Jubilee marked at Albert and Tove Boyajian exhibition-hall
“This is your home for creative activities”
The Institute of Fine Arts established in Yerevan 75 years ago opened a good opportunity for Armenian youth to receive art education; throughout its existence it educated many generations, including numerous prominent artists who rendered great services to Armenian culture.
During the Soviet era the Academy didn’t succeed in having such an exhibition-hall so much needed for the arts field. Aram Isabekyan who has always been dreaming of that since he was student, managed to actualize it during the years of his management. The exhibition-hall of “Albert and Tove Boyajian” which has been functioning since 2001 was very conducive to revealing students’ talents as well as in terms of motivating them; undoubtedly the publicity of works gives more confidence. Thus the 75th anniversary of State Academy of Fine Arts couldn’t be left without being celebrated by student exhibition; it stood out by its quality and careful work.
Opening speeches of the exhibition were warm and full of appreciation. Aram Isabekyan reminded the students about the well-known reasons that interfered the opening of the exhibition; the pandemic situation, the war, the bitter defeat, the human and territory losses. By congratulating the students he mentioned that the exhibition-hall has long been a favorite place for art lovers in Yerevan, famous not only in our city but also abroad. “This is a professional HEI with professional level and the fact of being exhibited in this cozy exhibition-hall must be also a responsibility. I am proud of you for having shown this level of professionalism. You are ready to participate in any exhibition and succeed with honour”.
The Chairman of Board of Trustees Suren Safaryan also made a direct and warm speech. He was also a graduate of the institution and his memories spoke for themselves; a period of student life that were most precious and the warmest to him. When speaking about the hall he outlined the following, “This was the first case in Armenia that an environment was created where the student could be exhibited and have a personal exhibition with his professor”.
This fact was also highlighted by Aram Isabekyan who confirmed that students were forbidden to participate in exhibitions during Soviet regime.
“You should consider the Academy as your second home. When you graduate years later and become a member of Artists’ Union, you will miss those years. You must realize that this is not a mere place to enter and go, but a place that should become your second home for communication with artists, creative work, professional development and growth. The doors of exhibition-hall are always open for you if there is a desire to work and create”, said Edik Vardanyan, whose speech was both instructive and friendly.
Melanya Badalyan
Translated by Naira Stepanyan
