Concert halls Yerevan

Armenia boasts theatrical traditions dating back to ancient times. You will be told that Euripides' coins were represented at the court of the Armenian king in Artachat in the first century BC. This 1,140-seat theatre, housed in a building dating from 1966 and designed by architect Raphaël Alaverdian, attempts to perpetuate the tradition. It is named after the Armenian playwright Soundoukian (1825-1912), author of the Armenian theatre classic Pepo. The theatre is located in the intimate setting of the "English Garden" (Ankliakan Aiki).

Leaning against the National Gallery, at the corner of Republic Square and Abovian Street, where it has its entrance, like many theatres in the capital, it is named after the great composer of the last century Arno Babadjanian, but presents concerts of lighter music, shows of traditional or folk music and dances from Armenia or other countries, as well as variety shows by local or former USSR singers.

In Tsitsernakapert Park, this large futuristic complex (for Soviet Armenia in the 1980s) houses a concert hall where local stars perform, facilities designed for major sports competitions, a cafeteria-restaurant, an open air cinema. Two halls with 5,000 and 1,500 seats, connected by revolving stands, host the Chess Olympiads, the Armenia-Diaspora Forum, the Aurora Prize award ceremony... and in 2018, the Francophonie Summit.

Located on the green belt to the east of the Opera district, this prestigious hall is named after the famous Armenian composer of the early 20th century, who died in France after escaping genocide. There are evenings of organ music, an instrument for which Komitas has composed a lot, and recitals of classical and contemporary music, by Armenian composers such as Arno Babadjanian, or international composers, in a hall with an ultramodern decor.

This grey stone building built by Tamanian in the neo-Armenian style (for which he won first prize at the 1936 Paris Universal Exhibition) has two halls, one for opera and ballet (1,260 seats), the other for concerts by the philharmonic orchestra (1,400 seats). Armen Tigranian's opera Anouche, inspired by Toumanian who has his statue in the square, is one of the classics of Armenian lyric art, along with Donizetti's Polyeucte, which sings about the conversion of the King of Armenia. A classical repertoire, even though Aznavour performed there.

Situated in the immediate vicinity of Republic Square, this theatre was for a long time directed by one of the greatest actors of Armenian cinema and theatre, Sos Sarksian, who has now passed away, and to whom it owes its name. The theatre was created in the aftermath of independence by an institution born within the Armenian diaspora and dedicated to the protection and dissemination of Armenian culture and language, Hamaskain, which has many other institutions to its credit.

Named after Hagop Paronian, the great master of the early 20th century Armenian-style boulevard theatre in Constantinople, this theatre located on the immediate vicinity of Republic Square specializes in comedy, but not only. In 1998, it hosted a cycle of French theatre, where Feydau and Labiche, of whom Paronian can be considered an Armenian avatar, were far from being the only authors in an eclectic programme.

Cinemas in Yerevan are rare and are mainly located in large shopping centres or malls, one of which has replaced the other large cinema dating from the Soviet era, Kino Rossia. Kino Moskva is the most prestigious. Fitted out in a building from the 1930s, the legendary hall is located opposite the Grand Yerevan Hotel on Aznavour Square, decorated with a pool with water jets. Animation is at its peak in mid-July, with the International Film Festival "Golden Apricot" (Voske Dziran) establishing its quarters in the cinema.

Located south of Republic Square, near the Sourp Krikor Lussavoritch Cathedral, this imposing circular circus dating from the Soviet era is trying to restore the stars to the Armenian circus arts, which were in better shape in Soviet Armenia's time. After major renovation work begun in 2012, the dilapidated hard structure is now much more elegant and able to accommodate more decent performances by acrobats, jugglers, trainers and clowns.

Yerevan has more than one venue specializing in puppet theatre, a genre that is very popular in Armenia and not only among children and for which Armenians have acquired a certain reputation. This theatre, named after the great 19th century writer Toumanian, who wrote tales, is one of the most popular. It is frequented by children, but adults are welcome to see the puppets (khamajik) on stage.