Arts brief: Hay Fest Theater Festival to kick off October 1

Published: Saturday September 26, 2009

Arthur Ghukasyan, president of the Hay Fest Theater Festival at a press conference. Tigran Tadevosyan / Photolure

Yerevan - Hay Fest International Theater Festival will take place in Yerevan October 1-8. According to organizers, 33 theater groups from 22 countries will participate this year. President of the festival Arthur Ghukasyan, at a press conference in Yerevan said that over 50 dramatic, musical and dance performances will be showcased on 16 stages, most of which will be open air performances.

This year Philip Zhanti's Theater (France), Trickster (Switzerland), and Credo (Bulgaria) will be among the most honorable guests of the festival. International experts from the London University of the Arts, Noel Vitz and Pit Brook will participate as well. Jana Prekova and Director of "KukArt" festival David Burman from Prague theater-painting and stage-painting quadrennial will honor the festival with their participation.

Although the festival does have relatively good representation, Ghukasyan said that more theater groups were expected to participate, however due to the global economic downturn, many of them didn't have the funds to travel this year.

Armenia theater companies, Mihr and the Ghaplanyan State Dramatic Theater have been especially active this past year and their constant collaboration with other theaters troups helps them expand their style and theatrical performances.

The gala opening performance of the festival will be performed by the Credo Theater group from Bulgaria at the Stanislavsky Russian State Theater, preceded by a 10 minute open-air performance in the Charles Aznavour Square.

Throughout the weeklong festival, workshops will take place, as well as master classes and training programs.

Armenia's culture ministry has earmarked 35 million AMD for the festival, with the sponsorship of the country's president. HayFest" is a member of the world theatrical ASSITEJ (International Association of Theaters for Children and Young People), IETM (Informal European Theatre Meeting) and IFEA (International Festivals and Events Association).