In the summer of 2026, the heart of Armenia’s Syunik Province will once again become a global center of music and art, beating with the rhythms of classical music. The Kapan International Music Festival—the Kapan Fest—will bring together world-renowned musicians, young talents, and art-loving audiences for the fourth consecutive year, becoming one of the most important cultural events of the year.

The festival, which has already become a tradition, will transform Kapan, Armenia into a platform for live music, creative dialogue, and international cultural cooperation for 10 days. World-renowned soloists, conductors, and the best chamber music artists from 16 countries—Armenia, Belgium, Denmark, USA, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, Ecuador, Russia, Romania, and Georgia—will participate in Kapan Fest 2026.

One of the key components of the festival will once again be the Kapan Fest Academy, where 55 young musicians selected from different countries around the world will have the opportunity to participate in intensive master classes, work with legendary musicians, and perform concert programs with them on the same stage.

The sponsors of Kapan Fest are the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia, the Kapan Municipality, the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Embassies of Belgium and Denmark in Armenia, Francis Kurkdjian, Thomas Wang, Larsen Strings, and several other companies and individuals, with whose support it becomes possible to hold all the concerts of this festival completely free of charge for the audience, to implement the educational programs of the Kapan Fest Academy and, in general, to bring to life this festival unprecedented in scale and significance.

On Armenia stage for first time

This year’s Kapan Fest will feature world-renowned violinist Gilles Apap and legendary Tomas Lundström for the first time in Armenia. Violinist Andrey Baranov will participate in the festival for the first time, along with viola players Gareth Lubbe, Iben Thielemann, and Loan Cazal.

The audience will also have the opportunity to enjoy the performances of Radu Ratoi. Among the new participants of the festival are Arman Simonyan, Tamila Kharambura, Paul Tulloch, Iben Thielemann, Loan Cazal, and Gareth Lubbe.

The Chanter Parajanov Ensemble, the Musicatreize, and jazz musician Beka Gochiashvili, along with his friends, will also present their unique musical world at the festival.

Among the beloved and regular participants of Kapan Fest are Andrey Gridchuk, Hayk Kazazyan, Hrachya Avanesyan, Karen Shahgaldyan, Marianna Shirinyan, Anna Sarkisova, Julien Libeer, Sevak Avanesyan, Mika Hakhnazaryan, Astghik Siranosyan, Zarik Kurkchyan, Tigran Suchyan, Armen Karamyan, and Norayr Kartashyan.

Viennese Evening in Kapan

One of the most anticipated events of Kapan Fest will be the Viennese Evening in Kapan, an exclusive event being organized in an unprecedented format in Armenia.

The guests of the evening, dressed in elegant evening attire, will enter a specially designed hall, receive masks, and find themselves in the atmosphere of a real Viennese masquerade. The evening will begin in the lobby with drinks and socializing, after which the guests will move to the main hall, where the Kapan Fest orchestra will present a program of Viennese waltzes.

During the intermission, the Festival Jazz Band will present jazz interpretations, giving the evening a unique touch.

Under the direction of Davit Vardanyan, ballet master of the Theater Gera in Germany, professional dancers will present performances and conduct waltz lessons for guests in advance.

Under the direction of Vienna-based conductor Florian Csizmadia, the program will include opera arias, famous Viennese waltzes, and classical works, ending with a dance and festive evening.

Creation of the Kapan Orchestra

Since its inception, Kapan Fest has made a significant contribution to the development of young musicians by organizing master classes, providing musical instruments and scholarships.

On this basis, the festival is creating the Kapan Orchestra, which will bring together young musicians and provide ongoing training, mentorship and concert experience, contributing to their creative growth even after the festival.

Kapan Fest 2026 program

July 4: Opening concert and festival events

July 5–6: Chamber music concerts

July 7: Chanter Parajanov Ensemble and Musicatreize

July 8–10: Chamber music concerts

July 11: Jazz evening

July 12: Chamber music concert

July 13: Gilles Apap's musical journey

July 14: Viennese Evening in Kapan

Kapan Fest 2025: Music, education, cultural revival

Kapan Fest 2025 transformed Kapan into a vibrant center of international musical life for ten days. Musicians from 22 countries, young talents, and thousands of spectators came together to create an environment where classical music, education, and cultural cooperation came together on one platform.

A total of 22 concerts were held during the festival, including student masterclasses, chamber music evenings, and special projects. More than 12,500 spectators had the opportunity to attend world-class performances. One of the most memorable events was the performance of legendary violinist Vadim Repin with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sergey Smbatyan.

The unique atmosphere of this festival was also shaped by the combination of different genres. Jazz legend Marian Petrescu’s “Wild Jazz Night” became one of the audience’s favorite evenings, and electronic music creator Philipp Johann Thimm transformed the Organ Hall into an experimental music space in collaboration with the Kapan Fest Academy youth orchestra, Norayr Kartashyan, and Miqayel Voskanyan.

Education remained at the heart of the festival. More than 130 students participated in daily master classes and workshops within the framework of the Kapan Fest Academy. Among the participants were young musicians from the provinces of Armenia, as well as international students from Slovakia, Denmark, Portugal, Russia, Georgia, and Iran.

Another important event of 2025 was the exclusive exhibition of historical instruments by Florian Leonhard Fine Violins in London, which featured instruments by Guarneri, Stradivarius, and other great masters. The public had the opportunity to get up close and personal with unique examples of the world’s musical heritage.

The festival continued its contribution also to the development of Kapan’s musical life. Local students were gifted high-quality string instruments, pianos were repaired, and the newly formed Kapan Quartet received professional support and instruments. The infrastructural improvements made to the Organ Hall and the renovation of artists’ spaces also became an important step in the development of the city’s cultural environment.

Kapan Fest 2025 was not only a concert series, but also a long-term cultural investment aimed at the development of young musicians, the expansion of international cooperation, and the strengthening of Kapan as a cultural center.