Side by Side Inclusive Art Festival
In 2019, the first inclusive musical art festival of its kind was launched in Armenia. Students from Yerevan rehabilitation centres such as "My Way", "LOUSE", "SOURCE", "SOAR", "Emily Aregak", "Prkutyun", students from special schools for hearing impaired children, Kharberd special orphanage, Yerevan orphanage, as well as students from Mari Izmiryan's orphanage took part in this exclusive event. The main goal of the festival is to reveal and develop the creative potential of children and teenagers with different developmental characteristics, as well as to create a platform for their self-expression. Ideological cooperation with well-known musicians further emphasised the importance of inclusiveness in our society.
In 2021, the festival began to expand, becoming more republican. Participants from different cities of Armenia were involved, such as Gyumri, Vanadzor, Sevan and Goris. The festival significantly expanded its borders and significance.
In 2022, the festival entered the international arena. This was a real victory for the organisers and participants. Specialists and participants from Russia, Jordan, and Bahrain were invited. They all brought new ideas and inspiration to a new cultural space that is growing stronger every year. This cooperation also allowed the festival to expand its programming boundaries, including dance art, which allowed for a new and diverse presentation format.
In 2023, the festival attracted the attention of leading countries, such as France, Germany, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Bahrain. This became an important stage in the development of the festival. Within the framework of the event, master classes and seminars were held, bringing together more than 100 specialists from various fields. Creative interaction in theatre and dance became an important part of the programme, an opportunity for participants to develop their talents and gain knowledge from the masters.
An unforgettable event awaits us in 2024, full of diverse concerts, exhibitions, seminars and master classes dedicated to theatre, dance, literature and many other fields. One of the most exciting moments of the festival will be the performances of famous musicians and the symphony orchestra, which will perform on a common platform with musicians with developmental characteristics. This wonderful collaboration will create a unique atmosphere where each participant can discover themselves and feel the spirit of creativity and mutual understanding. The festival promises to be a true celebration of art and friendship, uniting the hearts and minds of all participants and spectators.