Armenia’s Haik Kazazyan wins 2025 Classic Violin Olympus International Competition

Open to violinists of any age, the inaugural Classic Violin Olympus International Competition has come to a close in Dubai, UAE.

42-year-old Haik Kazazyan from Armenia has won the first prize, consisting of €200,000 and a Stradivari model violin specially crafted by the violinmaker Fabio Piagentini.

“This is really unbelievable, like a dream,” Haik said onstage upon receiving the reward. “Thank you for appreciating my playing and my art. I feel a big responsibility to everyone who believed in me today to continue my own constant improvement.”

During the final round, the 12 violinists competed in a six-phase program designed to bring out varying skills — including a performance with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the Madrid Philharmonic Orchestra, solo performances, and a Q&A with the jurors.

The remaining 11 finalists were awarded €10,000 in prize money.

Additionally, the 25-member jury board of preeminent conductors and directors of acclaimed orchestras, festivals, and concert series will each offer a number of finalists the opportunity to perform live at one of their upcoming concerts.