Eva Gevorgyan to Open the Montenegro International Piano Festival 2026
The Montenegro International Piano Festival 2026 will officially open on June 15 in the stunning setting of the Rose of the Winds venue at Lazure Hotel & Marina in Herceg Novi, marking the beginning of seven days dedicated to outstanding concerts, international competition, artistic excellence, and cultural exchange.
The honour of opening this year’s Festival has been entrusted to Eva Gevorgyan, one of the most remarkable young pianists of her generation, whose exceptional artistry, virtuosity, and musical maturity have earned her recognition on some of the world’s most prestigious concert stages and international competitions.
Throughout the Festival week, from June 15 to June 21, Herceg Novi and Kotor will host distinguished artists from across the globe. Audiences will enjoy a rich concert programme featuring internationally acclaimed pianists Yuan Fang and Andrey Gugnin, while the Closing Gala Concert on June 21, celebrated on World Music Day, will serve as the grand culmination of this year’s Festival.
Alongside the concert programme, the Festival will host the Montenegro International Piano Competition, bringing together more than 50 young pianists from Europe, Asia, North America, and the wider region. Participants will perform before an international jury composed of renowned artists and pedagogues, competing for prestigious prizes and the Festival’s highest distinction, the Montenegro Grand Prix.
A particularly important part of the Festival is its international masterclass programme, offering young musicians a unique opportunity to work closely with some of the most respected piano pedagogues of today. This year’s educational programme will be led by Nataliya Trull, distinguished pianist and Professor at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, who will also serve as President of the International Jury, alongside acclaimed Italian pianist, composer, and pedagogue Giuseppe Devastato, and Ian Jones, Professor of Piano and Deputy Head of Keyboard Studies at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London. Their presence further confirms the growing international reputation of the Festival and provides participants with invaluable artistic and educational experience.
"What brings me the greatest joy is seeing the Festival continue to grow year after year, bringing together an ever-increasing number of artists, professors, and talented young musicians from around the world. From its very beginning, our vision has been to establish Montenegro as a meeting point for artistic excellence, education, and international cultural dialogue. This year’s programme presents extraordinary artists, inspiring educational opportunities, and a platform for creating new professional and personal connections through the universal language of music. I am confident that this Festival edition will offer a week filled with outstanding performances, artistic inspiration, and unforgettable moments." Vasilisa Lopušina, Founder and Artistic Director of the Montenegro International Piano Festival
The realization of this year’s Festival would not be possible without the support of numerous partners and institutions that recognize the importance of investing in culture, education, and international artistic cooperation. The organizers extend their sincere gratitude to the Municipality of Kotor, the Nikola Đurković Cultural Centre Kotor, with whom the Festival traditionally presents the Closing Gala Concert on World Music Day, the Kotor Tourist Organization, Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management of Montenegro (Morsko Dobro), Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG), and the Vida Matjan Music School Kotor for their invaluable support and contribution to the Festival programme.
Special appreciation is also extended to the Vida Matjan Music School Kotor, which will host the Festival’s masterclasses and part of the competition activities, providing young musicians with a vibrant environment for learning, artistic development, and international exchange.
The Festival organizers would also like to express their gratitude to the Hamović family for their patronage and support of the Opening Ceremony, as well as to Lazure Hotel & Marina for their partnership and trust in the realization of this important cultural event.
Through seven days of exceptional concerts, international competition, educational programmes, and encounters between artists from different parts of the world, the Montenegro International Piano Festival 2026 once again confirms its position as one of the leading international classical music festivals in Montenegro and the region, contributing to the cultural promotion of the country and fostering new bridges of international cooperation through the universal language of music.
📩 Reservations for the Opening Concert:
