Tshakhruk annual international festival
The “Tshakhruk symbol/trophy” is the bird which takes wings from stone. The soaring Tshakhruk symbolizes the absence of limits while the stone, picked by the sisters along their pilgrimage road, symbolizes perseverance, trust in the strength of the individual, faith in making the impossible possible and faith in God.
The “Tshakhruk” symbolizes the concept of reaching out to others in selfless devotion.
Finally, the “Tshakhruk” bears in its essence the motto
“Physical possibilities are worth nothing without a soaring soul”
Festival Objectives
- Discover the musical talents of special needs individuals with central nervous system diseases as well as congenital and acquired physical and mental disorders.
- Bring together in Armenia people with similar special needs from all over the world.
- Create an opportunity for the participants to present their home country’s ethnic music.
- Create an opportunity for the participants to introduce to each other the cultures of their countries through ethno music.
- Create an opportunity for the participants to become involved in social and cultural life, to share their experiences, and to forge new acquaintances and friendships.
- To enhance awareness in the local and international community that people with special needs are an important part of society and have a message to deliver to humanity.
The musician sisters Anna and Anahit Mkhitaryan are the founders of the Tshakhruk International Festival of National Music for Special Needs Persons. The festival was launched on July 25, 2021 in Hayk square in the city of Vanatsor.
Individuals and music groups that received the 2021 Tshakhruk International Festival “Tshakhruk symbol/trophy”
Harutyun Balassanyan- Doctor/Paediatrician; director of the Kharberd Specialized Children’s Home
Arto Tunchboyajyan- Grammy Award Winner, avant garde folk music artist, composer, performer and bandleader of the Armenian Navy Band.
The Kharberd Specialized Children’s Home Tshakhruk Ethno Band
Tigran Tunyan- Senior officer in the Medical Department of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, Director of the “Lernayin Hayastan” Mental Health Restorative Centre, Lieutenant Colonel in the Medical Services.