Armenian conductor puts up for auction painting by Artsakh girl,  removed from pavilion of the Yerevan Ter-Ghevondyan Music School

ArmInfo.  Vardan Hakobyan, former conductor of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts orchestra, and founder and artistic  director of the CADENZA soloists' ensemble, has put up for auction a  painting depicting the "We Are Our Mountains"  ("Grandmother-Grandfather") monument in Artsakh, removed from the  exhibition pavilion of the Yerevan Ter-Ghevondyan Music School.

Hakobyan posted a photo of the painting on his Facebook page, writing  that it is framed and ready for sale. 

"The painting, which is considered a 'national threat,' is ready for  sale. At my request, Eva's parents have framed it. It will go to the  highest bidder," the conductor wrote.

Hakobyan himself bid $100 for the painting, noting that others could  submit their own bids in the comments section of the post. After the  auction, the conductor noted, he will provide the winner with Eva's  parents' phone number so they can view the painting in person and  purchase it from the artist. "Everyone should understand one thing:  not only will we not allow our children to be harmed, but we must  also repay them-a safe homeland and a happy childhood. I ask that you  submit your bid for this painting exclusively under this post so that  I and everyone else can see it. Bids are open until Wednesday, July  22, at 10:00 PM Yerevan time. After that, we will summarize the  results of our auction," Hakobyan noted. He also reported that, in  addition to this offer, they are also developing a website where they  will conduct more professional auctions in the future.

At the time of publication, the painting was being offered for $750.

As a reminder, the painting was removed from the exhibition pavilion  by the acting director of the Anushavan Ter-Ghevondyan Yerevan Music  School, calling it an "anti-state act." It was later reported that  the teacher of the student whose work was removed from the exhibition  resigned, citing that he could not work in a school that disrespected  the feelings of the children studying there.