There are places that transcend their physical walls to become symbols of survival, identity, and hope. The Melkonian Educational Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus, was one such place. As we approach the centenary of its founding, the Armenian Church Choir is preparing a special concert that will echo through the halls of memory, celebrating not just a school, but a testament to the Armenian spirit's resilience.
Scheduled for June 26, 2026, along Limassol Avenue in Nicosia, this centenary celebration arrives at a poignant moment in Armenian educational history. The Melkonian Educational Institute, founded in 1926 through the vision and generosity of the Melkonian brothers—Krikor and Garabed—became one of the most prestigious Armenian boarding schools in the diaspora.
The Melkonian Brothers' Vision
The story begins with two brothers from Tavriz, Persia, who built their fortune in the Far East during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Krikor and Garabed Melkonian never married and had no children of their own, but they possessed something perhaps more powerful: a vision for the future of Armenian youth. Having witnessed the devastation of the Armenian Genocide and the subsequent scattering of their people across the globe, the brothers understood that education would be the key to preserving Armenian identity.
When Krikor Melkonian passed away in 1920, followed by Garabed in 1925, their will revealed an extraordinary bequest. They left their entire fortune—estimated at over one million pounds sterling at the time—to establish an educational institution for Armenian orphans and children from impoverished families. The Melkonian Educational Institute opened its doors in 1926, welcoming students from across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.
A Century of Impact
For decades, the Melkonian Institute served as more than just a school. It was a home, a sanctuary, and a crucible where Armenian identity was forged and strengthened. Students received rigorous academic instruction in multiple languages, including Armenian, English, and Greek, while being immersed in Armenian culture, history, and traditions. The school's graduates went on to become leaders, intellectuals, artists, and professionals who contributed significantly to Armenian communities worldwide.
The institute operated continuously until 2005, when financial difficulties and declining enrollment led to its controversial closure—a decision that sparked protests and heartbreak among alumni and the broader Armenian community. The campus, with its distinctive architecture and sprawling grounds, stands as a physical reminder of what was once a thriving center of Armenian learning.
Music as Memory
The choice of a concert as the centerpiece of this centenary celebration is particularly fitting. Music has always been integral to Armenian cultural preservation, serving as a vessel for collective memory and emotion. The Armenian Church Choir, known for its dedication to preserving sacred and traditional Armenian music, will undoubtedly craft a program that honors both the spiritual and cultural dimensions of the Melkonian legacy.
While specific program details have yet to be announced, one can anticipate a repertoire that spans the breadth of Armenian musical heritage—from ancient liturgical chants that have echoed through Armenian churches for centuries to folk songs that carry the stories of the Armenian people, and perhaps contemporary compositions that speak to the ongoing journey of the diaspora.
A Gathering of Generations
This concert represents more than a commemorative event; it's an opportunity for reunion and reflection. Alumni of the Melkonian Institute, now scattered across continents, will have a chance to return to the place that shaped their formative years. For younger generations who never experienced the school firsthand, the celebration offers a connection to an important chapter of Armenian diaspora history.
The event takes place in Nicosia, a city that itself embodies division and resilience, making it a fitting backdrop for honoring an institution that helped maintain Armenian unity across geographical and political boundaries. Cyprus has long been home to a vibrant Armenian community, and the Melkonian Institute was central to that community's identity for eight decades.
As the date approaches, the Melkonian Centenary Concert stands as an invitation—to remember, to celebrate, and to recommit to the values that the Melkonian brothers championed: education, cultural preservation, and the belief that investing in young people is investing in the future of a nation. In the voices of the Armenian Church Choir, we will hear not just music, but the echo of a hundred years of dreams, struggles, and triumphs.
For those wishing to attend this historic celebration, tickets and additional information are available through the event organizers. This is a moment to witness history being honored and to be part of a community that refuses to let its stories fade into silence.
