PARIS, DECEMBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Edvard Nalbandian, the RA Ambassador to France, awarded world-famous pianist Yevgeni Kisin Fridtjof Nansen gold memorial medal on December 19 in the reception hall of the Marais hotel of Paris, for his wide public activity and loyalty to universal values. "A friend is known at a difficult moment," Ambassador Nalbandian said applying to the pianist. "After the earthquake of Spitak you have held many charity concerts for the sake of those who suffered from the earthquake, especially for children. And this memorial medal symbolizes not only admiration of your talent, but also our gratitude to yout great soul." As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department, pianist Svetlana Navasardian performed works of Armenian composers at the solemn event organized in honor of the great pianist. Representatives of Armenian society and art world of Paris, as well as Kisin's parents and teacher were present at the ceremony. Young Kisin performed on tour in Armenia in 1984 and kept warm memories. He learnt about the 1988 earthquake in Italy, where he was on tour. Since that day he has held many charity concerts, the gains of which he has donated to the Children of Armenia Fund, to parentless children of Spitak. The Armenian Seismic Station was also financed by these gains, Gyumri High School was built and equipped with modern computers. Yevgeni Kisin was awarded Fridtjof Nansen memorial medal by the Fridtjof Nansen Fund of Armenia.

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