Karabakh's Rare Summer of Culture

Nagorny Karabakh, where cultural life has suffered since the end of the Soviet period, has enjoyed a rare summer of culture this year, with artists visiting from as far afield as Finland.

The International Festival of Classical Music, which also featured musicians from Armenia, Belarus, Latvia and Lithuania, was a highlight on a calendar that has been blighted for years by a lack of cash.

Karabakh, which Armenians call Artsakh, declared independence from Azerbaijan during a war that ended with a ceasefire in 1994. No other countries have recognised it, which has kept it out of the mainstream of world affairs.

“The lack of international recognition does not give us the chance to use various international grants [for the arts],” said Narine Aghabalyan, culture and youth minister in the Karabakh government, when asked to explain the lack of cultural development in the republic.

The ministry tries to maintain more than 15 cultural organisations, including musical schools, a college, two choirs, an orchestra and more. But, compared to Soviet times, when the state gave extensive support to cultural bodies, there is little for fans to enjoy. Now, they are lucky to see a play once a month, rather than the weekly performances before 1991.

And even this is proving a struggle. Although a new club in the capital gives fans the chance to hear different music by young performers, professional groups are unable to play. The Karabakh Jazz Orchestra, for example, has not performed for more than a year, since its instruments are beyond repair.

“A few years ago, it looked like there were a few attempts to restore the past glory of jazz. A jazz orchestra was created, there were even concerts organised, but sadly, it did not last long,” said Sergei Avanesyan, an elderly jazz fan in Stepanakert, who is now denied the concerts he once enjoyed.

Aghabalyan said that attempts to maintain the jazz orchestra, including attaching it to another group, proved unsuccessful.

“We have the potential to develop jazz. Abroad there are Karabakhi musicians who are prepared to support this matter,” she said.

She said that the republic provides a billion drams (2.7 million US dollars) in support for culture, but that was not enough for the jazz orchestra or many other projects.

“At the moment to get instruments and equipment we need 30 million drams, which we are counting on getting with support from sponsors,” she said.

But while the government is looking for support, including from the Armenian diaspora, the jazz musicians are still trying to make plans to develop their field.

“I have many projects and I hope that, with help from the state and sponsors, they will steadily be fulfilled. If it works out, in a few years, we will open a jazz college, which will give us the chance to solve one of the most serious questions: the problem of specialists. And for that, we need to invite specialists from Yerevan,” said Tigran Lalayan, head of the jazz orchestra.

The problems he faces are common to all the orchestras in the republic, including the Shushi folk music group, which was founded ten years ago.

“The ensemble has difficulties with transport and accommodation. The culture ministry, of course, tries to help to solve a few of our problems but it would seem there is not enough money,” said Julietta Arstamyan, who leads the group.

“We need to be more serious about choosing officials, to increase the number of competitions for composers and musicians, and also create a base of high-class specialists, inviting specialists from Armenia and giving the possibility of the most talented to study abroad.”

The Karabakh government has been short of funds, because it has to repair the damage caused by the war against Azerbaijan, as well as deal with the difficult social situation created by the subsequent economic collapse.

“We are trying to solve this problem to a certain extent. In 2009 we brought in audio equipment and instruments, but it is still little,” said Aghabalyan.

There is currently a long way to go before Stepanakert can enjoy the rich cultural life of Soviet times, with most young people being reduced to just hanging around on the central square.

“Although cultural events are being organised more often than in previous years, young people still don’t have opportunities to pass their time in interesting ways. There are no discos or, for example, cafes where you can listen to jazz or rock,” said teenager Irina Sargsyan.

But at least the international festival allowed residents old enough to remember the Soviet days a rare bit of nostalgia. In the six days of classical music, Stepanakert residents saw pieces from Beethoven, Rakhmaninov and less well-known composers.
As she left the hall after one concert, Gayane Ayvazyan was pleased by the small revival.

“This festival is a bright example, since Karabakh musicians are taking part alone with those from abroad. It is good that master classes are being organised as part of the festival, since it is a good chance for young musicians,” she said.

Anahit Danielyan is a correspondent for Armedia news agency.