Barekamutyun founder Norayr Mehrabyan dies at 85

Norayr Mehrabyan, the Armenian choreographer who founded the Barekamutyun State Dance Ensemble, has died at 85, the National Center of Folk Music and Dance announced. He held the title of People’s Artist of Armenia.

Mehrabyan founded the ensemble in 1987 after a career as a dancer, teacher and artistic director in Yerevan and Leningrad. He also established dance groups in Armenian communities abroad, Armenpress said.

From Yerevan to dance groups abroad

Born in Yerevan in 1941, Mehrabyan entered the Yerevan Choreographic School in 1946 and later danced as a soloist at the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 1970, he was invited to Leningrad’s Choreographic Miniatures ballet company. He returned to Yerevan three years later to lead the school, where he also taught classical dance.

Mehrabyan led the school until 1983 and was artistic director of the opera theater’s ballet company from 1984 to 1986. His early choreography included productions of Bizet’s “Youth Symphony,” Khachaturian’s “Russian Dance” and Avetisyan’s “Zartonk.”

He established dance groups in Armenian communities in Beirut, Cyprus, Aleppo and Los Angeles, and collaborated with the Hamazkayin Ani dance group and the Yeraz dance group in France.

The National Center of Folk Music and Dance called his death an “irreparable and profound loss” and expressed condolences to his family, relatives, colleagues, students and those who appreciated his art.