TEHRAN, DECEMBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. A program dedicated to the 61st anniversary of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide took place at the Vachik Gharabegian Hall of Ararat organization on December 19. Alik newspaper reported that the event was organized on the initiative of the Armenian embassy in Iran and under the patronage of Head of Tehran's Armenian diocese Archbishop Sepuh Sargsyan. Speeches were delivered by the Armenian Ambassador to Iran Grigor Arakelian, the UN Resident Coordinator in Tehran Sunil Narula, and the Chairwoman of Tehran's Diocesan Coucil Aida Hovhannisian. The artistic part of the program included works of Armenian and foreign composers performed by pianist Julietta Vardanian and Yerevan-based Komitas Quartet's cellist Aram Talalian. The Ararat organization's Ararat Chorus (conductor Arax Khachatrian) also gave a performance. The closing remarks were made by Archbishop Sepuh Sargsyan. An exhibition featuring photos of the Armenian monuments, which were created in Western Armenia and do not exist anymore, opened in the hall.

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