KOHAR

Five years after their last concert in Lebanon at Zouk Mikhael’s Roman Amphitheatre, KOHAR Symphony Orchestra and Choir returns to Beirut, carrying the Armenian culture which its Founder, Harout Khatchadourian, seeks hard to deploy and immortalize in the world.

The concerts, held over four consecutive evenings from October 29, 2015 until November 1, 2015, gather more than 165 musicians, 16 solo performers and 15 dancers together at Forum De Beyrouth in Beirut, who will present various shows carrying a united message on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Organized by ICE International Events, the event was broadcast live from Lebanon on various Armenian channels across the world, attracting a large Armenian and foreign audience. Over three hours, the musicians and choir reminded guests of national, popular and emotional Armenian songs which were played over the four nights, as well as featured nightly cultural and artistic dancing performances, enabling the audience to dance and sing along. The ceremony was marked by a special lighting system and LED technology designed by Roger Bakhos, Owner of LA Production and Pietro Hajj, Owner of Visuwalls, respectively, and a sound system engineered by Chadi Akiki, Owner of CKA Production, and was equipped with the latest technology, competing with the largest events worldwide.

In every concert, KOHAR aims to spread joy in the hearts of the Armenian communities across the world, preserving the legacy of the Armenian identity. All proceeds from the concerts go directly to Armenian schools around the world, and on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the proceeds of the concerts in Lebanon, this year,  will go to 100 Lebanese students of Armenian origin.

Commenting on the occasion, Sevag Seropian, CEO of KOHAR, explained, “The objective of KOHAR’s concerts around the world is to support the Armenian communities at cultural and educational levels. This year, we seek to provide assistance to 100 Lebanese students of Armenian origin in order to help them complete their education and acquire the necessary knowledge needed for the future. We have chosen the number 100 on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.”

KOHAR was established in recognition of Harout Khatchadourian’s mother and in commemoration of his father. Following the earthquake that struck the present northern Armenian areas in 1988 and the suffering witnessed by the Armenian people in Armenia at the time, KOHAR decided to help families by providing employment opportunities and aid through Armenian cultural and musical activities. Proceeds from KOHAR concerts go to Armenian origin schools and teachers in the country where it performs.

KOHAR has charmed the Lebanese culture with Armenian music, mixing the two cultures as well as presenting a unique and different kind of art, emphasizing the importance of Lebanon’s role in the embrace of the Armenian heritage. Following the end of each concert over the four nights, attendees were distributed music books containing 100 songs and musical pieces, all of which mostly was performed during the concerts.