Armenian Puppet Art Experiences Irreparable Loss, Ministry of Education and Culture Announces

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of the Republic of Armenia regrets to inform that Armen Safaryan, a Distinguished Figure in Armenian Culture and President of the Armenian Center of the International Union of Puppet Artists (UNIMA-Armenia), has passed away at the age of 64 on April 25, 2023. This was reported by the ministry.

Armen Sureni Safaryan was born in 1958 in Yerevan, into a family of artists. He graduated from the Directing Department of the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography in 1980, then continued his studies in Moscow, where he took courses for chief directors of puppet theatres.

In 1988, he organized a shadow puppet theatre troupe, and from 1989 to 1992, he was the artistic director and chief director of the Gyumri Puppet Theatre. Since 1992 until his death, he headed the Armenian center of the International Union of Puppet Artists (UNIMA-Armenia).

From 1999 to 2000, he served as the artistic director of the State Puppet Theatre in Yerevan. In 2006, he founded the "Tumanyan Fairy Tale Day" international festival of puppet theatres. In 2010, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, in 2019 he received the "Hovhannes Tumanyan" medal from the Writers' Union of Armenia, and in 2011 he was honored with the title of Distinguished Figure in Culture.

He authored 37 puppet television presentations, 2 radio productions, and 56 puppet performances, including "The Finger Measure," "Decameron," "The Wise and the Fool," "New Year's Show," "Satan and the Beatles," "The Goose," "Puy-Puy the Mouse," "Sasuntsi David," "The Joy of the Drunkard," "The Fables and Tales of Leonardo da Vinci," "The Willful Princess," "Beware! There are Mines", "Forgive Me, Lord," and many others.

Armen Safaryan was also known as a translator of literary works, translating the fairy tale "Bambi" from Russian to Armenian and the work of Nahapet Kuchak, "Homelands," from Armenian to English. The Armenian theatre-loving community actively participated in the "Puppets for Peace" global march initiated by Armen Safaryan, while the 16 puppet festivals organized in Armenia and Artsakh consistently enjoyed warm affection from audiences and received high praise.

In the memory of the cultural public, his art admirers, and partners, he will remain recognized as a devoted, cultured, and respectful professional, a person and artist who radiated positivity and optimism, bringing smiles and joy.

By the decision of the Prime Minister of Armenia, a commission has been established for organizing the funeral of Armen Safaryan. The memorial service for Armen Safaryan will be held on April 28 from 18:00 to 20:00 at the St. John Church in Kond.

The final farewell will take place on April 29 from 11:00 to 13:00 at the same location. The burial will occur at the Yerevan City Pantheon.