A cooperation agreement was signed recently in Yerevan between the A. Spendiaryan National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the Sofia Opera and Ballet.

The agreement was signed by Karen Durgaryan, director of the Yerevan Opera Theatre, and Plamen Kartaloff, general manager of the Sofia Opera and Ballet.

The document will lay the foundation for the development of long-term and systematic cooperation between the two prominent cultural institutions, including the exchange of professional experience and information, joint initiatives, implementation of cultural programs, and expansion of creative ties between the two theatres.

The parties plan to organize bilateral meetings and professional discussions, support cultural events initiated by each other, and involve representatives of the partner theatre in their performances and other projects.

The cooperation agreement will provide an opportunity to further intensify creative and professional ties between the Yerevan and Sofia opera theatres while contributing to the development of cultural dialogue and international cooperation between Armenia and Bulgaria.

Bulgarian Ambassador to Armenia Nikola Nikolov attended the signing ceremony.

The Armenian government will allocate 600 million drams ($1.65 million) to reconstruct and renovate the running track and necessary infrastructure at Hrazdan Stadium ahead of the 2027 Jeux de la Francophonie, the 10th Francophone Games, which Armenia will host.

The funding was approved at the Cabinet meeting on September 24 as part of the consent agenda.

Given the urgency of the procurement, the government approved a single-source procedure without competitive bidding, with the contract to be signed with GTS Construction LLC, which is currently building the Artur Abraham Sports Complex.

The contract with the contractor will not include the rubber running-track surface or the asphalt or concrete base layers required for its installation. Those works will be carried out by another organization through a separate procurement procedure. The government notes that foreign manufacturers, suppliers and specialized organizations may need to be involved in those works.

The contractor will be required to provide contract performance and qualification security, each amounting to 5% of the total contract value.

According to a technical assessment of Hrazdan Stadium, the venue can accommodate around 21,566 spectators during events. The southern and northern stands may be used at 50% capacity, while the western stand may be used at full capacity. Only the first 11 rows of the eastern stand may be used. Spectators will not be allowed in the upper tiers.

As state funds will be used to improve privately owned infrastructure, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports must submit a draft to the government within three months setting out the conditions for using the stadium for state programs over the next 20 years.

The stadium is also planned to host Armenian championships, international competitions and concerts, as well as training sessions of the Olympic Youth Athletics Sports School.

The 24th HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival, held under the title “Festivally Yours!,” will take place in Yerevan from October 1 to 8.

According to Armenpress, more than 200 artists from China, Italy, the United States, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania, Russia, the Netherlands and other countries will participate in the festival.

For the first time in the region, HFPAM (HIGH FEST Performing Arts Market), an international regional performing arts market, will be launched. The three-day program is expected to bring together up to 30 foreign experts, directors and representatives of international festivals. Representatives of several Armenian theatres will also participate, giving them an opportunity to present their work and projects to international professionals.

This year’s program includes international productions such as “Cosmic Journey” by Compagnia Luca Piallini (Italy), “Pothos” by Gaspard & Dancers (United States), “The Story of One Photograph” by the State Theatre of Nations (Russia), “A Brief History of Counterculture” by (Re)boot Theatre (Portugal), and others.

The festival will open with “Cosmic Journey,” an open-air performance by Compagnia Luca Piallini of Italy.

HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival has been included in the European Festivals Association’s list of 24 festivals recognized by the EFFE Awards.

The festival is supported by the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports and Yerevan City Hall.

The Armenian government approved a joint program with the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) Armenia branch to construct and subsequently maintain an educational complex in Vardenis, Gegharkunik Province.

The project was presented at a Cabinet meeting by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan.

The educational complex will include a 700-seat general education school, a 150-place preschool building comprising a 100-place kindergarten and a 50-place preschool, as well as a 60-place community-based day center for children.

According to Andreasyan, the need to construct new buildings for Vardenis High School and Secondary School No. 3 had already been identified as part of the “300 Schools” program. The two institutions serve around 700 children.

At the same time, AMAA Armenia had acquired a plot of land adjacent to the schools to build a 300-seat school, a 150-place preschool facility and a 60-place day center. As a result of discussions, it was decided to combine the efforts of the public and private sectors: AMAA Armenia will maintain its commitment to a facility for 300 students, while the government will co-finance the creation of an additional 400 places.

The construction of the school building for 400 students will be co-financed from the state budget by up to 1.67 billion drams.

“In September 2029, both schoolchildren and preschool-age children in Vardenis will have the opportunity to attend a fully equipped educational complex with modern facilities,” Andreasyan said.

The State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia and Reincarnation Orchestra will perform the “Symphonic Reincarnation” concert on September 25 at the Garni Temple.

The concert will be conducted by Sergey Smbatyan, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia.

The concert is part of Reincarnation Orchestra’s global Awakening tour.

The tour aims to bring people living in different cities closer to Armenian music and culture by presenting the band’s songs in a symphonic arrangement.

At each concert, Reincarnation Orchestra will perform with an orchestra based in the respective city.

“Our songs carry different memories and feelings for people living in different countries. Through Awakening, we want to present this music in a new sound and bring people together around it. Performing with the Symphony Orchestra in Garni is special for us. We are looking forward to this meeting,” said Roland Gasparyan, the vocalist of Reincarnation Orchestra.

Following the Garni concert, the Awakening tour will continue in Los Angeles and Moscow. Reincarnation Orchestra will also perform with orchestras based in those cities.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin met Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia Gurgen Arsenyan.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The sides exchanged views on current issues in bilateral relations, as well as cooperation between Moscow and Yerevan within the framework of Eurasian integration associations.

Galuzin and Arsenyan reaffirmed their mutual readiness to continue substantive discussions on the prospects for Armenian-Russian relations within the framework of interstate dialogue.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 24 September, USD exchange rate down by 0.06 drams to 363.38 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.67 drams to 413.31 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0498 drams to 4.2722 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.44 drams to 480.72 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 535 drams to 50055 drams.