10th Annual Golden Apricot Film Festival Kicks Off in Yerevan

YEREVAN — Golden Apricot Yerevan 10th International Film Festival opening ceremony started on Charles Aznavour square with opening of Aznavour’s Star and continued at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. The legendary chancoinier himself honored the event with his presence.

The festival theme is Crossroads of Cultures and Civilizations. The theme is anchored in the idea of a global human landscape in the process of transformation and the challenges such transformations pose to human beings.

Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan offered opening remarks and read the official welcome speech of the President of the Republic of Armenia. The Jubilee edition of the Festival was announced as open by the Festival Director-Harutyun Khachatryan and Ralph Yirikian, Director General of VivaCell-MTS – the General Sponsor of the Festival.

The competition film programme and the Board of Jury of this year were presented.

Atom Egoyan- the Honorary Director of the Festival delivered a welcome speech and announced the “Parajanov Thaler” award granted to Charles Aznavour.

“Hover” Chamber Choir, the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia and soloists of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Armenia performed at the ceremony.

A short documentary presenteing Aznavour’s visit to Armenia in 1963 was screened. The ceremony was closed with the performance of Aznavour’s renowned “Pour Toi Armenia» by a children’s choir led by N.Gyurjinyan.

The ceremony was followed by the screening of “Shoot the Piano Player” (directed by Francois Truffaut) starring Aznavour.