KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

In April, during the four-day war, the best dancer, courageous warrior, the ASPU student Norayr Gasparyan sacrificed his life and became immortal.

Today, the Faculty of Culture, Chair of Choreography organized a commemorative matinée during which Norayr Gasparyan was posthumously awarded with the “Vahram Aristakesyan” medal which is the highest prize of the National Choreography Union of Armenia.

“He danced so well and was so full of energy that the examination committee asked him to repeat the performance”, the ASPU Head of the Chair of Choreography Karen Gevorgyan recalled Norayr’s admissions examination and characterized him as young man full of life and energy who threw himself to the battlefield with the same vigour together with his soul.

“Before going to the army he said that his legs would firm up, but not the arms; unfortunately, the arms also got firm. He became immortal, and with that immortality and his unlived life he commanded us to love our homeland.”

The professor mentioned that it was another occasion to revive the patriotism that Norayr had commanded us to, live for our homeland and if needed to even give life therefor.

“Everybody new talented and cheerful Norayr in Kapan; the young choreographer had managed to achieve considerable success; was enjoying love and respect of the population, was very friendly, kind, purposeful and devoted. There were only 3 months and a few days left for him to return, but love and responsibility towards his homeland lead Norayr to the heroic death; thereby replenishing the list of immortals of Kapan”, this is how the TV host Sargis Najaryan presented the hero highlighting that the whole Kapan was at the same time sorry and proud to have such a son who proved to everybody that the generation of today was also ready to keep the native land even with their lives and to pass it to the following generations.

Likewise, the culture expert Garegin Gevorgyan was sure that the motherland loves its true children more than ordinary people, and for that reason they are pulled to the land sooner than those who live longer.

Moreover, he noticed that the event was another manifestation of love and respect towards the successor and the son of dances, which also proves that the “Immortals Command”.

“I would like that all those who had at least once held Norayr’s hand when dancing together and had walked with him, support the soldier being sure that his patriotic soul will be protecting all those who are not afraid of the enemy and do not leave their positions. We deeply realize the human loss; Norayr could have taken dancing far ahead and astonished many people with his art.”

During the event dedicated to the memory of her son, the Mother of Norayr Gasparyan Nona Atajanyan remembered the April happenings and told with tears in her eyes that she had spoken with her sun but the latter hadn’t told her anything, hadn’t complained.

“Norayr had asked his brother not to tell the family about the war; he had stated that he would be the first one to go to the frontline and, if necessary, he would even be ready to sacrifice his life for the homeland. And that’s what happened; he got into the tank dancing, danced for the last time and…. never returned.”

Inna Stepanyan, who performed with Norayr on the same stage for six years, could hardly hide her tears when speaking about her dance partner. She would remember with tears in her eyes that Norayr was like a fire that was warming everybody up. He was full of indescribable energy and was spending the whole day at the dance hall.

“He had a lot of goals, dreams that remained unfulfilled; my last message also remained unanswered”.
Furthermore, his military friend Azat Galeyan remembers that they made friends very quickly, and even during the war they got into the tank together, reached the first line after which he realized that only his own tank was left, the rest were gone.

“He had plenty plans for the future; everything vanished because of the war. I am remembering the hero of our days with pride; he must be glorified every now and then”.

To sum up, Norayr Gasparyan’s friends paid a tribute to him by presenting musical and dance performances.