Duduk and its music were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 (originally proclaimed in 2005). The duduk, or “dziranapogh” in Armenian, is a double-reed woodwind instrument made of apricot wood, conventionally called the “Armenian oboe”. The roots of its music go back to ancient times. The Armenian duduk is distinctive in construction and performance technique and, characterized by a warm and soft timbre. It accompanies popular Armenian traditional songs and dances of the various regions and is played at events, such as weddings and funerals; over the last few decades, its popularity has faded, in particular in the rural areas where it originated.

Minas Lourian, director of the music section of the Studies and Documentation Centre of Armenian Culture of Venice, has invited Gevorg Dabagyan to teach this year’s edition of the Course of Armenian duduk. Dabagyan is a major living expert in this very ancient instrument and the main duduk teacher at the Yerevan State Conservatory. He has founded several ensembles, including Shoghaken, a group dedicated to preserving the very rich Armenian folk music heritage. Liturgical music also features prominently in Dabagyan’s vast repertory.