Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the CIS, its history goes back almost three thousand years. Located on the territory of a disputed region, a crossroads where the opposition of different cultures has always been especially strong, Yerevan is a unique cultural monument, a nugget. And the museums of Yerevan, like shining facets, emphasize its originality. They allow you to feel the complex and tragic fate of the ancient Armenian culture.
Among the museums of Yerevan, a single museum complex stands out. It includes the Historical Museum, the Museum of the Revolution, the Museum of Literature and Art, and the Art Gallery of Armenia.
History Museum
It boasts a number of exhibits from the first centuries of the city's existence (and even from older settlements). This museum in Yerevan presents perfectly preserved items fromthe bottom of Lake Sevan dating back to the 13th century BC. Among them, you can even see two four-wheeled wooden carts, which are perfectly preserved under a layer of silt.
There is an excellent exposition of early Christian culture of Armenia - sculpture, ceramics, book miniatures and other artifacts. Since that time, we can talk about the beginning of the formation of a unique culture that absorbs the traditions of both the Christian and Muslim worlds.
The exposition dedicated to the Middle Ages is very rich. It is based on handicrafts, especially traditional Armenian ceramics. The composition, dedicated to the new time, reflects the changed historical realities and the gradual rapprochement of the Armenian state with Russia.
Museum of Literature and Art
The achievements of Armenian culture are the main pride of this museum. Yerevan has been a cultural center since ancient times, attracting gifted people from all over the Caucasus. Thanks to this, the museum owns a rich collection of documents, photographs and personal items of many Armenian writers and artists. There are also a lot of personal archives here, there is a rich library of 60 thousand volumes in various languages. The largest part of the expositions of this museum is devoted to the history of the twentieth century - the history of Soviet Armenia.
Museum of Russian Art
The funds are based on the collection of Professor A. Ya. Abrahamyan.
Most of the exhibits are paintings and sculptures. The collection includes such famous Russian artists of the 19th century as V. I. Surikov, B. M. Kustodiev and A. N. Benois.
Among the artists of the Soviet period, members of the Blue Vase and Jack of Diamonds associations - I. I. Mashkov, A. V. Lentulov, P. P. Konchalovsky and others can be noted.
The exhibition should also highlight the works of sculptors I. Gintsburg, M. Antokolsky and A. E. Carrier-Belleza.
A large part of the collection consists of objects of decorative and applied art - porcelain and bronze figurines, dishes. First of all, these are products of Russian and German factories of the 19th century.
Museum of Folk Art
It was created in 1978 and is based on the funds of the House of Folk Art. The museum's collection consists of more than eleven thousand exhibits. Various variations of folk art are presented here - from traditional Armenian crafts to modern art.
Here there is a hall filled with carved wooden objects, there is a rich collection of artisanal but masterfully made jewelry, in which masters use ancient techniques. Presented are traditional Armenian lace and specific Armenian carpets, which are distinguished by their special knitting. Also on display are works by amateur artists.
Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan
This museum reflects the most tragic page in the history of Armenia. During the First World War, more than one and a half million Armenians were destroyed on the territory of the Ottoman Empire, representing a defenseless civilian population. In memory of this, a memorial was opened in 1965, consisting of a 100-meter bas alt wall,45-meter granite wall and memorial sanctuary. Near the memorial, the Museum of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan was opened in 1995.
Its main content consists of material exhibits, photographs and documents designed to perpetuate the memory of the victims of the genocide. This museum is also a serious scientific center, a place of regular scientific conferences.
In memory of the Soviet film director
In the Museum of Sergei Parajanov, opened in 1991, the basis of the exposition is the work of the Soviet film director and artist Sergei Iosifovich Parajanov.
Here are various drawings and sketches of the artist, collages and movie reviews, even ceramics. Here you can also see the interior of Parajanov's house in Tiflis in the form of two rooms reproduced in detail. Unique documents are also presented, detailing the thorny life path of the artist.
The capital of Armenia is deservedly proud of its wonderful museums, which reflect the diversity and antiquity of Armenian culture.
