Italian on Stage
Annually held “Week of Italian Language” this year launched on October 21: this time it kicked off under the heading “Italian on Stage”. The aim of the event was, certainly, the spreading of Italian culture and Italian language. Every Armenian HEI where the Italian is taught, participates in the event. It’s already seven years the students of State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia have been studying one of the most beautiful languages of the world with the help of Anahit Mkryan. The group of beginners consists of over 30 students, while in the second course their number is ten.
SAFAA students under the supervision of Anahit Mkryan and Mariam Karapetyan, a newly graduate of directing department of Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography, have tried to create the relevant environment firstly with the most typical Italian music to transfer the atmosphere and of course with the appropriate stage decorations and interesting elements. The student-participants were six: among them a Diaspora Armenian student from Beirut, Pap Kadamyan who studied intensive courses of Italian in Florence, and was currently enrolled in SAFAA MA degree programme in Sculpture.
It is difficult to introduce in a limited period of time the country with one of the richest cultures of the world where you can see art and beauty wherever you turn your glance. The students decided to transfer it through the most famous Italian cities, Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Pompeii, Naples, etc. The fragments of sights of aforementioned cities and music on large screen transmitted the Italian mood and further through the content interjection, presented episodes of historic past and present of those cities. The students succeeded in conveying to the audience both the mood and the beauties of Italian life. Definitely, the focus was first of all on displaying the language proficiency in the performance.
Interesting parallels were drawn between ancient Pompeii destroyed by the Vesuvius volcanic eruption and another Italian city near the same Vesuvius, Naples. It was worth noting the indication of comparison between the two countries of ancient civilizations, Italy and Syria, through which students expressed their attitude against the destruction, barbarism and war of once flourishing cities, Aleppo and Damascus. Two cities of the ancient world, Rome and Damascus – one in full life, the other in death; How does the world react to this human tragedy? According to Mariam Karapetyan this was the hidden context of the performance. The students felt free and comfortable on stage, demonstrating artistic manners. The performance was warmly welcomed. At the end the SAFAA Rector Aram Isabekyan expressed his gratitude to the students and the guests for participation. The event was attended by the Deputy Head of Mission of Embassy of Italy to Armenia. Aram Isabekyan mentioned that he was pleased to state the reality of such an opportunity to study Italian at the Academy and its importance for the students receiving fine arts education, to master the language of a country with such an ancient and fascinating culture.
Melanya Badalyan
Translated by Naira Stepanyan
