In 2026, ARé Fest and CYFEST enter into a curatorial dialogue shaped by two complementary perspectives on the relationship between humans and the natural world: GAIA TERRAIN. Where Bodies and Earth Converge, and Natura Naturans: Human Beings, Nature, Landscape. While each festival unfolds through its own program and artistic framework, their intersection creates a shared space for reflection on the dynamic interconnections between bodies, landscapes, and ecological systems.
Within ARé Fest, GAIA TERRAIN explores the Earth as a living terrain where human presence, non-human life, and environmental processes converge. Through performances and site-responsive practices, the festival emphasizes embodiment and ecological awareness, approaching the landscape not as a passive setting but as an active participant in artistic creation.
CYFEST approaches these questions through the concept of Natura Naturans, understanding nature as a generative and continuously evolving force. Through media art and interdisciplinary practices, the festival examines how humans perceive, interpret, and participate in the creative processes of the natural environment.
A central point of encounter between the two festivals is the Armenian Performance Art Program which brings together Armenian artists whose works engage with embodiment, ecology, landscape, and the evolving relationships between human presence and the environments we inhabit. By unfolding across both festivals, the program acts as a living bridge between their curatorial frameworks, highlighting how performative practices can connect ecological awareness, artistic experimentation, and technological reflection.
Together, the two festivals offer complementary approaches to contemporary ecological thought, inviting audiences to consider the Earth not merely as an object of observation, but as a complex field of interaction in which artistic practice, environmental awareness, and cultural imagination intersect.
ARé Fest 2026
Gaia Terrain
Where Bodies and Earth Converge
8-25 October 2026, Yerevan
Locations
National Gallery of Armenia, 1 Aram St, Yerevan
Institute for Contemporary Art, 47 Avet Avetisyan St, Yerevan
National Center of Aesthetics, 13 Abovyan St, Yerevan
COP17 Green Zone, 1 Tsitsernakaberd Park, Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex
History Museum of Armenia, 4 Republic Square, Yerevan
Cafesjian Center for the Arts, 10 Tamanyan St, Yerevan
Hrach's Art Space, Ashtarak
Tatoents Qotuk, Ashtarak
Art Kvartal, ARAR Gallery, 4 Pushkin St, Yerevan
Festival program
October 08
19:00 Fest Opening / Exhibition Opening / National Gallery of Armenia
Maud van den Beuken (Netherlands). When Rivers Speak
October 10
19:00 Performance / Institute for Contemporary Art
Yerem Karapetyan / Yerkar (Armenia). Yerformance
20:00 Performance / Institute for Contemporary Art Garden
Ani Tonoyan (Armenia). No Air
October 11
19:00 The bricoleur / exhibition opening
Simon Fisher (Australia)
Institute for Contemporary Art
October 12
19:00 Artist's performative talk
Simon Fisher (Australia)
Institute for Contemporary Art
October 13-14
17:00 - 20:00 Hearts on fire, water is boiling love / unworkshop / performative laboratory
Karen Hakobian (Armenia)
National Center of Aesthetics named after Henrikh Igityan
October 17
18:00 Performance caravan - Song of refugee / performance
MIHR Theatre (Armenia)
Ashtarak / Hrach's Art Space
19:00 Artist is wolf_wolf is artist
Samvel Saghatelyan (Armenia)
Ashtarak / Hrach's Art Space
19:30 Performance caravan - Skin shedding / performance
Arpine Mirzoyan (Armenia)
Ashtarak / Hrach's Art Space
20:30 Performance caravan - Digital mask making / workshop & showcase
Simon Fisher (Australia)
Ashtarak / Tatoents Qotuk
October 18
19:00 Yerformance / performance + artist's talk
Yerem Karapetyan / Yerkar (Armenia)
Institute for Contemporary Art
October 20
19:00 Homo tree / installation-performance
Samvel Saghatelyan (Armenia)
COP17 Green Zone
October 21
19:00 The green season / installation-performance
Sabrina Belenzier (Italy)
Institute for Contemporary Art Garden
October 22
19:00 Slowdowns: The art of deep time / exhibition opening
Claudy Jongstra (Netherlands)
History Museum of Armenia
October 23
17:00 Wool as a living medium / panel discussion
Claudy Jongstra (Netherlands), Tim Straight (Norway), Alla Aleksanian (Armenia)
COP17 Green Zone
October 23
19:00 Virtual ritual / gaming performance
Jan Mocek Theatre (Czech Republic)
Cafesjian Center for the Arts
October 24
16:00 Artist is wolf_wolf is artist
Samvel Saghatelyan (Armenia)
National Gallery of Armenia
19:00 No air / performance + artist's talk
Ani Tonoyan (Armenia)
Cafesjian Center for the Arts
October 25
15:00 Wool beating / performance
Samvel Saghatelyan (Armenia)
History Museum of Armenia
17:00 Skin shedding / performance
Arpine Mirzoyan (Armenia)
Art Kvartal, ARAR Gallery
18:00 The earth / extract, performance + artists' talk
MIHR Theatre (Armenia)
Art Kvartal, ARAR Gallery