13th Fresco International Festival

The 13th Fresco International Festival is scheduled to take place on August 26, 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia. A central feature of this year's festival is the groundbreaking "Concert in Total Darkness," an event marking its debut in Armenia. Held at the Hall of the Union of Architects, located at 17 Baghramyan Avenue, this concert aims to provide an immersive and inclusive experience.

During the concert, audience members will enter a completely unlit space, devoid of any visual cues such as screens or stage lighting. Individuals with visual impairments will guide attendees through the venue, offering a reversed perspective on how public spaces are typically navigated. This setup is designed to challenge sighted participants, encouraging them to rely on their other senses—sound and touch—and the assistance of others for movement and orientation.

Organizers state that inclusion is a core mission of the Fresco Festival, and this project offers a direct experience of that principle. By removing visual elements, the concert intends for listeners to concentrate entirely on the music and to foster deeper thought about accessibility and the challenges faced by people with visual impairments. The event, which begins at 7 p.m., is organized by the Special Creative Center for Children with support from Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, and offers free admission.