Gyumri’s historical and culturally important buildings, also known from movies, are the city’s business card, but these buildings are endangered today, their fate is uncertain.
In 1982, director and screenwriter Albert Mkrtchyan, a native of Gyumri, shot the film “Song of the Old Days” partly in “Hayfilm” film studio, partly in Gyumri, and two years later “Tango of Our Childhood”. The films “Dawn of Sad Street”, “Happy Bus”, “Triangle”, “Heghnar Source”, “A Piece of Sky” were also shot in Gyumri. Thanks to them, the colorful buildings and courtyards of Gyumri, which were the filming location, attract visitors even today.
The buildings in the films are located in the historical center of Gyumri and are an immovable monument of history and culture.
1:”Hollywood Yard”
Former Gorky 22, now Shiraz 22
The people of Gyumri called the place where 3 well-known Armenian films were shot “Hollywood Backyard”. At different times, 3 films were shot here: “Tango of Our Childhood”, “Happy Bus”, “Dawn on Sad Street”. The yard known from Kinozhapaven is located at 22 former Gorki Street in Gyumri, now at 22 Shiraz Street.
The “Hollywood” building was built at the end of the 19th century and belonged to Colonel Vekilyan․
About ten families live in the famous yard. The family of 62-year-old Sona Harutyunyan has been living in building 22 in Shiraz since the 1930s. Presenting the condition of the building, Sona Harutyunyan notes that several residents managed to repair part of the roof with their own funds. A partial overhaul has changed little. The building needs general strengthening and overhaul.
2: Terrace of “Varem-Marem”
Achemyan 2:
1984-85 in the building used for various public events during the Soviet years. the most memorable scenes of the movie “Tango of Our Childhood” were filmed.
The building was built in the 1860s and belonged to the merchants Abovyans and Khoyetsyans. After the filming of the film, the balcony of the building located on the territory of the “Kumair” historical and cultural values reserve-museum was given a different address and name by the people of Gyumri: “Balcony of Varem-Marem”. In 1988, the building was partially damaged by an earthquake.
3: “Vardushens House”
The apartment bought by the family of 73-year-old Tamara Simonyan 22 years ago is known as “Vardushents House” from the movie “Tango of Our Childhood”.
The house has hardly changed either from the outside or from the inside. even the wall-hanging carpet seen in the film has been preserved. The “Vardushents House” receives visitors frequently, it is not difficult to find it. Although the house needs repairs, nothing is done due to financial difficulties.
4: “Old day’s song”
Crossroads of Tumanyan-Jivan streets in Gyumri
The famous building from the movie “Song of the Old Days” is also located on the territory of the Kumari Reserve Historical and Cultural Values Reserve-Museum.
A part of the balcony of the building, known from the footage of the film, is in danger of collapsing.
Residents bypass those areas and the balcony shows those who want to see and take photos the safe paths to move in the emergency area.