Armenia to host Eurovision Young Musicians competition in June

Armenia will host the Eurovision Young Musicians 2026 on June 6, welcoming delegations from 10 European countries to Yerevan for the international classical music competition.

Education, Science, Culture and Sports Minister Zhanna Andreasyan said the event is an important part of Armenia’s cultural policy and aims to make classical music more visible in public life.

The competition will take place on the birthday of renowned Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, a date Andreasyan described as symbolic and an opportunity to honor his legacy through the arts.

The Armenian government is expected to allocate about 750 million drams ($1.9 million) to support the event, she said.

The competition is being organized by Public Television Company of Armenia in partnership with the European Broadcasting Union.

Public TV Company Executive Director Hovhannes Movsisyan said the event will extend beyond the main stage of the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, with part of the production planned on the building’s rooftop.

“The broadcast will be viewed not only in Armenia, but also in all participating countries,” Movsisyan said. “On that day, Armenia will become the capital of classical music, with international attention focused on Yerevan and the Opera House.”

Participating countries include Armenia, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden and Switzerland.

Armenia will be represented by 15-year-old flutist Elen Virabyan.