Mimino statue, Dilijan

What is the Mimino statue?

It is a bronze tribute to Mimino, Georgiy Daneliya’s 1977 comedy that almost everyone who grew up in the Soviet Union can quote. Three friends from the film stand around a drinking fountain as if pouring water into glasses: Valiko Mizandari, the Georgian bush pilot nicknamed Mimino (Vakhtang Kikabidze); Rubik Khachikyan, the Armenian truck driver (Frunzik Mkrtchyan); and Ivan Volokhov, a Russian war veteran (Yevgeny Leonov).

The film follows a small-town pilot who heads to Moscow dreaming of flying big jets, and the unlikely friendships he makes on the way. It won a top prize at the 1977 Moscow International Film Festival and the USSR State Prize in 1978. You don’t need to have seen it to enjoy the statue, but it explains why Russian, Armenian and Georgian visitors light up when they see it.

Why is it in Dilijan?

Because Rubik is from Dilijan. In the film he never misses a chance to boast about his hometown — most famously that Dilijan’s water is the second best in the world, after San Francisco’s. That running joke is why the heroes were placed around a fountain rather than on a plinth.

The statue was unveiled in July 2011, paid for by the Armenian community and donors from Russia’s Vladimir region. Guests came from Georgia and Russia, including the Russian ambassador; the news site LB.ua reported that Vakhtang Kikabidze, the only one of the three actors still alive then, travelled with the Georgian delegation.

Where exactly is it?

The statue stands on the west side of Dilijan’s central roundabout, where the road from Yerevan and Lake Sevan meets the town streets; on maps the spot is on Kalinin Street. Minibus stops for Yerevan, Ijevan and Vanadzor and a taxi rank are right beside it, so every local driver knows it simply as “Mimino”.

Note that the pedestrian square marked as Central Square on maps is a few hundred metres further east — the statue is not there. Stone deer and bear sculptures sit on the roundabout itself, and the Museum of Armenian Textile is a couple of minutes’ walk west.

What to see around the statue

• The three figures — stand between them for the classic photo, as if you were the fourth friend.
• The drinking fountain in the middle — the water usually runs; fill a bottle before heading to the monasteries.
• Stone deer and bears on the roundabout a few steps away.
• Museum of Armenian Textile — a couple of minutes west, paid entry.
• King of the Forest, a 1967 sculpture — about 7–8 minutes’ walk south-west.
• Dilijan City Park with its pond — around 10 minutes on foot to the west.
• Old Dilijan and the local history museum — both about five minutes away.

How long to spend and when to go

Allow 10–15 minutes: look at the faces, take a few photos, have a drink. It is outdoors and unfenced, so any time of day works, in any weather.

The most practical moment is when you arrive or before you leave, since the minibus stops are right here. Traffic is heavy around the roundabout in the daytime, so shoot from the pavement and don’t step into the road. Early morning is quietest, with no cars or other visitors in your frame.

Money and payment in Dilijan

The statue itself costs nothing. You will need cash in Armenian dram for minibuses, taxis and small shops — carry small notes. Visa and Mastercard from foreign banks work in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, and Dilijan has a handful of ATMs and bank branches where you can change money. Agree the taxi fare before you set off and pay in dram.

Mimino statue, Old Dilijan or the museum?

All three are within five minutes’ walk of each other. Start at Mimino, where the minibus drops you, and carry on down Myasnikyan Street.

Historic places in Dilijan compared

Places in and around Dilijan rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Nearby — add to your day

38

Dilijan Local Lore Museum and Art Gallery

Dilijan, Armenia

1 h · 4,000 AMD; one section 2,000 AMD · 4 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Dilijan Local Lore Museum and Art Gallery

44

Old Dilijan (Sharambeyan Street)

Dilijan, Armenia

45 min · Free · 5 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Old Dilijan (Sharambeyan Street)

How to do it right

• Bring an empty bottle — the fountain by the Mimino heroes is a good refill before the monasteries.
• Don’t look for it on the pedestrian Central Square: it’s at the roundabout where the minibuses stop.
• Take your photo as soon as you arrive — minibuses back to Yerevan leave from the stop next door.
• Then walk down Myasnikyan Street to the local history museum and Old Dilijan.
• Save the afternoon for Haghartsin or Goshavank — the real reasons to come to Dilijan.

Questions