Artists, art managers and public figures in the "ARTFOCUS" pavilion discuss the most important events in the art world, the transformations of art, and issues concerning modern artists.
 
Author and Moderator: Anahit Margaryan
 
Director: Vardges Manukyan

 

 

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.

Armenia has chosen the winner of the prestigious Goncourt literary prize


Last year, Armenia selected its laureate of the prestigious Goncourt literary prize, French-Rwandan writer and singer Gael Fay, for his new novel Jacaranda. With this, Armenia officially became the 39th country to join the international Goncourt selection with its student jury and gain the opportunity to participate in global literary processes. At the Francofest, which will take place on November 15, Nymeg will present the Armenian edition of Jacaranda. Anahit Margaryan spoke with Ani Hakobyan, head of literary programs at Nymeg Publishing House, and Manu Iritsyan, responsible for multimedia content, about the Goncourt prize, Gael Fay’s bestseller, Francofest, books, printing, and literary marketing at Artfocus.

The International Organ Music Festival was held for the third time


In 2022, the long-standing dream of the founder of the Armenian organ school, the late Vahagn Stamboltsyan, was realized in Armenia. The International Organ Music Festival was organized on the initiative of the National Center for Chamber Music and with the support of the Armenian Chamber Music Society. This year, the festival is being held for the third time. It kicked off on September 24 with a concert dedicated to Komitas. From September to December, the best masters of organ art perform in Armenia. Art critic Anahit Margaryan spoke with Armen Sukiasyan, artistic director of the International Organ Music Festival and deputy director of the National Center for Chamber Music, about the festival and organ art in “Artfocus”.

Jansem: The Master of the Live Line


This year marks the 105th anniversary of the birth of Jean Jansem, one of the outstanding figures of French modern art. The National Gallery of Armenia presented a large-scale exhibition entitled “Jansem: Master of the Living Line,” which includes more than 120 works by Jansem. The exhibition and Jansem’s art were discussed at “Artfocus” by the curators of the exhibition: Vigen Galstyan, head of the exhibition department of the National Gallery, and Nune Tadevosyan, head of the graphics department of the National Gallery.

Honored Ballet Artist Suzanna Pirumyan


Ballet dancer Syuzanna Pirumyan has been an artist of the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theater since the age of 18. She has been the theater's leading soloist for about twenty years. For years, she has been involved in the development of Armenian ballet and the education of a new generation. Art critic Anahit Margaryan's guest at "Artfocus" is Honored Artist, ballet dancer Syuzanna Pirumyan.

Hayrik Muradyan 120


Hayrik Muradyan bridged time with his life and work, forming a living connection between generations and transmitting values ​​that shape our identity. A concert dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Hayrik Muradyan, a connoisseur of Armenian song, performer of traditional songs, folklorist and ethnographer, will be held at the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. Anahit Margaryan's guest at "Artfocus" is the president of the "Hayrik Muradyan" NGO, violinist, Narine Delalyan.

Armenia in the spotlight at the Design Biennale


Painting, graphics, photography, industrial, graphic and museum design. These are the directions where Kamo Nigaryan has left his mark. Armenia was in the spotlight at the Saint-Etienne International Design Biennale, held in France from May 22 to July 6. Curator, museologist, scientific secretary of the Museum of Literature and Art Marine Haroyan and one of the curators of the Armenian pavilion at the 13th Saint-Etienne International Design Biennale, founder of the “AHA” collective, art critic Nayiri Khachaturyan spoke about the exhibition and Kamo Nigaryan’s revolutionary approaches to art and museum design at “Artfocus”. The program was hosted by Anahit Margaryan.

"Golden Apricot" 2025


For more than 20 years, the Golden Apricot has been the region's most influential and internationally recognized film festival. It screens films that represent the emotions, actions, and lives of people of different nations and faiths. Art critic Anahit Margaryan spoke with Karen Avetisyan, the artistic director of the Golden Apricot Film Festival, in Artfocus.

The National Gallery after renovation


The National Gallery officially reopened on April 15 with a new look, modern solutions and diverse programs. The renovation began in 2021. The ventilation systems were changed and modernized, new elevators were installed, and the museum's exposition was changed. In parallel, other branches of the gallery were renovated. Anahit Margaryan spoke with Vigen Galstyan, head of the exhibition department of the National Gallery, about the changes taking place in the National Gallery and the development of the museum.

Educational programs of the Ayb "Rockers" orchestra


The educational concert of the Ayb School's "Rockers" orchestra on the theme "Visual Art in Rock" will take place at the Puppet Theater. The orchestra will perform works that represent the interaction of fine arts and rock culture. The upcoming concert and the topic of in-depth art education in general schools were discussed at "Artfocus" by Vahagn Papayan and Erik Aloyan, heads of the Ayb School's project-based learning club "Rockers".

What does modern Yerevan look like?


"Snkh" studio presented the concept for the reconstruction and modernization of the "HayArt" Museum of Contemporary Art at the exhibition "Without a Doubt" in Venice. What will the "HayArt" building and the adjacent area look like if the "Snkh" studio project is implemented? In "Artfocus", Anahit Margaryan spoke with architects Ashot and Armine Snkhchyan.

"HayArt"'s Content Struggles


"HayArt" as a museum of contemporary art, from the day it was founded in 1985 to the present day, is perhaps one of the most troubled cultural structures in the history of Armenia. The building of the Center for Contemporary Art has periodically undergone absurd changes in content. Now they are trying to solve these problems. Anahit Margaryan spoke with Sona Harutyunyan, the acting director of "HayArt" in "Artfocus".