Karen Demirchyan Complex, Multi-purpose hall in Tsitsernakaberd Hill, Armenia.
The Karen Demirchyan Complex stands on Tsitsernakaberd hill above the Hrazdan River gorge, reached by 184 stairs. Its outer shell is shaped like a bird with open wings: grey petal-like roof sections with reddish-brown radiating ribs slope down to a paved plaza, and the recessed facade sits under a deep overhang on thin columns. Inside are a sports arena, a concerts hall, a small sports hall, the Hayastan conference hall, the Argishti hall and a large foyer.
The complex opened in 1983, designed by architects A. Tarkhanyan, S. Khachikyan, G. Pogosyan and G. Mushegyan. A fire in 1985 closed it until renovation ended in late 1987. In 1999 it was renamed after Karen Demirchyan, the parliament speaker killed that year, for his role in its construction and renovation.
The complex is called Hamalir, Armenian for "complex", and has borne Karen Demirchyan's name since 1999, when it was renamed after the parliament speaker killed that year, in recognition of his role in its Soviet-era construction and renovation. Since 2004 it has hosted the annual Armenia EXPO trade fair each September, and in December 2011 and 2022 it staged the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
The complex is located on a hill with several entrances and is accessible on foot. Visitors should be aware that the grounds feature stairs, so wearing comfortable shoes is advisable for exploring the entire area.
The architects' solution to joining the two halls was a turning stand of 1,008 seats, not a moving roof: it swings round to link the arena and the concerts hall and add seating. The concept won the architects the USSR State Prize in 1987. With the stand in use, the arena holds 6,274 instead of 5,266, and the concerts hall 2,040 instead of 1,032.
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