“A wide avenue leads to the composition of the two winged bulls, symbolizing the power of modern Armenia, and high multi-storey belfry, proclaiming the victory. Then the alley turns to the left; there are figures of eagles along it, marking the mourning of women for those who died.

A semicircular wall with reliefs depicting the battle of Armenians with the foreigners, a high arch and the building of the museum of the Armenian culture complete the composition.” (From the book “Architecture of the USSR. 1917–1987.”)

Being a founder of architectural sculpture complexes in Soviet Armenia, Harutyunyan has become the author of the most grandiose and ambitious project, the ensemble of “Sardarapat”, which was established in 1968 in order to commemorate the historic victory of Armenians over the Turks during the First World War (21–28 May 1918), that preserved the independence of the Armenian people.

1968. Tufa.

Belfry. 35 m. of height

Bulls. 8 m. of height

Eagles. 4 m. of height

Victory wall. 7×54 m.

Location: area near the railway station Sardarapat (city Oktemberyan during Soviet Union, at present the city has regained its ancient name – Armavir). Coauthors: sculptors S. Minasyan, A. Shaginyan.

The ensemble is located on a hill with a panoramic view of the Ararat Valley. The architectural composition includes figures of winged bulls, framing the approaches to the three-tiered bell tower, and the Eagles alley leading to the Victory wall decorated with bas-reliefs.

“A wide avenue leads to the composition of the two winged bulls, symbolizing the power of modern Armenia, and high multi-storey belfry, proclaiming the victory. Then the alley turns to the left; there are figures of eagles along it, marking the mourning of women for those who died. A semicircular wall with reliefs depicting the battle of Armenians with the foreigners, a high arch and the building of the museum of the Armenian culture complete the composition.” (From the book “Architecture of the USSR. 1917–1987.”)

Koshkin Oleg Aleksandrovich (worked in state administration bodies on urban planning and architecture issues), Chief Scientific Secretary of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Arts, academician secretary of the department of architecture, academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, an architect, recalls: “I have met Harutyunyan a few times. Working in the State Committee of Architecture in the Council of Ministers of the USSR, we had to travel to the Soviet republics to solve many problems connected with urban development, construction of blocks, and decoration of buildings. When it came to difficult moments, and experts reached the standstill, they used to say "Let's wait till Ara Armenovich comes, he will consider everything." And, indeed, Ara Armenovich came and barely by two or three comments settled the most complicated nodal points connected with both architectural and sculptural solutions. It was a unique, fully gifted person, a great professional and a brilliant sculptor! The executors only needed to follow his advice.”