Washington, DC - 9/9/04 -- We're told that news of ARKA Ballet's success preceded its return to the United States; we are pleased to confirm that these reports are not exaggerated! ARKA Ballet was very warmly received and reviews stated that the very sophisticated ballet-going audiences' high expectations were more than satisfied. In fact, in its review, the newspaper Golos Armenii ["the voice of Armenia" in Russian] stated quite bluntly: "ARKA Ballet in Yerevan! They came, they saw, they conquered!"

ARKA Ballet, the first professional American ballet company invited to perform in Armenia, presented two mixed repertoire programs at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre in Yerevan on August 6 & 7. The Opera, which seats 1,200, recently underwent a complete refurbishing and provided a classically beautiful, yet state-of-the-art venue for ARKA Ballet's performances. On both evenings, the capacity audiences showered ARKA Ballet dancers with rarely-heard ovations.

The tour was truly a journey of discovery, as Armenian audiences heard and read about developments in dance in the west and especially in the United States, and got to experience a unique and varied program, ranging from a 19th century romantic classic, 'La Vivandiere', to contemporary works such as McIntyre's 'Blue Until June' and Kharatian's more abstract 'A Room'. Many company classes were open, advanced ballet students were invited to take class with the company, Kharatian led a master class, and dancer Helen Marie Bunch taught a jazz class for students and dancers of Nane Ballet.

After daily class and rehearsals, ARKA Ballet members discovered Yerevan, with its bustling streets and markets, cafes and bistros, monuments and museums, jazz clubs and theatres. They also discovered Armenia, a nation with a 5,000 year history, whose varied landscape is dotted with ancient ruins, churches and monasteries, temples and fortresses, and innumerable 'khachkars' (stone-crosses). They were awestruck by the majesty of Mount Ararat, the alpine tranquility of Tsaghgazsor, and the turquoise grandeur of Lake Sevan. And most importantly, they experienced the hospitality and warmth of the Armenian people.  

The success and impact of ARKA Ballet's brief visit to Armenia is such that the media continues to discuss and review its performances even now, and a documentary film about the tour is in the works. As Ambassador Arman Kirakossian of Armenia stated on June 12 during the fundraising event at the American Dance Institute, “this is a very important event because it is building a bridge between the United States and Armenia, between the cultures, between the artists of both countries.”