The House of Composers' Creativity: the center of attraction for world-renowned artists

Khachaturian, Shostakovich, Rostropovich, Saryan, Plisetskaya - what do these great Soviet artists who influenced the development of culture have in common? Answer: Dilijan. Yes, this paradise lost in the mountains of Armenia has played an important role in the creative life of many composers and artists. The reason for this was the appearance of the House of Composers' Creativity, an event of all-Union scale that left a huge mark in the history of Dilijan and in the history of the entire USSR. This unique complex, located high in the wooded mountains, has been a meeting place and inspiration for many outstanding composers and musicians.

What is the history of the appearance of this unique complex and why is it located in Dilijan? The development and support of art was a high priority for the Soviet authorities. In the mid-1950s, the idea of creating a House of Composers' Creativity appeared - an inspiring place for artists to work and create. It was a great honor for each Transcaucasian republic to open such a center on its territory, and the competition was strong. While Georgia and Azerbaijan were still negotiating, Armenian composer Edward Mirzoyan was able to convince the authorities to open a composer's resort in Armenia. At that time, Mirzoyan was only 35 years old, he headed the Union of Composers of Armenia and clearly realized that it was necessary to take non-standard steps to create an environment in which the Armenian musical heritage would be known at the all-Union level.

In 1963, a beautiful resort was built, it became a source of new musical ideas and inspiration for creativity. The complex consisted of eight cottages placed at a distance from each other so that music and creative noise would not interfere with the work of the artists. Over time, the number of cottages and functional buildings in the resort has only increased. There were gyms, a cinema, a library, a restaurant, a conference room, a bar, a swimming pool, and a laundry room. Surrounded by buildings there is a garden with apple trees and flowers, there was even a greenhouse providing guests with vegetables in the off-season.

It is not surprising that the House of Composers' Creativity quickly became popular, not only at the all-Union level: Music weeks and cultural days of different countries such as Bulgaria, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Germany were held there. A forum of Soviet and Italian composers was held there. Many important cultural events were held there.

In the Dilijan mountains, you could play football with Shostakovich, the great Russian composer, or the Armenian composer Babajanyan, pick mushrooms in the forest with the ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, have a conversation under an apple tree with the artist Martiros Saryan, who, according to his memories, every time he went out on the balcony, exclaimed: "It's amazing!" Imagine how important this place was in the lives of painters who painted with bright colors.

It is difficult to list the names of all the outstanding personalities who found their inspiration there. Here are the names of some of the world-famous artists: Benjamin Britten, Krzysztof Meyer, Gia Kancheli, Felix Glonti, Mstislav Rostropovich, Galina Vishnevskaya, Rodion Shchedrin, Anna Zegers and Hans-Ulrich Buchholz.

It is noteworthy that Dmitry Shostakovich visited the House of Composers' Creativity as many as four times, and it was here, in Dilijan, that he composed his famous string quartet No. 9 and the music for the film Hamlet.

The memoirs of Elena Mirzoyan, Edward Mirzoyan's wife, convey the atmosphere of that time well: "Once we had a football match. Arno Babajanyan led one team. Composer Rodion Shchedrin and his wife Maya Plisetskaya led another one. The judge was Shostakovich. And every time someone hit the trees and apples fell, he got angry and imposed punishment." She also recalls that the Georgian composer Felix Ghlonti preferred to visit Dilijan, despite the presence of a resort for Georgian composers in Borjomi.

Edward Mirzoyan's lively mind and resourcefulness are well illustrated by the story of the construction of a concert hall in the complex of the House of Creativity. In the 60s, the Soviet Union did not show much enthusiasm for financing such buildings. Then Edward Mirzoyan decided to take advantage of the event on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Beethoven at the Moscow Bolshoi Theater, where officials of the USSR gathered. During their speeches, when it was Mirzoyan's turn, he stated the following: "We have almost completed the construction of the Beethoven Concert Hall at the Dilijan Composers Retreat Center." It is worth noting that there was no construction in sight. However, this statement to a huge audience put Soviet officials in an awkward position, and the authorities had to approve the financing.

In 2013, the House of Composers' Creativity was named in honor of Edward Mirzoyan, a man who put his heart and soul into the project. Without him, the complex would never have become a recognized center for musicians and artists and an example of what Armenia has to offer the world.

Thus, the House of Composers in Dilijan in Armenia was not only a beautiful place for outdoor recreation, but also the center of cultural and creative life of the Soviet Union. It became a place where great composers met, exchanged experiences and inspired each other, and the influence on musical art left an indelible mark.

The House of Composers' Creativity in Dilijan remains a significant symbol of the city to this day. Despite the years, it has not lost its brilliance and vivacity. Arshak, the son of Edward Mirzoyan, planted an apple tree in the courtyard of the Composers' House in memory of his father and the legacy he left behind. Many composers followed his example, replacing the old and dried-up apple trees planted by great artists in their time in the garden with new ones. Freshly planted trees will give new fruits, as well as the current generation, which, we hope, will give the House of Composers' Creativity a new breath.