"Relics from Gurun” by Pardy Minassian

“Relics from Gurun” for recitative, singing voices and classical guitar. From the project “From Past to Present, dedicated to Armenian Genocide.

Composed, directed and edited by Pardy Minassian
Mastering: Sound Pressure Studios
Mixing: Pardy Minassian
Materials provided by Mihran Minassian
Made possible by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

Here is a brief description about this composition work “Relics from Gurun”:
- The Composition is based on two songs. The first song is the most popular song of the region Gurun. The song reflect off an Armenian holiday called "Paregentan" (described below).
The second song is a love song. This song has been forgotten by Armenians over years and never been published. However, this project based only on symbols representing the Armenian Genocide and culture in general, with a tiny glimpse into the original songs' themes.

- The songs are remembered by the Armenian genocide survivor Yeghisapet Hovhannesian - Minassian (Born in Gurun), and two of second generation survivors Shoushan Topalian - Boghossian and Anahid Narbekian Tekerlekian.

All the Genocide survivors’ materials in the work are from my father’s Mihran Minassian’s personal collection of Armenian Genocide Survivor's interviews.

- All the photos within the work are from my father’s collection as well. Some of them have also never been published.

Some symbols used in the composition:
- The curtain at the beginning and the end of the video reflect off the “Paregentan": "Paregentan" is the Armenian celebration similar to America's Holloween. A month before that day, the curtains of the church should close, preventing any marriages. It should stay closed until the day of “paregentan". The original theme of the first song which the survivors sing is about a girl waiting for the post "Paregentan" days to get married.
- The pomegranate is the symbol of the Armenian nation. We usually symbolize the spread Armenian diaspora all over the world to the seeds of a pomegranate.
- Hands are asking for help, and getting nothing.
- Churches getting dusty. With having only the religious books and cultural habits preserved.


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