Continuing the tradition of taking the group
photo exhibition “India through the Armenian Lens” to the different cities of
Armenia «Indo-Armenian Friendship» NGO in association with the Embassy of India
organized the exhibition in Ijevan, Tavush marz (region).
The exhibition is a part of “Indian cultural
days in Tavush” program dedicated to the 66th anniversary of Indian
Independence. The opening ceremony started on 9th of August at
“Vernatun” galleri, Ijevan. This time the exhibition was not only including the
photo collection of previous exhibitions but also paintings of two Armenian
artists Vardan Avetyan and Vladimir Soghomonyan under a different group exhibition
titled "Mystic reflections of India".
The distinguished guests of the opening ceremony were
Ambassador of India in Armenia, Dr. Suresh Babu, Vice-Governor of Tavush region
Mr. Levon Sargsyan, Mayor of Ijevan Mr. Vardan Ghalumyan and chief of department
of Culture at the municipality of Ijevan Mrs Lilit Ghalumyan.
The opening
speech was given by Lusine Toroyan genral secretary of «Indo-Armenian
Friendship» NGO. She presented the purpose of organizing the exhibition and
welcomed all guests on behalf of the president and vice-president of the NGO Mr
Rananjay Anand and Mrs Ruzanna Ashughyan. Thanking the organizers for initiating the
project “Indian cultural days in Tavush” the distinguished guests mentioned
especially the necessity of organizing more and frequent events dedicated to
the friendship of the two respective countries.
Afterwards the audiences were
invited to the Cultural House of Ijevan where in the framework of the project Indian
films of various genres will be screened with Russian dubbing.
The events will continue till the 15th of August –
India’s 67th Independence Day.
The program is supported by the Embassy of India
in Armenia, Municipality of Ijevan and Ijevan wine-brandy factory.
Our readers might remember in January 2012 IAF organized a
Group Photo Exhibition titled “India through the Armenian lens” which took
place at Naregatsi Art Institute and lasted 10 days instead of planned 3 days
due to many requests.
Taking into consideration the great success and response
that had the exhibition as well as realizing the importance to keep the
population of other parts of Armenia too informed about the activities our NGO
is trying to realize, we decided to take the same Photo-Exhibition to other
parts of Armenia and in that series IAF decided to take it to Gyumri, the second
largest city in Armenia.
The exhibition was organized in collaboration with Gyumri
branch of Kasa Foundation. The opening ceremony of the exhibition took place at
the Kasa Community and Training Centre Gyumri on June 15th,
2013.
Honourable Ambassador of India to
the Republic of Armenia Dr Suresh Babu and Mayor of Gyumri Mr Samvel Balasanyan
were invited to grace the event as eminent guests.
The ceremony started with national anthems of both the countries which were
followed by Indian tradition of lamp lighting.
The president of Indo-Armenian Friendship
NGO welcomed the guests and the visitors and introduced them the aim and
significance of organizing the exhibition. The distinguished guests greeted the
organizers and expressed their gratitude for organizing such events especially out
of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.
The representative of Kasa Foundation Ms Susanna Grigoryan in her
welcome speech to the visitors and the guests ensured everyone that in future
also there will be collaborations with IAF.
Welcome speeches were followed by wonderful performance of
traditional Armenian dances by “Sasun” folk dance group and a surprise
performance of a Hindi song by an IAF member Felix Gharibyan.
The goal of this Photo Exhibition was to represent the
cultural and historical marvels of India shot by common travellers from Armenia
to India. Every year many travellers visit India in different capacity, be it
as tourists, as students or as businessmen. They visit India and bring memories
back to Armenia. It’s their view of India which they see through their camera
lens and share with their loved ones. And through these images India enters
into the heart of Armenian people. This way we are emphasizing the very
quintessence of people-to-people connection between two great ancient
civilizations of the world.
This time
the collection of the photographs was supplemented by collages made by Ms
Marine Papyan which she made in India while organizing a visit of four Armenian
artists to India in November 2012 by the invitation of Indian Council for
Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs.
The show continued till yesterday 22nd June, 2013 and is
planned to take place in other cities and towns of Armenia to spread the
message they are carrying to the entire population of the country.
Those who love India, who are interested in its life and culture, have the opportunity to witness a small part of it in Naregatsi Art Institute. However this time Indian culture is not represented by Indians but Armenians.
On January 20th Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO presented a group photo exhibition titled “India through the Armenian lens”. One of the participants is Feliix Gharibyan from Iran who used to study in India for 6 years and came to Armenia 1 year ago. He says. “Those who were able to live in India can live anywhere in the world as India is a quite tough but exciting country at the same time”. Felix has decided to stay and work in Armenia.
Another participant, Paruyr Abrahamyan, says that he will surely visit India again. He was there only for 20 days though even Indians say that a whole life is not enough to travel all over India.
The exhibition presents 51 photos of 11 participants who have been to India and through their photos show the joyful and colorful sides of Indian reality. Although the participants are armatures but according to many attendants the photos seem to be shot by professionals.
The opening ceremony was graced by the ambassador of India to Armenian H.E. Mr Achal Kumar Malhotra. Mr Ambassador said that we should see not only the outer part of the photos but the inner, spiritual side of them too. The president of Naregatsi Art Institute stressed. “Both Armenians and Indians are old nations and we need to present Indian culture in Armenia and Armenian culture in India”. Naregatsi Art Institute meets these needs for what it was established, to serve the culture, said Mr Nareg Harutyunyan.
At the opening ceremony Indian students performed an Indian dance. 19 year old Srinivasan, one of the dancers, who studies at Yerevan State Medical University, has decided to become a neurologist. He says when he goes back to India he’ll take Armenian paintings with him, and being more frankly he would love to take an Armenian girl to India. My interlocutor says that he doesn’t know much about Armenian culture but he managed to visit main cultural destinations in Yerevan and notes that his favorite place is Vernisaj. In general what he likes most in Armenia is gender equality.
The group photo exhibition “India through the Armenian lens” is organized by Indo-Armenian Frindship NGO in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Armenia. The exhibition is dedicated to the 63rd anniversary of the Republic Day in India.
About the author: Inga Petrosyan is one of the participants of the exhibition. She works at one of the daily newspapers in Yerevan as a journalist.
Inga taking an interview from Felix - one of
the participants of the exhibition
Within the framework of celebrations of 63rd Republic Day of India (26th January) Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Armenia organized a Photo Exhibition. The theme of the Photo Exhibition is “India through the Armenian lens”.
The
opening ceremony was held at Naregatsi Art Institute at 15:00 pm, 20th
January. The chief guest of the event was the Ambassador of India to
Armenia H.E. Mr Achal Kumar Malhotra. Representatives of the Ministry of
culture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs were among the distinguished
guest.
According to the Indian tradition Mr Ambassador lit the auspicious lamp and inaugurated the event with his welcome words. Congratulating IAF for their initiative Mr Ambassador also emphasized the great significance of such initiatives by stating that India and Armenia enjoy good relations at diplomatic level, but what is very heartening to see is having great relationship at grass-root level which is well realized by this group exhibition.
The president of Naregatsi Art Institute also welcomed the visitors and the guests stressing the importance of the two oldest cultures - Armenian and Indian to be well interacted. Mr Harutyunyan also presented Mr Ambassador with the symbol of Armenians - a pomegranate souvenir and a book titled "Mashtots. Sacred pearls".
Lighting the auspicious lamp
The Vice president of IAF Ruzanna Ashughyan introduced the guests and visitors the significance of organizing the exhibition.
The goal of this Photo Exhibition was to represent the cultural and historical marvels of India shot by common travelers from Armenia to India. Every year many travelers visit India in different capacity, be it as tourists, as students or as businessmen. They visit India and bring memories back to Armenia. It’s their view of India which they see through their camera lens and share with their loved ones. And through these images India enters into the heart of Armenian people. This way we are emphasizing the very quintessence of people-to-people connection between two great ancient civilizations of the world.
The opening Ceremony was followed by a dance performance by the students of Yerevan State Medical University. Their Vandana made the guests feel the atmosphere of India before they were invited to view the photographs. The exhibition was well supported by musical compositions of the great Indian santoor maestro Shiv Kumar Sharma providing an impeccable environment.
Students of YSMU performing Vandana
Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO conceptualized this Photo exhibition in collaboration with Embassy of India. It would not have been possible without their support. Our heartiest thanks to H.E Mr. Achal Kumar Malhotra, the Hon. Ambassador of India for continuously being our guiding force. The whole embassy staff extended their great support to us for realizing this to happen. Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO is committed to strengthen the people-to-people connection between India and Armenia through different initiatives.
We also thank Naregatsi Art Institute for their cooperation who generously has enabled us to use these rooms for the exhibition.
Special thanks to IAF volunteers for their great support and dedication.
Apparently this event brought together all those who like the Indian culture and don’t want to miss the opportunity to communicate with Indian culture.
Besides this was another reason for all Indo-Armenian community in Armenia to gather and share common thoughts and interests.
H. E. Mr Malhotra, Mr Nareg Harutyunyan, Mrs Malhotra, Ms Ashughyan
It would not have been a better timing than this, when India celebrates its 63rd Republic Day. This way we are celebrating the great spirit of India, being world’s largest democracy. And when we have Armenian people as main participant for this exhibition, what can be better to show India that Armenia and its people love India from the very core of their heart. It’s our warm heartedness which keeps our friendship and partnership intact for a very strong bonding.
Mr Saxena (1st secretary at the Embassy of India),
Felix Gharibyan (participant), Mr Ambassador
The opening ceremony was attended by not only IAF members but common citizens as well who were excited to see a piece of India in Yerevan. There were so many visitors in the group exhibition who were not aware of IAF because their non-use of Internet. They came to know about the event through different media channels like TV, Radio and News Papers. Those who had already visited India once were so excited to revisit their India through these images.
The following two days of the exhibition were also eventful by having a big number of admirers. Due to the unbelievable popularity over the weekend the photo exhibition has been extended for 7 more days and will now show until the 29th January.
Mrs Saxena & Mrs Zirekyants (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The show will go along between 10am and 7pm any day next week. Take a look at the photographs that have captured everyone's hearts and imaginations during their showing this weekend!
IAF team is wishing our all members, friends and supporters a very happy Republic Day of India. Long live Indo-Armenian Friendship!
