Avetik Isahakian Museum
In 1945 a decision was passed to gift a house as a birthday present to Armenian poet Avetik Ishakyan in regard to his 70th anniversary. Upon the poet’s wish the two-storied house was built with black polished tufa. As you look at the house, you will beyond doubt note the house’s resemblance to a chapel. On both sides of the main entrance there are flower gardens, while in the back yard there is a large summer balcony and a nice garden. Isahakian lived in the house from 1946 and only after his death it was decided to convert the house into a memorial museum.
The memorial museum was opened on October 31, 1963, but before that the house underwent several changes. Among them it should be noted that a large hall and studies were built on the second floor. After the official opening the museum has been twice renovated.
The museum has set one primary goal; that is to pass on to the generations to come the “thorough idea” of who and what Avetik Ishakyan is.
There is also a school named after the poet’s name, and interestingly, it has become a tradition for the museum to organize the accepting and graduating ceremonies of the first and last grade students of the school.
Avetik Isahakian Museum Memorial Part
The memorial part of the museum includes the poet’s bedroom, sitting room and the garden. Things are arranged there as they used to be while he was still alive.
Of special interest is the study, where the poet’s rich library, desk, sofa, pen, eyeglasses and other personal belongings can be found. It’s also where he used to receive guests or organize literary gatherings and parties. Strange as it can sound, New Year, Easter and the poet’s birthday were being celebrated there too. Among the guests of this study room were painter Martiros Saryan, writer Hovhannes Shiraz, painter Hakob Kodjoyan, poetess Silva Kaputikyan and so on. It’s noteworthy that one of the most loved Armenian catholicoses His Holiness Vazgen I has also been there.
The poet’s bedroom appears like a typical and simple Armenian room, with the poet’s mother’s photo next to his bed. It’s been inseparable from him.
As already there is also a garden in the back yard, where there is a tufa bench. It was placed there in regard to the poet’s 100th anniversary.
Avetik Isahakian Museum Permanent Exposition
The museum’s collection is rather large with photos, manuscripts, sculptures, paintings, documents and so forth. Isahakian’s rich library features old publications form his father’s collection not only in Armenian but also in Russian, French, German, Italian and Spanish. The books also help conclude about the poet’s preferences. Interestingly, his library includes books that can be found only there in Armenia. The books bear not only the poet’s autograph, but also of such renowned Armenian creators like Gurgen Mahari, Stepan Zoryan, Manuk Abeghyan, Yeghishe Charents and others.
Avetik Isahakian Museum features not only books and various other publications, but also plenty of paintings, which were basically a gift to the poet. On the sitting room walls paintings by such renowned Armenian artists like Martiros Saryan, Panos Terlemezyan, Gevorg Bashinjaghyan, Hrachya Roukhkian, Mher Abeghian, Raphael Shishmanian, Harutyun Atchemian, Vaghinak Aslanian can be found.
Isahakian was very much interested in the East and the Eastern culture, therefore in his house museum there are also Indian and Chinese statuettes. The household items, clothes furniture and in general every single thing even slightly associated with the poet and currently housed in the museum gives an overall idea of the life Isahakian led.
The letters, unpublished notes and the separate thoughts the poet put down on paper are carefully preserved there.
Working Hours
Avetik Ishakyan Memorial Museum is open form Tuesday to Sunday and is closed Mondays. From Tuesday to Sunday it’s open from 11 am to 4 pm, while on Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Guided tours are available in Armenian (2000 Dram) and foreign languages (2500 Dram). The ticket price is 500 dram with the exception for schoolchildren, students and pensioners who should pay 300 Dram.
Address: Zarobyan str. 20, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (374 10) 562 424, (374 10) 587 380
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.isahakyanmuseum.am/
