A photo exhibition of Karen Stelmashov, a resident of Javakheti, and the demonstration of success of his 9-year-old daughter, Anahit Stelmashova, in music was held in the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, on February 20, 2016.

Gathered together in the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall, Armenian, Georgian and Russian visitors could not hide their admiration for the displayed rich collection of works by a talented amateur photographer. The pictures illustrated rare natural phenomena, the manifestation of character, emotional outbursts, merging past and present, comparison between the humane and the existential.

Mrs. Eleonora Vardanyan, the wife of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RA to Georgia, the Counsel Irina Ter-Hovhannisyan, the Armenian Embassy’s cultural attaché Elina Mkrtchyan, Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuashvili of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo Diocese, Professor at Tbilisi Vano Sarajishvili State Conservatory, Nino Katamadze, musician Nino Kupatadze, experts of art and community representatives honored the exhibition with their presence.

Meruzhan Shahumyan, the President of the Union of Armenian Painters in Georgia, and a famous professional photographer, Yuri Mechitov, gave speeches. They emphasized the lawyer Karen Stelmashov’s approach to working with camera and photo background, namely: different types of photography lighting, choosing the best camera angle for the composition, capturing the right moment. It was noted that the author encourages the exhibition visitors to think.

A young member of Stelmashovs family caught everyone’s attention thanks to her performance on the piano. Anahit Stelmashova has been playing the piano since she was six years old, at nine she with her nimble little fingers turns a huge musical instrument into a toy, performing musical compositions of Bach, Tsabadze, Doctor Gradus, Paul Desmond.

Nino Kupatade, Head of The Union of Georgian Artists, proudly stated that the little girl, whose talent had impressed the jury at the national contest, had participated in 2015 Future Stars International Competition in Tbilisi and Marmaris (Turkey) and won a prize. Professor Nino Katamadze expressed confidence in the bright future of the Under Sky Festival participant winner Anahit Stelmashova.

Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuashvili of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo Diocese, in his remarks, spoke about Stelmashovs, a well known and respected family of Akhalkalaki, stressing the important role of music school in the education of future generation, the founding director of which was Vera Stelmashova, while the oldest family member Valery Stelmashov is putting forth his best efforts for development of regional culture.

The visitors were greatly impressed by the exhibits and delighted with the performance of the little girl on the piano.