KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Within the framework of traditional literary meetings, the Faculty of Philology hosted Beirut-based writer and translator Sarkis Vahagn who was accompanied by his spouse Mrs Haykuhi and daughter Huri.

Greeting the guests, Dean of the Faculty Yuri Davtyan urged the guests and future educators to undertake the mission of preserving Western Armenian because the language, in which numerous works are written, is threatened today.

After introducing Sarkis Vahagn to the audience and presenting details from his biography, Suren Danielyan, Head of the Department of New and Modern Armenian Literature and its Teaching Methods, also spoke about the great contribution his works, specifically “Arshile Gorky” novel, had to the Diaspora literature. Mr Danielyan emphasized that the writer’s biographical novels are a rare phenomenon in fiction.

“The writer is extremely traditional, moderate innovator and very talented,” Armen Sargsyan, a first-year MA student, said stressing that the success of the novel lies in its emphasized Armenian character.

The prose-writer first spoke about the challenges faced by Diaspora writers and their mission of preserving the language, and then referred to the reasons for revealing the image of Arshile Gorky.

“Once I read in the French press that Arshile Gorky is Jewish. From that day on I used my pen to identify Gorky as a true Armenian. In the person of Gorky, I wanted to show that Armenians are no longer poor and hungry refugees, but leading artists in the world culture,” he said.

Sarkis Vahagn assured the presentees that language and culture are one of the major prerequisites for a nation’s survival and the mission of each and every Armenians is to serve his country. “With your excellent academic performance you can have a major contribution to the literature; this University is a smithy of future educators and writers,” he stressed.

After the meeting with the students and teaching staff of the Faculty, the guests were received by ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan.

Presenting the University activities and speaking about the expansion of international relations, the rector emphasized the need to arrange frequent visits of Armenian professors and writers living overseas and their meetings with ASPU students. 

“The renowned American-Armenian artist Arshile Gorky was an exceptional person, but many are unaware of his Armenian ancestry. In this sense, your novel is of great interest,” said Mr Mirzakhanyan. He also expressed confidence that the meeting with ASPU students was awaited and unforgettable.

The writer thanked the rector for the warm reception and said he considers the ASPU to be one of the most important centres for developing Armenian culture and literature. He believes that ASPU students will demonstrate a more civilized patriotism through their simplicity.