Information on the Wake and Funeral of Gagik Ginosyan to Be Announced Later: Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia has expressed its condolences regarding the passing of Gagik Ginosyan, the founder and artistic director of the 'Karin' traditional song and dance group, a distinguished cultural figure of Armenia and a participant in the Artsakh War.

Gagik Martiros Ginosyan, born on August 3, 1966, in Akhaltsikhe, Georgian SSR, passed away at the age of 58 on February 6, 2024. The Ministry conveys its deep sorrow at his death.

Gagik Ginosyan graduated from Akhaltsikhe No. 3 Armenian Secondary School in 1982 and initially worked as a laborer at the Akhaltsikhe mobile mechanized column. He entered the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute in the Department of Automatic Control and Television Mechanics, graduating in 1990.

In 1987, Ginosyan began dancing in the 'Van' ethnographic group, founded by Hayrik Muradyan. From 1996 to 1999, he served as the director of the Yerevan office of the 'Shant' television and radio company. In 2001, he founded the 'Dzovak' and 'Karin' traditional song and dance groups.

For his significant contributions to the development and promotion of national dance art in 2011, Ginosyan was awarded the Golden Medal of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia. He established the 'Ethnographic Theater' in 2007 and, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, staged several performances dedicated to Hayrik Muradyan, including 'The Father of Armenian Song,' 'Fragrant Ergir,' and 'Armenian Dance.'

In 2014, Ginosyan staged an original performance titled 'The Cross of War.' He founded the 'National Academy of Song and Dance' cultural-educational foundation for the purpose of preserving, processing, and popularizing traditional songs and dances. He authored the 'National Song and Dance' curriculum, which has been taught in public schools for many years.

Throughout his career, Ginosyan engaged in ethnographic research, documenting numerous dance descriptions and reviving 36 national dances, with the 'Karin' ensemble as the first performer of most.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence, Gagik Ginosyan was awarded the title of Honored Figure of Culture by the decree of the Armenian President. He also participated in the Artsakh War.

In 2006, Ginosyan published his first book, 'Hello, Boys,' which includes his prose poetry, aphorisms, and journalistic articles on the Artsakh War.

Gagik Ginosyan received various state and departmental awards throughout his career. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport extends its deepest condolences to Ginosyan's family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, and all those who appreciated and admired his art.

Additional information on the wake and funeral arrangements for Gagik Ginosyan will be announced at a later time.