The musical programs of the "Kayt Cultural Center"


"Kayt Cultural Hub" is an interdisciplinary ecosystem that unites several organizations, dozens of artists and musicians, as well as hundreds of students to ensure the life cycle of Armenian culture, from preservation to development. The acquired knowledge and experience are transformed into tangible results: books, recordings and albums, films and videos, as well as public performances, handicrafts. Tatevik Shakhkulyan, Senior Researcher of the Music Department of the Institute of Arts of the National Academy of Sciences, Candidate of Arts, Conservatory Lecturer, spoke at "Artfocus" about the musical programs of the "Kayt Cultural Hub".

Yeghishe Charents' poems in a new way


The second volume of the academic edition of Yeghishe Charents' works has been published, which includes the poet's poems written between 1915 and 1931. How does this edition of poems differ from previous editions and what distinguishes Charents' poems written during this period? Literary critics Hayk Hambardzumyan and Arkmenik Nikoghosyan discuss these issues in the program "Parallel Readings".

Activities of the Markos Grigoryan Foundation


His works are presented in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate British Gallery, the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in Tehran. Painter, collector, gallerist, curator, actor, founder of the direction of earthen art in Armenian reality, whose works are sold for several hundred thousand dollars at the most popular art auctions. An artist who donated about 2,000 Iranian, Armenian, and European applied art samples to his homeland, Armenia. In "Artfocus", Anahit Margaryan talked with Michel Alaverdyan, director, curator, and art critic of the "Markos Grigoryan Foundation".

Literary 2025


The year was full of literary events, anniversaries, and new and important publications. The “Parallel Readings” program series covered almost all the important events of the literary year, presented the literary events, and presented various literary issues with thematic programs. In the last program of this year’s “Parallel Readings” program series, literary critics Hayk Hambardzumyan and Arkmenik Nikoghosyan summarize the literary 2025.

Vigen Galstyan


The exhibition “Currents of Modernism: Diaspora Armenian Art from the Iron Curtain to the Present” has opened at the National Gallery of Armenia. Presenting around 100 works by more than forty artists, the exhibition reveals the complex and often overlooked connections that formed in the mid-20th century between Soviet and Diaspora Armenian arts and artists. The exhibition’s curator, Vigen Galstyan, Head of the Exhibition Department of the National Gallery of Armenia, spoke at “Artfocus” about the exhibition and the important cultural events that took place at the National Gallery of Armenia in the past year.

Vahagn Ter-Hakobyan


Cinematographer Vahagn Ter-Hakobyan is convinced that one should always be a student in life, in order to grow and change. Art critic Anahit Margaryan spoke with Vahagn Ter-Hakobyan, founder and vice president of the Cinematographers Guild of Armenia.

Ruben Hakhverdyan: song and poetry


What artistic and poetic features do the lyrics of Ruben Hakhverdyan's songs have, what thematic directions do they have, can we consider those lyrics poems and why? Literary critics Hayk Hambardzumyan and Arkmenik Nikoghosyan discuss the topic on the "Parallel Readings" program.

The reopening of the National Center of Aesthetics Museum


Reopening of the Museum of the National Center of Aesthetics
In September, the Children's Art Museum of the National Center of Aesthetics named after Henrik Igityan officially reopened in its original, historical space. After renovation, functional reinterpretation and re-equipment, the National Center of Aesthetics today presents itself with a new spirit and opportunities. From now on, in the center, you can not only get acquainted with the works of art created by children, but also create independently. The center has an ambitious mission to create an innovative, inclusive and multifunctional cultural and educational space, where people of different ages, professions and interests can express themselves and develop through the transformative power of art. Anahit Margaryan spoke with the director of the center, artistic director of the Small Theater, director Vahan Badalyan.

Nothing is new under the sun: part 4


In 1937, Bishop Artak Smbatyants was arrested in the Yerevan prelacy. The investigative bodies tried in every way to extract charges against the Catholicos from him. The investigators were interested in the ties of Catholicos Muradbekyan with foreign countries. It was necessary to label the head of the church as a state traitor and agent. The main targets were the Primate of the Atrpatakan Diocese, Archbishop Nerses Melik-Tangyan, and the famous intellectual Arshak Chopanyan. The Catholicos' ties with Chopanyan, who lived in Paris, were described as "irrefutable evidence of espionage." In 1937, Bishop Smbatyants was shot. In 1955, he was acquitted due to the lack of evidence of the crime.
Source: RA Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Archives and National Archives

Nothing is new under the sun: part 3


By the decision of the Bolshevik government on November 17, 1921, the clergy were deprived of the right to vote and be elected, and the teaching of religious subjects in schools was prohibited. Article 6 of the constitution adopted on February 2, 1922, the church ceased to be a legal entity and had no right to acquire any property. This was followed by the seizure of movable and immovable property belonging to the church and their declaration as state property. In 1930, the monasteries of Sanahin and Sevan were dissolved. In 1933, the Geghard monastery was closed, and Ayrivan was also declared a closed archaeological site. As a result of persecution and repression, in 1938, only 7 clergy remained in the Mother See. Only the Mother Cathedral of St. Etchmiadzin was operational.
Source: RA Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Archives and National Archives

Red Ball


The music for the song “Red Ball” is by Vahe Hayrapetyan, accompanied by pianist Liana Torosyan.
The children, along with singer and songwriter Hasmik Baghdasaryan-Dolukhanyan, perform songs by contemporary Armenian composers, folk songs, and songs by Komitas. Hasmik Baghdasaryan-Dolukhanyan aims to popularize children’s songs by contemporary composers through children’s performances.

Day and Me


The music for the song “Day and Me” is by Argina Harutyunyan, accompanied by pianist Liana Torosyan. Puppeteer Aghasi Melkonyan, staging a small performance with the participation of children, makes the song more vivid and interesting.
The children, together with singer and songwriter Hasmik Baghdasaryan-Dolukhanyan, perform songs by contemporary Armenian composers, folk songs, and songs by Komitas. Hasmik Baghdasaryan-Dolukhanyan aims to popularize children’s songs by contemporary composers through children’s performances.