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As the sun begins to set, people rush to Tumanyan Park, crowded and full of spectators at every corner. Children, adults and the elderly fill rows of chairs, some spread blankets on the ground while others stand wherever they can find space. Anticipation hangs in the air as if something magical is about to unfold. All eyes focus on the stage. Then, the lights come on, the curtains rise, and the performance begins.
From June 6-13, Yerevan hosted the third annual Yerevan Ballet Fest, featuring daily performances at Tumanyan Park under the open sky. Alongside the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theater, the Yerevan Municipality invited two world-renowned theaters: Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater and St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theater.
The Bolshoi Theater opened the festival with performances of the classical ballet Giselle and a Gala Ballet program featuring excerpts from Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, and Don Quixote. The Mariinsky Theater followed with Sheherazade, Les Sylphides, and a Gala program that included Sleeping Beauty and Carmen. The festival concluded with the Alexander Spendiaryan Theater’s staging of Bolero and The Rite of Spring.
Les Sylphides, by Lilith Margaryan.
For a week, Tumanyan Park transformed into the vibrant heart of Yerevan’s cultural life. Each evening offered a distinct performance that drew thousands of spectators, captivating audiences with its variety and energy. From carefully curated programs to beautifully executed stage design, every detail was thoughtfully planned and seamlessly delivered.
Sheherazade, by Lilith Margaryan.
Russia’s world-class ballet companies elevated the festival to a new level, offering local audiences a rare opportunity to witness exceptional precision and professionalism. “I have always loved ballet, so seeing Russian ballet has made a dream come true for me,” said audience member Ani Davidian. “Their dancers are renowned for their rigorous training and skill––this first-hand experience confirmed just how dedicated these dancers are to their art form.”
Backstage, by Lilith Margaryan.
The Yerevan Ballet Fest began in 2023, coinciding with the 120th anniversary of renowned Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian. The Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theater marked the occasion with performances of Khachaturian’s Gayane, Spartacus and Masquerade ballets at Tumanyan Park, alongside numerous orchestral performances and events. The English National Ballet’s performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle that year contributed all ticket proceeds to Yerevan Ballet Fest 2024. The 2024 festival welcomed both the Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi and The Boris Eifman Dance Academy of Saint Petersburg. Continuing the tradition this year, the Bolshoi and Mariinsky ballet companies honored Khachaturian’s memory by presenting excerpts from Gayane and Spartacus in their Gala Ballet performances.
Sheherazade, by Lilith Margaryan.
This year’s festival built upon the success and excitement of previous years. Gosh Sargsyan, head of the Department of Culture of Yerevan Municipality, said that people’s excitement defies description. “During the first two days, we had around 35,000 spectators, and we expect to surpass 80,000 throughout the festival,” he said. “We have an amazing audience––you can sense the festival’s spirit just by looking at the attendees, who range from infants to senior citizens.”
Sargsyan said that each year, the Yerevan Municipality carefully selects which ballet companies to invite, with this year’s honor going to the world-renowned theaters of Moscow and St. Petersburg. The entire process, from negotiations with the theaters to logistical planning, took over eight months. The stage itself took nearly 20 days to construct. Judging by the vibrant atmosphere and the thousands of people who gathered night after night, the effort clearly paid off.
Backstage by Lilith Margaryan.
The magical atmosphere extended behind the stage as well. Dancers made their final preparations––fixing hair and makeup, stretching, and warming up before their evening-long performance.”This is my first time performing outside of a theater, under the open sky,” said Dmitriy Mukhametshin, a Mariinsky Theater ballet dancer. “It’s a fresh experience with a new audience. The energy is different because the audience is different.”
Backstage by Gibran Caroline Boyce.
While the dancers prepared backstage, the audience continued to grow, drawing both locals and international guests. Among them was Tony Luk, a ballet enthusiast and photographer from Hong Kong who traveled to Yerevan specifically for the Ballet Fest. “I heard about the festival from a friend about six months ago, and since I am connected to festivals, I was invited to this one as well,” he said. Luk was particularly impressed by the unique venue. Unlike traditional ballet festivals held in theaters, this one offered an entirely different atmosphere. “Ballet festivals usually take place inside theaters, but here, it’s outside and the whole city participates. It’s not just about buying tickets for a single performance––everyone can come and visit as many times as they want,” Luk explained. “The festival extends beyond the stage. To me, it’s about the whole city, the whole community. The audience’s reactions are so much more expressive in the open air, unlike in a theater. The atmosphere is fantastic.”
Backstage by Gibran Caroline Boyce.
While the festival welcomed foreign guests, it was first and foremost a gift to the people of Yerevan, a rare chance to witness world-class ballet under the open sky, entirely free of charge. Tumanyan Park filled with captivated spectators each night: children wrapped in blankets, some twirling in delight, mimicking the dancers on stage. Ballet lovers perched wherever they could, on benches, steps, and grassy slopes, just to catch a glimpse of the performance.
Les Sylphides, by Lilith Margaryan.
The audience extended far beyond ballet enthusiasts. Some spectators came purely out of curiosity to witness the legendary Bolshoi and Mariinsky theaters in person, while others returned after being impressed by previous festivals. For many families, it offered a unique opportunity to introduce their children to high-level ballet. The festival transformed ballet into an accessible, engaging part of the city’s shared experience. As Davidian noted, “The event made ballet more approachable, especially for families with young children who might struggle to stay still in an opera house, and for elderly people who find extended sitting uncomfortable. The picnic-like setting freed ballet from its formal constraints, replacing an often intimidating atmosphere with a warm, friendly energy.”
Sheherazade, by Lilith Margaryan.
For a few days, ballet stepped beyond the walls of the theater and into the rhythm of everyday life. World-class performances unfolded in a public space, turning Tumanyan Park into a shared stage where the boundary between artist and audience dissolved. Yerevan Ballet Fest became more than a series of performances—it transformed into a celebration beneath the stars.
Under the Open Sky
