From June 6 to 12, Yerevan will become a hub of classical music. During these days, as part of the 21st International Khachaturian Competition, 18 conductors from 12 countries will gather in the Armenian capital. They will compete before a prestigious jury for the chance to win a prize that bears the name of the great Armenian composer, Aram Khachaturian. Notably, many past winners of the Khachaturian Competition have gone on to become prominent figures in classical music, gracing some of the world’s most renowned stages.
Over the past two decades, the Khachaturian International Competition has remained true to its mission: to discover talented young musicians and to promote Khachaturian’s legacy on the world stage. In this important endeavor, the competition’s organizer—the Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation—is supported by numerous partners. The event is made possible through the ongoing support of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports. This year, the strategic sponsor of the Khachaturian International Competition is Freedom Broker Armenia.
“Aram Khachaturian is not merely a towering figure in world music. He is a symbol of the cultural depth, brilliance, and enduring voice of the Armenian spirit. His legacy belongs to the world, yet it carries a particular emotional and historical weight for Armenians everywhere,” said the Freedom Broker Armenia CEO Ovak Ovakimian. He also notes that for the company, it’s a strategic priority and a deep honor to stand alongside the Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation. “This is more than a sponsorship; it is a meaningful, long-term partnership grounded in shared values. We recognize that Armenia’s future cannot be built on economic foundations alone. It must also be shaped by culture, education, and a clear sense of national identity. True progress comes when financial growth and cultural investment move in tandem. Supporting the Aram Khachaturian International Competition and Festival is a deliberate choice for us—an investment in Armenia’s holistic development.”
“We are particularly grateful for the trust extended to us by Maestro Sergey Smbatyan, the Artistic Director of the competition. His vision and leadership are deeply inspiring, and we see our collaboration as an embodiment of our broader mission: to support Armenia’s development in its fullest sense, economically, intellectually, and spiritually. This collaboration represents our commitment not only to capital markets and financial innovation, but to the broader story of Armenia — one where music, meaning, and national purpose go hand in hand.”
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The competition’s Artistic Director, Maestro Sergey Smbatyan, emphasizes the importance of supporting classical music—and in particular, the Khachaturian International Competition. He notes that thanks to Freedom Broker Armenia, the competition can now set more ambitious goals and become an even greater platform for emerging talent.
“The collaboration between Freedom Broker Armenia and the Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation is truly inspiring-for the organizers, for the foundation, and for me personally,” says Smbatyan. “It opens the door to dreaming bigger: to creating not only a competition that meets international standards, but one that sets new trends globally. Behind every artistic achievement, there must be people and teams who believe in the vision and work together to discover the next generation of talent.”
The Khachaturian International Competition holds a unique place within the global community of classical music competitions. It is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC) and is conducted following the Federation’s standards.