1 / 12

On May 11, an exhibition dedicated to May triple holiday, where the works done in Baku by the Armenian architects was opened in the parliament.

The RA NA deputy Taguhi Tovmasyan initiated the exhibition, and the deputies, historians, architects, art critics, the representatives from the state, official departments and the Staff of the parliament attended it.

“This year was a very heavy one for us. Shushi is not ours, but it does not mean that we should not fight. We should look forward and continue the fight for the territories, which are under the control of Azerbaijan at this moment,” Taguhi Tovmasyan said.

The photos of the works by the architects of Armenian origin, including those from Shushi by birth Gabriel Ter-Mikelyan, Vardan Sargsyan, Nikoghayos Bayev, Hovhannes Kajaznuni, Simon Ter-Hakobyants, Anna Oltetsyan, Freydun Aghalyan are presented in the exhibition. Due to creative thought Baku turned from provincial small town into a big administrative and industrial centre of Transcaucasia. It is also important that the monetary contributions of the Armenian wealthy people of Armenian origin A. Mantashian, P. Ter-Ghukasian, M. Aramyants, Budaghian brothers, the Adamians and others promoted the development of Baku.

The architect Narek Sargsyan prepared the materials of the exhibition on the theme “Armenian Architects’ Creative Contribution to the Creation of City Feature of Baku,” who in the 90s worked with Professor Edmon Tigranyan. At the beginning of the 90s the Doctor of Architecture, Professor published the work “The Armenian Architects’ Activities in Transcaucasia: End of the 19^th Century and Beginning of the 20^th Century.” Edmon Tigranyan is the son of the well acclaimed composer Armen Tigranyan. He studied in Saint Petersburg, worked in Tbilisi, and since 1940 – in Yerevan. Edmon Tigranyan is an author of a number of significant residential and public buildings in Yerevan and in Tbilisi, as well as more than 100 scientific works. In the scientific work the problems on the formation of the urban construction image of Baku of the 19^th – 20^th centuries were touched upon. The research is also valuable in terms of observing different sides of the Armenian life of the region.

The Head of the RA NA My Step Faction Lilit Makunts has thanked Taguhi Tovmasyan for the initiative, noting that it is one more important occasion to remember what role has had the Armenian community of Baku at the end of the 19^th century and at the beginning of the 20^th century in the development of the cultural, economic and urban construction of the city. Lilit Makunts particularly referred to the works of Nikoghayos Bayev, who studied at Petersburg Civil Engineering Institute, and in 1911-1918 he had been the Chief Architect of Baku. More than 100 buildings and constructions were built in Baku by his projects. Bayev’s works are the two-storied building of the Northern Bank with modern style, the building of the Opera and Ballet Academic Theatre constructed by Mailyan brothers’ order designed for 2110 spectators. The theatre functions until nowadays.

Lilit Makunts recorded that the Armenians of Shushi have been figures with progressive outlooks, spreading and enriching Armenian culture. She noted that the love towards Shushi should have a consolidating role for all of us.

The Advisor to Director of Al. Tamanian National Museum-Institute of Architecture Anush Ter-Minasyan presented interesting information concerning the activities of the architects of Armenian origin.

It is remarkable that Hovhannes Kajaznuni born in Akhalkalak, studied at Petersburg Civil Engineering Institute, in 1893-1895 worked in the Construction Division of Baku State Department, in 1899-1906 – Senior Engineer in Baku Oil Producers’ Congress Council. In 1918 he assumed the post of the First Prime Minister of Armenia. One of Kajaznuni’s works is Saint Thaddeus and Bartholomeus Armenian Church (1909). Bayev completed the construction of the Church, but it was destroyed in 1937. Later the State Conservatoire building was constructed on the basis of the church. It has a cross shape on the basis.

Speaking about the Armenian illustrious architect Simon Ter-Hakobyants born in Shushi, Anush Ter-Minasyan has noted that one of his most well-known works is Saint All-Saviour Ghazanchetsots Armenian Apostolic Church.