Coordinates: 40°08′58″N 43°41′34″E / 40.14944°N 43.69278°E / 40.14944; 43.69278

Bagaran (Armenian: Բագարան) was a medieval town and fortress in the Armavir Province of Armenia, located 5 kilometers west of the right bank of the Akhurian River, and a former a capital of Armenia.

Bagaran was founded at the end of the 3rd century BC by the Armenian King Yervand II (212 BC - 200 BC). It became a spiritual center of Armenia during the Ervanduni dynasty. After fall of Ervanduni and rise of Artashesian dynasty in 189 BC, the first king of the Artashesians, Artashes I, removed all pagan monuments from Bagaran and relocated them in his new capital of Armenia, Artashat. Later Bagaran became part of the feudal province of the Kamsarakan dynasty, which passed to the Bagratunis in the 8th century. In the 9th century, after the re-establishment of Armenian Kingdom under the Bagratuni dynasty, Bagaran became a capital of the Armenian Kingdom for the short time. King Smbat I (890-914), who replaced Ashot I (885-890), in 890 moved the capital of his territory from Bagaran to Shirakavan. However, during the whole period of Bagratuni dynasty, Bagaran remained one of the most prosperous centers of the kingdom. Many members of the Bagratuni rulers, including Ashot I, were buried in Bagaran.

Ara Gevorgyan (Armenian: Արա Գևորգյան, born April 19, 1960, Yerevan) is an Armenian musician, composer and musical producer. In 2004 he was awarded the Honorary Artist of the Republic of Armenia title by the President Robert Kocharyan.

Gevorgian is the son of Armenian folk-singer Valya Samvelyan. He studied at School #31 of Yerevan and at the A. Tigranyan Musical School at the same time. During the two years he studied at Yerevan #8 college of Fine Arts. From 1983 to 1987 he studied at Armenian State Pedagogical University at the faculty of woodwind instruments and pop music department. In 1987-1989 Gevorgian taught conducting at the same Institute, then he worked at Armenian Television ("3 Alik" TV program).

In 1983 he founded the "Rally" Armenian pop-rock band, the participant of "Song-85" festival.

He participated in the Opening Ceremony of the Cultural Year of Armenia in Russia hosted at the Moscow Kremlin Music Hall and honored by the presence of the presidents of Armenia and Russia Robert Kocharyan and Vladimir Putin respectively and the famous singer Charles Aznavour.