" In Balto's Footprints in Alaska "
An extraordinary story and challenge transported
In a live multimedial concert - show
By Ararad Khatchikian


…..in the month of January in 1925, a heroic relay of 20 mail carriers with sleds pulled by extraordinairy dogs transported from Nenana ( the last village reachable by train on the route to Nome in the State of Alaska – USA ) in a little more than 5 days, a cylindrical package containing the diphtheria antitoxin to save the children and the Community of Nome on the Bering Sea in Alaska ( USA ) situated more than 650 miles (1100 Km.) away !

A lethal epidemic of diphtheria affected the little town which had been put in quarantine to avoid the spread of the infection. Thanks only to the courage of those men and their exceptional dogs, it had been possible to prevent a catastrophe.

Among the more than 160 dogs which formed the 20 dog teams which passed one to the other the precious medicines package, there was one whose name would have quickly become the symbol of that extraordinary gesture of solidarity between men and animals. His name was BALTO, it was a humble half breed dog and with Foxy led the last team of 13 dogs driven by Gunnar Kaasen who performed the vital delivery to Nome’s Hospital in a frigid night of February. 78 years later, in 2003, a “ musher “ ( the sleddog team driver ) Italian – Armenian by origin living in the town of Tarvisio, ARARAD KHATCHIKIAN travelled again the entire trail from Nenana to Nome with his team of 12 dogs to revive that amazing episode, meet its witnesses and honour all the participants ( both men and dogs ) of that challenge. He is also a singer – song writer and guitarist. During his Alaskan challenge he also played his adventure songs at each of the 20 remote villages located along the route, to thousand of students and Native American Indian and Eskimo people living there ! Once back in Italy he produced a

1 ) Film documentary for the Italian National TV RAI, wrote a

2 ) Diary – Book published by the ERI – MONDADORI publishing Co. combined with a musical Cd of his songs, put back together his musical Band “ Ararad “ with some great Friulian musicians and created the

3 ) Live Multimedial Concert - Show entitled “ In Balto’s footprints in Alaska “ with his music, his tales and a spectacular video show ! With his Band, this musical show also won the contest “ Playing at the Folkest Festival 2005 “. More infos in his web site www.ararad.net

The live show, costs Euro 1800 tax included + the travel expenses for a minibus and truck for the gear +( if the place is more than 300 Km roundtrip from Tarvisio ) food and eventual lodging for 7 people.

Ararad can also perform as a soloist with Guitar and voice + video costs Euro 600 + tax and travel – room and board for 3 people. Off course the show with the entire Band – as performed regularly – is much more spectacular !!

The price includes also all our technical Sound and Video show equipment capable to address the sound and images in a very clean way, in halls until 500 persons.

If interested in the Show please contact Ararad at

SCUOLA INTERNAZIONALE MUSHING ( S.I.M. )
Via Verdi 21
33010 Fusine in Valromana - Tarvisio ( UD )
Tel. / Fax 0428 - 651331 tel. 348 - 2685867
Sito web : www.ararad.net e mail : ararad@ararad.net
Partita Iva : 02219690308

Ararad Khatchikian short biography

Ararad Khatchikian is born in the Sahara Desert in Khartoum ( Sudan ) from Armenian Father and Italian Mother. In the Armenian Language his name “ Ararΰd “ means “ where the sun rises up – the sunrise “ from the ancient idioma “ ωr ardω “ meaning “ where the morning comes from “. He moves with his Family to Italy in Gorizia in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and after a trip in Alaska with his brother Armen develops an interest for those Territories and its People. He alternates his job as a Sleddog / Mushing Sport Instructor at the International Mushing School of Fusine – Tarvisio ( Udine - Italy ) with his job as a Organic Farmer and Organic Restaurant owner. He participates with his Dogs to almost all the most important Sleddog – Mushing Races and challenges in the World. He is also the Responsible for the Promotion and for the Sleddog Schools in Italy, as well as Regular Member of the Italian National Team in the Mid and Long Distance categories, of the Italian Musher Sleddog Sport Federation F.I.M.S.S.. Guitarist and song writer with several recordings done, he narrates in music his…” white “ adventures too in live touring shows with his Band “ Ararad “ and some of his musicians : Mario Cogno (bass), Roby Colella (banjo and pedal steel guitar), J.P. Morsut (percussions), Francesca Vittorio (vocals), and occasionally Nevio Zaninotto (sax)
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