Centenary of Melkonian Institute: Celebrating Armenian Resilience and Culture

Some places go beyond their physical boundaries to become symbols of resilience, identity, and hope. The Melkonian Educational Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus, is one such place. As its hundredth anniversary approaches, the Armenian Church Choir is preparing a special concert that will resonate through memories, celebrating not just a school but a testament to the strength of the Armenian spirit.

Set for June 26, 2026, along Limassol Avenue in Nicosia, this centennial celebration arrives at a significant moment in Armenian educational history. Founded in 1926 through the vision and generosity of the Melkonian brothers—Krikor and Garabed—the institute became one of the most respected Armenian boarding schools in the diaspora.

The Vision of the Melkonian Brothers

The story starts with two brothers from Tavriz, Persia, who built their wealth in the Far East during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Krikor and Garabed Melkonian never married or had children, but they possessed something even more powerful: a vision for the future of Armenian youth. Having witnessed the destruction caused by the Armenian Genocide and the scattering of their people across the world, they understood that education was the key to preserving Armenian identity.

When Krikor Melkonian died in 1920, and Garabed in 1925, their will revealed an extraordinary gift. They left their entire fortune—estimated at over one million pounds sterling at that time—to create an educational institution for Armenian orphans and children from poor families. The Melkonian Educational Institute opened in 1926, welcoming students from the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.

A Hundred Years of Influence

For many years, the Melkonian Institute was more than just a school. It was a home, a sanctuary, and a place where Armenian identity was shaped and strengthened. Students received rigorous education in multiple languages, including Armenian, English, and Greek, while also immersing themselves in Armenian culture, history, and traditions. Graduates went on to become leaders, artists, intellectuals, and professionals who made significant contributions to Armenian communities worldwide.

The school operated without interruption until 2005, when financial problems and falling enrollment led to its controversial closure—an event that caused protests and heartbreak among alumni and the broader Armenian community. The campus, with its unique architecture and vast grounds, remains a physical reminder of a once-thriving center of Armenian learning.

Music as a Memory Keeper

Choosing a concert as the main event for this centenary celebration is especially meaningful. Music has always played a vital role in Armenian cultural preservation. It acts as a vessel for collective memory and emotion. The Armenian Church Choir, known for its dedication to preserving sacred and traditional Armenian music, will create a program that honors both the spiritual and cultural legacy of the Melkonian.

While specific details of the program have yet to be announced, one can expect a range of Armenian musical traditions—spanning from ancient liturgical chants that have echoed in Armenian churches for centuries, to folk songs that tell stories of the Armenian people, and perhaps modern compositions that reflect the ongoing journey of the diaspora.

Bringing Generations Together

This concert is more than a commemoration; it’s a chance for reunion and reflection. Alumni of the Melkonian Institute, now scattered across different continents, will have the opportunity to return to the place that shaped their early years. For younger Armenians who never attended the school, the event offers a link to an important chapter of Armenian diaspora history.

The event takes place in Nicosia, a city that symbolizes both division and resilience. It’s a fitting backdrop for honoring an institution that helped maintain Armenian unity across borders and political divides. Cyprus has long been home to a vibrant Armenian community, and the Melkonian played a central role in shaping that community’s identity for over eighty years.

As the date nears, the Melkonian Centenary Concert serves as an invitation—to remember, to celebrate, and to reaffirm the values promoted by the Melkonian brothers: education, cultural preservation, and the belief that investing in youth is investing in the future of a nation. Through the voices of the Armenian Church Choir, we will hear not just music, but the echoes of a hundred years of dreams, struggles, and victories.

For those who want to attend this historic event, tickets and more details are available from the organizers. It’s a moment to witness history being honored and to be part of a community committed to keeping its stories alive and vibrant. This celebration is about more than just the past; it’s about strengthening bonds and ensuring that the spirit of the Melkonian continues to inspire future generations.