Debate grows over Paruyr Sevak sculpture outside Armenian school

There has been no final decision yet on whether a sculpture of renowned Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak will be removed from the courtyard of Zangakatun Secondary School amid growing public debate.

Speaking to Panorama.am on Tuesday, the school director, Haykazn Adamyan, said the issue remains under discussion and that the school is awaiting the results of a community consultation.

“No decision has been made so far. The matter is still being discussed and we are waiting for the outcome of the announced survey to see what the final decision will be,” he said. “The community is to decide and we will accept the decision it reaches.”

The sculpture, titled Paruyr Sevak: The Unceasing Belfry, was created by sculptor Levon Tokmajyan and installed in the school courtyard in early December. It was donated to the school by the artist and was not commissioned.

Adamyan said the school had gladly accepted the sculpture as a gift but had not anticipated the scale of the reaction that followed.

“It has reached the point where a community vote has been called,” he said.

While noting that he personally liked the sculpture, the director stressed that professional artists should ultimately assess its artistic value.

“It is a value, a work of art, the result of a sculptor’s labor,” he said. “The sculptor has put spirit into this piece. It has a story, a life and most importantly, it has Sevak. All of that deserves appreciation.”

Following its installation, the sculpture drew public criticism, prompting wider discussion about its suitability.

In earlier comments to Panorama.am, Tokmajyan said the work represented a new interpretation of the poet rather than a literal likeness.

“I consider this a discovery of Sevak’s image for myself,” he said. “For me, this is my best work. If his grandson accepted it and sees it as a new image of his grandfather, then others may say whatever they wish.”

He added that the sculpture reflects his own conceptual approach. “This is not the Paruyr Sevak we know from photographs. It is a new Paruyr Sevak, called The Unceasing Belfry,” he said.

The final outcome will depend on the results of the community consultation, which are expected to be announced in the coming days.