as a lecturer at ASPU.

The professor believes that science is one of the ways to overcome tough times. In today's hybrid warfare, not only our territories, but also our culture and music are appropriated. “Students should be shown the depth of history, then familiarize with references about musical instruments. I live in Paris, but I want to direct all my efforts to Armenia. I need successors, people interested in my profession and knowledge," he said.

At the end of the lectures, the participants will take an exam. The best ones will have the opportunity to study remotely at the University of Fundamental Studies of the Oxford University Scientific Society (OUSS).