The 6th International Summer Festival of Contemporary Dance, SumMeet, is being held in Yerevan and Gyumri from June 22 to 28 with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.

 

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Daniel Danielyan, attended the premieres held within the framework of the festival at the National Theater named after Sos Sargsyan. The "Cannon Dance" contemporary theater from St. Petersburg presented "Freya: The Paradigm of Love" (Lilit Hakobyan, Germany) and "Butterfly" (Jo Stromgren, Norway).

 

Daniel Danielyan welcomed the attendees and noted that the SumMeet International Summer Festival of Contemporary Dance is one of the programs supported financially by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, which has its unique place in the field of dance art in Armenia.

 

Addressing the importance of the festival, the deputy minister emphasized the components that bring prestige to the festival and ensure its continuity.

 

"The first component we emphasize is the promotion of creativity in Armenian dance art, the creation of new dance performances, and the development and popularization of contemporary dance art in Armenia. The second component is the international status of the festival; it provides great opportunities to create international connections and strengthen cooperation with foreign artists. Their performances in Armenia and the works of Armenian artists on the international stage show that we are walking through the world with harmonious rhythms, presenting our art. The third important aspect is the implementation of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports' policy of cultural decentralization through the festival. For years, the organizers have been implementing programs in the regions, and the audience has the opportunity to engage with high art on-site and get acquainted with the new trends of contemporary Armenian dance art. This year it will also be held in Gyumri. I must particularly emphasize the educational component of the festival. The SumMeet4Kids program, which started in 2025, will be held this year in Gyumri, involving young dancers under the guidance of Arthur Galimulin (Kazakhstan) and Maxim Minko (Russia). The performance created during the workshops will be showcased in Gyumri. The children will participate in master classes and present their works," said the deputy minister, thanking the organizers, participants, and the audience for their role in the success of the festival.

 

Within the framework of the festival, the "Armenian Showcase" program is scheduled to take place on June 27 at the "Small Theater," and on June 28 at the student theater of the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema.

 

As part of the "Kinodance" project, three films will be screened simultaneously: "Songs of Komitas," "In the Light of a Thousand," and "Ashera."

 

A special one-time screening based on Mikhail Korol's poem "Songs of Saint Ashera" also occupies a special place in the festival's program.

 

The goal of the festival is to promote the sustainable development of contemporary dance in Armenia through the expansion of international cooperation, educational programs, and access to cultural spaces, particularly involving young creators, young dancers, and regional communities.

 

 

 

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