The Opera and Ballet Theater Will No Longer Be National

The names of the Opera and Ballet Theater, the gallery, library, and other cultural institutions in Armenia will no longer include the term "national." The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia adopted the bill on "Amendments and Additions to the Law on the Fundamentals of Cultural Legislation" with 65 votes in favor, 31 against, and 1 abstention.

According to the draft law, the term "statewide" will be used in the names of institutions that have significantly contributed to the development of national culture moving forward. During the National Assembly session on January 20, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Daniel Danielyan assured that all cultural institutions will retain their national status. However, according to one of the articles of the amended law, organizations with "national" status will maintain that status only until the law comes into effect.