YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. The Year of Armenia in Russia officially started in Moscow on January 22 with the participation of the Presidents of Armenia and Russia. An official delegation left Armenia for Moscow on that occasion. High-ranking officials, politicians, artists, scientists are involved in the delegation staff. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Foreign Ties' Department of the RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Issues, the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia headed by conductor Eduard Topchian, the ballet group of the Alexander Spendiarian Opera and Ballet National Academic Theater joint with the orchestra headed by conductor Karen Durgarian participated in the gala concert taken place at the Congress Palace of Kremlin. Ara Gevorgian's instrumental group, the "Varpetner" (Masters) ensemble with singer Anna Mayilian, Duduk-player Jivan Gasparian, singer Flora Martirosian, Armenian jazz-band headed by composer Armen Martirosian also participated in the concert. Opera soloists Barsegh Tumanian and Hasmik Papian performed solos. Besides, an exhibition titled "Treasures of Armenia" opened in the hall of the "Kremlin Palace during the gala concert.

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