A message from our founder and general director, Vagram Saradjian:
Dear friends, colleagues, and students!
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the beautiful city of Yerevan!
Founded in 782 BC, 29 years earlier than Rome, Yerevan is a very modern and colorful city with rich history. It is also where I was born, and despite the fact that my life and career have taken me away, I have always been connected to my roots. Today, I am very happy to introduce you to my motherland and to gather for wonderful moments of music-making together.
One of the six oldest countries in the world, and the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion (in 301 AD), Armenia is located on the crossroads between east and west. It has long been a strategic point and a meeting ground for large empires. Throughout history, Romans, Iranians, Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, and Mongols all passed through Armenia, having left their influences. Despite that, Armenia has a very strong presence of its own identity preserved through language, religion, architecture and culture that are all interconnected.
Often referred to as an “Open Air Museum”, Armenia is rich with historic sites dating back to the 900s BC with over 4,000 monasteries and churches. It is also home to many rivers, lakes and mountains.
In addition to spiritual nourishment, Armenia offers a great variety of traditional and international food and drink. Famous for the best tasting apricots in the world, rightfully carrying its name - Prunus Armenicus, Armenia attracts with warm hospitality and sunshine!
I sincerely hope that you will enjoy your stay and time spent with us at the Aragats International Music Festival. I am certain that the friendly and creative atmosphere will have you leave the place with new impressions and valuable experiences.
