Congratulatory address by President Serzh Sargsyan on the 75th anniversary of creation of Armenia’s State National Academic Choir

I cordially congratulate Armenia’s State National Academic Choir on its 75th anniversary.

Led by the devotees of the Armenian national song art Tatul Altunian and Aram Ter-Hovhannissian, the Choir became the best interpreter and propagator of the Armenian folk songs not only in Armenia but all over the world. In 1961, the artistic direction of the Choir was assumed by the young conductor Hovhannes Chekijia, who repatriated to Motherland from Istanbul, and whose name later was crowned with many laurels and honorary titles. Through his exceptional talent and boundless dedication, Maestro Chekijian marked the golden age of the Choir, enriching its biography with many glorious pages and achievements.

Accomplishments of the Choir are particularly impressive in the performance and dissemination of the Armenian spiritual music, pieces for choir by Komitas, Makar Ekmalian, Christorpher Kara-Murza, Armen Tigranian, Aram Khatchaturian, Arno Babajanian, and Alexander Haroutunian. It would suffice to mention that the Choir has performed 813 concerts outside Armenia, casting spell on multi-thousand audiences with the ascendancy of its art. It is no accident that on the eve of its 75th anniversary and in recognition of its glorious path, the Choir was awarded the honorary title of the National Choir.

I cordially congratulate the State National Academic Choir of Armenia on its 75th jubilee and wish new recurring success, boundless energy and incessant artistic progression.