07 July 2025
This year marks the 95th birth anniversary of the brilliant theater and film actor, People's Artist of the Armenian SSR and the USSR, Mher Mkrtchyan. An actor whose characters transcended the screen to become part of the national identity, and whose personal integrity and artistic power continue to keep his memory alive in the collective consciousness of generations.
The Cinema Foundation of Armenia celebrated Mher Mkrtchyan’s jubilee not only as a significant occasion of remembrance, but also as an opportunity to rediscover and recontextualize the profound cultural legacy left by the great artist. The organized events aimed to present Frunzik not just as an actor, but as a living symbol of national identity — a value passed down through generations.
In collaboration with the Mher Mkrtchyan Artistic Theater, the Cinema Foundation of Armenia organized special screenings of films featuring Frunzik, including Henrik Malyan’s “We Are Our Mountains” (1969), Albert Mkrtchyan’s “Tango of Our Childhood” (1984), and “Big Win” (1981). The selection of these films served a key purpose: to allow audiences to relive Mher Mkrtchyan’s performances and to connect new generations to his living cultural heritage. On July 4 — the actor’s birthday — representatives of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the Cinema Foundation of Armenia, the Mher Mkrtchyan Artistic Theater, the cultural community, and Georgian partners visited the Komitas Pantheon to pay tribute to the great actor’s memory.
The symbolic day continued with a jubilee exhibition at the Mher Mkrtchyan Artistic Theater’s gallery. Presented were works by contemporary artists who reinterpreted the actor’s image in their own unique ways. A special section of the exhibition featured Mkrtchyan’s original film costumes — now not only cinematic relics but also part of national memory, recognized as museum valued cultural symbols.
As part of a months-long Armenian-Georgian cultural collaboration, a commemorative evening was held in honor of Frunzik Mkrtchyan’s 95th birthday. This event became a symbolic reinterpretation of Armenian-Georgian cultural ties. Titled “Bridge of Love,” the evening took place on the stage of the Gabriel Sundukyan National Academic Theatre and celebrated the legacies of two cultural giants — Mher Mkrtchyan and Sofiko Chiaureli — highlighting their irreplaceable roles in the history of Armenian-Georgian theatrical and cinematic dialogue.
The event went beyond the format of a traditional commemorative evening, turning into a cultural journey. The stage featured performances by singer Tamara Gverdtsiteli, the David Mazanashvili music ensemble, the Georgian “Theatrical Quartet,” as well as actors from the Sundukyan National Academic Theatre and the Petros Adamyan Armenian State Drama Theatre of Tbilisi.
Touching moments included speeches and memories shared by Mkrtchyan’s students, colleagues, and close friends, who spoke about him not only as an artist but also as a person, teacher, and friend. Composer Tigran Mansurian addressed the audience with a special video message, contributing not only words but also cherished memories, and wishing the guests an enjoyable experience.
Throughout the evening, clips from the “Golden Fund” of Armenian cinema were screened — featuring Frunzik Mkrtchyan’s iconic performances. These clips not only revived his vibrant presence in national cinematic memory but also reaffirmed his central role in the history of Armenian filmmaking.
The event also included tributes to the art of Sofiko Chiaureli, emphasizing her contributions to both Georgian and Armenian cultural scenes.
The event was organized with the support of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the Ministry of Culture of Georgia, and the Tbilisi Municipality, and was a joint initiative of the Cinema Foundation of Armenia, the Georgian NNLE “Art Air” organization, and the Sundukyan National Theatre.
“Bridge of Love” became not only a tribute to two great artists, but also a new bridge for Armenian-Georgian cultural friendship.
Of special note is the special information campaign organized by the Cinema Foundation of Armenia through social media and other communication platforms. This campaign presented Frunzik’s thoughts, highlights from his cinematic legacy, important moments from his life, and his creative path — offering audiences a renewed understanding of his role in the history of Armenian cinema.
Through these initiatives, the Cinema Foundation of Armenia not only revalued Mher Mkrtchyan’s irreplaceable role in national culture but also made a confident step toward transmitting his art to new generations and preserving cultural memory.
Cinema Foundation of Armenia
Public Relations Department
