Nairi Cinema

Nairi Cinema is a historic movie theatre in central Yerevan, Armenia. It stands at the intersection of Mashtots Avenue and Isahakyan Street in the Kentron District and is described as the second-largest cinema hall in the Armenian capital. The venue is also associated with the early development of film exhibition in Armenia and is regarded as Yerevan's oldest cinema. The cinema opened in 1920. Its original premises were on Amiryan Street, where it operated during the early Soviet period. In the 1920s, the venue became part of Armenia's emerging film culture: the first Soviet-Armenian feature film, Zaré, was shown there in 1926. This connection gives Nairi Cinema significance beyond its role as a commercial screening venue, linking the site to the institutional and cultural history of Armenian cinema. During the 1950s, the cinema moved from its original location to a purpose-built building on Mashtots Avenue. The present structure was constructed between 1952 and 1954 and contains two screening halls. It was designed by architect Gevorg Tamanian, son of the prominent Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian. The building's central location and long operating history have made the cinema a recognizable part of Yerevan's urban and cultural landscape. Nairi Cinema's core offering is public film exhibition through its two halls. Available source material does not establish a separate product portfolio, ownership structure, corporate parent, financial profile, or executive roster. Its positioning is primarily heritage-based and cultural: it is a longstanding Yerevan cinema with a direct connection to Armenian film history, while continuing to function as a public movie theatre. The venue was closed for a period before reopening to the public in 2026. The reopening marks the latest documented operational turning point in the available material. Beyond its local role, Nairi Cinema forms part of the wider history of cinema in Armenia and is commonly discussed alongside institutions such as the Armenian National Cinematheque. No reliable information in the supplied references establishes international operations or a broader branded entertainment network.

Nairi Cinema opened in Yerevan in 1920 and is identified as the oldest movie theatre in the city. Its first premises were located on Amiryan Street. The theatre emerged during the formative period of Armenian cinema and public film exhibition, when cinema halls were becoming important cultural venues in the Armenian capital. A significant early event in the cinema's history occurred in 1926, when Zaré was shown there. The film is described in the available reference material as the first Soviet-Armenian movie produced. The screening connected Nairi Cinema with the early institutional history of Armenian filmmaking and helped establish its place in the cultural memory of Yerevan. The theatre later moved from Amiryan Street to its current location on Mashtots Avenue. The present building was constructed between 1952 and 1954 at the intersection of Mashtots Avenue and Isahakyan Street in the central Kentron District. It was designed by Gevorg Tamanian, the son of Alexander Tamanian, one of Armenia's most influential architects. The building consists of two cinema halls and became the long-term home of the Nairi Cinema name. Its central location and architectural lineage have contributed to the venue's continuing visibility in Yerevan. Nairi Cinema is described as the city's second-largest cinema hall and remains associated with both everyday moviegoing and Armenian film heritage. The available sources do not provide a detailed account of programming policy, ticketing, renovations, operating ownership, or management changes. After a period of closure, the cinema reopened to the public in 2026. This reopening restored the venue's public function and represents the latest documented milestone in its history. Nairi Cinema is part of the broader story of cinema in Armenia and is commonly considered alongside national film-heritage institutions, including the Armenian National Cinematheque. Information about its current corporate structure, executives, finances, and detailed commercial operations remains unavailable in the supplied references.

• 2026

  Public reopening

  [1]Nairi Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  Following a period of closure, Nairi Cinema reopens to the public.

• 1954

  Current two-hall venue completed

  [1]Nairi Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  The current Nairi Cinema building is completed at the intersection of Mashtots Avenue and Isahakyan Street.

• 1952

  Construction of the current building begins

  [1]Nairi Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  Work begins on the cinema's present Mashtots Avenue building, designed by Gevorg Tamanian.

• 1926

  Screening of Zaré

  [1]Nairi Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  The cinema screens Zaré, described by the reference material as the first Soviet-Armenian film produced.

• 1920

  Cinema opens in Yerevan

  [1]Nairi Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  Nairi Cinema begins operating in Yerevan, initially from premises on Amiryan Street.

A historic central-Yerevan cinema positioned around public film exhibition, cultural continuity, and its importance in Armenian film history.

• Cinema venue · 1954

  Two cinema halls

  Nairi Cinema's principal offering is its historic two-hall venue in central Yerevan. The halls support public film screenings and are the physical foundation of the cinema's identity. The building was constructed between 1952 and 1954 and designed by Gevorg Tamanian.

• 2026

  Return to public operationStrategy

  Background

  Nairi Cinema had been closed for a period before the documented reopening.

  Action taken

  The venue reopened to the public in 2026.

  Aftermath

  The reopening returned the historic cinema to active public use. Further operational details are not provided in the available source.

  Source

1. 1Nairi Cinemaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Nairi Cinema official websitenairicinema.am