LENGTH: 254 words
DATELINE: Yerevan November 8
Alexander Avanesov. Foreign musicians will continue their work in Armenia. At the November 8 sitting, the RA government decided to allocate 48.4 million drams to pay their fees.
According to Acting Minister of Culture of Armenia Lilit Makunts, the National Philharmonic Orchestra periodically invites leading foreign musicians, which enhances not only the professionalism of the orchestra, but also the image of Armenia in the international arena.
Earlier this issue was handled by the ''Luys'' Foundation, however, after its liquidation, the state assumed the costs of their maintenance. Acting Minister stressed that we are talking about six musicians employed in the orchestra. Moreover, funds will be allocated only for the current year. In the future, Lilit Makunts promised to find funds from alternative sources foreign funds, grants and donations.
The proposal of the Ministry of Culture raised concerns about Acting Minister of Finance of Armenia Atom Janjughazyan, who pointed out that the initiative of the Ministry of Culture would be an additional burden on the budget. He recalled that according to the draft basic law of the country for 2019, funds for these purposes are not provided at all. "It would not have happened later that in 6 months you will begin to demand new financial investments," the country's chief financier expressed his concern.
In response, Makunts again promised to find alternative sources of financing in the future.
To note, we are talking mainly about musicians invited from Russia and Spain.