Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ba

The building of National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet was built in 1926-1963, by the draft of the most eminent Armenian architect Alexander Tamanyan and on the initiative of the Prefect of Yerevan Aramayisa Yerznkyan. History has it that the structure of this premises was an old dream of A. Yerznkyan, but the Soviet government did not provide funds for this purpose. For the structure of the premises of Opera and Ballet A. Yerznkyan provided funds from the budget granted for other programs and in the result was shot by the order of Stalin. The Theatre part of the premises was completed in 1939 and the Philharmonic Hall in 1963. The draft of the building, which suggested the connection of the two halls, was awarded the Grand Prix and the Grand Gold Medal at the World Exhibition in Paris, in 1936. The Theatrical Square (or Freedom Square) with the monuments to the writer Hovhannes Tumanyan and to the composer Alexander Spendiaryan is located opposite to the southern side of the premises. This square is considered a symbol of freedom of the Armenian people, as Artsakh national liberation movement started from this area in 1988. A monument to the world famous Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian is in front of the Philharmonic Hall.