The International sensation Eva Gevorgyan, 15, won the Shirley Cox McIntyre Second Prize and a cash award of $10,000 in the prestigious 2019 Cliburn International Junior Plano Competition on Saturday June 8, 2019 at the Morton H. Meyerson Center in Dallas, Texas.  She also won the coveted Press Award of $500. Ms. Gevorgyan played the Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, op. 43 in her final round.

St. Sarkis parishioners were in the audience along with many more listening to the broadcast in a nearby park.  The excitement of Gevorgyan reaching the pinnacle of piano artistry as a Russian Armenian had brought the Dallas/Fort Worth community together to support her and her mother Ksenia in their brief but stellar visit to Dallas.

Eva Gevorgyan had already garnered multiple honors around the world, mostly in first place, before entering this competition.  Among them were the Robert Schumann International Competition, the Chopin competition for young musicians, the International Festival of Young Performers in Armenia and the World Wnderkinds Concert in Italy attended by the Italian President.

The competition was held May 31-June 8, 2019 for talented youth aged 13-17 from around the world. The Junior Competition and Festival was established in 2015 for the Cliburn to use its standing and expertise to encourage tomorrow’s great artists, and to give them an entrance to the next step of their journeys.  The next competition will be held in 2023.
St. Sarkis has had a strong affiliation with all the arts, considering that the community boasts two organists for its chancel choir, an outstanding dance group Groung, and an amazing singing ensemble Zartonk in addition to a children’s choir.  Hasmik Virabyan, organist, who met with Eva, commented on her grace and poise with: “Our girl made us so proud with her presence and exceptional skills.” Gevorgyan was indeed inspirational, setting the bar high for our youth.

You can see Eva Gevorgyan’s performance at YouTube.com/the Cliburn.  Former First Lady Laura Bush, who with the former president resides in Dallas, was the Honorary Chairman of the event.

Written by Mary Mukhtarian

On Thursday May 30th, 2019, the St. Sarkis church of Dallas/Fort Worth was invited to present Armenia to the Dallas Mayor, the City Manager and an audience of 250 city employees.   

The event began with playing the National Anthems of the United States and Armenia.  While everyone was reverently standing, a low hum spread through the room as every Armenian was quietly singing the words to the Armenian Anthem.  

The Mayor announced that Thursday May 30th, 2019 was “Armenia Day” as part of the recognition of Armenia as the Nation of the Year by the City employees, and presented St. Sarkis with his proclamation.  In response, St. Sarkis presented the Mayor with the Armenian flag which was unfurled and held by the Mayor and members of the St. Sarkis Parish Council, then taken out of the room.  When it appeared again mounted on a pole, there was a palpable feeling of pride that rippled through the room.  Now the Armenian flag is part of the International flags in the Dallas City Hall Flag Room.

The Dallas Armenian community was there en masse to present our rich heritage, history, powerful religious roots and our cultural treasury to them.  The St. Sarkis youth were at their best singing, dancing, reciting and playing music.  At the conclusion of the event, Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian took the podium to thank the Mayor and everyone for the opportunity to introduce Armenia to them, and announced the building of our new church, hosting the Diocesan Assembly in 2020 and the Sports Competition in 2021.  He was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for the effort St. Sarkis expended in putting on this very informative presentation to the Mayor, City Manager and all their employees.  

​The event concluded with an Armenian meal that was an added touch to the introduction of Armenia to many non-Armenians.  St. Sarkis rocked on that day!

By Mary Mukhtarian