HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
“AYRARAT” (ROSSIA) CINEMA
1975
Architects:
Artur Tarkhanyan, Spartak Khachikyan, Hrachya Poghosyan
Structural engineers: G. Gevorgyan, I. Tsaturyan
The cinema is located between
Tigran Mets Avenue, Agatangeghos Street, and Movses Khorenatsi Street in
Yerevan. In the early years of independence, it was renamed “Ayrarat”.
The cinema was a
multifunctional complex. It included two large auditoriums of different sizes,
with 1,000 and 1,600 seats, as well as a smaller hall with 280 seats. In
addition, the lower level of the complex housed exhibition halls, a café, a
bar, ticket offices, and other service areas. The auditoriums were elevated to
the second level above the lobby and service spaces.
The interior was designed with
sculptures and stained glass. Works by sculptors Ohan Petrosyan, Yervand
Gojabashyan, Henry Elibekyan, and Hmayak Bdeyan were featured.
The entire complex was
constructed of monolithic reinforced concrete for a 9-point seismic zone and is
one of the first structures of its kind in Armenia. It features a suspended
roof, which was used for the first time in the country. From Tigran Mets Avenue,
the roof spans 40 meters in width and 60 meters in length and is suspended
without any supporting columns.
The “Rossia” cinema, as an
example of Soviet modernist architecture, was innovative in its spirit, scale,
architectural solutions, and construction techniques. In 1979, it was awarded
the Prize of the Council of Ministers of the USSR.
Since its inception, “Rossia”
has been one of the most beloved cinemas for the people of Yerevan and an
important cultural venue, hosting numerous events during the Soviet period.
In 2004, the “Rossia” Trade
Center was opened in part of the building.
