On January 9 filmmaker Sergei Parajanov would celebrate his 90^th birthday. The memorial evening, initiated by the “Hayartun” Center at the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia in cooperation with the famous photographer Yuri Mechitov and under the auspices of the RA Ministry of Culture, was dedicated to the anniversary of SergeiParajanov , an ethnic Armenian born in Tbilisi, who had spent fruitful creative years here and in Ukraine and was buried in Yerevan.

At Surb Etchmiadzin Church through the offices of the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia and the clergy the requiem service for the great filmmaker was conducted.

After that the memorial evening continued at the “Hayartun” Center, where the exhibition of photographs of SergeiParajanov was organized.

The Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the clergy, Advisor to the President of Georgia Van Baiburtian, Deputy Ambassador of RA to Georgia Vahagn Afyan, Armenian and Georgian artist, Parajanov’s art appreciators attended the event. 90 years old Manana Baratashvili, who was born and raised in the same yard with Parajanov, was also sitting in the hall.

Levon Chidilyan, the coordinator of the “Hayartun” Center at the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, opened the event. After an introduction about SergeiParajanov’s genius the floor was given to Yuri Mechitov, whose adult life was influenced by educational words of ingenious artist, Parajanov’s imaginary world, varied manifestations of beauty, its perception and reproduction. Yuri Mechitov told episodes from SergeiParajanov’s life.

The audience watched the documentary “Parajanov - A Requiem” by Ron Holloway, in which the famous filmmaker speaks about himself and his career. Parajanov’s contemporaries shared their memories of the brilliant film director and the great master of collage.

Michael Grigoryan, engaged in those years in directorial work at the Armenian theatre in Tbilisi, speaking about Parajanov, noted with regret that Parajanov’s idea and dream to bring the Armenian epos “David of Sassoun” to the big screen had not been fulfilled.

It was paid homage to the brilliant film director with this event.