Sayat-Nova’s Music Echoed Through “Hayartun” Center of Armenian Diocese in Georgia

For Armenians of Georgia, especially those in Tbilisi, the month of May is not only a season of spring, the fragrance of roses, and the song of the nightingale — it is also the time of Vardaton, the Fest of Roses, traditionally dedicated to the memory of Sayat-Nova, the pioneer of Armenian lyrical poetry and a great master of the ashugh tradition. It was no coincidence, then, that on May 11, 2025, in anticipation of Vardaton, a cultural event was held at the Diocese’s Hayartun Educational, Cultural, and Youth Center (Director: Eugenia Markosyan), under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. The event was dedicated to Sayat-Nova and the immortality of his musical legacy.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the Hayartun Center was crowded. Armenians from Tbilisi had gathered once again to immerse themselves in the charm of the great Sayat-Nova’s music and song — to feel the enduring relevance of his philosophical reflections and moral teachings expressed through his lyrical art.

At the presentation of Yenok Tadevosyan, President of the Union of Armenian Intellectuals of Georgia, a documentary film dedicated to Sayat-Nova and his works was screened. As in previous years, the film was provided to the Diocese by the Grand Candy Company.

And so the timeless works of the immortal ashugh once again echoed through the hall — brought to life by the beautiful performances of the Diocese’s Nerses the Gracious (Nerses Shnorhali) Children and Youth Choir, under the direction of choirmaster and Hayartun Center soloist Aida Bazoyan-Surmalyan.

The art event was further enriched by the accompaniment of duduk players, dhol performances (led by Ivane Mkrtchyan), and Karen Mirzoyan’s piano accompaniment, all of which added a unique resonance to the celebration.

The ashugh-inspired celebration that began at the Hayartun Center will continue on May 18 with the traditional Sayat-Nova Vardaton Festival.