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Armenia and Belgium are developing cultural ties, with the CEO of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Grégor Chapelle, currently visiting Yerevan to establish partnerships.
The Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel is a Belgian academic institution for artistic training of young musicians. It was inaugurated by Queen Elisabeth of Belgium in 1939.
Belgian Ambassador to Armenia Eric de Muynck said at a press conference that many meetings and a concert program are expected during the visit.
“We aim to build bridges between Belgium and Armenia, both between institutions and between peoples and professionals. Grégor Chapelle is in Armenia to help create a new bridge with the goal of expanding cooperation between the two countries. Armenia has excellent cultural institutions, and in recent years we have tried to establish connections with Belgian partners. And now we want to strengthen the ties between Armenian institutions and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel,” said the ambassador.
Previously, individuals from Armenia have applied to and received their education at this prestigious institution. Grégor Chapelle, CEO of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, noted that the current effort is to place the process on an institutional footing and, through cooperation between state bodies and partners, guide more young people toward the institution.
“I consider this not the beginning of a friendship, but its continuation. The cooperation between the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and Armenians dates back to 1939. It is known that even then there were warm relations between Queen Elisabeth and composer Aram Khachaturian. Taking this into account, we can say that we are here not to establish new ties, but to continue the relationship,” said Grégor Chapelle.
The Armenian diaspora living in Belgium and Armenians in the diaspora play a major role in strengthening Armenia–Belgium cultural ties and expanding cooperation. The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has contributed to forming this new bridge of cooperation through various educational programs that encourage young professionals.
AGBU Armenia President and AGBU Central Board member Vasken Yacoubian noted that this year is symbolic for AGBU, as the organization is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding.
“We are working in several directions, including education and culture. And cooperation with the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel is no coincidence. We provide grants in various fields, including performing arts. Previously, we have also had students who continued their education at the Music Chapel through our grants, so we expect more applicants, and we will also consider possibilities for support,” he said, emphasizing that diaspora involvement is significant in programs implemented in Armenia.
Armenian musicians can apply to the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in six fields—piano, cello, violin, viola, chamber music, and vocal—through a competitive process involving recordings, auditions in Belgium, and a three-year study program.