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To bring something into existence is to create—and “creativity takes courage.”
World-renowned French painter Henri Matisse was not wrong when he said these words. Youth are often not given the chance (or the encouragement) in the world of scribbling and sketching. The situation is not too different in the capital of Lebanon, where the Armenian youth of Beirut are often required to get into the more “serious” fields of study.
On Sept. 5, the Hamazkayin Lucy Tutunjian Art Gallery held the opening of their first “Collective Exhibition of Young Artists,” a long-overdue and most welcomed event.
We at h-pem make it one of our top priorities to ensure that Armenian artists from all around the globe get the exposure they deserve on our platforms. That is why we went ahead and asked the Beirut exhibition participants three simple questions. Through their answers, we present you the 10 young artists who got the opportunity to display and sell their art at the gallery.
Unlike the snow-covered, gloomy provincial town where the murders of Orhan Pamuk’s imagination took place, the Kars that welcomed my friend and me on our short trip to Western Armenia was warm, lively, and hospitable; enough to set my soul at ease, after a tumultuous arrival in the country.
Ever wanted to learn about your Armenianness but didn’t know where to turn? This list is for you! We’ve assembled three videos that beautifully capture an aspect of Armenia and/or Armenian culture in a compelling way. Do any of them resonate with you? Let us know in the comments! (Stay tuned for a bonus at the end!)
Submissions
While most people spend a lifetime searching for their passion, painter Manu Harutyunian has always known hers. With several solo exhibitions, interview spotlights, and a swarming buzz on her budding craft, see why this young artist is one to watch.
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If you’re a diasporan Armenian between the ages of 21-32 and seek a unique and thrilling experience in the homeland, then look no further than Birthright Armenia! For the past 15+ years, this volunteer internship enhancement program has provided over 1,000 diasporan youth from across the globe with countless professional and personal enrichment opportunities, connections with other engaged souls, and an abundance of unforgettable memories.
Garabala has increasingly become part and parcel of musical life in Beirut—a cherished phenomenon that brings the thrill of experimental concerts to the party spirit of modern-day kefs. After a captivating performance at this year’s installment of Innovate Armenia in LA, we met some of the band members before they hit the stage for a hometown concert.
Ever wanted to learn about your Armenianness but didn’t know where to turn? This list is for you! We’ve assembled three videos that beautifully capture an aspect of Armenia and/or Armenian culture in a compelling way. Do any of them resonate with you? Let us know in the comments! (Stay tuned for a bonus at the end!)
Multimedia guide
What happens when you defy tradition? In the gripping short family drama, “I Promised Her Life,” an Armenian mother tackles the interplay between tradition and agency at her daughter’s funeral. The result is a devastating rendering of death and the afterlife through cultural superstition. Watch the film online, for free!
The talent at TUMO Center for Creative Technologies seems boundless. Much has been said about their digital media and tech innovations, but their musical productions deserve equal praise. Check out this beautiful rendition of “Khrovats Er” by TUMO band Decibelle, featuring Element Band!
At first glance, this song about a “red girl” seems like a beautiful, yet ordinary, Armenian folk love song. Except that it is neither a folk song nor Armenian—at least, not quite. “Garmi” meaning “red” in the Hamshen dialect (or “karmir” / «կարմիր» in Armenian) is a song composed by Meluses, a contemporary folk-rock band from Turkey. This soothing version, by two young Lebanese-Armenians, will transport you to the idyllic villages of the Hemshin people.
The lyrics are looped in pursuit of the significant other and the melody makes one dance on tiptoes. They ring down through the ages to spin a jovial celebration of love. Yet, there is more to the newly released video clip of the song by the Hamazkayin Kousan Chamber Choir of Lebanon. It highlights the vibrant side of a pioneering composer’s legacy and imbues his creative world with tangible warmth.
The same year Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook, the world’s tech capital inspired another ingenious endeavor: AGBU’s Silicon Valley chapter set out to create the world’s first online Armenian language program. In true tech fashion, the result was a groundbreaking program, forever changing the game of Armenian language learning
Ever visited a breathtaking trail, a vast blue ocean, or some other natural wonder and thought, “someone should bottle up these soothing sights and sounds to savor them year-round”? Well, that is exactly what Sounds of Sevan has done with Lake Sevan—and they have taken her all the way to Britain’s capital!
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