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The three-day “Dalan Fest” rock festival kicked off in Gyumri on August 7. As the name of the festival suggests, the event transforms the city’s historic dalans (passageways) into unique concert venues.
The festival is organized with the support of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and at the initiative of the “Manukyan Company.”
“Gyumri’s dalans [passageways] have been gathering places for distinctive, modern-minded young people, where rock music was played. When we held “Dalan Fest” for the first time in 2019, our goal was, on the one hand, to restore that tradition, and, on the other hand, to give rock music enthusiasts, city residents, and visitors an opportunity during the festival to discover Gyumri’s distinctive architectural structures—the dalans—which do not exist in every city. We want to show that they can also become cultural environments and platforms,” Lilit Tovmasyan, Head of the Culture Department of the Gyumri City Hall, said, noting that the festival had been suspended for many years, mainly due to financial problems, and that only this year was it possible to revive it.
This year, three well-preserved passageways of suitable size in Gyumri have been selected, which will come alive with rock rhythms from August 7 to 9.
According to the organizers, the festival aims to bring musical life out of concert halls by providing free and open events in Gyumri’s public spaces for residents and visitors.
On the first day of the festival, August 7, the opening took place at 188 Shahumyan Street, where the band “KANGUN” performed, consisting of Levon Yerkanian (vocals, guitar), Hovhannes Hovhannisyan (cello, guitar), Raffi Muradyan (bass guitar), and Hrach Amirkhanyan (drums).
Today, August 8, the festival opens its doors at 8 Tigran Mets Street, where the band “TIEZERK” will perform, featuring Lusine Mlke-Galstyan, Eliza Baghdiyan, Shushan Tamanyan, and Narek Baghdasaryan.
Tomorrow, August 9, the festival will conclude with a final concert at 67 Gorky Street, where the band “KOUCHI BLUES” will perform, consisting of Armen Babakhanyan, Gurgen Ebejian, and Levon Hakhverdyan.
All concerts are free, and for the convenience of guests arriving from the capital, a free shuttle service between Yerevan and Gyumri and back will operate on August 8-9. Departure from Yerevan’s Republic Square is at 12:00, and the return from Gyumri’s Vardanants Square is scheduled for 21:00.