The idea of creating the museum emerged in 1988, when Parajanov’s friend Zaven Sargsyan organized an exhibition of Parajanov’s artworks at the Yerevan Museum of Folk Art, attended by Maestro Parajanov himself. With Parajanov’s boundless imagination, every moment of this event-celebration became an occasion. In his opening speech, Parajanov noted that his art knows no nationality and belongs to everyone, yet he considered himself a child of three homelands: “The first is Georgia, where I came of age; the second is Ukraine, which gave me love, happiness, and worldwide recognition; and the third is Armenia, where my roots are and where I wish to spend the remaining years of my life.” Inspired by these words, Zaven Sargsyan approached the government, and within a few days, it was decided to allocate a building for the artist’s house and museum. Two options were offered: the first was on Abovyan Street (today’s Dalan), and the second was a two-story unfinished building in the ethnographic district of Dzoragyugh. The artist visited both sites and chose Dzoragyugh.
Parajanov was happy and proudly mentioned in various interviews that a two-story house-museum was being built for him. He imagined how his house and museum would look, with peacocks roaming the yard, delighting his guests with their beauty. Unfortunately, due to the 1988 earthquake, construction was halted and resumed in the spring of 1990. By then, Parajanov had been diagnosed with lung cancer, and he passed away before he could live in the house and realize his dreams and goals. The Sergei Parajanov Museum was opened in 1991 on the anniversary of his death.
The museum’s main collection includes 1,768 exhibits, such as flat and three-dimensional collages, collections, sketches for films, hats, dolls, and other personal belongings. His letters are preserved in the museum’s archive. Over the years, the collection has grown and continues to expand, thanks to the dedication of his art enthusiasts.
Since its opening, the Parajanov Museum has actively participated in the city’s cultural, educational, and recreational life. Continuing Parajanov’s tradition of hospitality, the museum’s doors are open to visitors every day, offering various events and receptions. Parajanov’s celebration is not limited to the museum premises; through exhibitions, it “travels” to renowned museums and galleries worldwide.
In its 30 years of existence, the museum has organized 65 exhibitions in cities including Cannes, Thessaloniki, Moscow, Rome, London, Los Angeles, Tehran, Paris, Montreal, Brussels, Istanbul, and others.