Armenia: Where classical music unites — Yerevan to host Eurovision Young Musi

Armenia will host the Eurovision Young Musicians 2026 on June 6, the birthday of the renowned composer Aram Khachaturian.

Since 1982, Eurovision Young Musicians has showcased Europe’s most exceptional young instrumentalists, offering performers aged 12–21 the opportunity to step onto an international stage at a pivotal moment in their artistic development.

The 2026 competition, featuring musicians from 11 countries, will see Armenia represented by 15-year-old flutist Elen Virabyan.

Speaking at a press conference, Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, said that hosting the competition is yet another opportunity to highlight the importance of classical art and to contribute to its promotion.

“The Government of the Republic of Armenia is pursuing a very active policy aimed at turning Armenia into a platform for various international tournaments, competitions, and events, which contribute to the country’s international positioning, making it more recognizable and visible, especially in the context of a significant increase in tourist flows. This year, there is about a 35% growth compared to the same period last year. In recent years, Armenia has become a platform for major sports and cultural events alike. I am glad that the classical Eurovision is joining this series,” the minister said.

Andreasyan emphasized that it is important to note that 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Yerevan Opera Theatre building, and that an anniversary committee has been established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia in order to make this important example of Armenian architecture and its history more visible.

The minister highlighted that the internationally anticipated competition will be held in the century-old building, at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.

The executive director of the Public Television Company of Armenia, Hovhannes Movsisyan, said that he believes the Eurovision Young Musicians contest, also referred to as “Classical Eurovision,” is not very well known among Eurovision competitions.

“We will try to make it more popular in Armenia through this event. We have been preparing for the event for two years, and I am grateful to the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia for providing most of the funding,” he said.

Speaking about the competition’s branding, Movsisyan noted that it was inspired by renowned Armenian painter Minas Avetisyan’s “Jajur.” The slogan of the 2026 contest is: Armenia: Where Classical Music Unites.

The Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra of the Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet will take part in the event.

Eleven countries will participate: Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Poland, Latvia, Sweden, and Armenia.

The international jury includes German conductor Julien Salemkour, Spanish flutist Eduard Belmar, conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra Roman Simović, and renowned Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan.