Aurora Humanitarian Initiative to assist restoration of church in Potsdam
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative’s guests were introduced on the biography of Armenian renowned composer, conductor and teacher Komitas, reports Armenpress. The co-founders of the Initiative – Ruben Vardanyan, Noubar Afeyan, Robert Bosch Foundation representatives and a group of other guests visited Komitas MuseumInstitute to take part in the event entitled “Heritage of Komitas”.
Director of the Museum-Institute Nikolai Kostandyan delivered a welcoming speech and presented to the guests the biography of Komitas and his role in the formation of the Armenian culture. “I am happy that the Komitas Museum-Institute joins the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. It is an honor to welcome the guests, especially our German friends since the Komitas house is also the house of our German friends, the evidence of which is Komitas’ biography<” the Museum Director said.
Noubar Afeyan said it is important to understand that the Armenians worldwide would not be in Lebanon, Moscow, France and elsewhere if foreign people didn’t save them during the years of the Armenian Genocide. He presented to the guests the Initiative’s features, stating that by implementing it they want to enable Armenians to express their gratitude. Noubar Afeyan announced that it is expected to make a donation for the restoration of the church of Potsdam, the capital of the German federal state of Brandenburg. Matthias Kiesler, German Ambassador to Armenia, also delivered speech at the event by attaching importance to the Initiative in terms of highlighting the Armenian-German relations. The Ambassador stated that this is a very emotional event and it’s an honor for him to attend it.
He also emphasized his satisfaction that last year the German Bundestag adopted the Armenian Genocide recognition resolution. He also informed that during the recent visit of Minister of Science, Research and Culture of the federal state of Brandenburg, Dr. Martina Münch to Armenia, numerous proposals were made to celebrate Komitas’ 150th anniversary with a solemn event next year. As for the overall picture of the Armenian-German relations, the Ambassador said despite Armenia’s difFIculties and challenges, he realized encouraging changes over the last two years.
“IT sector development, TUMO center where robots are made, promote thousands of teenagers, as well as the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative: all these programs are directed towards the future. If in line with this the country’s political field is improved, Armenia will completely have a chance to prosper and develop,” he said.
After listening to Komitas’ works the guests toured the Museum-Institute.
