IN THE FRAMEWORK OF EREBUNI-YEREVAN CELEBRATIONS AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF “ROSTELECOM” THE EXHIBITION “MUSEUM OF RUSSIAN ART AND ITS ARCHITECTURAL ENVIRONMENT” WAS LAUNCHED

On September 23, 2018 in the framework of Erebuni-Yerevan celebrations and “European Heritage Days” program the exhibition “Museum of Russian Art and its architectural environment” devoted to the history of Cascade was officially opened. For Museum of Russian Art visitors, the exhibition will be open till October 1, 2018.

During the exhibition exclusive photos from 1960-1990 as well as sketches and plans of buildings, picturing the history of “Cascade” park formation and which have never been summed up in a joint exhibition before, were presented in the exhibition. “Cascade” park is one of the most beautiful sites of Yerevan located in the architectural environment of Museum of Russian Art.

The event is devoted to the 2800th anniversary of Erebuni-Yerevan. It is also planned to organize regional mobile exhibitions in October.

"Staying accurate to its strategy the Museum of Russian Art (Prof. A. Abrahamyan’s collection), cooperates with various museums and private institutions, introducing themselves to the public with unique projects. This exhibition is one of such cooperation and thanks to all our partners we have been able to present the history and development of the most beloved parts of our city", - said the Director of the Museum of Russian Art, Marine Mkrtchyan.

The organizers of the exhibition are Museum of Russian Art (Prof. A. Abrahamyan’s collection), National Museum-Institute of Architecture after Al. Tamanyan, National Archive of Armenia and “Mediamax” company. “Rostelecom” invested in the realization of the project.

“This is a unique initiative and provides the opportunity to exhibit archived materials that have never been accessible to the public so far and which completely represent the creation and development of the cultural environment. “Rostelecom” highlights the importance of implementation of such projects, because they make possible to speak once more about Armenian rich cultural heritage and represent them to both natives and foreign visitors”, - mentioned Commercial Director of “Rostelecom” Armenia Vasiliy Rusakov.

In the framework of the project on September 26, at 17:00 a lecture by Architecture candidate Anush Ter-Minasyan will be held entitled “Russian Art Museum and its architectural environment”.

About the Museum of Russian Art and its Architectural Environment

In 1960, an artificial waterfall was constructed by Vardan Yusanyan’s project on one of Yerevan hills, today known as Cascade. The mosaic picture of multicolored fishes under the waterfall designed by Derenik Danielyan was a source of inspiration for children and adults for many years. In the late 1950’s - early 1960’s residential buildings began to be built up in this part of the city. The architects of development and residential buildings were Vardan Hyusyan and Hovhannes Babajanian, while Margarit Hayrapetyan was the architect of the building at the intersection of Tamanyan and Isahakyan streets. On the first floor of this building, a Fashion Atelier was opened, which in 1980 was replaced by nowadays widely known Museum of Russian Art (Prof. A. Abrahamyan Collection).

As a result of this developments, the whole space obtained a closed, unique appearance: with a park in the center; with rows of residential buildings of the same floors, made of yellow and orange tuff and with a common dimensional composition on both sides. In 1973, the quarter was completed with Alexander Tamanyan’s statue (sculptor - Artashes Hovsepyan, architect - Seda Petrosyan), who combined the whole space with its innovative and logical solutions.

In 1971, a new, large town planning project appeared for this place, as a result of which the hill turned into a powerful architectural structure, that became known as Cascade.

The main idea of Cascade complex is expression of the idea of national revival. To implement this idea in the best way, a variety of architectural forms and means of artistic expressiveness were used. In addition to the architects of the complex, the sculptors Ara Shiraz, Artashes Hovsepyan and the artist Grigor Khanjyan also took part in the creation of the ensemble.

In 1966 the “Revived Armenia” monument was built on the top of the hill, which has a height of 50 meters and crowned with a stylized golden leaf, which is considered the symbol of Erebuni. At the base of the monument the sign of Eternity is sculpted.

2009 the Cafesjian Center for the Arts was opened at the Cascade complex.

 

“European Heritage Days”

The annual “European Heritage Days” all-European project takes place in about 50 countries part to the European Cultural Convention /1954/. The basis for the project was the event "Open Doors of Historical Monuments", held in France /1984/. The program was officially approved by the Council of Europe in 1991. In 1999 the EU also joined the program, afterwards it was held under the motto "Europe. Common Heritage ".

The Republic of Armenia joined the “European Heritage Days” project in 2000. During these days cultural centers open their doors for the visitors.