The Museum of the renowned film director, screenwriter, and artist Sergey Parajanov is located in Yerevan, in one of the picturesque corners of the capital called Dzoragyugh (Gorge Village). The idea to create the Director’s house-museum emerged in 1988 when one of Sergey Parajanov’s friends, Zaven Sargsyan, organized an exhibition of Parajanov’s works of art in the Museum of Folk Art in Yerevan which was attended by the Maestro as well. Due to Parajanov’s unconstrained fantasy, every single instance of that festive occasion became an unforgettable event. At the exhibition opening ceremony, Parajanov highlighted that his creativity did not recognize any national pertinence – it belongs to all. Nevertheless, he considered himself a person of three homelands. “My first homeland is Georgia, where I self-accomplished, the second one is Ukraine which gave me love, happiness and recognition worldwide, and my third homeland is Armenia, where my roots are and where I would like to live the rest of my life”. Inspired by these words, Zaven Sargsyan turned to the Armenian Government, and in a couple of days, the decision was passed to grant premises to house the Artist’s residence and Museum. Initially, there were two possible buildings meant to house the Museum – one of them on one of the high streets in Yerevan, on Abovian street (currently, it is the place where the famous art gallery, souvenir shop and restaurant Dalan is located). The second possible place war the two-storied house – still being built – in the territory of Dzoragyugh ethnographic quarter. Parajanov personally visited both places and opted for the one in Dzoragyugh. Parajanov was delighted and, in different interviews, would mention with pride that a two-storied house museum was being built for him. He could picture his own house and Museum – with peacocks walking in the courtyard and his guests contemplating their beauty. Unfortunately, after the devastating earthquake in 1988, the construction was interrupted and resumed only in the spring of 1990. By that time, Parajanov had been diagnosed with lung cancer which eventually killed him, impeding the Artist from moving into that house and making his dreams and aim true. Parajanov’s Museum was inaugurated in 1991 – a year later his death. Visit: https://www.parajanovmuseum.am
Intrepid Explorers