SYDNEY: The 2018 Armenian Festival hosted an approximate 10,000 people throughout Sunday 16th December at Tumbalong Park in Sydney's Darling Harbour.


(Watch Highlights Video above or by clicking here)

The event – headlined on stage by visiting singer from Armenia, Gaby Galoyan, and in guests by New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian – marked 100 years since Armenia's First Republic declared independence in 1918.

Berejiklian was joined by fellow special guests in Australia's Minister for Immigration, Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs, David Coleman; Federal Member for North Sydney, Trent Zimmerman; Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, Walt Secord and Damien Tudehope; Armenia-based Australian Chess Champion, Arianne Caoili; as well as local Councillors and leaders representing the Armenian, Indigenous and Ethnic communities of Australia.

Galoyan and her band lit up the stage with her one-hour performance, where she was joined by local singers, Sako Mkhmeljian & Band and Nicole Simonian. Dance groups, including Hamazkaine Sassoun's Armenian Sydney Dance Ensemble, Hamazkaine Nairi Dance and AGBU Tamzara Dance also performed; as did the Choirs of Hamazkaine Arshak & Sophie Galstaun College, AGBU Alexander Primary School and Hamazkaine Tarkmanchatz Saturday School.

Vache Kahramanian was the Festival's Master of Ceremonies, Uncle Allen Madden from the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council delivered the Welcome to Country after an Opening March by the Homenetmen Australia Scouts, while DJ Rob-D spun tunes during the 7-hour on-stage extravaganza.


(Watch Official Opening Video above or by clicking here)

The audience was also greeted with surprise performances from the Pontian Greek and Assyrian Dance Groups – both dedicating dances in honour of the 100th Anniversary of Armenia's First Republic.

Stallholders at the Armenian Festival included community organisations and businesses, while the Beer Garden served up Armenian wine among a full drinks menu. Food included Kebab, Armenian Sausage, Falafel and Chicken Rolls. Children were entertained by jumping castles and face painting, while the on-stage Christmas Carols by Galstaun College students closed out the 2018 Armenian Festival at 7pm.



The event was sponsored by several businesses, while Multicultural NSW was an official partner after approving a $7,000 grant for the event. Dozens of volunteers, including photographers who will release their photo albums in due course (click here and like Armenian Festival page and be informed of their release), helped make the event a reality.