Tigran Mkrtchyan, Devoted Singer of Artsakhian Song Art, Dies at 64
Yerevan, September 18 – Tigran Mkrtchyan, a celebrated singer and devoted figure in Artsakhian song art, passed away at the age of 64. The news was announced on the “News from Artsakh” Facebook page. Mkrtchyan’s life and creative path were inextricably linked with Artsakh and Armenian national song art, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.
A Life Dedicated to Artsakh and Armenian Culture
Born in Artik, Tigran Mkrtchyan studied at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan. In 1989, he moved to Artsakh and actively participated in the Artsakh liberation war, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his homeland. Following the war, he served as a soloist in the Artsakh State Song and Dance Ensemble, later leading the “Menk enq, mer sarerë” ethnographic ensemble.
In 2002, Mkrtchyan founded the “Vernatun” pop-folk quartet, serving as its artistic director. The quartet’s mission was to preserve and disseminate Armenian national and folk song art, a cause to which Mkrtchyan dedicated himself wholeheartedly. His artistry resonated not only in Artsakh and Armenia but also internationally, with concerts in France, Australia, various cities in Russia and Ukraine, the Baltic states, and nearly all former Soviet republics. Through his performances, he proudly presented Armenian song and culture beyond his homeland’s borders.
“Ode to Artsakh”: A Symbol of Love and Loss
For Tigran Mkrtchyan, music was more than just art; it was a profound means of preserving his homeland, memory, and national identity. His composition “Ode to Artsakh” holds a special place in his repertoire, resonating today more than ever as a poignant expression of love, longing, and pain for Artsakh. The “News from Artsakh” Facebook page noted, “The voice of people living with the song of Artsakh does not fall silent. However, living with the heavy pain of losing Artsakh is very difficult. That pain remains in the soul as an unhealed wound, and sadly, many of those who live with the song of Artsakh, with Artsakh, with the memories of Artsakh, depart from earthly life prematurely.”
The Ministry of Culture of Artsakh also issued a statement, highlighting Mkrtchyan’s significant contributions: “Tigran Mkrtchyan’s creative and cultural activities were inextricably linked with the musical life of Artsakh, and the mission of preserving and spreading national and ashug song art. The ‘Vernatun’ quartet, created at his initiative in Artsakh, made a significant contribution to the revival of ethno-folkloric music in the region. As the ensemble’s leader, he masterfully combined traditional Armenian folk melodies with modern orchestrations, breathing new life into our cultural heritage.”
Funeral Arrangements
The memorial service for Tigran Mkrtchyan will take place on September 18 at 6:00 PM at the Saint Sarkis Church in the 5th district of Nor Nork. The burial will be held on September 19 at 1:00 PM, from the same location.
