HIGHFEST 5th INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL STARTS IN YEREVAN
Author: Ruzanna Bagratunian

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The Highfest 5th international
performing arts festival started on October 4 in Yerevan with the
performance "The Canterville Ghost" of the Lucia Armenian company
of actors. Its opening was followed by a theatrical parade and
fireworks in Charles Aznavour Square. According to Artur Ghukasian,
the festival’s Chairman, nearly 100 performances will be presented by
33 countries’ companies of actors in the days of the festival being
held on October 4-14. 17 theaters will take part in this already
traditional theater festival. The companies of actors will perform
on all Yerevan stages and open squares.

"Five years ago the festival was founded as a theatrical one, but
later it became a festival of performing arts. We tried to expand the
festival’s framework by involving new and interesting works created
in other spheres of art, which are also a theater by their form,"
the festival’s Chairman said.

Artur Ghukasian said that renowned artists, international festivals’
chairmen, theater critics will take part in the Yerevan festival.

They will hold seminars and round tables on the spot dedicated to
cultural policy and art management in Armenia.

According to A. Ghukasian, the festival will give Armenian spectators
an opportunity to watch different countries’ best performances
of pantomime, dramatic, puppet performances, as well as those of
modern dance theaters. It was mentioned that a Festival of Puppet
and Children’s Theaters will be also organized within the framework
of Highfest.

Mike Ribalta, the Chairman of the Fira Tarrega Spanish theatrical
festival, said that he is glad to take part in this young festival
and expects not only to see interesting performances, but also
to learn. Mike Ribalta, who has arrived in Armenia on a three-day
visit, will try to help young and talented actors and interesting
companies of actors. "I have not only come to watch good, bad or
average performances, but I wish to help young people to make an
attempt to perform abroad as well."