Over the years, Golden Apricot has welcomed some of the most influential figures of Iranian cinema, including Abbas Kiarostami, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Jafar Panahi, and Asghar Farhadi. This year, audiences will have the opportunity to meet the artist who stood behind the camera on many of the acclaimed films created by these masters.

Since the 1980s, Kalari has contributed to the production of more than 60 feature films, while his photography has been exhibited around the world. Widely regarded as one of the leading cinematographers of contemporary Iranian cinema, he has collaborated with some of the industry’s most celebrated directors.

Among the internationally acclaimed films shot by Kalari are Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation, Jafar Panahi’s Offside, Dariush Mehrjui’s Leila, and Abbas Kiarostami’s The Wind Will Carry Us.

The 23rd Golden Apricot International Film Festival will take place in Yerevan from July 12 to 19, 2026. This year’s edition will once again feature competitive and non-competitive programs showcasing films from around the world, including works presented at major international festivals such as Cannes and Berlin.

The festival will also bring together internationally recognized filmmakers, directors, actors, and industry professionals, creating a unique platform for cultural exchange, dialogue, and the sharing of new ideas with Armenian audiences.

Speaking at the session, Naira Kilichyan, Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation Division at Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, emphasized the importance Armenia places on cooperation between the state and civil society in the field of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding.

She noted that Armenia views such cooperation as a cornerstone of an effective and sustainable cultural policy. Kilichyan also highlighted that the ministry, through an open and transparent cultural policy, provides annual financial support to cultural non-governmental organizations through grant programs aimed at preserving, transmitting and promoting intangible cultural heritage in local communities.

Armenia’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Aram Hakobyan, reaffirmed that safeguarding intangible cultural heritage remains one of the priorities of the country’s cultural policy. He stressed the importance of understanding communities’ needs and ensuring the preservation of their cultural heritage.

During the session, the Armenian NGO Culture for Sustainable Development was accredited as a non-governmental organization providing advisory services to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, in recognition of its professional expertise in the field.

It became the second Armenian NGO to receive such accreditation. In 2020, the Hazarashen Armenian Center for Ethnological Studies was granted the same status.

The jury will be chaired by Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner, one of the leading voices of contemporary Austrian cinema. Her films have premiered at the Cannes and Venice film festivals and have earned international acclaim for their innovative approach to genre filmmaking.

Joining her is Mark Cousins, the Irish-Scottish film historian and director whose acclaimed documentary series The Story of Film: An Odyssey has become a landmark work in contemporary film criticism. Cousins is also the author of numerous books and documentary films dedicated to cinema.

Argentine actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, widely known for his leading role in Robin Campillo’s 2017 film BPM (Beats Per Minute), will also serve on the jury. His performance in the film earned him both César and Lumière awards.

The panel further includes Mark Peranson, a Canadian writer, producer, and veteran film curator. Peranson has served as programming director for the Berlin International Film Festival and the Locarno Film Festival, while his writings on cinema have appeared in leading publications such as Sight and Sound, Film Comment, and Cahiers du Cinéma.

Completing the jury is Shermin Langhoff, a German-Turkish theatre producer and artistic director of Berlin’s Maxim Gorki Theater since 2013. Under her leadership, the theatre has twice been named “Theatre of the Year” in Germany and has received numerous prestigious awards.

The 23rd Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival will take place from July 12 to 19, 2026. This year’s edition will once again feature a diverse selection of competition and non-competition programs showcasing films from around the world, including works that have premiered at major international festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and other leading cinematic platforms.

The festival is expected to welcome internationally renowned filmmakers, directors, actors, and industry professionals to Armenia, providing a unique platform for cultural exchange, dialogue, and the sharing of creative ideas with local audiences.

Over the past five years, the festival has contributed significantly to the growing interest in contemporary dance in Armenia. The increasing inclusion of contemporary dance productions in major state cultural events, as well as the rise in the number of dancers and choreographers, reflects the sector’s steady development.

A key component of this year’s program is SumMeet4Kids, launched in 2025. The initiative will be held in Gyumri, engaging young dancers under the guidance of choreographers Arthur Galimulin (Kazakhstan) and Maksim Minko (Russia). The performance created during the workshops will be presented in Gyumri. Participants will also take part in masterclasses and showcase their own works.

On June 23, audiences will be treated to two premieres by Saint Petersburg’s contemporary dance company Kannon Dance Theatre: Freya: The Paradigm of Love by Germany-based choreographer Lilit Hakobyan and Butterfly by renowned Norwegian choreographer Jo Strømgren.

In Freya: The Paradigm of Love, love is explored not merely as an emotion but as a force—dangerous, saving and revolutionary. The production asks what love means in today’s world: tenderness or weapon, salvation or battlefield. In a reality shaped by fear, alienation and destruction, the ability to love becomes an act of resistance.

Butterfly, meanwhile, reflects Jo Strømgren’s distinctive artistic language, characterized by intuition, subtle humor and unexpected narratives that have earned him international acclaim.

The festival will also feature the Armenian Showcase program, presenting works by Armenian contemporary dance artists. Performances will take place on June 27 at the Small Theatre and on June 28 at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography’s Student Theatre.

Within the framework of the CineDance project, three dance films will be screened: Komitas Songs, Towards a Thousand Lights and Asherah.

Komitas Songs was filmed in various locations across Armenia, including Lake Sevan and mountainous regions, and is currently being digitized from film.

Towards a Thousand Lights explores humanity’s inner struggle, the mysterious forces of nature and the search for self-discovery. The film follows an individual confronting personal limits, fears and instincts while seeking a path toward light.

The festival will also present a special one-time screening inspired by Mikhail Korol’s poem Songs of Holy Asherah. Reinterpreting the emergence of monotheism in ancient Canaan, the stage adaptation by choreographer Anna Ozerskaya presents the story as a sensual and paradoxical allegory balancing irony and sincerity. The production features 12 international dancers, was filmed in Sweden, and is set to music from the album Asherah by Leonid Fyodorov and Igor Krutogolov.

The festival aims to foster the sustainable development of contemporary dance in Armenia through international collaboration, educational programs and greater accessibility to cultural spaces, with a particular focus on supporting young creators.

According to the National Gallery of Armenia, the delegation included Alina Davey, Head of Sotheby’s Collectors Group for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Edward Gibbs, Chairman of Sotheby’s Middle East and India.

During a guided tour of the gallery, the guests were introduced to the institution’s key areas of activity, its rich cultural collections, and ongoing international projects.

The visit is expected to serve as an important platform for establishing effective cooperation between Sotheby’s and Armenia’s cultural institutions, strengthening professional ties, and promoting Armenia’s artistic heritage on the international stage. It also highlights the National Gallery’s unique role in preserving and studying global cultural heritage while bringing greater international recognition to Armenia’s rich artistic legacy.

Organized by the Hosq Foundation, the two-week creative residency will take place in Armenia from July 20 to August 2 under the theme “Rituals.” The laboratory is designed for artists working in sound, music, multimedia, installations, performance, and research.

Applications were submitted from countries across the globe, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Australia, India, China, Singapore, Vietnam, and many others, highlighting the growing international profile of the initiative, which is being held for only the second time.

A total of 65 participants will be selected, with 70 percent coming from Armenia and 30 percent from abroad. The laboratory will conclude with the Notations Music Festival on August 1–2, where participants will present newly created works at the Armenian State Philharmonia and the National Gallery of Armenia.

The inaugural Notations laboratory, held in 2025, brought together 60 artists and 22 curators from Armenia and nine other countries, resulting in 37 new creative projects, a documentary film, and a vinyl record.

The intensive AI Filmmaking Workshop, organized in partnership with the Lumiverse platform, aims to strengthen the connection between film production and emerging technologies.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the global entertainment and creative industries, the new GAIFF Pro initiative will provide film professionals with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in contemporary AI-driven production methods under the guidance of leading experts.

The workshop will take place from July 13 to 15 and will conclude with a special screening on July 16. Participants will work alongside AI specialists Vahan Setoyan and Lilit Barseghyan.

Rather than focusing on theoretical discussions, the program is designed as an immersive creative experience. On the first day, participants will receive a screenplay and, over the course of three days, will collaboratively produce and edit a short film using professional AI tools and software. The completed project will be presented as part of GAIFF Pro on July 16.

“Projects created with artificial intelligence and AI-powered workflows have already become an integral part of our industry. We should not ignore these changes but instead find ways to incorporate them into film production ethically and effectively,” said Nare Leone Ter-Gabrielyan, Head of GAIFF Pro. “This workshop serves exactly that purpose by offering a direct and practical learning experience.”

AI specialist Vahan Setoyan emphasized the importance of keeping pace with technological developments.

“Artificial intelligence is evolving at such a rapid speed that traditional educational systems often struggle to keep up. It is therefore crucial that industry professionals acquire this knowledge as early as possible and to the greatest extent possible,” he said.

The program is intended exclusively for established film industry professionals, including directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, and representatives of other filmmaking disciplines who possess professional experience and are familiar with industry terminology.

According to the Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation, the international jury will include distinguished musicians from around the world: Denis Severin (Switzerland), Martti Rousi (Finland), Miha Riho (Republic of Korea), Josephine Knight (United Kingdom), Levon Muradyan (Armenia/Portugal), Gregorio Nieto (Venezuela), and Victor-Julien Laferrière (France).

The competition will take place from June 6 to 13 and will consist of three rounds. The winner will be announced during the awards ceremony and gala concert on June 13. In keeping with tradition, the mandatory repertoire for participants includes works by Aram Khachaturian.

The Khachaturian International Competition aims to discover talented young musicians, provide them with opportunities for professional growth, and promote Aram Khachaturian’s cultural legacy worldwide.

The competition is organized by the Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation with the support of Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

The strategic partner of the competition is Freedom Broker Armenia, while the Yerevan Municipality serves as sponsor. Partners include VISA and Acba Bank.

The Khachaturian International Competition is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC).

The exhibition featured works by Armen Hakobjanyan, Gayane Avetisyan, Astghik Petrosyan, Gohar Sargsyan and Andronik Khachiyan. The artists were presented at the prestigious fair for the first time through an initiative curated by the hosq Foundation.

This year’s VIMA Art Fair brought together more than 150 artists from 20 countries, as well as 26 galleries. The event included exhibitions, discussions and interactive programs across Limassol, Nicosia and other cities.

According to the organizers, the Armenian stand attracted strong interest from collectors and art professionals, with most of the exhibited works finding buyers during the fair.

Following the event, works by Armen Hakobjanyan continue to be showcased at the renowned bbf:design studio in Limassol, where they are displayed in various interior settings and remain available for acquisition.

Curator Andronik Khachiyan said the fair provided an important opportunity to present Armenian contemporary art to international collectors, curators and gallery representatives, noting that the response and interest in future collaborations were highly encouraging.

He died at his home in Woodstock, New York, on Monday afternoon according to a statement from his publicist, who called him “one of the most honored and influential figures in American music”.

Rollins had a prolific career that began in the late 1940s. He worked with artists including Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane and released more than 60 albums as a band leader. He won two Grammys before respiratory illness forced him to retire in 2014.

The cause of his death has not been announced.

A 2009 quote of his accompanied the announcement of his death: “I think when the creative person ends, he continues in the next existence.

“I’m a person who believes this life isn’t the be-all and end-all of everything. A spiritual person doesn’t feel like that.”