VERNATOUN powered by Keron
Special Project
Soft Opening: 19 February 2026
Official Opening: September 2026
Objectives
To revive the Armenian club tradition, giving new life to this format and creating a new space for thought, dialogue, and shared values in Yerevan.
VERNATOUN powered by Keron is a modern reinterpretation of the Armenian tradition of intellectual clubs: a closed, members-only community space where people from different fields come together to shape ideas that truly matter.
The project draws its inspiration from the historical traditions of Armenian and international club culture.
Tumanyan’s Vernatun originally was a literary club founded in 1899 by Hovhannes Tumanyan on the last floor of his Tbilisi house. It was a symbol of Armenian intellectual life – a place where the great minds of the time gathered to share ideas, read, and converse about the homeland, art, and literature. The founding members of Vernatun were Hovhannes Tumanyan, Avetik Isahakyan, Levon Shant, Derenik Demirchyan, and Ghazaros Aghayan. They met regularly to exchange thoughts, create, and shape an entire cultural era. Tumanyan’s Vernatun became a symbol of Armenian intellectual life, a place where the great minds of the time gathered to exchange ideas, read, debate, and speak about the homeland, art, and literature.
The Afrikyans’ Club at 11 Teryan Street was built in the late 19th century by the wealthy Afrikyans brothers. Artists, political figures, businessmen, and prominent Yerevan residents gathered here. They would meet at the club and, over a cup of coffee, discuss political, social, and other issues.
During the Soviet years, under conditions of restricted public and political activity, a group of young mathematicians were searching for ways of national consolidation. One of the most remarkable expressions of this was the annual gatherings of intellectuals held in Tsaghkadzor from 1979 to 1981, bringing together leading cultural, scientific, and spiritual figures of the time, including poet Silva Kaputikyan, sculptors Ara Shiraz and Ervand Kochar, mathematician Sergey Mergelyan, architect Armen Zaryan, writer Sero Khanzadyan, ethnographer Hayrik Muradyan, founder-director of the Children’s Art Museum Henrik Igityan, the great Armenian singer Lusine Zakaryan, and others.
European salon culture likewise presupposed closed gatherings and meetings where representatives of different milieus and social strata openly and freely discussed art, literature, philosophy, music, and politics.
That same spirit is now being revived in the new VERNATOUN powered by Keron. It will unite under one roof people who believe in the power of dialogue, shared values, and purposeful action. VERNATOUN powered by Keron is a community that will bring together proactive, like-minded, and engaged individuals around distinctive experiences, conversations, and ideas. VERNATOUN is located at 38 Pushkin Street, which is also known as Arakel Afrikyan’s house. The building was built in 1902 by Vasiliy Mirzoyan. Today, it is included in the list of Yerevan’s historical and cultural monuments and is unique for its preserved ceiling murals and fireplaces. VERNATOUN powered by Keron is located on the 2nd floor of one of Yerevan’s unique historical buildings – the Afrikyans House at 38 Pushkin Street. One of the first stone houses of Yerevan was built in 1902 by architect Vasiliy Mirzoyan. Today the building is included in the list of Yerevan’s historical and cultural monuments and is unique for its preserved ceiling murals and tiled fireplaces. VERNATOUN brings together people who believe in the power of dialogue, collaboration, and shared values, creating an environment where every meeting can become the starting point of a new initiative or transformation. Here, people are united not by their titles, but by their values, vision, and contribution. VERNATOUN powered by Keron’s agenda is shaped around signature events, intimate gatherings, and member-led initiatives. Events are organized with a focus on intimacy and substance, prioritizing meaningful participation rather than scale. From time to time, in addition to offline meetings, hybrid and online formats will connect Vernatoun’s members across the globe. The event of VERNATOUN will follow three main directions.
CONVERSATIONS & DISCUSSIONS: Events, discussions, conversations, and dinners that bring together thinkers, creative people, and leaders to exchange ideas and perspectives. From intimate salon gatherings and debates to dinners and podcasts – this is VERNATOUN’s space for thought and conversation.
CULTURE & EXPERIENCE: Music, literature, performing arts, and more – events that nurture Armenia’s creative spirit while connecting it to the wider world, turning tradition into a living, evolving experience.
COMMUNITY & BELONGING: Member-initiated meetups, coffee hours, evening events, retreats, and gatherings that strengthen connection and trust. This is the everyday rhythm that keeps VERNATOUN alive as a community, and not just a physical space.
Rooms & zones of VERNATOUN are named after the original Vernatun’s members.
“Tumanyan” Hall: The main event hall of Vernatoun – the primary space for evenings, cultural performances, and receptions for members.
“Aghayan” Hall: Lounge area and bar – a calm setting for informal meetings, evening conversations, and tastings.
“Demirchyan” Hall: A private room for daytime work, seminars, masterclasses, and themed discussions.
“Shant” Hall: A private room designed for closed meetings, mentoring sessions, one-on-one consultations, and discussions.
“Isahakyan” Balcony: The balcony is a wonderful place for coffee hours, small gatherings, and quiet conversations.
Partners
