June 10, 2009 - 23:31 AMT
Charity concert marks 15th anniversary of Hayastan All Armenian Fund German affiliate
On May 31, a major concert celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund's German affiliate was held at the Haus Burgpark hall in Hurth, near Cologne, Germany. Featuring the Navasart Ensemble, a critically acclaimed French-Armenian folk-dance troupe based in Paris, the charity event was attended by an audience of 800, Hayastan All Armenian Fund said in a press release.

Proceeds from the concert - which was sponsored by the fund's German and Swiss affiliates as well as Association of Armenian Business-Man (Germany), and Armenian Medical Association of Germany - will benefit the reconstruction of the Noyemberyan Regional Hospital, in Armenia's Tavush Region.

The Navasart Ensemble's performances were preceded by the screening of a documentary film on the history and accomplishments of the fund's German affiliate. In his opening remarks, Gilbert Momdjian, chair of the affiliate, stated that the Hayastan All Armenian Fund continues to function as a bastion of worldwide Armenian unity and collaboration.

The concert's honorary guests included Avedis Kizirian and Noebar Sepojan Sipaan, chairs of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund's Switzerland and Netherlands affiliates, respectively; German-Jewish journalist and film director Ralph Giordano, who has championed international efforts to recognize the Genocide of the Armenians; as well as German elected officials and representatives of various organizations.

Renowned across Europe for its dazzling productions and high level of artistry, the Navasart Ensemble is led by conductor and artistic director Eddy Djololian. Throughout their performances in Hurth, the troupe's 60 musicians and dancers received waves of applause and several standing ovations.

"It is wonderful that charity concerts such as this help support new development projects such as the reconstruction of the Noyemberyan Regional Hospital," said Ara Vardanyan, executive director of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund.