UNESCO hosts Yerevan’s Republic Square exhibition in Paris

An exhibition tracing the history of Yerevan’s Republic Square opened at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on October 28, 2026. “The Square and Time: From Past to Future” brings together around 40 photographs and a display of traditional Armenian costumes.

The exhibition marks the centenary of the start of the square’s construction. Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport dates that milestone to 1927 and says the anniversary is included in UNESCO’s 2026–2027 calendar, placing the October 2026 exhibition within that two-year programme.

The ministry and UNESCO organised the events in cooperation with Armenia’s permanent delegation to UNESCO.

The square in photographs and costume patterns

The photographs documenting the square’s history come from the National Archives of Armenia, the History Museum of Armenia, the Chamber of Architects of Armenia, the Armenpress news agency and individual photographers’ collections.

Alongside them, the Teryan Cultural Center is displaying traditional Armenian costumes with patterns inspired by the square’s architectural ornamentation, Public Radio of Armenia said. The costume display forms part of the centre’s “Culture Is My Way” grant programme, implemented under UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

From Tamanyan’s plan to the completed square

Armenian architect Alexander Tamanyan designed the square’s modern form in 1924 as part of Yerevan’s city plan. The ensemble developed over decades: its final building, the National Gallery of Armenia, was completed in 1977.

The design combines Armenian architectural traditions with modern urban planning, with buildings faced in pink and white stone. At the exhibition’s opening, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Tigran Virabyan described the square as a symbol of Armenian statehood and independence and part of the country’s cultural heritage.

A wider Armenian anniversary programme

The Paris events also mark the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and the 150th birth anniversary of Armenian linguist Hrachya Acharyan. Matenadaran, the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, organised the accompanying conference “Life as Science: Hrachya Acharyan,” with ministry support. It examined his work on the Armenian language’s origins, history and dialects, and its connections with other languages.

The ministry scheduled the programme’s concluding concert for October 29, with the Hover State Chamber Choir and Vahagn Hayrapetyan Trio performing jazz arrangements of Armenian folk songs. The exhibition has a longer run and is scheduled to close on November 2.