The Second Khachaturian International Youth Competition will officially take place in 2026, featuring five professional disciplines: piano, viola, violin, cello, and chamber music.
The competition was formally announced on January 26, 2026, at a press conference held at the China National Opera House. Attendees included Liu Yunzhi, president of the China National Opera House and Honorary Artistic Director of the Competition; Martin Tovmasyan, Executive Director of the Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation; Misak Balayan, Head of the Cultural Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in China; representatives of Jingse (Beijing) International Education Science and Technology Co., Ltd; and other distinguished guests.
In 2026, the Competition will expand both its geographical reach and participation formats. Its mission extends beyond discovering young talents, aiming to create an international cultural platform that combines high professional standards with public arts education and contemporary communication practices. The organizers also presented the Competition’s five-year development strategy, highlighting its long-term and systematic growth in China.
A major innovation of the 2026 edition is the expansion of professional disciplines. In addition to piano, violin, and cello, the Competition now includes viola and chamber music, presenting a comprehensive range of string, keyboard, and chamber performance.
For the first time, in-person regional preliminary rounds will be held in different parts of the world between July and September 2026. The most outstanding participants will advance to the final round in Beijing in November. This format significantly enhances the Competition’s international presence and competitive level, reflecting the idea of a “musical dialogue without borders.”
New public engagement initiatives will also be introduced, including online voting and the Audience Prize. Alongside evaluations by an internationally recognized jury, audiences worldwide will be able to follow the performances online and vote for their favorite young musicians, making the Competition more open, inclusive, and educational.
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The Competition is open to musicians under the age of 18 and is organized into amateur and professional divisions with clearly defined stages. The jury will consist of internationally acclaimed soloists, conductors, and music educators. The performances will feature the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sergey Smbatyan. All events will be broadcast live.
Running parallel to the Competition, the Khachaturian Youth Music Week will be presented in an updated format, including masterclasses, educational programs, concerts, and innovative events. The Second Khachaturian International Youth Competition is more than a competition—it is a comprehensive international cultural platform that connects competition, education, communication, and public engagement, creating new opportunities for young musicians and strengthening cultural dialogue between China and the global music community.
“Aram Khachaturian” Cultural Foundation
