ARTHUR KHACHENTS HEADLINES FUNDRAISER FOR HAIRENIK MEDIA AND ARTSAKH PAINTERS AT THE CATHEDRAL
On Friday evening, October 10, St. Illuminator’s hosted a silent auction and concert fundraiser for Hairenik Media and fine art artists of Artsakh. The event was organized by the AYF New York and New Jersey chapters, Hamazkayin New York and New Jersey, and the Armenian Cultural Association of New York and New Jersey.
Curated by Artsakh Hamazkayin Director Hermine Avagyan, the evening showcased a beautiful collection of artwork created by artists from Artsakh, offering attendees the opportunity to bring a piece of Artsakh into their homes. Some of the works were created in Artsakh and carried out by their creators during the evacuation of September 2023, while others were created in Armenia. In her opening remarks, Avagyan spoke about the people of Artsakh and, as a token of gratitude, presented Fr. Mesrob with a most meaningful memento of the evening: a beautiful earthenware representation of the “door to Shushi,” inscribed on the back with the phrase “Let the doors of Shushi be opened,” handmade by a child artist from Artsakh.
Following an opening prayer, Fr. Mesrob shared his heartfelt reflections on Artsakh, urging Armenians to keep its spirit alive in their hearts despite the pressures to forget and move on. He expressed appreciation for Hermine’s dedication and thanked her and all involved for organizing such a meaningful event.
After the auction, Annette Givelekian, speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, thanked Fr. Mesrob, the Board of Trustees, and the more than 130 attendees who came to support the cause. She also happily announced that all the paintings had been sold.
Then, the singer-songwriter and young veteran of the 2020 War, Arthur Khachents, took the stage, serenading the audience with a program of his own songs and traditional Armenian pieces, bringing the life of Artsakh to New York City through music. Perhaps the most powerful moment of the evening was Arthur’s interpretation of the song Cilicia. His remarkable, emotional, and deeply personal rendition of that anthem united the longing we feel now for not one but two lost worlds of Armenia—Western and Eastern.
In a surprise appearance, Anjelika Avenesyan—Khachents’ wife and a member of the Artsakh Dance Ensemble—graced the stage with a stunning traditional dance performance, filling the room with cultural pride and heartfelt inspiration. The evening concluded with Khachents leading the audience in singing classic Armenian songs, ending the night on a high note, and celebrating the enduring spirit of the Armenian people.