The Spitak earthquake: Healing through music three decades on

Armenia was on the brink of emerging from behind what was the iron curtain of the Soviet Union, when a 6.8-magnitude earthquake ravaged the northern part of the country within 30 seconds. It claimed the lives of more than 25,000 people, wiped out the city of Spitak, and left the city of Gyumri in complete ruins.

The two bell towers of the Cathedral of the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri lie toppled in the church yard since 1988. They have since been replaced by replicas. However, the snow-dressed wounds of the original towers stand as stark reminders of one of the worst disasters in the history of Armenia.

To this day, people still live in temporary dwellings in the devasted areas, while poignant tales of loss, grief, hope, and resilience continue to raise awareness of the crisis.

Watch h-pem’s take on three decades of healing through artistic expression and charitable support!

• “Pour toi Armenie:”  (For You, Armenia): Composed by Charles Aznavour and Georges Garvarentz in 1988, the song was performed by a group of famous French musicians as part of a charity campaign. It reached the top of French charts in 1989 and entered the Guinness Book of Records.
• “Smoke on the Water:”  Conceived by John Dee as a Rock Aid Armenia international charity project, the song featured members of Queen, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, and was released by Deep Purple in November 1989. 
• “Out of the Ruins:”  Commissioned by Agnieszka Piotrowska for her BBC documentary commemorating the first anniversary of the earthquake, the choral work with lyrics from Grigor Narekatsi's  “Book of Lamentations” was composed by Michael Nyman, who later adapted the music into his String Quartet No. 3 in 1993.
• “Leninagone:” Composed by Tigran Hamasyan in 2017, the song is dedicated to the children who survived the apocalyptic times in his home town of Gyumri. 
• “Spitak (official trailer):”  Commissioned by Aleksandr Kott in 2018 for his requiem film “Spitak;”  Serj Tankian created a soundtrack with a mix of piano, strings, and the sounds of cranes and machinery used in rescue operations.