Karen Demirchyan Complex
Encyclopedia
Officially Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex (Armenian
: ), also known as Demirchyan Arena, Sports & Music Complex, or simply Hamalir (for complex in Armenian), is a huge sports and concert complex located on Tsitsernakaberd hill which dominates over the western parts of Yerevan
, near the Hrazdan River
gorge. The complex consists of two big halls; the concert hall and the sports hall, in addition to the Hayastan conferences hall designated for political summits with a huge space which gives the facility to organize fairs and exhibitions.
In 1990 Ian Gillan
's band has played concerts there. 32nd Chess Olympiad
also took place at Demirchyan complex.
In 1999, shortly after the assassination of the former speaker of the Armenian parliament Karen Demirchyan
in the Armenian parliament shooting, the complex was renamed in honour of him, for his contribution in the construction and the renovation of the complex during the Soviet era.
On October 9, 2005, the complex was sold for US$ 5.7 million. The contract was signed between the Armenian government and the Russian organization BAMO holding. Murad Muradian, an Armenian from Moscow
, the head of the BAMO holding, attempted to gain the support of Yerevan citizens who were hesitant about the privatization of the building. Two conditions were put forward by Armenian president Robert Kocharian
: The name of the complex must not be changed and it must preserve its functional meaning. The organization agreed to these conditions and a commitment to make an investment of nearly 10 million US dollars was envisaged for the upcoming 3 years.
The renovation process took almost 3 years and its cost grew up to 42 million US dollars, thus turning the complex to a modern and a high level sports and concerts arena.
On October 31, 2008, exactly after 25 years of its first inauguration, the second opening ceremony of the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex took place with the presence of president Serzh Sargsyan, catholicos Karekin I
, Karen Demirchyan's son Stepan Demirchyan
and daughter Rima, and a huge crowd of Yerevan's residents. Song concerts and ice skating
shows were included in the ceremony. The Russian figure skating legend Evgeny Plushenko was the surprise guest and performer of the day.
-the highest of its kind- in 1987.
Nowadays, the sports hall is mostly used for figure skating
shows and events all around the year. It was also the home of World Youth Boxing Championship in May 2009.
, Harout Pamboukjian
, while the concerts hall hosted the celebration concert of the 80th anniversary of the worldwide known Armenian musician and composer Djivan Gasparyan
with songs and plays performed by Flora Martirosyan, Peter Gabriel
, Pedro Eustache
, Alan Parsons Project, Boris Grebenshchikov
and others. The complex has also hosted many concerts performed by André
, Hayko
, Arman Hovhannisyan and other Armenian singers.
Armenian language
The Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people. It is the official language of the Republic of Armenia as well as in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The language is also widely spoken by Armenian communities in the Armenian diaspora...
: ), also known as Demirchyan Arena, Sports & Music Complex, or simply Hamalir (for complex in Armenian), is a huge sports and concert complex located on Tsitsernakaberd hill which dominates over the western parts of Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
, near the Hrazdan River
Hrazdan River
The Hrazdan is a major river of Armenia. It starts at the northwest extremity of Lake Sevan and flows south through the Kotayk marz and Armenia's capital, Yerevan. It then joins the Aras River along the border with Turkey. A Hydro-electric plant is located on the Hrazdan river...
gorge. The complex consists of two big halls; the concert hall and the sports hall, in addition to the Hayastan conferences hall designated for political summits with a huge space which gives the facility to organize fairs and exhibitions.
History
The complex was opened in 1983 but forced to close within a year and a half after a fire in 1985. A renovation process took place until the end of 1987 when it was ready again to host concerts and sport events. The complex was designed by a group of Armenian architects: A. Tarkhanian, S. Khachikyan, G. Pogosyan and G. Mushegyan. The construction process was supervised by engineers: Hamlet Badalyan (chief engineer) and I. Tsaturian, A. Azizian and M. Aharonian.In 1990 Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
's band has played concerts there. 32nd Chess Olympiad
32nd Chess Olympiad
The 32nd Chess Olympiad, organized by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs and comprising an open and women's tournament, took place between September 15 and October 2, 1996, in Yerevan, Armenia.- Chess competition :...
also took place at Demirchyan complex.
In 1999, shortly after the assassination of the former speaker of the Armenian parliament Karen Demirchyan
Karen Demirchyan
Karen Demirchyan was a Soviet Armenian communist, First Secretary of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1974 to 1988 and later independent politician...
in the Armenian parliament shooting, the complex was renamed in honour of him, for his contribution in the construction and the renovation of the complex during the Soviet era.
On October 9, 2005, the complex was sold for US$ 5.7 million. The contract was signed between the Armenian government and the Russian organization BAMO holding. Murad Muradian, an Armenian from Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, the head of the BAMO holding, attempted to gain the support of Yerevan citizens who were hesitant about the privatization of the building. Two conditions were put forward by Armenian president Robert Kocharian
Robert Kocharian
Robert Kocharyan was the second President of Armenia, serving from 1998 till 2008. He was previously President of Nagorno-Karabakh from 1994 to 1997 and Prime Minister of Armenia from 1997 to 1998.-Biography:...
: The name of the complex must not be changed and it must preserve its functional meaning. The organization agreed to these conditions and a commitment to make an investment of nearly 10 million US dollars was envisaged for the upcoming 3 years.
The renovation process took almost 3 years and its cost grew up to 42 million US dollars, thus turning the complex to a modern and a high level sports and concerts arena.
On October 31, 2008, exactly after 25 years of its first inauguration, the second opening ceremony of the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex took place with the presence of president Serzh Sargsyan, catholicos Karekin I
Karekin I
Karekin I , served as the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 1995 and 1999...
, Karen Demirchyan's son Stepan Demirchyan
Stepan Demirchyan
Stepan Demirchyan is an Armenian politician and son of the Communist-era Armenian leader Karen Demirchyan.-Biography:Stepan Demirchyan was born in Yerevan and received his degree from Yerevan Polytechnic Institute in 1981. He is an engineer-electrician and a PhD on Technical Sciences...
and daughter Rima, and a huge crowd of Yerevan's residents. Song concerts and ice skating
Ice skating
Ice skating is moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for a variety of reasons, including leisure, traveling, and various sports. Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and...
shows were included in the ceremony. The Russian figure skating legend Evgeny Plushenko was the surprise guest and performer of the day.
General information
The complex has a unique design, an outside view of the whole construction reminds the shape a big bird opening its wings. Its architectural concepts include a turning tribune seating 1200, which can rapidly connect the two big halls to reveal additional seating, a concept for which the architects were awarded the USSR State PrizeUSSR State Prize
The USSR State Prize was the Soviet Union's state honour. It was established on September 9, 1966. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, the prize was followed up by the State Prize of the Russian Federation....
-the highest of its kind- in 1987.
Nowadays, the sports hall is mostly used for figure skating
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
shows and events all around the year. It was also the home of World Youth Boxing Championship in May 2009.
Events
After its renovation in 2008, the sports hall hosted a concert of one of the most renowned singers of Armenia and Armenian DiasporaArmenian diaspora
The Armenian diaspora refers to the Armenian communities outside the Republic of Armenia and self proclaimed de facto independent Nagorno-Karabakh Republic...
, Harout Pamboukjian
Harout Pamboukjian
Harout Pamboukjian , , is an Armenian American pop singer living in Los Angeles. His Armenian dance, folk and revolutionary songs make him a favorite among Armenians.- Early life :...
, while the concerts hall hosted the celebration concert of the 80th anniversary of the worldwide known Armenian musician and composer Djivan Gasparyan
Djivan Gasparyan
Djivan Gasparyan is an Armenian musician and composer. He plays the duduk, a double reed woodwind instrument related to the orchestral oboe. Gasparyan is known as the Master of the duduk.-Biography:...
with songs and plays performed by Flora Martirosyan, Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, Pedro Eustache
Pedro Eustache
Pedro Eustache , is a creative solo flautist - "World Music" woodwinds-reeds-wind synthesizers and composer with extensive academic studies and more than 35 years of professional experience...
, Alan Parsons Project, Boris Grebenshchikov
Boris Grebenshchikov
Boris Borisovich Grebenshchikov also known as Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov, is one of the most prominent members of the generation which is widely considered the "founding fathers" of Russian rock music...
and others. The complex has also hosted many concerts performed by André
André (singer)
André, born Andrey Hovnanian is an Armenian singer. He won the Best Male Singer trophy at the Armenian Music Awards in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. In addition, he performs as a actor at the local theater in Stepanakert, in the Nagorno-Karabakh.-Early life :At the age of three André started...
, Hayko
Hayko
Hayk Hakobyan , better known as Hayko , is an Armenian singer who won Armenia's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki. He represented Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest in the final with the song "Anytime You Need"...
, Arman Hovhannisyan and other Armenian singers.
- On 22 March 2009 the Canadian singer GarouGarou (singer)Garou , from the French expression "loup-garou", which means "werewolf" and is a transformation of "Garand", his last name; is a Canadian singer from Sherbrooke, Quebec. He is known for his work in the musical Notre-Dame de Paris and the #1 hits "Belle", "Seul", "Sous le vent", and "La Rivière de...
performed at a concert in the sports hall. within the frames of the Francophonie Days in Armenia.
- On 16 October 2009 the concerts hall was crowded with rock fans who came to enjoy the performance of the British rock band Uriah HeepUriah Heep (band)Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
.
- On 25 May 2010 the English rock band Deep PurpleDeep PurpleDeep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
performed a charity concert with more than 10,000 fans filled the arena. The concert was a benefit performance, with proceeds going towards the construction of a music school in GyumriGyumriGyumri is the capital and largest city of the Shirak Province in northwest Armenia. It is located about 120 km from the capital Yerevan, and, with a population of 168,918 , is the second-largest city in Armenia.The name of the city has been changed many times in history...
, devastated by the 1988 earthquake.
- On 12 August 2010 the Armenian-American rock singer Serj TankianSerj TankianSerj Tankian is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer–songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, playwright, record producer, poet, and political activist...
of the System of a DownSystem of a DownSystem of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
), of performed at the complex.
- On 18 March 2011 international singer Lara FabianLara FabianLara Fabian is a Belgian-Italian international singer who also holds Canadian citizenship. Multilingual, she sings in French, Italian and English....
performed at a concert in the sports hall within the frames of the Francophone Days in Armenia.
- On 3 September 2011 Vic DarchinyanVic DarchinyanVakhtang "Vic" Darchinyan is an Armenian professional boxer discovered by HyeFighters. He is a three-division world champion, having won eight titles in three different weight classes. He is a former IBF Flyweight World Champion and a former Undisputed WBA, WBC & IBF Super Flyweight World...
defended his IBOIbo-Alternate spelling:*Ibo or Igbo people, an ethnic group based in West Africa*Ibo or Igbo language, the language of the Igbo people-Abbreviation:IBO can stand for:* Intellectual Property Business Organization...
bantamweight title beating Evans Mbamba during a fight of 12 rounds.
- On 3 December 2011 the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 will be the ninth edition of the contest, and will take place in Yerevan, Armenia at the recently renovated Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex...
will be held in the sports hall.