Armenia’s Gyumri hosts ‘Renaissance’ festival

Armenia’s Gyumri is hosting the 6^th international festival-contest of musicians ‘Renaissance.’

This year, the festival is marking the 135^th birthday anniversary of Armen Tigranyan, 140^th birthday anniversary of Sergey Rakhmaninov and 20^th anniversary of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.

The festival is aimed at advocating classical music, promoting friendship between performers from different nations and paving the way for new types of creative cooperation. In total, 2,700 performers from 33 countries are participating in the festival.

Raisa Mkrtchyan, who represents Gyumri, says that many of the participants have very beautiful voice.

“It is very good, but they should first of all perform songs by Armenian composers well. I am surprised at Armenian voices. Armenian air and water may account for that.”

Hmayak Durzaryan, a jury member for string instruments, has noticed an interesting change in people’s attitude this year.

“In previous years, both the participants and Gyumri residents used to be sad. We all were shedding tears when we heard the songs, recalling the earthquake. May be this is the reason why we have been able to overcome. But this year we have noticed a luster in people’s eyes.”