Moscow Cinema: A Yerevan Landmark

The Moscow Cinema stands as a prominent landmark in Yerevan, located on Charles Aznavour Square on Abovyan Street. Opened on December 12, 1936, with the screening of the first Armenian sound film, "Pepo," the cinema has a rich history deeply intertwined with the city's cultural evolution. The cinema was built on the site of the St. Paul and Peter Church, which was demolished in the 1930s by Soviet authorities. The building was designed by architects Tiran Yerkanyan and Gevorg Kochar. Over the years, the cinema has undergone several redesigns, including renovations in 1960 and 1983. The facade is adorned with sculptures depicting scenes from famous Soviet-Armenian films such as "Chapayev," "Pepo," "David Bek," and "Sayat Nova". Today, the Moscow Cinema features four indoor halls: the Red Hall (491 seats), the Blue Hall (350 seats), the Small Red Hall (49 seats), and the Gallery (35 seats). There is also an open-air theater. The cinema is the main venue for the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival, held annually since 2004. Besides film screenings, the cinema hosts various events and exhibitions. The area in front of the cinema is named Charles Aznavour Square and includes a decorative pool with the "Signs of the Zodiac" fountain. The cinema combines elements of functional architecture with classical design, making it a unique architectural monument.