The Diocese
Posted: 04/22/2016
A Commemorative Oratorio Concert, was presented in memory of the Martyred Armenian Hero Hrant Dink on Saturday, April 16, 2016. The event, held at the Ambassador Auditorium, was organized by the Organization of Istanbul Armenians (OIA) in collaboration with a wide spectrum of leading pan-Armenian institutions and community organizations. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America attended the Oratorio accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian and the Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Berjekian.
The evening’s Guest of Honor Mrs. Rakel Dink, the widow of the slain Armenian journalist. Joining Mrs. Dink was the Composer of the Oratorio, renowned musician Majak Toshigian. Berchuhi Berberian was the lyricist.
The special event, “Hrant Dink the Legacy” featured the North American debut performance of the Oratorio also marked the start of the week of commemorative events of the 101st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Los Angeles was justifiably the first venue of the performance, outside Yerevan and Istanbul when it was performed in September 2015 and January 2016, respectively.
The City of Los Angeles, California, is home to one of the largest Armenian communities outside of Armenia. It is also the city where Hrant Dink delivered his last major speech to the Armenian people on October 5th, 2006. Therefore, it was fitting for the City of Los Angeles to act as host to the tribute of Hrant Dink and to undying legacy.
This commemorative occasion also served as an occasion for solidarity for All Armenians who demand and await justice for the crime of Genocide and for its most recent victim, a Martyr who was the voice of his people, who loved his ancestral homeland and relentlessly fought for justice.
The pan-Armenian choir, organized by the OIA under the skillful direction and baton of Maestro Stepan Gozumian presented the Contemporary Oratorio, a large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices. The Musical Director was Artashes Kartalyan.
The program included a tribute to Hrant Dink by way of a video presentation prior to the performance as well as a special recognition and message from Mrs. Rakel Dink at the conclusion of the presentation.
To this day there has been no just resolution and remedial justice for the unprecedented crimes committed against the Armenian Nation. As we commemorate and demand justice, this event allowed the Armenian community to remember and honor the 1.5 Million + 1 victims of the Armenian Genocide; to remind the world that a Man whose passion for honest dialogue and love for all humanity was still seen as a threat by the perpetual (or contemporary) perpetrators of crimes and atrocities against Armenians.
