Famous People

Hasmik Paruyr Kirakosyan was an Armenian cultural figure, Honored Cultural Worker of the Republic of Armenia, and Honorary Citizen of Gyumri. Born in Gyumri, then known as Leninakan, she spent most of her life and career in her hometown, contributing for decades to the organization and development of cultural life in Gyumri and the Shirak region. Her professional activity covered the fields of education, culture, and public administration. Over the years, Hasmik Kirakosyan became one of the most recognizable and respected figures in Gyumri’s cultural community.

Hovhannes Hovhannisyan is an Armenian actor, director, educator, and Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia. Born in Leninakan, present-day Gyumri, he has devoted most of his creative career to his hometown. Since 1989, he has been active at the Vardan Achemyan State Drama Theatre of Gyumri, performing numerous roles and directing a number of productions. Alongside his acting career, Hovhannisyan has also worked as a director and educator, sharing his professional experience with new generations of actors.

Tigran Hamasyan is an internationally recognized Armenian pianist and composer whose music blends Armenian folk traditions, jazz, and contemporary sounds. Known for his distinctive style, Hamasyan combines complex rhythms, improvisation, and traditional Armenian melodies to create a unique musical identity. His work has earned global recognition and established him as one of the most influential modern jazz musicians of his generation.

Artyom Karapetyan is an Armenian actor originally from Gyumri. Throughout his acting career, he has appeared in numerous television projects, talk shows, stage productions, and sitcoms, as well as in short and feature-length films. He gained wide recognition for the memorable characters he created in Armenian comedy and drama productions. His acting is distinguished by the unique humor, sincerity, and expressive style characteristic of Gyumri, which have made him one of the recognizable faces of Armenian television.

Yuri (Yurik) Norayrovich Vardanyan was a Soviet Armenian weightlifter, Olympic gold medalist (1980 Moscow Games first Armenian Olympic champion in weightlifting), 7-time World Champion, 5-time European Champion, and holder of 43 world records. He was the first in the world to total 400 kg in the 82.5 kg category. Honored Master of Sports of the USSR (1977), Order of Lenin (1985), IWF Hall of Fame (1994). Later served as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs of Armenia (2013–2014).

Flora Artashesi Martirosian was an Armenian folk and pop singer, Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia (People's Artist, 2011), founder of the "Artists for Peace Charity Foundation", and initiator of the "Never Again" cultural movement. Known for her deep, healing voice, she performed Armenian folk songs, love ballads, and patriotic pieces, becoming an icon of Armenian music.

Nazik Avdalyan is an Armenian female weightlifter, World Champion (2009), two-time European Champion, the first Armenian weightlifter to win a World gold medal, and the first Armenian woman to become a world champion in any sport. She is the founder and director of the “Nazik Avdalyan” Sports Development Foundation. A biographical sports drama film “The Other Side of the Medal” about her life premiered in 2024.

Artur Aleksanyan is a renowned Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler, multiple Olympic, World, and European champion. He is considered one of the greatest figures in modern Armenian sports, admired for his strength, technique, and unbreakable spirit. Aleksanyan has become a symbol of national pride, representing Armenia with honor on the international stage.

Mkrtich Arzumanjan is a prominent Armenian actor, comedian, and TV host. He is widely known for his roles in television series, films, and especially for his performances in popular comedy projects, making him one of the most beloved figures on Armenian screens. His work combines humor, drama, and vivid portrayals of everyday characters.