On November 17, 2017, the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted a literary and musical event entitled “A Broken Silence” given by Boheme Ensemble (Yerevan), which was dedicated the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Georgia. With the blessings of His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Editor-in-Chief and Director of “Yerevak” Magazine Gevork Tadevosyan and the Cultural Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia held the event. The evening's cultural program included performances by poet Gor Harutyunyan, musicians Vahe Kochar, Ruben Kamalyan and Gagik Shiboyan. In attendance were the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan; the Sacristan of the St. Etchmiadzin Church, Rev. Father Manuk Zeynalyan; the Armenian faithful, intellectuals and youth of Tbilisi.

The event began with a video highlighting the activities of the ensemble, providing the surprise awaiting everyone for the next two hours to the attendees. The director of the “House of Hovhannes Tumanyan” Center for Science and Culture of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Gisane Hovsepyan; welcomed the guests and provided background information on the ensemble’s unique art. Detached from the models of traditional literature and music, a harmonious synthesis of literature and music definitely came as a surprise for the attendees. The young musicians introduced the audience to their songs and poems, which were created to provide a basis for balanced existence of a reasonable man, to make this world a better place. They narrated about meaningful moments; narrated to capture the moment and make it immortal, trying through art to mediate between emotions and consciousness and to educate people. The band members have their own ideas of an intelligent man – a man who has well-formed political views and civic standpoint; Hovhannes Tumanyan is a role model for him, because he created his works dealing with troubles and being in debts, and had paved his own way to immortality not only through his works in literature, but sacrificed himself and the most precious of all his belongings – his ten children.

The Bohem Ensemble was established in March 2016. Shortly afterwards they have earned love from people, who share their feelings, emotions, views and mission. The mission includes the preservation of the national identity, the preservation of not self-centered, but ideologically oriented national identity, in order to serve the nation, which has historical memory and the sense of beauty. The members of ensemble are still in search of form and content, not being result oriented, but enjoying the creative process, sharing moments of intimacy with the audience on this path. This is the reason that the group is growing its audience day after day.

Following the concert, the Diocesan Primate offered his blessings and closing remarks. In his remarks, the Bishop extended his appreciation to the ensemble for its work, seeing among them a ray of spiritual rebirth after protracted oblivion, which is emanating “to strengthen the collapsing from inside arches of our house”. The Primate highlighted that similar events represent a part of spiritual, educational and cultural mission and can serve as a lesson for particularly young generation.

The unconventional program was warmly received by the people present. This art form was a new discovery for the attendees, and it is gratifying to see that art is developing in Mother Armenia, and we are glad that the Armenians of Georgia have opportunity to witness and participated in this process.