Armenia’s Hamazgayin Theater to open long-awaited new building in Yerevan

Armenia’s Hamazgayin State Theater named after Sos Sargsyan will open its long-awaited new building on January 23, marking the end of a 35-year wait for a permanent building and stage.

Founded in 1991 by renowned actor Sos Sargsyan, a People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, the theater has operated for decades on the first floor of the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema. The foundation stone for the new building, located on Henri Verneuil Street in Yerevan, was laid in March 2019. The project was designed by architect Isahak Nersisyan.

“When we shared the news about the theater’s opening, everyone started crying. This moment has been long awaited,” its artistic director Narine Grigoryan told Panorama.am on Wednesday.

The opening will be marked by a performance of The Miracle of Saint Anthony by Maurice Maeterlinck, directed by Grigoryan herself. She said the choice was intentional. “A theatre should introduce itself through theatre,” she explained. “That is why we decided to open with a performance. It is very theatrical, joyful and reflects the theater in all its manifestations.”

According to Grigoryan, rehearsals have been taking place in the new building for about six months, even as construction work continued. “They were working on the stage while we rehearsed in a corner, then moved to another floor. We rehearsed everywhere,” she said.

On Jan. 26, the theater staff will travel to India to take part in an international festival. After their return, the theater plans a series of premieres throughout February, including The Miracle of Saint Anthony, The Stone, staged by Andranik Mikayelyan based on works by Yervand Kochar, and Penelope by Simon Abkarian.

Grigoryan described Penelope as the theater’s “crown jewel” of the year. The production is scheduled to be staged from February 25, although its premiere has been slightly postponed due to Abkarian’s current inability to travel to Yerevan.

Later this year, the theatre will also celebrate its 35th anniversary with a special programme of events. “We are preparing for a year of gradual, continuous celebrations,” Grigoryan said. “God willing, everything will be well in the world and in our country, and we will all enjoy and be nourished by art.”