The Melkonian Educational Institute of Cyprus is one hundred years old. Today barely six or seven of its graduates live in Istanbul. Few in number, but just as loyal to their school, they decided that the centenary of the Melkonian could not pass unmarked in their native city as well.
Indeed, on the evening of October 30, the Holy Trinity Church of Beyoglu hosted a splendid concert dedicated to the centenary of the founding of the Melkonian Educational Institute, which with high-quality musical performances and emotional content will long remain in the memory of those present. Months earlier, Melkonian graduate Shnorhig Altun and her associates had set to work to organize the event, in cooperation with the Parish Council of the Beyoglu churches and the preacher of the church, the Very Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Damadian.
The preparation of the musical program had again been undertaken by a Melkonian graduate, Hagop Mamigonian, conductor of the “Lusavorich” choir.
Under the presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Sahak II, present were the Very Rev. Fr. Harutyun Damadian, the Rev. Fr. Krikor, Fr. Sarkis, Fr. Kevork and Archpriest Fr. Goriun, as well as the Rev. Fr. Nerses. Present were Armenia’s representative Nayiri Bedrosian, the representative of the head of the Armenian Catholic community Father Abraham, the deacons of Beyoglu, the members of the Parish Council led by Vice-Chairman Khachig Janel, and a large crowd of culture lovers.
The large portraits of the brothers Krikor and Garabed Melkonian placed on either side of the narthex seemed to ensure the moral presence of the benefactors.
In her welcoming remarks, mistress of ceremonies Carolin Saruboyajian-Mamigonian touched on the centenary history of the institute and the important role it had in Armenian upbringing. Afterwards, Dikran Altun spoke on behalf of the graduates, conveying with heartfelt expressions the former pupils’ gratitude and longing for their school.
The concert program was a tasteful selection of sacred, lyrical and patriotic works. All the performances of the “Lusavorich” choir, made up of more than sixty members, were dedicated to the memory of the Melkonian’s unforgettable music teachers, Parsegh Ganachian, Vahan Bedelian and Sebouh Apkarian.
One of the most moving moments of the evening was the performance of the march of the Melkonian Educational Institute. For Melkonian graduates that song was their school years, their friends, their teachers and their entire school life, summed up in a familiar melody. That evening the march resounded in Istanbul, once again affirming that the history of the Melkonian was written not only in Cyprus, but continued in the many Armenian communities of the world.
The evening dedicated to the centenary of the Melkonian closed with a song symbolizing the rebirth of the Armenian people, which seemed also to answer those concerned about the future of the Melkonian. History is not yet over. After the concert, mistress of ceremonies Carolin Saruboyajian-Mamigonian conveyed the gratitude of the Melkonian graduates to all those who had contributed with their work to the realization of the celebration.
Then, by the hand of His Beatitude the Patriarch, commemorative plaques of appreciation were presented to the organizers and those in charge.
In his address, His Beatitude highly praised the performing standard and dedication of Hagop Mamigonian and the “Lusavorich” choir. The Patriarch also congratulated the Istanbul-Armenian Melkonian graduates for their initiative, and recalled that the vision of the brothers Krikor and Garabed Melkonian today also enjoins preserving Armenian education and national values. He expressed special thanks to Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Damadian for his important contribution to the organization of the ceremony.
The organizers had also prepared a beautiful, colorful booklet with writings dedicated to the history, mission and legacy of the Melkonian, historical information and heartfelt words, as a written memento of this exceptional evening.
