Artsakh cultural ensembles to represent Armenia at international festival in Vienna

YEREVAN — Armenian music, dance and the cultural heritage of Artsakh will be presented on an international stage this fall, as two Artsakh cultural ensembles prepare to take part in the XVI International Christmas Choir Festival “Vienna Christmas Voices” in Austria.

The Artsakh Cultural Preservation Center NGO has been officially invited to participate in the festival, scheduled for November 27–30, 2026, in Vienna. The event is organized by the World Festival Association (WOFA) in cooperation with Vienna’s local authorities.

Armenia will be represented by the State Orchestra of Traditional Instruments of Artsakh and the “We Are Our Mountains” State Song and Dance Ensemble, both of which currently operate under the umbrella of the Artsakh Cultural Preservation Center.

Through traditional Armenian music and dance, the ensembles will showcase the cultural traditions of Artsakh and Armenia to an international audience, highlighting their role in preserving historical memory, national identity and artistic expression.

Organizers at the Artsakh Cultural Preservation Center say the Vienna appearance forms part of a broader effort to preserve Artsakh’s intangible cultural heritage and ensure that it remains visible on international cultural platforms. The Center has sought to expand cultural partnerships abroad while creating new opportunities for Artsakh artists and traditions to reach international audiences.

The organization has increasingly participated in international cultural events in recent years. Among its previous initiatives was participation in an international folklore festival in Italy held within the framework of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF®), an international partner of UNESCO.

CIOFF® works internationally to promote folk traditions, safeguard intangible cultural heritage and encourage cultural exchange among communities and peoples.

The Center says it will continue pursuing international partnerships and cultural diplomacy initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the heritage of Artsakh, particularly by ensuring that its music, dance and other living traditions are transmitted to future generations.