ARLINGTON, Mass. — In pursuant of its mission, “to sponsor programs in the arts and humanities . . . for the advancement of culture in general, and the Armenian culture in particular,” the Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF) announces the launch of a new musical program.
On Sunday, June 25, at 3 p.m., the ACF, co-sponsored with the Armenian International Women’s Association’s New England affiliate, will hold the inaugural concert of the Mirak Chamber Music Series, named in memory of John P. Mirak (1907-2000) entrepreneur, philanthropist, community leader, sole benefactor for decades and late president of the Armenian Cultural Foundation.
The series aims to place the world’s finest classical music at the center of the cultural life of the Boston Armenian community in general and Arlington in particular. In line with the Foundation’s mission, to focus “on the history of Armenian music in the diaspora and on the role of Armenian women in the nation’s history,” the Series will showcase works by international and Armenian composers, with an emphasis on introducing works by Armenian women composers in Armenia and the Diaspora. On occasion, the Series will also feature and promote young and promising performers, and groups and premieres of newly written works.
With this inaugural concert, the ACF will also celebrate the rededication of the Foundation’s piano. The handsome ebony 1897 Steinway is the gift of the late Lillian Norian Moranian (1929-2006). Refurbished and extensively renovated, the Moranian piano will provide new opportunities for higher quality performances and musical events at ACF. Several noted and internationally recognized pianists have already praised the quality of this especial gift and pledged participation in future events.
Born in North Bergen, NJ, Moranian was the child of Armenian immigrants from Aintab: her mother was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide and her father a businessman and philanthropist. She grew up in a musical home: two of her sisters were concert pianists. She received her formal education at Drew University in Madison, NJ.
For decades Moranian and her husband played instrumental roles in the development of such important Armenian cultural and academic organizations as the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), the Armenian Museum of America and the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA).
