The Vagharshapat Municipality has launched a massive social media campaign ahead of Etchmiadzin’s 2711th  anniversary celebrations on October 8, though local authorities are keeping the official event budget secret.

Since September 16, the municipality has published near-daily videos showcasing scheduled festivities, including video invitations from featured musical acts. The city's main streets have already been decorated with municipal flags and festive banners in preparation for the milestone.

However, despite publicizing the event schedule, the municipality has yet to disclose the full financial details of the celebration.

Hetq submitted a formal written inquiry to Community Head Argishti Mekhakyan seeking clarification on the allocated budget, funding sources, and planned expenditures. The inquiry requested a detailed breakdown of costs, specifically asking for the performance fees of headlining artists—including Iveta Mukuchyan, Erik, and Arman Asatryan—alongside expenses for equipment rentals, fireworks, thematic festivals, and children's entertainment.

Additionally, Hetq questioned whether the expenditures had been formally approved by the local Council of Elders and if any private entities were providing financial backing.

The Vagharshapat Municipality declined to provide specific figures, stating that it is currently impossible to deliver complete financial data because the organizational process is still ongoing. Officials maintained that final information will only be compiled and provided in accordance with established procedures after the October 8 events conclude, invoices are settled, and contracts are finalized.

Public Records Missing, Millions Unaccounted For

Despite these claims, past and present contracts concluded for the festive events remain largely inaccessible to the public and are missing from the municipality's official website. A search of the procurement portal Armeps.am yielded only a single active agreement: a service contract signed on September 22, 2026, between the Vagharshapat community head and "Event Platform" LLC.

Valued at AMD 24 million (approximately US$66,240), this contract covers the rental of a massive stage, satellite platforms for camera crews, LED screens for real-time concert broadcasting, and sound and lighting systems. The contract was awarded via a request for quotations.

Founded in 2022 and owned by Aram Poghosyan, Event Platform LLC is a frequent beneficiary of state contracts. In 2025, the Vagharshapat Municipality signed two contracts with the company worth AMD 7.6 million drams ($20,976) for staging and event hosting. Between 2023 and 2026, the firm also serviced the Public Radio Company of Armenia, Yerevan State University, and the Yerevan Municipality—including a contract worth approximately AMD 20 million drams ($55,200) for technical support during the "Erebuni-Yerevan 2806" celebrations.

Opposition Alleges Intentional Secrecy

The AMD 24-million-dram ($66,240) staging contract is the only publicly visible expense for Etchmiadzin’s 2711th anniversary, leaving the cost of singers, fireworks, and festivals completely hidden. This lack of transparency has drawn sharp criticism from local leadership.

Harutyun Khachikyan, a member of the Vagharshapat Municipal Council representing the opposition "Mother Armenia" National Democratic Party, revealed to Hetq that the council never separately debated the anniversary events. Instead, the administration lumped the costs into a general event line item in the annual budget, which the opposition voted against.

"What’s more, we sent an inquiry regarding this a few days ago, but—in a manner typical of them whenever money is involved—they go to great lengths to avoid providing a concrete explanation or artificially delay the response," Khachikyan stated. He added that the municipality likely hides the expenses in advance to prevent a public outcry over spending.