European festivals Association

From 17 October to 18 November 2023, the G. Sundukyan National Academic Theatre organised the Yerevan International Theatre Festival. The festival aimed to introduce Armenian audiences to productions from top theatre groups worldwide, facilitate the internationalisation of Armenian theatres, and foster professional networking among cultural specialists. It received support from the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports and the Yerevan Municipality.

The festival's programme comprised international and national segments, featuring a total of 17 performances and attracting over 8,000 spectators. Notably, the international programme marked the debut of Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe in Armenia. Additionally, it showcased the renowned Alexandrinsky Theatre from St. Petersburg, Russia.

Among the international highlights, the Aleksander Węgierko Drama Theatre from Białystok, Poland, presented "Mrs. Pylinska and Chopin's Secret" by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt. Classical pieces were also part of the lineup, including "Othello" by Shakespeare, performed by Georgia's Liberty Theatre, and Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" by the Lit Moon theatre troupe from the USA.

The national programme featured a diverse array of Armenian theatres, including the Yerevan Theatre of Young Spectator, NCA Small Theatre, "Forma" theatre, and the G. Sundukyan National Theatre. Additionally, regional theatres, such as the Gyumri State Drama Theatre after Achemyan and the Artashat State Drama Theatre after Amo Kharazyan, showcased their talent in Yerevan.

The festival also included meetings and discussions with esteemed figures like Stephan Braunschweig, the artistic director of the Odéon Theatre, and Valeri Fokin, the artistic director of the Alexandrinsky Theatre. These sessions, open to students of professional universities, theatre experts, artists, and the general public, aimed to enrich the cultural dialogue surrounding theatre.