Gyumri Gallery

The Holy Savior's Church was built in 1872. During Soviet times, it was used as a museum and concert hall. The church has been renovated and rebuilt since the damage it sustained in 1988.

The Gyumri Technology Center was the catalyst for the city's IT development. Before the earthquake, the building served as the home of Gyumri State Pedagogical University.

This statue features Vartan Mamikonian, a military leader in the Battle of Avarayr, in Gyumri's Vardanants Square.

The old bazaar which was destroyed during the earthquake.

A map of Gyumri's expansion. The red represents the city's oldest sections and the yellow represents Soviet era expansion.

The Lord Byron School was established with British funding and the support of British Armenians after the earthquake. Margaret Thatcher opened the school during her visit to Gyumri in 1990.

The offices of Digital Pomegranate, the first major IT company in Gyumri.

Musical performance for the Golden Apricot Film Festival in Gyumri.

The Chateau, the headquarters of Shirak NGO, an organization that helps those still living in domiks, or temporary housing.

A domik. There are still an estimated 5,000 individuals living in domiks today in Gyumri.

Vahan Tumasyan, the director of Shirak NGO, being interviewed for a documentary.

"Gampr" dogs, who are native to Armenia.

Gyumri’s Renaissance

For decades, Gyumri was an economic and culturally influential city under Ottoman, Armenian, and Soviet control. The city’s name changed from Alexandrapol, its old Russian name, to Leninakan to reflect Armenia’s entry to the U.S.S.R. in 1924. During this period, the city grew as an industrial center for the Soviet Union. At the time of the earthquake, Leninakan’s factories employed almost 50,000 people. After Armenia achieved its independence, the name of the city reverted to Kumayri , its ancient name, until finally settling as Gyumri in 1992. The city was rebuilt with the help of international governments and NGOs. Today, Gyumri continues building upon its dynamic legacy, known for its rock bands, growing IT industry, and the many artists and creative workers who reside there.