Varna International Ballet Competition
Galstyan was born on 12 February 1941 in Yerevan. He trained at Yerevan Choreographic School, before he began performing with Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theater. He also performed internationally, including at the Bolshoi Theatre. He took part in a Canadian tour with Mikhail Baryshnikov, during which Baryshnikov defected. Galstyan stated that he was questioned by the KGB as a result. He won gold medals at Varna International Ballet Competition and another international competition in Cairo in 1968 and 1971 respectively. He appeared in over 60 films during his 40-year career, including in "The Color of Pomegranates", after he was spotted by director Sergei Parajanov during a performance of "Giselle".