Conceived to honour the universal humanitarian principles embodied in Alan Hovhaness' 11th Symphony, "All Men are Brothers," "to express a positive faith in universal cosmic love as the only possible ultimate goal for man and nature," the "All Men are Brothers" run will begin in early June, 2009, symbolically in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, ending at the former Alan Hovhaness-Chakmakjian family home on Blossom Street in Arlington, Massachusetts, some 560 miles and three months later.

Martin Berkofsky is planning to run 10 miles each day with time out for fund-raising concerts for the Hovhaness Centre. Those interested are invited to run along with Mr. Berkofsky for a day, a mile, or any distance of their choice. Haroutioun Chakmakjian, Hovhaness' father, was known to be an energetic long-distance walker in his senior years, reportedly walking as much as 15 miles in a day.

At this time we are seeking logistic help along the planned route: from Washington, D.C. to the Boston area, Martin Berkofsky will run along the United States' Eastern Seaboard U.S. Route 1. Hosting for Mr. Berkofsky is needed for each day of the run, and venues for formal and informal concerts (churches, private homes with pianos, etc.,) are sought.

Please contact the Cristofori Foundation:

president AT cristofori.org, telephone 1-540-788-3356

(replace AT with @, changed here to prevent spamming.)

for further information, volunteer hosting, concert arrangement.

Martin Berkofsky's last marathon/concert tour was in 2003 when he celebrated his 60th birthday and recovery from cancer. "Celebrate Life Run" ( www.celebrateliferun.com ,) 880 miles between Tulsa, Oklahoma and Chicago, Illinois, raised over $80,000.00 for cancer research.

Please visit this site often as our plans develope.

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Photos below:

Martin Berkofsky at the Hovhaness/Chakmakjian home in Arlington, Massachusetts.

Martin Berkofsky: Celebrate Life Run.