YEREVAN—The Golden Apricot International Film Festival in Yerevan started its 10th edition at Charles Aznavour Square, with the opening of Aznavour’s Star, and continued at the National Theatre for Opera and Ballet. The legendary chansonnier himself honored the event by being present.
The Minister of Culture, Hasmik Poghosyan, offered opening remarks and read the official welcoming speech of the President of the Republic of Armenia. The Jubilee edition of the Festival was pronounced open by Festival Directors Harutyun Khachatryan and Ralph Yirikian and the Director General of VivaCell-MTS – the general sponsor of the Festival.
The program and jury for this year’s film competition were presented.
Atom Egoyan, the Honorary Director of the Festival, delivered a welcoming speech and presented the Parajanov Thaler Award to Charles Aznavour.
The Hover Chamber Choir, the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, and the soloists of the National Theatre for Opera and Ballet performed at the ceremony.
A short documentary presenting Aznavour’s visit to Armenia in 1963 was screened. The ceremony was closed with the performance of Aznavour’s renowned “Pour toi Arménie” by a children’s choir led by N. Gyurjinyan.
A screening of Shoot the Piano Player (director: Francois Truffaut), starring Aznavour, followed after the ceremony.
