Ghazaros Altounian

GHAZAROS ALTOUNIAN

 Among four children of the Hadjentsi Hagop Altounian, and Yeprouhi Dakessian (Ghazaros, Penyamin, Hermine, Azniv), the eldest child, Ghazaros Altounian, born on 16 July 1940 in Beirut, became a famous Lebanese-Armenian actor and a prolific public figure. He completed his primary and secondary education at the Sahag-Mesrobian and the AGBU Hovagimian-Manougian Schools and pursued his further education at the American Language Center of the American University of Beirut for four years. Ghazaros Altounian had sung in “Alemshah” (Arshak Kalaydjian), “Karoun” (Guregh Mankerian), Ashod Badmakerian’s Choirs, and was the founder of the Armenian Jazz Band. He devoted 75 years of church service at the St. Kevork Armenian Orthodox Church initially as a scribe, then as a senior scribe and Chairman of the “Kayane” Choir. After refining his skills in choral music, he directed the St. Kevork’s Choir. Ghazaros Altounian collaborated with Paradise Radio in Beirut managing the cultural section and conducting numerous interviews with Armenian and foreign artists. He was a member of the Compatriotic Union of Hadjin, Homenmen Beirut, “Nor Serount” Cultural Association, and the Chairman of the SDHP AGHASSI Branch of Badawi District. For 35 years, Ghazaros Altounian appeared in both Armenian and Arabic plays earning recognition beyond the Armenian theatrical circles. His first performance in Armenian was «Charshili Artin Agha» produced by the Dekhrouni Youth Association. Later he appeared in the plays “Nazar the Brave,” “Kitchen,” “Bebo,” and “Bourgeois Gentilhomme” produced and directed by the NSCA “Ardavazt” and Vache Adrouni’s theatrical groups, and the young playwrights Haroutyoun Yeretsian, Loutfig Tabakian, and Onnig Kantardjian. The play “Bebo” directed by Haroutyoun Yeretsian and produced in cooperation with the internationally acclaimed Rahbani brothers and the legendary female singer Fairouz was a turning point in Altounian’s theatrical life. Impressed by his artistic talent, the Rahbani brothers invited him to play in “Loulou,” “Mays Al-Reem” “Good Morning” and “Summer 840.” Altounian and the Rahbani brothers participated in the closing ceremonies of the Damascus International Fair Festivals. Apart from theatrical performances, he has also appeared in short-length films, children’s programs, and TV commercials broadcast on Lebanese television. He greatly contributed to the collaboration between Armenian and Lebanese theatrical groups. Ghazaros Altounian and Sossi Bertizlian have three children, Hagop, Ashod, and Norayr, and two grandchildren: Tsolin and Lilit.