Singer: If we live following Komitas’s commandments, it will mark his second coming
17.10.2019
Singer: If we live following Komitas’s commandments, it will mark his second coming

Thanks to you the glorious songs by Komitas are heard from the lips of our schoolchildren. He [Komitas] dreamed of opening schools where songs and music would be taught, where pure Armenian music would be performed. Today his dream came true,” Professor Arkadi Shekunts said during the workshop dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Komitas.

The professor says people should congratulate each other on the occasion of Komitas’s birthday because he is known worldwide: he has gained universal recognition through his creative, scientific research and high art.

Music teachers, representatives of universities and students participated in the event dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Komitas Vardapet (priest). The teachers performed the works by Komitas, showing their peculiarities and role for the new generation. They also presented Komitas’s teaching perspectives, drew parallels between Komitas, Hovhannes Tumanyan and Martiros Saryan, and spoke about the influence of Komitas on the upbringing of schoolchildren.

In her speech, Gayane Tadevosyan, one of the organizers of the workshop, spoke about the reasons for organizing the meeting. “Komitas remains up to date especially today when the Armenian music is distorted everywhere and decorated with Eastern music. In this labyrinth, Komitas is a leader who will familiarize the child with pure Armenian songs and music. How much the subject will interest the child depends on the teacher,” she said. Gayane Tadevosyan expressed hope that teachers will share their teaching experience with children, and pupils will be inspired by Komitas's patriotic work, become its bearers and will not allow the low quality music to be presented as Armenian. She also spoke about the moral values of Komitas and stressed the importance of educating children by his example. “Komitas is a shining example of humanity, tolerance, patriotism, modesty, and honesty,” she stressed.

“If a child does not understand your teaching methods, you are the one to blame, since you are not able to understand his soul. You have to go down to his mental level and take it up with you. As a result of wrong upbringing many future geniuses become thieves,” Gayane Tadevosyan quoted the words of Komitas adding that he attached great importance to the teacher's role.

In his report Yuri Yuzbashyan, Professor of the Faculty of Art Education, touched upon Komitas’s pedagogical viewpoint. He assured everyone that music is one of the best forms of educating a person and one of the important preconditions for harmonious development.

“Komitas means “anxious and caring” in Greek. Komitas wanted to see an Armenian teacher like that,” Mr. Yuzbashyan said adding that Komitas’s pedagogical principles are still relevant.

Singer Edward Darbinyan focused on Komitas's philosophy which gave rise to different assumptions by psychiatrists.

“Oftentimes Komitas’s life is based on assumptions; attempts are made to prove that he went mad. It should be noted that the facts were distorted since his childhood. Komitas's death was one of the conspiracies of the century,” Mr. Darbinyan said citing Komitas’s last words: ‘Love each other so you can live.’

Addressing the presentees, the singer urged everyone to live following Komitas’s commandments: it will mark his second coming.

Let us remind that a festival of school choirs dedicated to Komitas’s 150th anniversary is scheduled to be held at ASPU on October 18.

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