Father Serovbe Isakhanyan

The Armenian community, formed of 60 families in Halle, came to existence 10-12 years ago. Towards the end of 2006, the community managed to own a small church. The church belonged to the German catholic community, who built a new one some years ago, and offered the old churc to the Armenians. The church was bought with the aid of the Armenian community as well as the help of the Diocese of The Armenian Church in Germany. A number of basic renovations have been made during the last 2 years. The Armenian community has done everything possible for the church.

We had an interview with Father Serovbe Isakhanyan the clergy of the Armenian church in Halle:

-Before having the church, and a centre, where did the Armenian community of Halle come together for the communal activities? Where were the religious sermonise performed?

-During the first period, church rituals took place in a catholic church; the Armenian classes and the communal activities took place in a rented place. But, for the national-religious celebrations, halls were rented from the state.

-Are there contacts with the churches in Armenia?

-Yes. Not only the members of the Armenian community in Halle keep in touch with their relatives in Armenia, but also through the co-ordination of the administrative body, Armenian professors and religious figures from Armenia visit the community and give speeches. We lately had a meeting with the Armenian ambassador. The important fact is, the meeting and socialising of the Armenian youth of Halle with the students who come from Armenia and are living in nearby cities.

We don’t have mutual activities with the other churches o Diasporan, but within Germany, we have strong ties with other communities and often we visit one another. Our dancing group takes part in the functions arranged by Berlin community or other cities. For the religious big festivities, the Armenian choir from Berlin comes to us to sing in the church. Our football team participates in the Armenian Football Games which are arranged by the other Armenian communities.

-Is there an intention to form a church choir?

-Naturally. It is one of our first and the most important wishes. In order to perform the holy mass in its relevant form, it is vitally important to have a good choir.

-What age groups can join the choir?

-We expect the young people to participate in all the activities, and all the age groups can join the choir.

-How often do the Armenians come to church?

-As a rule, once or twice a month they attend mass and other cultural events which are held in the same place.

-Besides the religious occasions and the mass, what other activities are there?

-It has already become a custom to observe the Armenian national and state holidays and the memorial events. We form literary evenings; evenings to remember national and religious prominent features, and we also show films.

-Does the youth take an active part on those occasions?

-It is mainly the youth who plan and put into work the cultural events. There are plans ahead to involve the Armenian youth with more activities.

-What difficulties are there in preserving the Armenian language and education.

-In this community, I would say, holding on to the Armenian language is relatively good. Amongst the Armenian families, Armenian is spoken at home (for preserving the Armenian language, I think this is one of the preliminary necessities.) The young people have the opportunity to attend the classes formed at the Armenian Centre, where they learn Armenian language and history. Another important possibility is also, the activities of the Armenian section called Mesrop in Martin Luther university. Here, not only the Germans, but the Armenian students too can attend to learn Armenian and master the language.

-What is the reaction of the Germans towards the activities of the Armenian community in Halle, more so the inauguration of the new church?

-There are other non German community centres in Halle, amongst which, the Armenian community is distinguished for its activities and good organisation. We often are invited to join the inter-church and inter-community programmes. The strangers don’t pass by our church with indifference. They come in to visit, show interest in Armenia and the Armenian church. Those Germans who know about the Armenian people and the history of the Armenian church, have deep respect for us and our church and share our happiness in anointment of the church. The participation of German religious and political high officials in the anointing process of our church is the living proof of what I say.

-What will the newly anointed church offer the Armenians?

-Quite some time before the anointment, while the building was under renovation, our church became the centre of our communal life. In comparison with the other Armenian communities of Diaspora, the Armenian communities in Germany are new, and the Armenian community of Halle, is the most recent one. We don’t have our own churches in each Armenian community. For this reason, the blessing and anointment of the Armenian church in Halle, was marked as an important occurrence in the community. A number of representatives from Armenian other communities were present during the anointing serimonies.

One can naturally pray everywhere, whisper its prayer also in other churches. But to have ones own church creates a different feeling and connection. When you enter a church belonging to you, your own people, and your own community, the atmosphere, the altar, the holy pictures are more intimate, and consciously or sub-consciously, a different sense of prayer is created in the person. The happily remembered Catholicos Garegin Hovsepyan would have said, the church “on strange, deserted roads” becomes our spiritual home, and there, searching our Father God , besides communicating with him, we come to find our own self and our far away homeland. We are optimistic, that the inauguration of the church will have its positive and uniting role in our communities and will inspire the other Armenian communities in Germany to have their own church.

Mushegh Hovsepian

Translated ` Rubina

Nane Bagratuny

During 2006-2008 she was the broadcasting correspondent of the first national television “Hayloor” . At present she is in charge of the public relation of cinema journalism circle at “Mkhitar Sebastatsi” educational network.

• Did you ever think of becoming a reporter, when you were at

school?

• I began journalism when I was 12 years old. At first I did reports for

“Areg” radio station’s youth programme. In 1994, while we lived in

Yeghegnadzor, I used to dictate my report over the telephone, because

at that time, there was neither Internet, nor computer, or transport

to enable me hand over my report in time. After that we began

the school newspaper called “Gisastkh”. We were creating the

newspaper with an active group of the youth at the national

school of Yeghegnadzor; and this made those years very interesting

for us because, we mingled with people of different spheres, even

state officials. We formed annual celebration for the foundation day

of the newspaper, parties of gratitude, and thus brought the people

together.

• What do you think is most important for becoming a reporter?

• I think, there are those, who are born reporters. To me a reporter is the one who see something, and likes to talk about it to everyone, and studies it. The interests of a reporter differs from those of others. A reporter’s interests are based on facts. Now I am working with students, some of them are journalists, what will not interest 100 people, will definitely attract them. Sometimes the qualities of a good reporter and a good person are combined together and sometimes it is the reverse.

• 

  Nane Asatryan

• For the last two years I have not been working as a reporter, I do

tutorials on journalism and make documentary films. I started my work at “Arevordi” organisation of Echo agoomb in Yeghegnadzor. I wanted to transfer my experience. In September I received an offer from where I am now, to work as a specialist. Then there were free tutorials for journalism and I began teaching.

- Which is more effective: The press or the television?

• The most effective product is the one that brings to action all the senses. If a broadcast appears once or twice in the television, the newspaper is always there to refer to. The reporters who switch over from the press to television become very good television reporters. Writing has a great power, and the press is irreplaceable.

• What is lacking in the Armenian reporters?

• At times there is lack of proficiency, at other, lack of refinement.

The reader finds the good reporter. A reporter should

always remember, that it is preparing the report for the readers, and not for one person. We serve the readers.

• What plans do you have?

• I am launching a film of the existing official documents on Kessab. Kessab is the little town, located opposite Musa-ler, and which is a resting resort for some people. There is going to be a complete film and series of films.

I would also like to spend my summer holiday in one of the Hawaii islands.

Mushegh Hovsepian

Translated ` Rubina



The talented young Zhirayr Avetisyan is the winner of over 50 awards from international and national contests of astronomy and physics. He has received the first award of the president of Republic of Armenian in the IT sphere. He has been recognised as the best student of Yerevan’s State University, and received numerous awards; letters of tribute from the president and the prime minister of Republic of Armenia, as well as from the national assebly, ministry of education, and the national academy. Zhirayr is at present studying in Max-Planck Institute in Germany.

- Did you choose your profession?

• I think in choosing a profession, the priorities of a child, the parents,

as well as the surrounding, have an important role. For me it was

difficult, because I was born in a family of artists, and it was pre-planned

that I should become one too. But my life took a different form and I

became not an artist but an astronomer and physicist. This happened by

chance. One day my father read the announcement published by Quantum

school. In the announcement it was written about the talented children’s

college. I decided to take part. I took part and won the competition,

which allowed me to attend the school free of fees. I am very

thankful to Armen Oskanyan, the teacher of physics and astrology. It

was his great personality and system of tutoring that prompted me in

choosing my profession. I am certain that I have not made a mistake,

when I get involved with my research I am not bored.

• You have been in other countries, did you find differences between

the Armenian and other scientists?

• Each scientist is first of all a human, whose nationality, religious belief,

and culture, are always felt in the course of socialising. As for the science

itself, we are the pursuers of Soviet science school. Unfortunately, during the last few decades, the economy, along with that science and education in Armenia have declined from their positions. As a result of this, our scientific potential has been given little place in the country’s economy.

For example, I am studying in Germany, and can say that today, the standard of education there, is very high. When I hear that the Armenian youth venture abroad for further studies, I feel happy.

- Will the youth of the 21^st century be good astronomers?

• A few centuries ago, the individuals could introduce great changes in science, but towards the end of the last century, science reached a stage where one cannot solve the serious problems single handed. In our country, people have been, and are born with talent and abilities, it remains to create opportunities that are essential for their educational growth, and under those circumstances, Armenia’s international authority as well as its economy will rise to high standards.

• Is there something that you are the first to have done for the first time?

• I am still studying. I have big hopes and dreams.

• What is your goal in life?

- I think until now, no one has ever understood the goal of its life. The

Creator has given us life and only he knows the main goal of our

being. There are just big and small matters. My desire is to be a good

father to my family, a successful scientist, in a way that the Armenian

people are proud of me.

Mushegh Hovsepian

Translated ` Rubina

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Lilit Pipoyan

I am having a conversation with Lilit Pipoyan the singer and the architect. She was born in a family, whose members are artists. She has toured various countries i.e. U.S.A, Lebanon & etc. She has basically sang for the Armenian communities and now thinks that it is too narrow for her career.

- How did everything start?

• The start can first be referred to the very fact, that I was born in a family where art has had a big part. My father Suren Pipoyan was a painter, my mother an economist, but sang very well. Everyone sung in the family. The second fact, which can as well be considered a start, is that my mother had my brother and me receive musical education; the other is that I had a solfage teacher Heghine Katsaghyan. She had brought together a group of gifted students, and there, we would sing in triole, quartet, and choir. We also continued singing outside, after the classes. After I graduated from the music school, my friends took me to “Hayren” group of singers to sing with them. In those days, my brother accompanied me with his very good music, because he was 5 years older than me. Then, while I was admitted to the Romanos Melikyan music school, together with my piano lessons I attended Yerevan State University of Architecture. But the head of the university was a treacherous person and did not allow me to continue the school. That, for me, was beneficial as well as a loss. For about a year, I did not touch the piano, and listened to songs. There was no Internet at that time to enable us download the songs and the lyrics, but I would go around asking, and get the harmonies by listening. That developed my sense of harmony. And one day, due to the efforts of my friends, I was on the stage.

Lilit Pipoyan

• When I was deciding on my profession, I did not know that

I would be a singer. I take a long time to make my decisions. I wanted to be admitted in such a place where, there is art as well as precise science, because I love mathematics.

- What inspires you while singing?

• The text. If the song has no poetic values one cannot sing it. Also with the harmonies, because they give mejoy.

- What dreams do you have?

• I have one dream, and I have talked about it in all my interviews. I wish

to have a group of musicians with mutual understanding, but I don’t think

I will have it in a near future or in Armenia.

- What can be done to have the youth start listening to classical

music again?

• That is such an ocean, where numerous treasures are hidden. I like Bach, the Italian classical music, and the classical music of the beginning of the 20^th century. To have the young generation start listening to classical music, it is necessary the families play it at home, or have the radio broadcast it.

- When you were young, was there someone whom you loved?

• Yes, when I was young, I was in love with Paul Mccartney. I was in love with his melancholic eyes; I kept his picture with me all the time, and listened to his songs. Later on I began listening to singer and painter Joni Mitchell, and have remained faithful to her. Amongst the Armenian singers, I like the opera singers Haiganoosh Danielyan, Anais Pozabalyan, Lilit Chukazyan. I don’t like Gohar Gasparyan, I always felt something fake in her voice.-

• What has been your greatest achievement?

- When I look at my children, I am often surprised when they say they

are my children. They are my successors, actually I am becoming

immortal.

Mushegh Hovsepian

Translated ` Rubina

Gayane

Gayane Hovsepyan is an announcer, studying at the Armenian institute of Tourism. After her graduation, she hopes to be admitted in the institute for theatre. Some years ago, with the help of his brother Hrand, she has made two discs of Armenian Provincial songs, and intends to make the third one, now in R & B type.

- I used to sing in Romanos Rostomyan’s choir when I was 14 years old.

And one day I sang Kochari and Shorora on the stage. Although it

was my first appearance , I was not nervous… it seems as if it was yesterday.

Then I made tours of Tehran, U.S.A –three times-, Australia, Georgia, and

Moscow. I have toured almost the whole of Armenia.

- Which type of music do you prefer?

- It depends on my mood, basically the classical music or jazz. I also like

Malkhas, Datevik Hovhannisyan, and some from Nino Katamadze

- Will you talk of your plans?

- Besides my broadcasting, I intend to get busy with my profession: tourism.

I want to develop the village tourism in Armenia.

- When were you offered the broadcasting position.

- I first received the offer from “Armenia” television company to broadcast the

“ Taknevadz Desakhetsike: The Hidden Observatory Cabin”, but I declined

and later on started broadcasting the “Srjaghats: Coffee Grinder” at the

Centre. One year later I went to Tehran, and when I returned, I didn’t want to

continue. I am now involved with Music Box, I represent the videos of

hit-songs along with scenery, which are from Show Business abroad. But

I want to start something serious, of course not like the Russian «Жди меня»

programme, I easily become emotional, and crying won’t do.

Mushegh Hovsepyan

Translated ` Rubina

I am interviewing Raisa Avanesian one of the participants of the “Armenian Superstar 4”. She took part in the project at her fathers request and passed into the second round of competition, following which she came to Armenia from Iran and surprised many people with her powerful voice that, few people are endowed with.

The singer was born in 1988, in Iran. She has graduated from the local music school with distinction . She has been playing the clarinet from childhood. She has also graduated from the Singing school in Armenia, and in the meantime attended the Komitas national conservatory of Yerevan, but has not graduated from it.

• What change did “Hay-Armenian- Superstar 4” make in your life?

• I feel there is a change, and a big one. One of the important changes is that I became more professional. I hope I will reach my place in our professional singing circles.

• During the competitions, many times you mentioned that Suren Arustamian should be the winner; what was in him that attracted you?

• Suren has a style of his own, a pleasant stage appearance and

professionalism. But the most important point is, that he is a good person.

• What was in your mind before your appearances on the stage?

• I used to pray that with the will of God I should sing well.

• Every one said that the “4^th Superstar” was different, what

would you say?

• I have watched the previous competitions of the Superstar, I also think that the 4^th Superstar was different, because all the singers had an original style of their own which captivated the audience.

• Have you received interesting offers?

- Not yet, but I would have liked offers from USA. We will soon appear

with the whole Superstar 4, group. I hope that there will be interesting

offers in future, because right now I have signed a three year contract

with “Shant” television channel.

Mushegh Hovsepian

Jirayr Avedisyan

To be the first is hard and extremely responsible. Everything can be repeated, but the first one is unrepeatable.

Today there are too many television companies in Armenia, and the number keeps increasing every year, but the first broadcasting station began to operate half a century ago, with the pressing of a red button. And the first one who pushed that button was the person who made the first Armenian television movie, the first motion picture, the first feature film, and many more other films; hundreds of reports, and stage plays. The film director, and the accomplished art devotee Zhirayr Avedisyan, is not making films any more; he is retired, and constantly occupied with putting his rich archives in order and chatting with the numerous past colleagues and students.

As to what are Avedisyan’s films about:

We all are familiar with “Shertnerg number 4” – Lipstick number 4- comedy. I was amazed when I first saw the movie . It appears there was a time when comedy films were made without using vulgar or disrespectful expressions, and that movie is watched by the old and the new generation.

The creation of “Poem Hersosagan” – The Heroic Poem- film ballad, is based upon the poetic explanation of Arshaloois Saroyan. The film represents the victorious path of the Armenian soldier to Berlin. Watching the film, fills one with pride, for being part of a heroic people and desires to be like them.

What is there to say about “Dzori Miro”…This film shows the destiny of the peasant who becomes a fedaee: self-denying fighter-. The film has been made with a big budget, which were considered for television films. The making of the film, due to its political views, was stopped a number of times. It is in this very film that the name of the fedaees has been said aloud.

But, which are the figures, that should be a role model for us today?

It is enough to watch the movies made today and you will have a very good picture as to what kind of people will be surrounded by in a few years. It remains to wait with a nostalgia, as to when will Zhirayr Avedisyan return to

stage and accomplish the unfinished film “Dzori Miro”.

Mushegh Hovsepian

Translated ` Rubina