Members of the parliament and public figures, concerned about the destiny of the Afrikyans' house, have directed an open letter to the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.
They called on the president to take measures for restoration and guarding of the Arikyans' house at Terian Street 11. They also offered him to keep the problem of the historical and cultural monuments of Yerevan in the center of attention and not to let their using for the private purposes.
More than 60 people put their signature under the letter, including Anahit Bakhshyan, the first ombudsperson of Armenia, Larisa Alaverdyan, members of the parliament, etc.
The Afrikyan house, constructed at the end of the 19th century and belonging to the merchant Armen Afrikyan, served as a center where political figures, entrepreneurs, artists, and other prominent members of the city would meet. The Afrikyans were also Yerevan City Council members.
The building, recognized as having eminent public interest, was purchased by Millennium Construction, which intends to dismantle it, reconstructing the facade in another part of the city, and build a hotel in its place.