Armenian youth ensemble to visit Ironton as part of International Cultural Exchange Tour

Group of young women in traditional Armenian garb in front of large historic building

, in partnership with the Ironton Rotary Club and Ironton aLive, will host a youth ensemble from Armenia on Tuesday, Aug. 26, as part of the 2025 .

The ensemble, known as Armfolk, is composed of 15 young dancers, musicians and Rotaractors from Armenia. Their national tour includes stops in major cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Chicago and Atlanta. Ironton is one of the smallest communities on the tour, giving the region a unique opportunity to connect with international youth through music, dance and cultural storytelling.

“Arts and cultural exchange experiences like this open doors for our students and our community to see the world from new perspectives,” said Debbie Marinski, dean of �� Southern. “We’re proud to be part of bringing a program to Ironton that shares culture, builds understanding and strengthens our global connections.”

During the day, Armfolk will present a one-hour educational program for students at Ironton High School. The program includes a cultural presentation, live traditional music and audience participation. Teachers will also receive an educational packet to extend classroom learning.

Free public performance on Tuesday, Aug. 26

That evening, the ensemble will give a free public performance at 5:30 p.m. at the Ironton Farmers Market, as part of Ironton aLive’s Tuesday Night Concert Series. Community members are invited to attend and experience Armenian culture in an engaging and family-friendly setting.

Sarah Simmons, immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Ironton, emphasized the importance of community participation.

“We’re honored to bring this international experience to our small Appalachian city,” Simmons said. “It’s a chance to showcase our hospitality, connect across cultures and remind ourselves that even in a small town, we can make a global impact.”

The tour is organized by the (IAF) and Rotary partners across the United States. Founded and operated entirely by Rotarian volunteers, IAF promotes youth engagement and intercultural dialogue through the arts. The cultural exchange program allows young leaders to share their heritage while experiencing Rotary’s global network firsthand.

Dr. Aleksan Zakyan, past president of the Rotary Club of Yerevan United and current assistant governor of Rotary District 2452, helped launch the initiative with support from .

“This is about far more than performance—it’s about planting seeds of global citizenship, cultural pride and Rotary values,” Zakyan said. “For many of these youth, it is their first international journey, and we want them to see firsthand how Rotary connects the world.”

The tour runs from Aug. 14 to Sept. 15 and has received praise from Rotary International leaders, including Past Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick, who met with the Armenian youth earlier this year and expressed strong support for the program’s vision and impact.

For more information about the Ironton performance, contact Simmons or the

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