Mexico Hosts Events Commemorating Armenian Genocide Centennial

MEXICO CITY — From May 14 through May 17, a range of large cultural events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide centennial were held in Mexico City, the Armenian Foreign Ministry press office reports.

World famous Nezahualcoyotl concert hall hosted the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO) on May 14 in Mexico. The first ever appearance of the national orchestra before the Mexican public was the last stop of ANPO’s world Remembrance tour. Under the baton of Maestro Edward Topchian, the orchestra performed Aram Khachaturian’s Spartacus suite, Saint-Saens’ cello concerto and Tchaikovsky’s symphony No. 6.

Ambassador of Armenia to Mexico Grigor Hovhannissian, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Mexico, representatives of Mexican civil society and media attended the event.

On May 14, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) hosted a compelling exhibition dedicated to the centennial of the Armenian Genocide depicting the journey of Armenian survivors of the Genocide, who reached the Mexican shores and founded a new life and a new homeland there.

On May 16 and 17, the Nezahualcoyotl Hall hosted another two concerts performed by the renowned Armenian-American pianist Dora Serviarian and the OFUNAM orchestra of the National Autonomous University – one of the world’s largest and oldest universities. A powerful performance of Aram Khachaturian’s legendary piano concerto was enthusiastically received by the music aficionados.

In the same week, the Embassy of Armenia to Mexico, in cooperation with the National Institute of Fine Arts, the National Music Conservatory and the National Cinematic Center, organized several viewings of Peter Rosen’s award-winning documentary (the Hollywood film festival) “Khachaturian”. During the two showings at the national Conservatory and the Cineteca Nacional music students, musicians and public received firsthand insights into the process behind the creation of the documentary from the co-producers – Aaron and Robert Kuhn as well as Serviarian.

These commemorative events were organized by the UNAM and the Embassy of Armenia to Mexico and were extensively covered by the local media.