RUSSIAN FORTRESS IN GYUMRI BEING REMODELED INTO FESTIVAL CENTER
Armenpress
Sept 28 2006
GYUMRI, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: Authorities in the second-largest
town of Gyumri in north-western Armenian Shirak province hope to
accomplish remodeling of a 19-th century Russian fortress into a
modern art and culture center by 2007 November.
The fortress that was inaugurated by the Russian tsar Nikolay I
will have 1,500 seats. It will host film, theatrical and circus
festivals and also folk and modern music concerts. The fortress is
being reconstructed and remodeled by Hayk Hayrapetian, an Armenian
based in the Russian Saint Petersburg. He said to Armenpress the
center will also have a museum.
Hayrapetian said remodeling of the fortress is just half of the
idea. Later he wants to build a pagan village nearby. He says Gyumri
is perhaps the only Armenian town where one can restore an old Armenian
settlement with its everyday life and traditions. All this is expected
to make Gyumri more attractive for local and foreign tourists. The
project’s cost is about $2,2 million.