President of the World Federation of International Music Competitions Didier Schnork named Khachaturian competition a great achievement

On June 6, 15th Khachaturian International Competition started. The opening ceremony was attended by the RA President Armen Sargsyan and Mrs. Nune Sargsyan, RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan. Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia, pianist Hayk Melikyan performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra playing Khachaturian’s Piano Concerto. The concert program also featured Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia from "Spartacus" Ballet, Bagatelle for Piano Trio and Orchestra by Georgs Pelecis, that were performed by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and Khachaturian Trio. The last composition sounded for the first time. The author, Georgs Pelecis, was Aram Khachaturian's student, and he had written this work especially for this event and presented it to the Khachaturian Trio and the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. During the solemn opening ceremony, the jury chairman of the Khachaturian Competition Vag Papian made a welcoming speech and wished all participants of the competition good luck. "It's a great achievement to carry out such international competition in Yerevan for 15 years. Not all competition have such a history.

Khachaturian Competition evolves year after year, reinforcing its reputation," said Vag Papian. The President of the World Federation of International Music Competitions Didier Schnork sent his welcoming speech to this event, naming Khachaturian Competition the greatest achievement. Aram Khachaturian's son, artist Karen Khachatryan also sent his welcoming speech to the competition. "The jubilee competition will feature talented pianists this year. The first competition, held in 2003, was also dedicated to pianists. I remember those days very well and I will never forget them. I hope this year the competition will be held at a highly professional level and the most talented young pianists will be awarded the honorable title of the winner. I wish the participants to be confident in their strength, and I wish the jury members of the competition productive work," wrote Karen Khachatryan.

Khachaturian International Competition is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions and is implemented according to international standards. The competition is held under the patronage of RA President's spouse Mrs. Nune Sargsyan, thanks to the joint efforts of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and “Aram Khachaturian-Competition” Cultural Foundation. The partner of the competition is the International Foundation for Educational, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation of the CIS.