Pascal Chamassian, Artistic director of Araxe, the Armenian ensemble of the Union of Armenian Youth of France: “Araxe ensemble – Ambassador of Armenian culture in Europe – will return to Malta”

Armenian dance ensemble Araxe performed in Valetta. We are very happy and proud that we presented our dance program within the framework of the Armenian Cultural Days in Malta, especially during the year when Valletta was declared the cultural capital of Europe.

The dance group came to Malta from Marseille, and this invitation was very important for us, as the ensemble from the Diaspora was included in the program of the Armenian Cultural Days.

In order to introduce the Armenian dance art to the Maltese audience, we chose a rich program which included national and folk dances. I am very glad that the Maltese audience and even tourists from different countries who were present at our performance embraced the Armenian dances.

It was very pleasant that the energy of the dancers was transferred to the audience, and beautiful Armenian music attracted even passers-by. Our dances and Armenian music attracted not the Armenians of Malta, but the Maltese and tourists, so we achieved our goal. We gave the international audience all the attraction of the Armenian dance, and infected them with the rhythms of our mountainous country and the richness of our souls.

Araxe ensemble of the Union of Armenian Youth of France is the best ambassador of the Armenian culture in Europe. Our goal is to preserve the Armenian culture not only for ourselves, but for the whole world. Presenting our culture during the Armenian Cultural Days in Malta was another step to achieve this goal.

I know that the Armenian community of Malta is small, however, we will definitely return here once again to unite them around the Armenian dance art.