Arayik Harutyunyan, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office of Armenia and head of the steering committee responsible for organizing the 2027 La Francophonie Games, said on Friday that preparations are ongoing and highlighted the responsibility and honor of hosting the renowned event.

“Since joining the International Organization of La Francophonie [OIF], Armenia has consistently played an active role and remained committed to the core values of the Francophonie. In 2024, Armenia was selected to host the 10th International Francophonie Games in 2027. We have already begun preparations for hosting the Games. It is truly a great responsibility and a great honor. Through sport and culture, a unique platform is being created here for dialogue, mutual understanding, and solidarity,” Harutyunyan said at a press conference.

According to him, the Games to be held in Yerevan will have special symbolic significance, as they mark the 10th edition.

“It is also noteworthy that these Games will be held in a country where French is not an official language, which once again highlights the open and inclusive nature of the Francophonie,” he said.

Harutyunyan noted that the opening ceremony will take place at Republic Square in Yerevan, with the aim of making the Games unique—not limiting the ceremony to a stadium, but instead involving the entire city.

The Games, a combination of artistic and sporting events, will be held in Armenia from July 23 to August 1, 2027.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, also speaking at the press briefing, said that hosting the La Francophonie Games is a highly significant event for the country.

“We are on the eve of a very important event that opens up opportunities both for positioning Armenia and for hosting a major sporting and cultural celebration in our country. The best athletes will be represented at the Francophonie Games, while an open competition will be announced for the cultural categories. Overall, we expect to host around 4,000 participants,” Andreasyan said.