"NOAH" Ethnographic District ARUP | Page 39

Concept Vision Development A typical vernissage market in the city Pak Shuka Market Martinos Saryan Park Yerevan Vernissage Pak Shuka Painter’s Vernissage in Martiros Sarayan Park The Yerevan Vernissage is an open-air exhibition-market functioning on the weekends. It was formed during the 1980s by Armenian artists who started to display their art works in the square next to the Artists Union of Armenia (the current Charles Aznavour Square). Others have used the park next to Komitas State Conservatory to show their works. Later, the Vernissage was moved to Martiros Saryan garden in front of the Opera House. The exhibition-market was gradually enlarged and inally moved to Aram and Buzand streets, starting with the Republic square metro station and ending up with the statue of Vardan Mamikonyan. The historic Pak Shuka Market was a central bazaar constructed in 1952 by engineer Hamazasp Arakelyan and designed by famous architect Grigor Aghababyan (whose 100th anniversary was celebrated in 2011). It was listed on the State List of Immovable Historical and Cultural Monuments of Yerevan as an oicially recognized architectural monument. The Painter’s Vernissage is located in Martiros Saryan Park is the largest Vernissage on the east side of town and features only paintings. Thousands of painting are exposed by painters creating a unique atmosphere enriching in a colourful way the identity of the park. The vernissage is set up every day but especially on the weekends. During the Soviet era, when the avenue was named Lenin Prospekt, it was Yerevan’s only market with a covered roof. In addition to carved wood and art works, traditional carpets, old collections of coins and medallions, books, jewellery, musical instruments, electronics and even pets are found in the market. 39