Screening at Taniel’s University
The support and compliments that ‘’Taniel’’ receives always make every showing special.
Our screening and poetry performance in Ghent as a part of two-day celebration of the great poet was no exception – we were so touched by the amount of people who came and told us what “Taniel” and Varoujan’s poetry meant to them personally – film fans, sponsors, poetry fans, academics, students…
So many people travelled great distance to be there – one wonderful lady even flew in from California; Garo was told by a fan that his film ‘gave wings’ to him; prominent scholar of Armenian studies, Theo van Lint’s interest and kind words about Tatevik’s work as a poetry producer were so encouraging that they’re already planning new projects; and Yegya Akgun’s Armenian and Ben Hodgson’s English poetry reading received such an emotional response that people were still quoting Varoujan later on, while having a celebratory toasts…
We are grateful to all who attended, organised and appreciated this special weekend, we hope everyone went home enriched like we did. Special thanks to the Programme of Armenian Studies and its head Krikor Moskofian for the wonderful initiative.
Andre Gumuchdjian, Peter van Nufelen, Theo van Lint, Garo, Tatevik, Yegya Akgun, Ben Hodgson, Sahag Arslanian
In front of Varorujan’s plaque
Ben Hodgson
Garo and Ben
Garo and Ben found something funny in the brochure
Our booklet of poetry for the accompanying performance
The team in the magnificant Aula of the University
Tatevik and Krikor Moskofian, the organiser of the event
Yegya
Yegya, Tatevik and Krikor at the hall before the event
Yegya’s voice sounded beautiful in these surroundings
Researsing To the Statue of Beauty
Ben reading his poem Indelible
Garo, Yegya and Ben on stage after the screening
Garo talking about his vision of the film
Yegya reading poetry
Garo talks about how wonderful it was to meet an actor like Yegya, who could read poetry in Western Armenian so beautifully
Ben Hodgson shares in English poem ”Indelible” with the audience, which is read by Sean Bean in the film
The team on stage
A post-screening group picture
And another one
Tired but happy
And even happier
Last questions to the director
Finally sitting down for a beer
Quick trip to Brugge
Outside the University Hall
Varoujan’s and Araksi’s picture travels with us to all the screenings
Tatevik with the prominent professor of Armenian Studies at Oxford – Theo van Lint
Krikor Beledian’s lecture as a part of the event
Some deep conversations with poet and critic Krikor Beledian
Some of our audience travelled from California and Isle of Wight
Tatevik and Professor van Nufelen of Ghent University, one of the big supporters of the event and a specialist in Classical Armenian
Tatevik and Garo with Krikor Moskofian, who initiated the event
A moment of reflection in the hall where Varoujan himself must have graduted
Yegya and Garo in the main hall of the Aula
Varoujan’s words sounding in Ghent, 100 years after he studied there
A group picture with sponsors Andre Gumuchdjian and Sahag Arslanian
And another one on the stairs
Tatevik with the talanted Kayane Antreassian, who was responsible for the exhibition at the event
Garo with the Programme of Armenian Studies team
Varoujan’s signature on a book belonging to him, loaned from Vazken Hadjitavitian
A celebratory toast from Andre to congratulate everyone
Deep in thought
Photos: Rebel Republic Films | Kayane Antreassian | Programme of Armenian Studies
We are also grateful to the sponsors of the event – Gulbenkian foundation, Andre Gumuchjian, and Arslanian family, and everyone else who supported this fantastic initiative.