On October 18 the musicians who gathered near the Yerevan Chamber Music House demanded the immediate termination of the constructions of a cafe which stretches from the entrance of the Chamber Music House to Abovyan street, because it is disturbing their work.

“The main part of the building of the Chamber Music House is glassed but not soundproofed. The park surrounding the building is not just a park but plays a soundproofing role. For years we have been working here and the hall was rather quiet. In 2002, our peace was disturbed by the cafe called “The 9th wave” and from July to August this year, a new cafe complex is rapidly being built. If we don’t manage to stop the construction we can say that the Chamber Music Hall can’t work as a Classical Music Hall”, says the Chief Conductor of the Yerevan Chamber Orchestra, Aram Gharabekyan.

In 1999, upon the decision of Yerevan Mayor Suren Abrahamyan, the 3rd part of the Circular Park where the Chamber Music House is situated was leased to the “Flora Land” company. Later, ”Flora Land” part by part sold the park to different companies. The main part was given to those who initiated the construction. According to our own preliminary information, the owner is a famous businessman. The sign put in the park informs the public that in the general refurbishing program of the park the construction of “a modern cafe on Abovyan street is planned that will include a cafe, bistro, bar, swimming pool, toilet, play ground, and car park”. The project has been ratified by the current Chief Architect of Yerevan, Samvel Danielyan.

“It is time to wake up and think not so much about our stomachs but also about our souls. All countries are flourishing in terms of their culture and we are representing Armenian culture properly. Until now, devoted people keep Armenian culture at a proper and high level but today, they may be appear in the streets and slowly the Last Mohicans will go from here, because they really need us there. I am calling everyone to seriously think about this issue,” said the famous soprano, Anna Mayilyan.

“I want to really believe that today’s meeting will have results and this construction will stop. If during Soviet years something like this happened the government wouldn’t have thought for a moment not to call in the bulldozers to demolish the construction. I want to believe that our president must and can do it”, hoped opera singer Arax Davtyan.

In the Yerevan Chamber Music House named after Komitas, the Armenian State Chamber Orchestra, Choir, State Quartette after Komitas and “Tagharan” ensemble work permanently. It is one of two acting concert halls in Yerevan where world famous musicians and participants of international festivals perform.

“In April our guest was the world famous Chilingiryan Quartette. The English performing in this hall for the first time joked ironically said that they had the impression that they were sitting in the middle of a fair. Really, that is the impression. The music from the “9th wave” gets on our nerves every day. How many times should we phone them asking to turn the sound down. This issue needs not a temporary but a fundamental solution so coming generations won’t face the same problem”, says Aram Gharabekyan.

“I perform here frequently. All the musicians can testify that it is impossible to perform, especially cappella music, when pop music sound is simultaneously played outside. Musicians can’t concentrate on their music and as a result, art is suffering. Finally, people need to stand above a policy that favors cafes and think about a cultural policy”, complains Anna Mayilyan.

On October 21, environmentalists are also holding an action to support the musicians demanding termination of the construction in the park of the Chamber Music House.