Testing Ground

Gurgen Janibekyan was born in Yerevan. He finished Yerevan Russian Teachers' Seminary. Since the age of 20 acted in amateur theatrical circles, participated in Mkrtich and Susan Garagash operetta, in 1920 played in the performances of Zarifyan-Abelyan theatrical group. From 1922 Gurgen Janibekyan played in the touring theatre of Amo Kharazyan, Armen Armenyan’s theatrical group, Armenian dramatic theatre of Tiflis. From 1924 was actor of first State Theatre of Armenia (now G. Sundukyan National Theatre) and from 1965 to 1967 - the director of the theatre. 1940 to 1949 he was the chairman of Armenian Theatrical Union, taught at Yerevan Art and Theatre Institute (1947 to 1949). Gurgen Janibekyan played in many performances, he was an author of staging, translations and books. He starred in films, toured in the cities of USSR, Moscow and in other cities. Gurgen Janibekyan was awarded many prizes, medals, certificates and in 1952 received the State Prize of the USSR. Died in Yerevan.