YEREVAN, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The 6th international music festival "National Picture Gallery" starts with the concert of the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia at the Hall of Murals of the National Picture Gallery on April 21. The famous pianist Svetlana Navasardian was expected to participate in this concert, but she was on tour in Paris and could not come back due to the cancelled flight. The founder and chairwoman of the Art Picture Gallery cultural foundation Mariam Shahinian said at the April 20 press conference that during the festival seven concerts will take place, with the participation of the State Chamber Chorus of Armenia, Dio Claripiano from Slovenia, Stockholm-based violinist Hugo Ticiatti, and Russian pianist Yevgeny Mikhaylov. Besides Yerevan, the cities of Goris, Charentsavan, Abovian and Gavar will host these concerts. According to M. Shahinian, in addition to promoting classical music and presenting the recent achievements of Armenian composers and performers, the festival aims to introduce wide sections of the population to the activities of Armenia's National Picture Gallery. The Chairman of the festival's Artistic Council, composer Edward Mirzoyan announced that a lot of young performers will participate in the festival for the first time, which is a gratifying and praiseworthy fact. "The classical music continues to live among the youth," he said. The festival will last until June 2. On the same day the Republican Viola and Violoncello Festival will start. Initiated by the famous musician Aram Talalian, the festival will also involve events dedicated to anniversaries of Armenian composers: the 80th anniversaries of Edgar Hovhannisian and Gagik Hovunts and the 90th anniversaries of Ghazaros Sarian and Alexander Harutyunian. The festival will end on June 22. The indicated festivals will be held with the assistance of the RA Ministry of Culture.

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