A Soviet Culture House in High Modernist Style

This cultural house in Armenia serves as a portal to the Soviet past, unveiling a rich architectural and cultural heritage. Remaining unrenovated, it has retained its original appearance, becoming a unique relic from the past that attracts urban explorers worldwide.

The Palace of Culture of Metsamor, founded between 1975 and 1986, later took on the name of Vazgen Sargsyan. Architects Martin Mikayelyan and Fred Africyan designed it in the high modernist style, characterized by aesthetic monotony, including large undecorated buildings with minimalist interiors, reaching its peak during the Cold War decades of 1950-1990.

The facade of the culture house

Since its opening in 1986, the Palace of Culture has never closed its doors to the audience and students. Unlike other buildings damaged or destroyed in the 90s, preservation efforts by the Metsamor House of Culture staff have kept everything intact, hosting theater performances and cultural events.

The ceiling had a unique style and I liked it a lot.

The House of Culture encompasses three groups: fine arts, needlework, and dance. Additionally, the Metsamor public library, housing over 32,000 pieces of literature, is located here. Presently, around 100 students engage in studies at the 694-seat Palace of Culture, participating in groups focused on ethnography, folk dances, and fine arts.

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