AGP Executive Report

Artsakh Culture: Two Karabakh ensembles have been dropped from a Vienna festival after foreign embassies reportedly intervened, prompting cultural figures to call the decision politicized and urge organizers to reconsider. Music: Armenian pianist and musicologist Şahan Arzruni has died in New York at 83. A lifelong advocate for Armenian music, he brought works by Komitas and other composers to audiences worldwide. COP17 and Education: As Yerevan hosts the UN biodiversity summit, a discussion urged Armenia to make biodiversity and sustainability part of school curricula and teacher training. Heritage: The government plans to spend 148.5 billion drams to acquire two rare manuscripts for the Matenadaran, while the next phase of Tsitsernakaberd memorial improvements is due by year’s end. Film: Five Armenian short films featured at the 2026 Kutaisi International Short Film Festival, including Ines Karapetyan’s Dalila, praised for its striking visuals and layered themes.

Artsakh Culture: The participation of two Artsakh folk music and dance ensembles in a Vienna festival was cancelled after, organizers say, several foreign embassies intervened and labelled the groups “dangerous.” Artsakh cultural advocates say the ensembles preserve the region’s living heritage. Film & Nature: Yerevan’s SunChild Environmental Festival opened on Oct. 23 with screenings and events on biodiversity, running alongside COP17 through Oct. 30. Manuscripts: Armenia’s government approved 148.5 billion drams to acquire two historically significant manuscripts for the Matenadaran, including a 14th-century collection from Cilician Armenia. Language & Learning: A story by Artsakh writer Ashot Beglaryan, inspired by the 2016 war, has joined Armenia’s 11th-grade Russian-language textbook. A new essay also argues that Russian and English sentence patterns are subtly reshaping modern Eastern Armenian. Academic Exchange: Armenia and Turkey have agreed on university student exchanges, expanding academic cooperation as the neighbours pursue normalisation. Dilijan: Green Rock’s multifunctional complex won a five-star International Property Award, recognising its mix of hospitality, cultural venues, education and public space.

Film & Nature: Yerevan’s 14th SunChild International Environmental Festival opened with screenings, discussions and educational events, bringing filmmakers and conservation advocates together through October 30 during COP17. Cultural Heritage: The government approved 148.5 billion drams to acquire two historic manuscripts for the Matenadaran, including a 1353 manuscript copied in Cilician Armenia and a 1695 Gospel from New Julfa. Education & Exchange: Armenia and Turkey have agreed to student exchanges, with university students from each country set to study across the border as normalization talks continue. Armenian-American Heritage: A U.S. House bill proposes cataloguing and digitizing Library of Congress materials on Armenian Americans and creating educational resources and an exhibition. Language: A new essay argues that Russian and English sentence patterns are quietly reshaping modern Eastern Armenian, and urges renewed attention to the language’s native structures.

Manuscripts: Armenia’s government approved 148.5 billion drams to acquire two historic manuscripts for the Matenadaran, including a 14th-century work by famed Cilician Armenian scribe Sargis Pitsak. School & Memory: Artsakh writer Ashot Beglaryan’s story based on the 2016 war has been added to an 11th-grade Russian-language textbook. Memorials: The second phase of Tsitsernakaberd’s renovation is due to finish by year’s end, with officials planning the next stage of work. Music: Armenian-Canadian singer Raffi marks 50 years since his children’s music breakthrough with a new album and a reissue planned for November. Film: Five Armenian shorts by women filmmakers screened at Georgia’s Kutaisi International Short Film Festival, exploring family conflict, children’s rights and relationships.

Armenian Heritage: The second phase of renovations at the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial is expected to finish by year’s end, with officials emphasizing visitor safety and preserving the site’s quality. Music: Armenian-born children’s singer Raffi marks 50 years since his debut album with a new release, “Love Is Everywhere,” celebrating individuality and democracy. Young Innovators: Two Armenian students, aged 12 and 14, developed an affordable underwater robot to help explore and document cultural heritage; their project placed among the top 10 at the World Robot Olympiad. Contemporary Art: A California exhibition brought together 48 Armenian artists from Armenia, France and the United States, showcasing a range of styles and perspectives. Education and Exchange: Armenia and Turkey have agreed to university student exchanges as the two countries pursue closer academic ties and normalization.

COP17 and Amulsar: Environmentalist Anna Shahnazaryan says she was briefly blocked from entering Yerevan’s biodiversity summit before delivering a keynote on opposition to the Amulsar mine and pressure on women activists. Armenian NGOs have also condemned the project as a threat to biodiversity, as delegates face warnings that global nature targets are slipping behind. Student Exchanges: Armenia and Turkey have agreed to university exchanges as they pursue closer ties, with Armenian officials saying the border could reopen sooner than expected. Armenian Studies: A new agreement with Ghent University will support courses and events on Armenian culture and history. Wine Heritage: French magazine SommelierS International spotlighted Armenia’s ancient winemaking traditions, indigenous grapes and karas clay vessels as the country builds its profile abroad.

COP17 and Nature: Yerevan’s UN biodiversity summit is putting conservation in the spotlight, but more than 40 Armenian NGOs condemn the launch of the Amulsar mine. Artsakh residents are also urging diplomats to raise forced displacement and protect cultural heritage. Heritage at Risk: A new report warns that looters are stripping ancient sites in Aragatsotn, often without facing prosecution. Armenian Wine: A French sommelier magazine has highlighted Armenia’s winemaking heritage, indigenous grapes and traditional karas clay vessels as the industry seeks a wider international audience. Armenian Studies: Armenia’s education ministry and Ghent University signed an agreement to offer courses on Armenian history and culture, alongside seminars and research events.

Armenian Wine: A French sommelier magazine is spotlighting Armenia’s ancient wine culture, indigenous grapes such as Areni and Voskehat, and traditional karas clay vessels as the industry builds an international profile. Amulsar Dispute: More than 40 NGOs condemned the start of mine development during COP17, warning of risks to biodiversity; protesters have also challenged restrictions on their demonstrations in Yerevan. Artsakh Heritage: Artsakh residents appealed to Swiss, Italian and British diplomats to raise forced displacement, cultural heritage protection and the right of return at COP17. Armenian Studies: Armenia’s education ministry and Ghent University signed an agreement to offer courses on Armenian culture and history and develop related academic events. Protecting the Past: A report warns that looting at archaeological sites remains largely unpunished, even as researchers work to uncover Armenia’s ancient history.

COP17 and Amulsar: Yerevan’s UN biodiversity summit is drawing attention to a clash between conservation promises and the government-backed Amulsar gold mine. Protesters say mining threatens water and wildlife; some reported being blocked from demonstrating at the venue. Biodiversity: Armenia and Colombia launched a coalition with 15 other countries to help recover endangered species, backed by a new alliance pledging more than $500 million over five years. Air Travel: Armenia plans to turn the historic Zvartnots airport building into a passenger terminal as part of wider airport development through 2031. Education: Officials say planning is advancing for Academic City, including a master plan, university partnerships and estimated infrastructure costs. Opera: Plácido Domingo joined a Yerevan gala honoring Armenian tenor Gegham Grigoryan on what would have been his 75th birthday; Grigoryan’s children, soprano Asmik Grigorian and conductor Vardan Grigoryan, also took part.

COP17 in Yerevan: Nearly 200 countries have opened biodiversity talks as global nature targets fall behind. Armenia presented its School Meals program as a model linking healthy eating with environmental education. Amulsar Dispute: Activists called for the gold mine’s closure and a new environmental review, with tensions reported between protesters and police. Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said expert studies indicate limited impacts but acknowledged he could not guarantee there would be no risk. Education: A human rights monitoring visit to Yerevan Special School No. 17 found gaps in accessibility and in pedagogical and psychological support for students with special needs. Armenian Traditions: A scholar reflects on karasunk, the 40-day period observed after birth and death, and how it helps families mark life’s major transitions. Arts and Heritage: Placido Domingo joined a Yerevan gala honoring late opera star Gegham Grigoryan, while UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany visited Zvartnots Cathedral and the Matenadaran.

COP17 in Yerevan: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the UN biodiversity conference’s opening, featuring the film Trajectory and a presentation on nature and culture. Activists are also urging delegates to connect conservation with human rights and protect environmental defenders. Education & Exchange: Armenia and Kyrgyzstan signed cooperation agreements covering education, science and student exchanges, alongside a plan to protect Lakes Sevan and Issyk-Kul. Learning in Gyumri: Hayastan All-Armenian Fund and TUMO will open a TUMO Box in Gyumri’s Mush district, expanding creative and technology education for young people. Western Armenian: A new analysis explores how Armenia could become a stronger home for the diaspora language, as speakers and institutions navigate its place alongside Eastern Armenian.

Youth & Education: The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund and TUMO are bringing a TUMO Box to Gyumri’s Mush district, expanding creative and technology learning for teens aged 12–18. COP17 & Nature: Yerevan hosts the UN biodiversity conference from October 19, as experts urge stronger action and meaningful community participation. Armenian activists say the Amulsar mine’s launch raises questions about environmental protection and public dissent. Language & Heritage: A new essay asks whether Armenia can become a living home for Western Armenian, tracing how diaspora speakers are navigating life and language in Yerevan. Arts & Culture: Plácido Domingo joined a gala at Yerevan’s Opera and Ballet Theatre honoring tenor Gegham Grigoryan’s 75th anniversary. UNESCO chief Khaled El-Enany also visited Zvartnots Cathedral as Armenia and UNESCO discussed deeper cultural cooperation.

Education: Hayastan All-Armenian Fund and TUMO are bringing a TUMO Box to Gyumri’s Mush district, giving 12- to 18-year-olds greater access to creative and technology education. Language and Identity: A new essay asks whether Armenia can become a living home for Western Armenian, as diaspora speakers navigate belonging and everyday life in an Eastern Armenian-speaking country. Heritage and Opera: UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany visited Zvartnots Cathedral, while Plácido Domingo joined a Yerevan gala honoring late tenor Gegham Grigoryan. COP17 and Nature: Armenia and Colombia have launched a species-recovery coalition at the Yerevan biodiversity summit; meanwhile, environmental advocates say the opening of the Amulsar gold mine near Jermuk clashes with the conference’s conservation message.

Cultural Heritage: UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany visited Zvartnots Cathedral as Armenia and UNESCO pledged to deepen cooperation on culture, education and heritage. UN chief António Guterres also praised the preservation of Armenian manuscripts during his visit to the Matenadaran. Opera: Plácido Domingo joined a Yerevan gala honoring tenor Gegham Grigoryan’s 75th anniversary, sharing the stage with Grigoryan’s children, soprano Hasmik Grigoryan and conductor Vardan Grigoryan. Biodiversity: Armenia and Colombia launched a 17-country coalition at COP17 to help recover endangered species, alongside a philanthropic initiative pledging more than $500 million over five years. Education and Culture: Armenia and Kyrgyzstan signed cooperation agreements covering education and science; Yerevan and Bishkek also became sister cities, with culture among the planned areas of collaboration. Armenian Studies: Fresno State marks 50 years of its formal Armenian Studies Program, which has introduced thousands of students to Armenian history, language and culture.

Cultural Heritage: UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Yerevan’s Matenadaran, praising the preservation of Armenian manuscripts as a contribution to world heritage. His COP17 visit also included TUMO, where he met students and learned about its creative technology programs. Francophonie Games: Armenia is preparing to host the 10th International Francophonie Games in Yerevan from July 23 to August 1, 2027, bringing together sport, culture and youth from across the Francophone community. Education: Kyrgyz officials have expressed interest in adapting parts of Armenia’s school model, including its 12-year system, TUMO centers and AI programs. Armenian Diaspora: Actor Joe Manganiello’s new memoir, Bloodlines, explores his Armenian ancestry and the story of his great-grandmother, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide.

Francophonie Games: Armenia is preparing to host the 2027 Games in Yerevan from July 23 to August 1, bringing together sport and culture. Organizers are working on venues, international partnerships and volunteers. Heritage: Armenia and UNESCO agreed to deepen cooperation on protecting cultural and historical sites, while Catholicos Garegin II praised Save Armenia’s work to preserve Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage, including a Western Armenian translation of The Book of Msho. On Stage: Placido Domingo is set to perform in Yerevan at a gala honoring late Armenian tenor Gegham Grigoryan on what would have been his 75th birthday. Learning: The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund and TUMO are partnering to expand educational opportunities, including a new TUMO Box in Gyumri.