Jivan Gasparyan’s Concerts Warmly Received In Turkey

The famous duduk player noted that at the request of the Turkish society he played one song with famous Turkish saz player Yavuz Bingl.

This was Jivan Gasparyan’s fifth concert tour to Turkey. During the concerts in Turkey he performed a song in memory Hrant Dink, the slain editor-in-chief of the Agos weekly.

On those days Jivan Gasparyan’s concerts were widely covered by many Turkish media. The duduk player gave interviews to two Turkish TV Channels, during one of which the musician noted that he is not engaged in politics and only presents the Armenian music and art abroad. ‘The Armenian Diaspora does not and cannot impede the friendship between Armenian and Turkish peoples: the massacres at the turn of the century are the reason of aggravation of Armenian-Turkish relations,’ Jivan Gasparyan said in response to the question of a Turkish journalist about the disturbing role of the Armenian Diaspora. During the interviews he presented some details of creation and preparation of Armenian duduk, noting that although Turks have an instrument resembling duduk, it does not mean Turkey is the birthplace of duduk.

Preceding the concerts Jivan Gasparyan recorded one song with a famous Turkish singer and played for a Turkish film about earthquake.

Speaking about his plans in Armenia, the musician said he intends to establish a school of duduk, where he will bring together about 100 orphan children and will teach playing duduk for free.

It’s worth mentioning that Jivan Gasparyan played in Turkey on the occasion of the Peace Day at the invitation of the Turkish Government. -- www.armradio.am