On October 13, 2017, the “House of Hovhannes Tumanyan” Center for Science, Culture and Youth of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted the creative group of Petros Adamian Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre, led by artistic director of the theater Armen Baianduryan and director of the theatre Louiza Khachatryan.

In attendance were Armenian art lovers of Tbilisi, lovers of the oldest Armenian theatre, intellectuals, leaders and active members of Armenian community.

The occasion was honored with the presence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.

The Armenian Center for Scientific Research in Georgia public association and the Church-loving Women’s Association of the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi were the organizers of the event, in cooperation with the “House of Hovhannes Tumanyan” Center for Science, Culture and Youth of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

Following the Lord's Prayer and the blessings of the Diocesan Primate, Director of the “Home of Hovhannes Tumanyan” Center Gisane Hovsepyan gave opening remarks. She presented the history of the house of Hovhannes Tumanyan, touched upon the path taken to return the home to the Armenian community of Georgia, and the future milestones.

In her remarks, Emma Akhtyan, Head of the Armenian Center for Scientific Research in Georgia nonprofit organization, highlighted that holding a question and answer session during the meetings between Armenian organizations and community members is one of the milestones of the Center’s activities, which will help to calculate good future projects.

Theatre lovers, evaluators of acting and performance, and simply the audience, who have been longing to watch a performance in the Armenian theatre for seven years, had the opportunity to listen to the statements from artistic director of the theater Armen Baianduryan. He informed that reconstruction of the building of Petros Adamyan Armenian State Dramatic Theater of Tbilisi has been launched and is financed by the Cartu Foundation, showed a picture of the layout of a new theatre building, spoke about the vision and plans of the theatre which will be fulfilled in two years, following the aforementioned renovation the theatre will continue its activities in the building designed in harmony with this ancient and professional theatre.

The artistic director emphasized that the theater company has performed at many theatres; many plays have been staged and presented during the tours, the theater company has participated in festivals and has won awards and diplomas, throughout all these years that the building has been closed. In his closing remarks, Armen Baianduryan congratulated the leading actress at the theatre, Melania Barseghyan, who was bestowed with the title of the Honorary Title of People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia, bringing on warm applause.

The actors entertained questions from the attendees, which related to the theater’s repertoire, a scenic speech, how to bring theatre closer to schoolchildren, youth speaking a foreign language and Armenians as a whole.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia gave closing remarks. Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan emphasized the importance of direct communication between the theater and audience, which will show the state of public opinion. The Primate reflected on the important role of one of the oldest Armenian cultural centers in the development of Armenian art, strengthening of Armenian-Georgian cultural ties, preservation of the Armenian identity in Tbilisi. The Diocesan Primate attached importance to bringing theater closer to people from all different backgrounds, as well as instilling in people the love for the arts. The Diocese together with the clergy and officials will be involved in the process.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Primate extended his appreciation to famous son of our nation, active public figure Alexander Utmazyan, for comprehensive assistance provided to the Armenian community of Tbilisi and a puppet theatre newly forming at the “House of Hovhannes Tumanyan” Center.

Meritorious artists Robert Hovhannisyan, Melania Barseghyan, Roma Matiashvili, Levon Uzunyan, Nano Poghosyan and Genrikh Petrosyan presented a program of poetry recitations and musical performances.

At the end of the meeting, the artistic director presented the “House of Hovhannes Tumanyan” Center with an old picture of Hovhannes Tumanyan, which had been preserved in a former library named after “Great inhabitant of Lori”, the final landmark of which is his house-museum.