Armenian culture will once again be celebrated in Metro Moncton, Canada.
Times&Transcript reported that events for the fourth Moncton Armenian Festival were unveiled at Moncton City Hall, including an array of music, film, art exhibitions and other events running from October 27 to November 6.
Although she says Moncton's Armenian community is limited to a handful of established families, organizer Sylvia Kasparian says the wider Metro population has become increasingly a part of the festival.
"Every year more people are attending and now they know it's a very high level," she says. "Multicultural festivals are growing, because I think people like that, they want something different, but they never have been exposed to this."
The festival is held every two years, with the inaugural edition coming in 2005 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
This year's event begins with a keynote concert from Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan, whose music is based on Armenian traditions and folklore, but with modern influences like rock, jazz and even heavy metal.
Hamasyan will play at Dieppe's Arts and Culture Centre the evening of Oct. 27, after hosting a free discussion of his work, technique and personal journey at the Faculty of Arts at l'Université de Moncton that morning.
The festival will also include an exhibition by visual artist and filmmaker Sergei Parajanov, as well as medieval and sacred music from the Oshakan Vocal Quartet and other musicians.
