Hamalir

The Hamalir, also known as the Sports and Music Complex (Marzahamergayin Hamalir) was opened in 1984 in Yerevan. Stairs along a cascade of fountains lead visitors to the Complex, reminiscent of the silhouette of a huge bird with open wings. The building itself resembles the Sydney Opera House of Australia.

On October 9, 2005, the complex, named in honor of Karen Demirchyan, was sold for 5,700,000 USD. The contract was signed between the Armenian government and the Russian organization BAMO. Murad Muradian, an Armenian from Moscow, and head of the BAMO holding, attempted to gain the support of Yerevan citizens who were hesitant about the privatization of the building. Two conditions were put forward by Armenian president Robert Kocharian: The name of the complex must not be changed and it must preserve its functional meaning. The organization agreed to these conditions and has taken up the commitment to make an investment of nearly 10 million dollars within 3 years.