Sos Janibekyan Appointed Director of 'Mher Mkrtchyan' Theater; Actors Oppose

A revolt is brewing around the 'Mher Mkrtchyan' artistic theater of Yerevan City Hall. The city hall is preparing to officially appoint actor Sos Janibekyan as the theater director, or has already done so informally. Furthermore, Janibekyan has been visiting the theater these days, intervening in the renovation works.

Theater actor Artzrun Chobanyan stated in an interview with MediaHub that the actors are against Janibekyan's appointment. 'The acting director of the theater, Makich Margaryan, told me that Sos has been appointed as the theater director and that he has been introduced from the city hall. When I asked about the appointment process being through a competition, he replied that he did not know the details,' Chobanyan recounted.

According to him, the theater staff does not wish to work with individuals unrelated to the 'Mher Mkrtchyan' theater. Chobanyan mentioned that the actors envision him as their representative and director. 'We have met and talked with the creative and technical staff of the theater. They have not been against my being their representative and director, considering I have been working in the theater for about 7-8 years,' he said.

He emphasized that appointing a theater director without a competition constitutes a gross violation of the law. Chobanyan adds that those in power are not far off, and they may try to bypass the law in some way. However, if the city hall moves ahead legally and announces a competition, Chobanyan stressed that he would participate and perhaps win.

Yerevan City Hall is attempting to hide this news at all costs, considering Sos Janibekyan's pronounced connections to power. In an interview with the media, Janibekyan did not deny the rumors regarding his appointment as director of 'Mher Mkrtchyan' theater. 'It is still in the discussion phase,' he said.

When asked if a competition would be held, he noted that he was not familiar with the details. The date for assuming the position is still unknown to Janibekyan: 'The process is still very preliminary.' When questioned about whether he would accept the offer, he mentioned that he is still considering it: 'We are discussing the details; such processes do not happen immediately.'

In response to the statement that theater actors want someone from their team as the director and are against his appointment, Janibekyan replied, 'They are doing well; what can I say?'

It is worth noting that the theater was founded in 1986 by the People's Artist of the USSR Mher Mkrtchyan.