Georgian Parliament to hold event devoted to famous Armenian actor

YEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS: On March 11 an event devoted to the memory of the great Armenian actor Frunzik Mkrtchyan will be held at the National Library of the Georgia’s Parliament. Armenpress reports, citing Gruzia Online that the event became possible to be held due to the assistance by the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Georgia, Caucasian House Center and the National Library of the Georgia’s Parliament.

The memory of the great Armenian actor will never fade away, the activity of who has become a bridge of culture, humor and friendship between the Armenian and Georgian nations. The statement says that it was the reason why it was decided to mark that date after 20 years Frunzik Mkrtchyan died.

Mher Mkrtchyan was born in Leninakan (nowGyumri), the Armenian SSR. Frunzik studied in Leninakan Art College and Theatre Studio and then graduated from the Acting Department ofYerevanInstitute of Fine Arts and Theatre. Beginning from 1953, the actor performed in the Sundukyan Drama Theatre of Yerevan. Frunzik also directed many successful productions, the best of which wasMaxim Gorky's "The Lower Depths". The cinema career of Mher Mkrtchyan began in 1955.

Frunzik’s famous roles inRolan Bykov's "Aybolit-66" (1966),Leonid Gaidai's "Kidnapping, Caucasian Style" (1966), andGeorgi Daneliya's "Mimino" (1977) earned him a reputation as one of theSoviet Union's leading comedy actors. But that reputation sometimes overshadowed his real talent and emotional depth which he put into his roles in such classics of Armenian cinema as "Yerankyuni" ("Triangle") (1967), "Menq enq, mer sarere" ("We, Our Mountains") (1969), "Hayrik" ("Father") (1973), "Nahapet" (1977), "Hin oreri yerge" ("Old Days' Song") (1982), "Mer mankutyan tangon" ("Tango of Our Childhood") (1985). Among his many awards was theUSSR State Prizefor 1978.

Mher Mkrtchyan died inYerevan, Armenia, on December 29 in 1993. The house-museum of Frunzik functions currently in the second capital of the Republic of Armenia, Gyumri, where one can find rich materials concerning the life and the creative way of the great Armenian actor, as well as his personal things.

Even though he was known as a comedic actor, Mkrtchyan's personal life was filled with tragedy. His first wife,Donara Mkrtchyan, became mentally ill and was sent to a mental institution for the rest of her life. Mkrtchyan became a single parent of two young children. His son inherited his mother’s mental illness. Thousands of people attended the funeral of their beloved actor.