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Just came across this article: https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2025/07/countering-russian-influence-support-for-armenia-georgia.html Experts say Moldova is getting drawn deeper into the West–Russia standoff, even though it officially maintains neutrality. The EU and the UK are showing support through funding, military training, and technical assistance. Meanwhile, Russia continues to exert pressure—especially via Transnistria, where its troops and weapons depots remain. Parliamentary elections are coming up in September, and they might tip the scales one way or the other. People in Moldova are divided: some fear war, others fear falling back under Russian influence. Is there really no way for Moldova to stay neutral and maintain stability at the same time?

Parsegh Ganatchian (1885-1967] Parsegh Ganatchian was one of the prominent composers in Western Armenian music. Born in 1885 in Rodosto, Parsegh was part of a shoemakers family. Three years after birth his family moved to Constantinople. Parsegh immediately started to study music at the Getik ***** School. Due to the Armenian massacres of the late 1890’s his family left their country for Bulgaria. First to the town of Aleveh then to Varna. Young Parsegh finished studies and worked as a secretary in a Vanitz Armenian’s business. In Parsegh’s free time he started playing a violin, one that he hand made He did not have the money to buy a real violin or to study music seriously. One day a man visited the shop Parsegh was working at and he saw a real violin. The father noticed his son’s desire to play the violin, so when the Parsegh returned home from work, the violin was there. Parsegh began to study music. He first studied with Natan-Beg Amirkhanian, a graduate of the royal conservatory of Berlin. Parsegh studied musical theory by sight-reading and also sang in the Amirkhanian’s choir. From this point, Parsegh learned how to conduct an orchestra. Parsegh’s family moved once more to Romania, where Parsegh continued his lessons and vocal harmonics. In 1905, during the First Russian Revolution, the policemen accidentally arrested Parsegh in Bucharest. The Russian police hated the Armenians at the time. He was forced to leave and moved to Romania. He worked in the orchestra and he participated in tours and starts practicing music composition. In Varna he saw a play entitled - Labiche by Chukhajian, and meets one of the musicians in the orchestra named Penlian. With Penlian they both leave for Constanza. In 1908 after the Constitution of Ottoman Empire, many Armenian intellectuals longed for and return to Constantinople. Parsegh now begins to give music lessons and creates and conducts a Brass band called Knar. They came from all around the suburbs to hear this band and music. Parsegh composes several pieces for this orchestra, one of them is the Masis Waltz. This song became published. In 1910, Parsegh hears Gomidas for the first time. His impression of Gomidas was fantastic. “When the concert was finished and I came to my senses, my first move was to run to the stage.” Sayid Ganatchian. “Who has written these songs, Vartabed?!” breathlessly and eagerly asking the great Gomidas. Gomidas responds with laughter “Who should have written it?” As Gomidas puts his hand on Parsegh’s shoulder, Parsegh says “I want to learn from you.” Gomidas humbly agrees. From that day on, Parsegh found his call and his teacher, his people, and the art of his people. Reference Note: Gomidas’ other students were: Vartan Sarkisian, Mihran Toumjan, Vagharsahk Servandztian, Haig Semerjian. Parsegh was not exiled from the 1915 Armenian Massacres, instead he is drafted in the Turkish army. His violin in hand, this saved Parsegh’s life from being sent into exile. Eventually he was placed as a paramedic in one of the Turkish hospitals. Ultimately, Parsegh was sent to the war front. As an Armenian, he was harassed and forced into exile. Parsegh was initially sent to Dikranakert, then he became ill and then was sent to Aleppo, Syria. The war is now over and in Aleppo, and with the other people that were exiled, Parsegh creates a choir and gives two Armenian concerts in the area. This makes the exiled people happy, bringing a sort of encouragement to them. Then he goes to Adana (Giligia) and gives two more concerts. Finally Parsegh goes back to Bollis. The remaining student’s of Gomidas in 1919 lived in Bera, and they formed a choir of 300 vocalists. This was a huge success. They toured throughout the suburbs. Gomidas’ students published a three-volume set called Hai Goosan, an Armenian song series. These were the works of Gomidas students. Lyrics were also put to this music in these volumes. This set became popular and were the songs of the village people and new compositions. In the 2nd volume, the famous Oror lullaby was included which later became famous. It was necessary for Gomidas students to continue their studies. Parsegh goes to Paris and studies with the famous Rene’ Lenorman. In 1921, the Armenian ghetto in Egypt, Parsegh recreates his choir work. Seven years later he works at Melkonian College. As a music teacher. In 1933, eventually this wandering soul chooses Beirut as his new home. During his teaching years he wrote: Hoy Nor, Bejnko, Loosnaken Yelav, Ooreen (from Anoush Opera). After that: Razmyerg (War Song), Vartere Hed (With Roses), Nanor, Alvartee Yerazah (from Lalvare Vors), Parsegh wrote an opera on Ancient Gods based on the book by Levon Chant, the famous playwright. Because of Parsegh, an expert conductor, the orchestra does a great job of performing in Syria and maintaining the culture of the Armenians. Every concert made an important statement about the Armenian people. Parsegh collected Arabic folk songs and put them into classical choir music. May 21, 1967 he died. Robert Atayan – Parsegh Ganatchian Solo Songs & Choir Songs. Dec. 7, 1967

Truth should be said