YOUTH ART: Exhibition of the Youth Section of Painter's Union of Armenia was held in UN hall on March 16. Twenty-seven painting and sculpture works where exhibited by young artists. RA Ministry of Defense Serj Sargisyan , Head of Kentron district Gagik Beglaryan , well-known artists and ambassadors participated during the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Art works will be presented until April 4.

PROTECTING BIRDS: A photo-exhibition dedicated to the World Day of Protection of Birds opened in Yerevan on March 17, the Union of "Bird Amateurs of Armenia" told Arminfo on March 13.

Some 60 photos of the birds included in the Red Book of Armenia where exhibited. The photos are made by an ornithologist, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Head of the Museum of Zoology of the Armenian National Academy of Science Martin Adamyan. Additionally, drawing of 50 Armenian pupils on the topic "Let's Protect Our Feathered Friends" where exhibited.

NAREKATSI IN HERMITAGE: The Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University (RAU) will present 12 drawings to the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg , Russia . The drawings by Marine Dilanyan are dedicated to the Armenian Middle Age poet Grigor Narekatsi, RAU Rector Armen Darbinyan said at a conference dedicated to the 1,000th Anniversary of Grigor Narekatsi, reported by Arminfo on March 13.

Darbinyan pointed out Armenia 's duty to the great poet and Armenian's mission to achieve the depth of the "Book of Lamentations" and to secure its accessibility to all the remaining peoples and states.

Darbinyan informed those present that a Concert for the chorus of Alfred Schnitke on the poems by Grigor Narekatsi will be performed in the nearest future in Armenia , following successful presentations in Russia .

CONCERT IN MOSCOW : Armenian singers Susan Margaryan, Anna Armenakyan, Varduhi Vardanyan, Samvel Grigoryan, Papin Poghosyan and Tata performed in concert March 9 in Moscow 's 1,600 seat Hall of the Russian Army.

The concert was the first of three in a “Song of the Year” series of concerts and competition that will conclude in November.

CLASSIC LOSS: On March 16, Diaspora soprano Arpine Pehlivanian died, after a long illness.

Her dedication to the world of music and her contribution to the preservation of Armenian musical heritage are part of the legacy she leaves behind. Pehlivanian performed more than 800 concerts in Europe, the United States , Canada , the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, and Africa . Her Carnegie Hall debut was in 1974.

As concert artist and teacher, she was awarded the Bronze Halo Award (1983) from the Southern California Motion Picture Council for her contribution to the arts, and the Music Teacher's Association of California Service Award (1987), for her contributions to the American Community. She was also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

At her Fortieth Jubilee the late Karekin I, Catholicos of all Armenians, bestowed on her the most coveted Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Medal of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Armenia . Catholicos Aram I of the House of Cilicia honored the singer with the first ever Dame of Cilicia Medal, to be given to women of distinction. According to Asbarez Online, funeral services will take place on Saturday, March 20, 10:30 am , at the Holy Cross Church of Montebello.

ON YEREVAN STAGES …

March 19 Aram Khachatryan Concert Hall, performance of Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra with violinist Meri Margaryan, directed by Eduard Topchyan. Ticket cost 300-500 AMD.

March 20: National Chamber Orchesta, performance with pianist Armen Babakhanyan. House of Chamber Music. Tickets cost 500-2000 AMD.

March 23 Sundukyan Academic Theatre, New performance Cuni “Night feast”, directed by Vahe Shahverdyan. Ticket cost 600-2000 AMD.

March 23 Paronyan Theatre, V. Kotoyan “My Mother in Law”, directed by Hakob Ghazanchyan. Ticket cost 500-1500 AMD.

March 25 Aram Khachatryan Concert Hall, concert tour of Russian pop group “Reflex”. Ticket cost 3000- 15 000 AMD.

March 29 Chamber Music Hall , concert of “Tagharan” ancient music ensemble, directed by Yervand Yerkanyan , Ticket cost 500 AMD.