Businessman Gerard Cafesjian, a US-citizen with Armenian roots, chose Armenia's capital Yerevan over New York and Paris when he was looking for a permanent exhibition space for his prominent art collection. For rather culturally isolated Armenia, this project is an important development and could, in the long run, attract tourists from all over the world.

Cafesjian's art collection is wide-ranging. It includes glassware, photography, some Chagall paintings, as well as contemporary art from Diaspora painters, which have never been on display in Armenia before.

"The first impression is great," said Abisak Zadian, an engineer from Yerevan who felt compelled to visit the museum. "I am shocked by what kind of art one can make from glass - shocked in a good way, I mean. If there were ten people like Cafesjian, who would promote our country like he does, Armenia would be full of miracles."

Soviet monument becomes art museum

Cities like Paris or New York had also courted Cafesjian and his exhibition. But he had set his sights on Yerevan and, in particular, the Cascade: a huge white stairwell surrounded by a complex of rooms, courtyards and gardens, built into a slope rising some hundred meters over Yerevan.

The Cascade was originally built as a Soviet monument, but decayed after the fall of the USSR. The word is that Cafesjian invested some 30 million euros ($45 million) in renovating the Cascade both inside and outside.

"In the whole of the Caucasus region there is no art and cultural center like this one," said Ashot Gazazyan, a journalist and art expert from Yerevan. "And we will be very happy to welcome tourists here from all over the world, who will then remember Armenia in a good way."

After eight years of reconstruction, the Art Center in the Cascade was opened with a blaze of publicity just a couple of weeks ago.

However, an additional museum at the top of the hill is still under construction, set to house items like Chagall paintings and Picasso sculptures. The building process has almost come to a standstill, with financial problems rumored to be the cause. Some fear the city will be left with a decaying hulk one day, especially since the Cafesjian Art Center has no professional board or endowment.

Minor difficulties don't deter

"Even if Gerard Cafesjian has problems with local residents or with certain laws, the officials will stand by his side," said Gazazyan. "I am sure they will do everything to fulfill his demands and wishes. It is his collection and he should be able to see it just the way he wants to."

Like the politicians in Yerevan, the museum's visitors are also willing to compromise. They ignore the very noisy escalators and the fact that finding their way into the galleries, which are tucked away inside the Cascade, can be quite challenging as there are very few signs.

For the people of Yerevan these are only minor faults. They are delighted to finally have the chance to become part of the international world of contemporary art.

Author: Mareike Aden (ew)

Editor: Kate Bowen