Armenian Mural Rescued After 1988 Earthquake Welcomes Visitors Again

A celebrated mural by renowned Armenian artist Minas Avetisyan, once feared lost after Armenia’s devastating 1988 earthquake, is once again greeting visitors at Zvartnots International Airport.

Originally created in the 1970s inside an electrical engineering factory in Gyumri, the artwork suffered significant damage when the building became unsafe following the earthquake.

Between 2010 and 2011, Armenian and Italian restoration experts carefully restored the mural and relocated it to the airport’s VIP terminal during the construction of the new airport complex. It underwent additional conservation work in 2025 to ensure its long-term preservation.

The airport is home to two of Avetisyan’s best-known murals: Spinning a Thread, the larger work measuring about 13.5 by 4 meters, and “Millstones,” which measures 5.7 by 3 meters and is displayed in the presidential area of the airport.

For nearly 15 years, the restored artworks have served as a cultural landmark, showcasing Armenia’s artistic heritage and introducing travelers to the legacy of one of the country’s most influential modern artists upon arrival in Yerevan.