The National Library of Armenia hosted a public lecture dedicated to the 145th anniversary of Alexander Tamanyan, the founder of new Armenian architecture and creator of the unique image of modern Yerevan. The lecture was followed by an exhibition of books related to Tamanyan, which opened in a large exhibition hall named after him. The exhibition will be available for a month more.

 

The public lecture was held by the architect, architectural historian, Ph.D. Marieta Gasparyan. She presented Tamanyan's architectural heritage, and buildings designed by him, spoke on its history, and professionally and comprehensively analyzed the work of the great architect, who, according to Isahakyan, revealed "a whole world of inexhaustible architectural skill, experience, deep theories and impeccable taste."    
First of all, Marieta Gasparyan spoke in detail about the building of the National Library of Armenia, designed by Tamanyan, then touched upon the adjacent buildings: Yerevan Observatory, buildings of the Polytechnic Institute, Veterinary Institute, Anatomical Medical Institute, the Hospital Complex, etc.  

 

In total, 14 different buildings were built in Yerevan according to Tamanyan's project. The most famous of them are the Government House and the People's House (Opera and Ballet Theatre), true masterpieces of architecture, appreciated by descendants. Tamanyan was posthumously awarded a state award for the design of the Government House. And the project of the building of the Opera House received the Great Gold Medal at the World Exhibition in Paris.   
The author of the Yerevan’s master plan, and many important buildings in Yerevan, St. Petersburg, and Moscow, Alexander Tamanyan became the greatest successor to the centuries-old traditions of Armenian architecture.  

 


When asked why Tamanyan moved from Moscow to Armenia, Marieta Gasparyan replied that Tamanyan was a great patriot. In order to restore the destroyed Motherland, he left a prosperous life in Russia, many projects, fame and recognition, and in 1923 he settled in Yerevan. Alexander Spendiaryan, Martiros Saryan, Vahram Papazyan, Hrachya Nersisyan, Hrachya Acharyan and many other famous Armenians also came to Yerevan to serve their Motherland.   
“In all my works, starting from 1923, I tried to use the architectural heritage of past centuries. I tried to find such forms that would correspond to the climatic conditions and nature of the country, reflect its folk art,” said Tamanyan.   
In 1924, the general plan of Yerevan, approved according to his project, became the largest phenomenon in all Soviet urban planning. It became a basis for all subsequent master plans for Yerevan. It is no coincidence that Yeghishe Charents, having heard the news of Tamanyan's untimely death on February 20, 1936, wrote his famous "Vision of Death" — "In the Immortal Memory of Academician Tamanyan", an ode to the general plan of Yerevan, Tamanyan and his Yerevan. 
 

"He saw a city made of sun...  
On marble outlines of the streets.  
On the sundial, city on the map:  
Wide avenues stretched on the sides,nbsp; 
And in the center - granite garden to the skies"