The cancellation of the participation of creative groups in the Vienna festival has caused dissatisfaction among Karabakh cultural figures.

The participation of two Karabakh creative groups in the international festival in Vienna has been canceled after the intervention of several embassies, reported the "Center for the Preservation of Artsakh Culture." Karabakh cultural figures considered this decision politicized and demanded that the organizers reconsider the refusal.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the "Center for the Preservation of Artsakh Culture," which unites 12 musical groups from Nagorno-Karabakh, together with the "Munk" tech school, participated in organizing the cultural and educational program "We Are." The event took place on January 18, 2026, in Yerevan and included an exhibition and concert.

The participation of the State Orchestra of National Instruments of Artsakh (the self-designation of Nagorno-Karabakh, – Note from "Caucasian Knot") and the State Ensemble of Song and Dance "We Are Our Mountains" in the XVI International Christmas Choir Festival Vienna Christmas Voices has been canceled, reported the "Center for the Preservation of Artsakh Culture" on its Facebook page on October 23. The festival is scheduled to take place in Vienna from November 27 to 30, organized by the World Festival Association (WOFA).

The organizers informed the groups about the cancellation on October 21. The center published excerpts from the correspondence of its chairman, Apress Markaryan, with the president of WOFA Zoran Strezozski. According to the center's message from October 23, in the subsequent correspondence, Strezozski referred to information he received about the intervention of several embassies. They accused the groups of "separatist activities" and suggested not allowing them to participate in the festival. The center demanded to name these embassies and provide factual grounds for the accusations, as stated in the message, the translation of which was done by a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

Preserving Karabakh culture and presenting it to the international audience cannot be considered "separatist activities," and creative groups cannot be labeled as "dangerous groups," said the center's head Apress Markaryan to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

The "Center for the Preservation of Artsakh Culture" categorically rejects the accusations and characterizations attributed to its artists. We intend to consistently seek clarification of all circumstances surrounding the incident and the protection of our cultural rights. The World Festival Association (WOFA) has been demanded to name the embassies that intervened in the situation and provide factual grounds for the accusations. The president of the association promised to provide additional details. The center has already appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and international human rights organizations to investigate the circumstances of the incident and assist in protecting the cultural rights of artists from Artsakh," he stated.

After leaving Nagorno-Karabakh, artists lost the opportunity to engage in creativity in their familiar cultural environment. Limiting their participation in international events based on political accusations raises concerns about potential violations of cultural rights, noted Markaryan.

Preserving the groups and ensuring the continuity of their professional activities became one of the organization's tasks after the population's exodus in 2023. These groups are carriers of the intangible cultural heritage of the region, he emphasized. Markaryan referred to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which classifies performing arts as one of the main areas of this heritage.

The Public Council of Nagorno-Karabakh also demanded to disclose the names of the embassies, the factual grounds for the accusations, and to reconsider the decision to cancel the participation of the groups in a statement published today on its Facebook page.

The council stated its intention to appeal to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Austria, UNESCO, the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the competent authorities of Austria. Preserving the cultural identity of Karabakh Armenians cannot be viewed as a threat or separatism, the council emphasized. It also linked concerns about the state and preservation of Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh with the obstacles that Karabakh artists faced in presenting their culture in Europe.

The cancellation of the participation of Karabakh groups in the festival raises concerns about political pressure, stated the ombudsman for the preservation of cultural heritage of Artsakh Ovik Avanesov.

Creative groups preserving Armenian national music, songs, and dances as part of cultural identity and historical memory should not face political accusations and discrimination based on nationality. After the exodus of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, preserving cultural traditions has gained particular significance, he noted to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

The ombudsman's office disseminated an open letter to the government of Armenia, international structures, and festival organizers through Armenian media, Avanesov reported. It contains demands to disclose the circumstances and reasons for the cancellation of the groups' participation, as well as the factual grounds for the accusations. The authors called for ensuring transparency in decision-making and reconsidering it in light of the principles of equal treatment and non-discrimination.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia has been suggested to investigate the circumstances of possible diplomatic intervention and take measures within its competence. UNESCO, international organizations, and festival associations have been urged to pay attention to the protection of the cultural rights of Karabakh artists.

International cultural cooperation should be based on professional criteria, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Cultural venues should not become instruments of political pressure, and the national affiliation of artists should not be a basis for limiting their professional activities, emphasized the ombudsman's office today on its Facebook page, the translation of which was done by a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

The cancellation of the participation of the groups in the "Agency for the Development of Tourism and Culture of Artsakh" was called an unacceptable politicization of culture and an attempt to limit the right of Karabakh Armenians to cultural self-expression. The organization's staff conveyed the text of the statement to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

Using political accusations to exclude artists from international cultural life represents a dangerous form of discrimination. After leaving the region in 2023, artists lost their familiar cultural environment and now face obstacles to presenting their heritage on the international stage, the agency pointed out.

The cancellation of the participation of two groups against the backdrop of accusations of "separatist activities" requires not only public assessment but also concrete actions, stated the head of the agency Sergey Shahverdyan to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

"Culture is not separatism, and political censorship of culture is unacceptable. It is necessary to demand explanations from the organizers of WOFA, disclosure of the factual grounds for the accusations, and reconsideration of the decision to cancel the participation of artists," he noted.

For the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, who left their homeland and familiar cultural environment, it is essential to preserve the opportunity to present their heritage on the international stage, Shahverdyan added.

Participation in international events helps Karabakh artists preserve national traditions, and its limitation for political reasons violates their cultural rights, stated public figure Nune Airyan to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot." After leaving their homeland, artists largely depend on the opportunity to perform on international stages. Preserving and presenting national culture cannot be considered a threat, she emphasized.