NEW YORK — On Saturday, March 25, some 700 people gathered at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral for a singular musical event in remembrance of the late journalist Hrant Dink on the 10th anniversary of his assassination.
The occasion also marked the 90th anniversary of the Constantinople Armenian Relief Society (CARS), which organized the concert and its related events.
The evening began with a grand choral concert piece by composer Majak Toshigian and lyricist Bercuhi Berberyan. The Hrant Dink Contemporary Oratorio was performed under the direction of Kris D. Kalfayan, with soloists Karin Cubukcuyan Bozkurt, Elie Berberian and Bogos Yegyazar.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presided and made remarks about the legacy of Hrant Dink. “It is incumbent upon us to recommit ourselves to continuing the mission of Hrant Dink,” Barsamian said. “That mission is to create awareness in Turkish society about the Armenian Genocide, and to seek ways to bring about a peaceful reconciliation with Turkey.”
The Primate said that Hrant Dink succeeded in reaching Turkey’s intellectuals and members of the media, but noted that the seeds he planted must continue to be nourished by the Armenian community.
He referred to Rakel Dink’s message, which Dink’s widow issued on the 10th anniversary of his assassination in January, in which she quotes from the Gospel of Matthew: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
