Rock legend, Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan was in Armenia on September 18-21 to attend the opening ceremony of N6 Gyumri music school. Ian Gillan came to Armenia with his wife Bron. The delegation also included Founder and Managing Director of Australian “DoSomething!” organization, the founder of “Rock Aid Armenia” project Jon Dee and Tim Irving from Canada, who donated music instruments to school. Jon Dee arrived with his daughter, 9-year-old Estelle. It was her second trip to Armenia. She was first in Armenia back in 2009, when “Armenia Grateful 2 Rock” project was launched.

The team of Mediamax tried to show as much as possible to Ian Gillan during his 3-day visit to Armenia.

“When scheduling the program I wanted to show the “Future Armenia” to Ian Gillan. I was guided by the idea that after rebuilding the school which was destroyed 25 years ago, we have closed that sad page of our history and now we can look into the future. We can see this future in the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, Dilijan International School,” Ara Tadevosyan, Director of Mediamax, said.

Day 1, September 19

The day began from a visit to Matenadaran.

Photo by Mediamax.

Director of Matenadaran Hrachya Tamrazyan welcomed Ian Gillan at the entrance.

Then, an excursion was organized for the guests.

Photo by Mediamax.

Ian Gillan and his wife received presents.

Photo by Mediamax.

Then, the guests were shown the repository of ancient manuscripts.

Photo by Mediamax.

Ian Gillan took a photo in front of Mesrop Mashtots statue.

Photo by Mediamax.

Then the guests visited Cascade, the Cafesjian Center for the Arts.

Photo by Mediamax.

Ian Gillan was taking pictures and videos of the statues like an ordinary tourist.

Photo by Mediamax.

Director of Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Vahan Marabyan, told Ian Gillan about the history of Cascade.

Afterwards, the guests went to Mediamax office, where Ian Gillan and Jon Dee delivered a news conference. Several dozens of journalists attended the press conference.

Photo by Mediamax.

Reporters asked Ian Gillan various question about music, his spiritual ties with Armenia, relations with his wife. Ian Gillan said “Bron was the love of his life”.

Photo by PanArmenian Photo.

At night the guests visited TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.

Photo by Mediamax.

During the visit, Ian Gillan was surrounded by dozens of young people who wanted to take photos with him or an autograph.

Photo by Mediamax.

Managing Director of TUMO Center for Creative Technologies Marie Lou Papazian presented the educational programs to the guests.

Photo by Mediamax.

The video of the visit of Ian Gillan to TUMO is available here:

Day 2, September 20

The main event of the day was of course the opening ceremony of N6 Gyumri music school.

Photo by PanArmenian Photo.

The main donators of the project, Ian Gillan and members of Mardigian family, solemnly opened the school.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan attended the opening ceremony.

Photo by PanArmenian Photo.

The guests left Gyumri for Spitak, where they were met by Spitak Mayor Gagik Sahakyan. Following this, the guests visited the Spitak cemetery and laid flowers to the graves of victims of 1988 Spitak earthquake.

Photo by Mediamax.

At the end of the visit to Spitak, a dinner was served on behalf of the Mayor, following which a surprise cake was presented to Ian Gillan.

Photo by Mediamax.

Day 3, September 21

In the morning the guests visited Haghartsin Monastery.

Photo by Mediamax.

Then, Ian Gillan visited the construction site of Dilijan International School.

Co-founder of Dilijan International School Veronika Zonabend told about the school development programs.

Photo by Mediamax.

The author of the school project, British architect Tim Flynn told the guests about all the details of the future school.

Photo by Mediamax.

The guests returned to Yerevan, to the studio of Dorians band.

Dorians began the meeting with Ian Gillan with their “Funny People”. Then they performed “You and Me” and “Precious Life” songs. The rock legend was the first to hear Dorians’ “Centaur’s Grace” new song.

Photo by Mediamax.

Following the unique concert, Ian Gillan told the guys: “I am really impressed. You have wonderful music qualities. You are great musicians. Thank you.”

Photo by Mediamax.

In the end of the day the guests visited Sergei Paradjanov Museum.

Photo by Mediamax.

On September 22, Ian Gillan left Yerevan, promising to come again.