UNESCO remembers Djivan Gasparyan, Armenian musician

UNESCO expresses its regret at the recent passing of Djivan Gasparyan, a renown Armenian musician and composer who was the master of the duduk, a double-reed woodwind instrument.

Djivan Gasparyan made an outstanding contribution to the field of music and brought the unique sound of the duduk to the world through international performances, albums and the soundtracks he made for international films in which his music was featured. He also won numerous international awards. As a professor at the Yerevan State Musical Conservatory he shared his knowledge, talent and love of music with the next generation of musicians.

His promotion of this traditional instrument and music helped bring about the inscription in 2008 of Armenia’s Duduk and its music on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, expressed his condolences, noting that “Djivan Gasparyan was a cultural and musical powerhouse who brought the beauty of his unique music to the world. His artistry will be greatly missed.”