Civilnet
The annual Rose Festival dedicated to renowned Armenian poet, musician and folk singer-songwriter Sayat-Nova took place during Sunday Mass in Tbilisi’s St. Echmiadzin Church on May 25. The Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church said that visitors from different countries and representatives of different Armenian communities participated in the festival. Following Sunday’s mass, visitors paid their respects at the tombs of prominent Armenians interred in Tbilisi’s Khojivank Pantheon.
A statement by the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church read: “Thousands of people from our community have gathered in the courtyard of St. Gevorg Church, where Sayat-Nova rests, and are waiting for the Rose Festival to start. A century ago, Hovhannes Tumanyan, Gevorg Bashinjaghyan and Joseph Grishashvili initiated the Rose Festival dedicated to the great Armenian poet and musician. The Rose Festival remains one the most beloved modern celebrations of the people. It’s noteworthy that the previous day, Joseph Grishashvili’s 125th birthday was celebrated with great fanfare at the Hayartun Center.
“Different delegations from the Writers Union of Armenia and Georgia, the Ministry of Diaspora of Armenia and the French city of Marseille have come to take part in the festivities. In accordance with tradition, Rose Festival 2014 began by placing red roses on the tomb of Sayat-Nova.”
The festivities were organized by the Georgian Diocese’s Hayartun Center with the support of the P. Adamyan Armenia State Drama Theater, Georgia’s Armenian writers’ Vernatun organization, the Armenian Embassy of Georgia, the Ministries of Diaspora and Culture of Armenia and Tbilisi City Hall. The events were sponsored by the Board of Trustees of Hayartun.
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