Pashinyan, Tankian, Makunts keynote Creative Armenia’s 1-year anniversary
Creative Armenia - AGBU Fellowships launched to discover innovative artists
July 7, 2018 | by Creative Armenia
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hails the "cultural revolution."
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Minister of Culture Lilit Makunts, Creative Armenia board members Serj Tankian and Arsinée Khanjian, government officials and ambassadors, and hundreds of guests filled the halls of the National Gallery of Armenia to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of Creative Armenia - an innovative global arts foundation for the Armenian people.
Director of programs Tatevik Manoukyan spoke about the organization’s mandate - to discover, develop, produce, and promote creative talent across the arts. Meanwhile founding director Garin Hovannisian spoke about a growing “cultural coalition” that was ready to take art seriously - and strategically - in Armenia.
He was referring to founding partner JHM Charitable Foundation, communications partner Ucom, and the Ministry of Culture - with which Creative Armenia recently entered a historic public-private partnership to revitalize the arts and build creative industries. “We are proud of and hopeful for this partnership,” said Minister Makunts. “We look forward to the great collaboration ahead.”
The celebratory event also served as a platform to launch its newest partnership, with the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), and their new program together: the Creative Armenia - AGBU Fellowships. These year-long fellowships will offer a package of funding, mentorship, and promotion for extraordinary creative artists. AGBU Armenia’s executive director Talar Kazanjian announced the opening of applications atcreativearmenia.org/fellowships and agbu.org/creativearmenia.
In a poignant moment, music icon Serj Tankian took the stage to talk about a “cultural revolution” and present the winner of his 7 notes music challenge, which Creative Armenia hosted earlier this year. Out of thousands of applicants from 60 countries, two winners shared the $5,000 prize. And one of them, Mariam Petrosian, was on hand to perform her stunning song.
Creative Armenia Founding Board Member Serj Tankian talks about the 7 Notes music challenge.
Of course the leader of that revolution was called to deliver the closing speech. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the vital cultural facets of the revolution that unfolded in Armenia.
“This was a battle between the culture of violence and the culture of love,” he said. “And the culture of love won.”