Vienna festival cancelled following controversy over the exclusion of Artsakh cultural ensembles

YEREVAN — The World Festival Association (WOFA) has cancelled an international cultural festival scheduled to take place in Vienna from November 27 to 30, following weeks of controversy over the exclusion of two Artsakh Armenian ensembles.

The Artsakh Cultural Preservation Center announced on November 4 that it had received official correspondence from WOFA President Zoran Strezovski confirming the cancellation.

The association had previously invited the “We Are Our Mountains” State Song and Dance Ensemble and the State Orchestra of Artsakh National Instruments to participate in the festival.

However, on October 21, organizers withdrew both invitations, reportedly citing objections from several embassies and allegations that the ensembles were engaged in separatist activities.

The preservation center rejected the accusations, emphasizing that performing traditional Artsakh music and dance constitutes cultural expression rather than political activity.

It requested that the organizers identify the embassies involved and provide documentary evidence supporting the allegations. No such evidence has been made public.

The controversy generated considerable criticism from Armenian cultural organizations, rights advocates and public figures.

WOFA subsequently indicated that it intended to invite the ensembles to another event planned for March 2027.

The preservation center says it has received no detailed explanation for the cancellation of the November festival and does not claim that public pressure necessarily caused the decision.

It maintains, however, that the cancellation does not resolve the original dispute concerning the exclusion of Artsakh artists.

The episode has renewed concerns about the cultural rights of Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh and their ability to participate freely in international cultural events.