The "Margot Babikian Music Foundation," in collaboration with the "National Higher Institute of Music – Conservatory" and the "Hamaskayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Foundation" (Ganatchian Music Institute), organized the winners' ceremony for the "Margot Babikian Piano Competition" titled "RECITAL DES LAUREATS DU CONCOURS MARGOT BABIKIAN 2024 DE PIANO" at the Pierre Abou Khater Theater at Saint Joseph University, Humanities Campus – Beirut. The event was attended by representatives of the organizing institutions, educational, religious, musical, and cultural figures, media personnel, as well as parents of the participants.
This competition, which had paused in recent years due to the country's circumstances and the COVID-19 pandemic, returned for its ninth edition, taking place every two years, initiated by the late MP Khatchik Babikian in 1995 to commemorate his wife (Margot), who passed away early, in collaboration with the National Higher Institute of Music – Conservatory and the Hamaskayin Foundation. The competition offers winners the opportunity to perform in a special recital where the prizes are distributed.
The ceremony was opened by Professor Christina Babikian Assaf, the honorary dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Saint Joseph University, who welcomed the attendees and participants and thanked the organizing parties. She stated: "This competition would not have come to light without the participation and cooperation of many individuals and organizations to whom we sincerely thank, especially the National Higher Institute of Music, represented by its president Dr. Hiba Kawas, and Mrs. Tatiana Slim, Head of the Piano Department at the Conservatory, and the Hamaskayin Foundation with Mr. Sibo Ayintablan and his music school named after the famous Armenian composer and conductor Parseg Ganatchian."
Babikian explained that this edition of the competition began with 12 participants aged between 16 and 23, who worked hard over the past months to prepare their program. She thanked the judging committee for their professionalism, which included Tatiana Slim, Sirvat Bouyadjean, Hory Sarafian, and Camila Yerkanyan. She also addressed the rigorous and professional criteria applied in the competition and the challenging process of selecting three out of the contestants due to the close levels of expertise. She added, "Therefore, we ultimately chose 5 winners who will be announced during the ceremony. I also salute those who were less fortunate for their significant efforts. A heartfelt thanks to the professors from both institutions who helped bring the students to this high level."
There was a speech by Mrs. Maral Harbuyan, the administrative manager at the Hamaskayin Institute, about the importance of music in an individual's life, shaping their abilities, refining their spirit, developing memory and focus, as well as the positive impact of regular instrumental practice on cognitive development. She spoke about music as a universal language that spreads peace and sophistication, the musical initiatives that elevate nations, and the Hamaskayin Foundation’s role in disseminating music and establishing musical culture. She thanked the Babikian family for their commitment to the continuity of this important competition and the Conservatory, represented by its president, for its national role in preserving Lebanon's musical identity.
At the conclusion of the speeches, before presenting a short film about the award and starting the recital, the head of the Conservatory, composer Hiba Kawas, expressed her gratitude to Saint Joseph University and the organizing and participating institutions, welcoming attendees, musicians, professors, parents, and students. She stated, "I extend my greetings to the participants' families, as behind every musician in Lebanon, there are parents who support and assist them in reaching the highest levels. The Margot Babikian Competition is a significant name that has become a tradition we cherish, indicating a profound awareness of the importance of music and holding valuable implications in the Lebanese musical journey. The Babikian family, represented by Dr. Christine, desires to continue along this path, completing the competition to make this heritage a hallmark named 'Margot Babikian Competition.'"
She added, "The Conservatory is keen to support all institutions that care for music, and we endorse and embrace all competitions, academies, and musical initiatives, from the premise that we are the leading institution in Lebanon that encompasses orchestras and professors. The time has come to work with a new vision based on cooperation and direct agreements, which is the best way to build a strategy that elevates the academic level in Lebanon. We are now working on new curricula and intensive weekly masterclasses, as we have a goal to achieve a different academic level in the Conservatory and in education in Lebanon. Based on these visions, we established this collaboration with the Hamaskayin Foundation, which will not only be through the award but also in other fruitful collaborations. On this occasion, I thank the committee and the department coordinator Tatiana Slim, and again, the head of the Western department at the Conservatory, Mrs. Jacqueline Tabet, and once again, many thanks for the Margot Babikian Competition."
The musical recital began with the five winners performing on the piano at the Pierre Abou Khater Theater, starting with contestant Nanour Arnelian who played (Felix Mendelssohn Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14), followed by Emmanuel Sebli (Frederic Chopin Ballade No.3 in A-flat major, Op. 47), then contestant Elena Khoury performing (Frederic Chopin Scherzo No.2, Op. 31), contestant Kevin Youssef with (Franz Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No.2, in C sharp minor), and finally, Hambig Boujanian played (Edward Abrahamyan Prelude W19, in G sharp minor). This was met with warm applause and enthusiastic interaction from the audience with the high-level and finely executed performances of the contestants, who delivered a stunning musical recital showcasing their expertise and techniques, especially since the selected pieces required high skill and intensive practice.
At the end of the event, the winners were announced and cash prizes totaling $7,000 were distributed; the National Conservatory garnered four out of five awards, while the Hamaskayin Institute received one award, shared with the Conservatory. The results were as follows for the top three places:
- First Place worth $2000 each, shared between:
- Hambig Boujanian, a student at the National Conservatory, under the supervision of Professor Armeene Abadjan.
- Kevin Youssef, a student at the Ganatchian Music Institute.
- Second Place worth $1500:
- Elena Khoury, a student at the National Conservatory, under the supervision of Professor Armeene Abadjan.
- Third Place worth $750 each, shared between:
- Nanour Arnelian, a student at the National Conservatory, under the supervision of Professor Armeene Abadjan.
- Emmanuel George Sebli, a former student at the National Conservatory currently in his first year at the Friedrich Gulda School of Music in Vienna, Austria.
