Artavazd 2011 award ceremony marred by scandal

PanARMENIAN.Net - On March 27, the World Theater Day, Hakob Paronyan State Theater of Musical Comedy hosted Artavazd annual theatrical award ceremony, which was dedicated to the 80th birth anniversary of actor Khoren Abrahamyan.

The ceremony has not avoided scandals. Many theatrical critics and participants of the event left the hall prior to the ceremony completion, while those who stayed strictly criticized the biased attitude – many prizes were awarded for “family ties,” but not for real merits and achievements.

Children of well-known theater workers of Armenia were awarded. Besides, Lusine Yerinjakyan, daughter of filmmaker Ara Yerinjakyan, was a member of the jury, what caused indignation of theater workers, who disagreed with the fact that a young inexperienced woman passed judgment on successful people.

The only decision that pleased everyone was the award to composer Martin Vardazaryan for his music to Station performance of Hamazgain theater.