Paruyr Sevak statue to be removed from Armenian school courtyard

A sculpture of Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak by renowned sculptor Levon Tokmajyan is set to be removed from the courtyard of Zangakatun Secondary School following a community vote.

The Paruyr Sevak House Museum said on Tuesday only the Zangakatun community residents were eligible to participate in the survey. Nearly 80% voted in favor of removing the statue, while just over 20% opposed the move.

The work, titled Paruyr Sevak: The Unceasing Belfry, was installed in early December and quickly sparked criticism. Tokmajyan, a People’s Artist of Armenia, said the sculpture was not commissioned but donated to the school.

Speaking earlier to Panorama.am, Tokmajyan defended the piece as a conceptual reinterpretation of Sevak, describing it as his best work and a “new image” of the poet rather than a likeness based on photographs.

The House-Museum organized the poll amid the public debate over the sculpture.