Aznavour spirit infuses inaugural Armenian Heritage Walk event in Philadelphia
- kyle3934
- Nov 21, 2024
- 2 min read
Gathering at an inaugural event of the Armenian Heritage Walk in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late French Armenian singer Charles Aznavour on Nov. 16, 2024 are former board member Vick Bazarbashian (from left), board members Karolyn Chebookjian, Ned Moore, Nanette Zakian, David Hoplamazian and Michael Santerian, former board member and architect Simon Koumjian III, and board members Kurk Selverian, Steven Barsamian and Harry S. Cherken, Jr. (front center), Her Excellency Agnès von der Mühll, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. (front, from left); Her Excellency Lilit Makunts, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States, and singer Hakop Ghasabian, wearing a Philadelphia Phillies baseball shirt given to him as a welcome to the city.
In the words of the renowned late French Armenian musician and Armenian champion Charles Aznavour in one of his most adored songs, one “could never forget” the magnificence of the tribute to him in Philadelphia on Saturday, November 16. The event was an inaugural celebration of the Armenian Heritage Walk, a spectacular expanse of public art and gardens soon to flank the world-famous Philadelphia Museum of Art. The evening of exquisite musical performances and French and Armenian delicacies drew more than 100 generous donors to The Philadelphia Club, a historic gathering place of American leaders since 1834.
Aerial rendering of the Philadelphia Armenian Heritage Walk to be unveiled in April 2026
With a planned unveiling in April 2026 in time for the 250th anniversary of America, the Armenian Heritage Walk is all at once an expression of pride in the Armenian American story, a gesture of thanks to America and an investment in cultural awareness in the diverse Philadelphia urban art and horticultural region.
The collaboration of the Armenian community with the city of Philadelphia has deep roots. Standing proudly beside the museum for nearly 50 years since America’s 200th birthday is a statue of the legendary Armenian figure, Young Meher. Epitomizing freedom and the indomitable spirit of the Armenian people, the statue will be rehabilitated and serve as a centerpiece of the new walk to include breathtaking and meaningful art and natural elements endemic to both Armenia and America. Visitors will reflect on the value of cultural diversity in Philadelphia as they travel through the story of a people exiled in genocide who found a home in and made lasting contributions to the birthplace of the nation.
