About Us
About Us
The Berd Dance Ensemble was founded in 1963 by Boris Gevorgyan, People's Artist of the Republic of Armenia. For more than half a century, the sole mission of the ensemble has been the development, preservation, and promotion of Armenian national dance, elevating it to a high artistic level and presenting it both in Armenia and beyond its borders.
The repertoire of the Berd Ensemble includes ethnographic, ritual, labor, lyrical, military-historical, comic, and other types of dances, which rightfully belong to the classical heritage of Armenian Folk dance art.
The name of the ensemble originates from the Armenian folk dance Berd, which is the ancient ritual dance "Gmbetakhagh," preserved in the historical province of Vaspurakan of Armenia and dating back thousands of years.
In the early 1990s, Boris Gevorgyan passed his choreographic legacy to his son, Karen Gevorgyan. In the decades that followed, Karen Gevorgyan deepened their legacy by conducting extensive field research, collecting folk dances from across Armenia and preserving dozens of pieces that might otherwise have been lost.
Since its founding, the Honored Ensemble of Armenia Berd has participated in the most prestigious international folk-dance festivals, Armenian culture days, and solo concerts, repeatedly receiving high awards and honors. The international recognition and high reputation achieved by the Berd Dance Ensemble in recent decades are also closely associated with the name of Stepan Gevorgyan, the ensemble's director.
Overall, throughout its creative activity, the Honored Ensemble of Armenia Berd has toured in more than 40 countries, participated in approximately 500 international festivals, given nearly 1,000 solo performances, and performed for an audience of over one million spectators.
Our Story
The Berd Dance Ensemble was founded by Boris Gevorgyan
The ensemble was awarded the honorary title of People's Collective.
Solo concerts were held in various cities of the former Soviet Union, as well as in Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria, Algeria, Austria, and Hungary.
The Berd Dance Ensemble was honored with the title Laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize of Armenia.
Karen Gevorgyan assumed the position of Artistic Director of the ensemble.
Tours and solo concerts took place in Spain, Italy, France, Poland, Switzerland, and Germany, as well as solo performances in Taiwan.
At the International Folk Dance Competition held in Dijon, France, with the participation of more than 25 dance ensembles from around the world, the Berd Dance Ensemble won first place, receiving the Gold Medal.
The ensemble participated in international festivals held in Belgium, France, Portugal, and Spain.
By decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia, the Berd Dance Ensemble was awarded the honorary title "Honored Collective of Armenia."
Solo concerts and tours were held in the Russian Federation, China, France, Belgium, and Spain. In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the ensemble presented exclusive solo concerts in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New Jersey.
The Berd Dance Ensemble presented 26 professional solo concerts in more than 15 cities across France, reaching an audience of approximately 20,000 spectators.
A solo concert at the renowned Casino de Paris concert hall in Paris. Anniversary solo concerts in prestigious concert venues in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
Founder
Boris Gevorgyan
Artistic Director
Karen Gevorgyan
Director