A personal exhibition of Vladimir and Elena Grigoryan, two talented artists  - a wonderful couple, representatives of Armenian community of Kazakhstan started its work at Hesed "Polina". The opening ceremony of "Thanks Giving" exhibition attended representatives of different nations, cultures and confessions. Art united those who have strength and desire to work together, to live together on the same land, to become a single family. Eduard Hurshudyan, an Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Armenia to Kazakhstan; Natalya Romanova, a leader of Greek national cultural center, an artist Uriy Shneiderman and an art historian Irina Ufirova were honored guests of the evening.

   "Now, together with a respectful Ambassador we had been discussing if there were held such meetings in Kazakhstan?" - Aleksandr Baron, a president of "Mitsva" Association told at the opening ceremony of exhibition. "Honestly speaking, I can't remember anything alike. I ask authors to forgive me, we'll talk about their works a little bit later. Today was a very important day, because people took part in the project with great pleasure, they opened their soul and heart to their friends".

   A new joint project of Armenian and Jewish Diasporas is one more proof of the fact that Kazakhstan is a land of mutual enrichment of different civilizations, of mutual penetration of various cultures; it is a land, following principles of tolerance.

  "Roots of our ancestors are deep in centuries. For many years we have been living side by side. And today I think that Armenians and Jews are not accidentally opening this exhibition. I would like to thank you once more for your invitation and I do hope we would organize joint exhibitions, art meetings and different holidays and exhibitions of Grigoryan's works, which became the concentration of humanism ideas"  - Eduard Shurhydyan, an extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Armenia to Kazakhstan greeted guests.

   First international project of members of Assembly of Kazakhstani Nations is inspired by works of namely Grigoryans. Vladimir and Elena had to overcome too much: happiness of creative youth, tragedy of ethnical clashes and a strong pain of losses, hard gaining a new motherland in Kazakhstan, and, at last, gaining a new world among friends and like-minded persons.

   "Each painting looks like alive. We wish a success to Grigoryans family! We are glad this house became a warm home both for them and for the Jewish community members", - Aleksandra Zikina, a director of "Rimon" Jewish community center congratulated artists.

    "It's amazing, that esthetics, world outlook, feeling of history and Tradition of those two persons are so close, but at the same time different. And it's a mystery for me how two persons that so close understand the tasks of art, spiritual tasks, and moral values could found each other?! I wish luck to your family. And I would like to say that it's wonderful that fashion and market don't influence Grigoryans family", - Irina Ufirova, a famous Kazakhstani art historian concluded at the solemn part of the evening..

   A good present for guests of the "Thanks Giving" exhibition became a performance of Elena Shalkova, a talented vocal singer, "Rimon" Jewish community center member and a short concert of Ahan Meirbekov, a young violinist, winner of international and Kazakhstani contests. Ahan performed pieces from the concerts of Hachaturyan.

   "Mitsva" Association and "Luis" Armenian cultural center invite everybody to visit Hesed "Polina" and see works of Grigoryans family. You are welcome!

  The exhibition is open till October 24. Entrance is free.

Galina Goldberg