Details Revealed on the Payments Made to Artists for 'Festivar'

The newspaper 'Joghovurd' reports that the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia has allocated 311 million 785 thousand dram (approximately 820 thousand USD) for the cultural project 'Festivar'.

'Festivar' is organized with the support of the Ministry and executed by Public Television. For the third consecutive year, the festival aims to promote domestic tourism and regional cultural life.

This year's festival kicked off on August 23 in Artashat, where singer Saro Tovmasyan (Saro) performed alongside the Karen Sevak Band. For this performance, the Karen Sevak Band was paid 10 million dram, while Saro Tovmasyan received 10 million 44 thousand dram.

The next event within 'Festivar' will take place on September 13 in Hrazdan, featuring a solo concert by Harout Pamboukjian, accompanied again by the Karen Sevak Band. For this event, the Karen Sevak Band will receive 10 million dram, while Harout Pamboukjian and his manager will be paid 19 million 848 thousand dram, including their airfare.

Last year, 180 million dram was paid for the 'Festivar' project, and this year the amount has nearly doubled, as the Ministry and Public Television have also covered some artists’ travel expenses to and from Armenia.

On September 21, which marks Armenia's Independence Day, various artists will perform accompanied by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra in the central square of Armavir. According to the State Procurement website of Armenia, 109 million dram has been allocated for the concert program in Armavir alone.

Thus, a total of 70 members of the musical band will be paid 8.5 million dram. Nine songs will be notated, for which 2.7 million dram has been allocated, while the conductor's fee will amount to 2 million dram. Singer Sona Rubenyan will receive 600 thousand dram for one performance, while Iveta Mukuchyan and Erik Karapetyan will each be paid 1 million 170 thousand dram for a single appearance. The performance by 'Garik Papoyan and Sona Rubenyan' will receive 2.1 million dram, and singer Masha Mnjoyan will receive 600 thousand dram for her performance. Singer Bryuneti will earn 1 million 170 thousand dram, and the 'Nemra' band will also be paid 1 million 170 thousand dram. Singer Jacqueline will be paid 1 million 378 thousand dram for her performance.

In addition to the performance fees, the organizers have allocated 562 thousand dram for Jacqueline’s round trip flight from Paris to Yerevan, 300 thousand dram for her four-day stay in Armenia, and a further 31 thousand dram for her trip from Yerevan to Armavir and back.

The payment for the 'Reincarnation' band’s performance stands at 6 million dram. Additionally, advertising, printing costs, and promotional organization services for this event have received a budget of 10.8 million dram.