Yerevan Circus Reborn as Tashir Arena After 15 Years of Closure

A new era has begun in Yerevan’s cultural life with the official opening of Tashir Arena, a modern entertainment complex built on the site of the former Yerevan Circus.

The Yerevan Circus, once a beloved landmark for generations, was closed around 15 years ago and demolished in 2012 after it was declared unsafe for renovation. For more than a decade, the site stood empty — a silent reminder of the city’s lost cultural hub. Now, after years of anticipation, the newly constructed Tashir Arena has brought life back to the historic location.

The arena can host around 2,000 spectators and was built using modern technologies. It is designed to accommodate a wide range of events, including circus performances, concerts, exhibitions, and sports shows. The venue hopes to combine Yerevan’s cultural traditions with new creative possibilities, providing a space where both Armenian and international artists can perform.

The first show staged at the new complex is called “Eternia,” a large-scale performance that brings together the four elements — earth, water, fire, and air — in a single story. The show marks the symbolic rebirth of the old circus space as a new center of creativity and entertainment.

Tashir Arena was developed by the Tashir Group, founded by Samvel Karapetyan, a well-known Armenian businessman and philanthropist who is currently in jail. Karapetyan’s companies have been behind several major construction and cultural projects in Armenia over the past two decades, and the reopening of the circus site as Tashir Arena is one of the group’s most significant cultural investments.

—

Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.