KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

The initial version of the historical-political novel “Gagik II: Armenian King of Ani, Pizui; King of All Armenian Kings” (“Gagik II”) by Director of the Library of the Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU), historian, writer, bibliographer and culturologist Tigran Petrosyants has been released.

The novel presents the last painful events in the history of the Bagratunyats Armenian royal dynasty, including the dethronement and capture of King Gagik II, the rapid germination of ‘Armenianness’ adjacent to the distant Mediterranean, the consolidation of the ruling families, the establishment of unity and solidarity at the price of persistent efforts, the unmatched and long-term conflict declared and undeclared against the enemy, foreign states and figures, etc.

The book’s editor-in-chief, acting Head of the ASPU Chair of Armenian History, Professor Edik Gevorgyan noted that this not just a literary work, adding that, with a great foundation, the author has succeeded in creating a solid work that is an easy-read. “The characters and works of the last king of the Bagratunyats Armenian royal dynasty, the free and freedom-deprived strata surrounding him run like a red thread through the novel and are clearly outlined. Perhaps the major merit of the historical-political novel by Tigran Petrosyants is conveying and transmitting lessons of real patriotism to the generations — something that is especially very necessary and a daily matter today,” he said.

As a historian, Professor of Armenian History, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia Ashot Melkonyan states that Tigran Petrosyants presents the boldness of the Armenian king with great artistic mastery in the short-lived, yet heroic period of literature and in the most extreme period of captivity and exile. According to Melkonyan, readers are imbued with the air of patriotism and experiences moments of excitement and pride as they become familiar with the very touching episodes of the life of a young king which is a heroic story.

As a literary critic, Head of the Chair of Armenian Old and Medieval Literature and its Teaching Methods, Professor Aelita Dolukhanyan notes that the author follows the classic Armenian medieval tradition, that is, he really dived in and used almost all the medieval sources of literature which tell about the brave Armenian king. According to the Professor, the novel is written based on the contributions of Armenian classic history novels, the documental and the artistic are closely intertwined, and the historical reality is clearly presented to the reader. “The novel can be assigned for reading, especially to Armenian students, who are the future of us Armenians — this is what Aelita Dolukhanyan wrote as a literary critic in the novel.

Let us mention that Tigran Petrosyants has a rich career as an author (the novel “Gagik II” is his 67th book).