FEATURE/More than 18 Masterpiece Oriental Rugs Take to the Stage in This Year's Christmas Revels.Feature Editors/Business Editors FEATURE... CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2002 For over 30 years The Christmas Revels(R) has celebrated the winter solstice winter solstice n. In the Northern Hemisphere, the solstice that occurs on or about December 22. winter solstice Noun with the music, songs and folk rituals of cultures from around the world. During 18 performances from December 13 through 29, when the Revelers take the stage at Harvard University's historic Sanders Theatre, more than 18 richly-colored, authentic hand-woven Oriental rugs will play a leading role as the Christmas Revels celebrates the culture of Armenia Over the years Armenia has developed a modern, unique and successful culture. Many aspects of the culture are based on the geography, literature, dance, and music of the people. The culture is similar and yet distinct from many of the bordering countries like Russia, Georgia, and Iran as and Georgia. Paula Plum, one of Boston's leading actresses, guides the audience through a series of Armenian and Georgian folk tales. The story begins as Noah's ark Noah’s Ark preserves Noah’s family and animals from flood. [O.T.: Genesis 6:7–9] See : Refuge comes to rest atop Mt. Ararat after the great flood. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the tale, Noah's wife sent out a thread that grew and grew, and multiplied and multiplied until it became the Tapestry of Life. This transformation is represented on stage by the entrance and display of exquisite Oriental rugs. The rugs are centered on classic Armenian motifs including gardens, temples, great darkness The Great Darkness is an uncertain term used by the ent Treebeard in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, apparently referring to the time that Middle-earth was under the dominion of Morgoth. , unconquered sun and the Tree of Life. Noor Oriental Rugs in Cambridge provided the featured rugs, many of which are museum quality. "Armenia was historically part of Persian culture," Mohammad Nooraee, owner and president of Noor Oriental Rugs, explained. "The rugs are intrinsic to the culture. Each rug has a story - a tradition - told uniquely by the weavers. Each knot, each motif, each thread and color has meaning and significance. One of the most spectacular rugs is the focus of the second act. It is a portrayal of the Tree of Life and the Fountain of Life The Fountain of Life, or in its earlier form the Fountain of Living Waters, is a Christian iconography symbol associated with baptism, first appearing in the 5th century in illuminated manuscripts and later in other art forms such as panel paintings. . The bottom of the rug shows colorful hills and mountains leading upward to the Fountain of Life from which emerges a graceful willow tree filling the field. "The Tree of Life is a classic motif in Oriental rugs. In Persian culture, paradise is portrayed as a magnificent and perfect garden," Mr. Nooraee said. "This is why we see so many floral designs in the rugs. The borders on the rugs represent the walls that ward off evil and safeguard the perfection of the garden. The central medallion, seen so often in Oriental Rugs, represents a pool of water." The production also features lush Armenian melodies and beautiful Georgian choral music. David Coffin leads the festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. , encouraging the audience to sing along. Patrick Swanson is the artistic director; George Emlen is the music director. Founded in 1971 by musician and educator John Langstaff John Langstaff (December 24, 1920 - December 13, 2005) was the founder of the Northeast United States tradition of the Christmas Revels, as well as a respected musician and educator. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music as well as Juilliard. In 1943 he married Diane Hamilton. , Revels, Inc. is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the preservation and performance of traditional folk materials from around the world with productions performed in 12 cities across the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts for over 20 years, Noor Oriental Rugs designs, produces, imports, appraises and interprets fine, hand-knotted Oriental Rugs, continuing an international family tradition that spans seven generations. For more information about The Christmas Revels, visit www.Revels.org; for more information about Noor Oriental Rugs, visit www.noororientalrugs.com. Note to Editors: Mr. Nooraee is available for interviews. Images of a variety of Oriental Rugs are available. Web Sites: www.revels.org www.noororientalrugs.com |
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