Interviews
The right questions—a world of answers
Photo credit: Norayr Kasper, "I Will Talk to You About Time." Fotoistanbul 2015.Join our community and receive regular updates!
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![Garik & Sona: Clinking their way through Armenian folk music dreams](/images/interview/1/16445032677011/6041a8c28f1c334ec0371b157e7899e3-394x345.png)
Garik & Sona: Clinking their way through Armenian folk music dreams
Newly available on YouTube are ten songs from “Zngl,” the debut album Garik & Sona were shy to release until the summer of 2021. Finally, catchy hooks and dynamic melodies add up to an album full of Armo-folk songs you won’t mind getting stuck in your head. What makes Garik & Sona stand out from other similar bands? More importantly, what is their impact on Armenian folk music? H-pem has had the chance to sit down and interview Garik Papoyan and Sona Rubenyan after a sold-out concert. Check out our exclusive interview below!
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![Celebrating Armenian History Month at USC: An Interview with Dr. Shushan Karapetian](/images/interview/1/17123116287404/7678cf30876fd05e78000fefd8cb4171-393x345.jpeg)
Celebrating Armenian History Month at USC: An Interview with Dr. Shushan Karapetian
Dr. Shushan Karapetian, Director of the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies, shares insights into the significance and genesis of the landmark USC Armenian History Month. A day before the opening, amidst the flurry of preparations, Dr. Karapetian spared a moment to discuss the importance of Armenian History Month and its implications for the USC community and beyond.
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![Interview | Exploring Music and Identity With Composer Mary Kouyoumdjian](/images/interview/1/17154446595812/04f3cf2fa1387d0b28e9da4acb1d5052-394x345.jpeg)
Interview | Exploring Music and Identity With Composer Mary Kouyoumdjian
In the realm of contemporary music, Mary Kouyoumdjian is a force to be reckoned with. Known for her innovative compositions that seamlessly weave together personal narratives and socio-political commentary, Kouyoumdjian's work transcends mere musical expression.
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![Interview | The Serene Ceramic World of Studio Amatuni](/images/interview/1/17165485727905/84bc8388b4e83388fb817167c8642769-394x346.jpeg)
Interview | The Serene Ceramic World of Studio Amatuni
Take a glimpse inside the tranquility of Studio Amatuni, a ceramic studio hidden on the shelves of Oshakan, Armenia. In an exclusive interview with h-pem, its founder, Svetlana Amatuni, takes us on a tour of her studio as she discusses her unique artistic process, recalls stories from her studio workshops, and explains the deep connection she has with the space as well as the art form.
This interview and its accompanying exclusive photoshoot were submitted by contributor Lilit Davtyan.
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![Interview | Bebook: The Bus That Brings Stories to Life](/images/interview/1/17207064261694/5d56f72be5999e5359594c388c45e3cf-394x346.jpeg)
Interview | Bebook: The Bus That Brings Stories to Life
A tiny yellow bus drives down the street, this one is not merely for school field trips. Without the flick of a wand, it transforms into a stage and brings fairy tales to life for the children who reside all around Armenia. In this exclusive interview with h-pem, its founders, Ani Yeremyan and Ruzanna Petrosyan share how their theater runs on 4 wheels, their perspective on puppetry, and how they aim to reach more areas of Armenia.
![Discovering Garo Minassian: A photographer's exploration into fragility](/images/interview/1/16325136033392/6230172201cdd40fbd7b771d3996c729-394x345.jpeg)
Discovering Garo Minassian: A photographer's exploration into fragility
What happens when two childhood friends turned photographers meet to discuss their art?
“Ten photographs, ten questions, very epigrammatic!” is the real deal as h-pem contributor Harout Dedeyan puts it.
“Sure, we’ve frequently discussed photography, something he’s very passionate about, but I was unaware of his ultimate goal,” reflects Dedeyan before he starts his interview with Paris-based photographer Garo Minassian.
When we learned that an h-pem fan was mesmerized by Minassian’s works, we asked Dedeyan, whose photographic series of “Art on Architecture” is showcased on our platform, whether he would like to interview him.
Dedeyan graciously volunteered! His sharp eye for visual detail and effective writing style provide a unique perspective into Minassian’s work.
Check out the frank and energetic interview below...
![Minas Lourian: A guru-like cross-cultural expert from Venice who makes it all happen!](/images/interview/1/1627161483639/d60d6f5d0fc43541af0841e052ad0b96-394x345.jpeg)
Minas Lourian: A guru-like cross-cultural expert from Venice who makes it all happen!
“To have great art, we must commission it! In order to commission it, we must have great commissioners!” If there is one person in the Armenian world who could be credited with turning Frank O'Hara’s famous words into action, it’s Minas Lourian, who serves as director of the Center for Studies and Documentation of Armenian Culture in Venice, Italy.
Lourian was the catalyst behind Riccardo Muti’s recent “Roads of Friendship” concert in Armenia for the premiere of “Purgatory,” a commissioned piece by Tigran Mansurian. The maestro and his wife Cristina received the presidential Medal of Friendship, while Lourian was awarded with the Medal of Gratitude for their “significant role in the strengthening and promoting of cultural relationships between Armenia and Italy.”
H-pem sat down for an exclusive Skype interview to get valuable insights from the unconventional cross-cultural executive who has a deep knowledge of the Armenian-Italian community and a whole raft of stunning achievements under his belt.