“I do not know what Armenian literature gained from me but I personally gained Armenian literature”, Roper Hatechyan, writer , the Armenian public figure from Istanbul mentioned
during his meeting with the Pedagogical students. He visited the Philological Faculty on the invitation of the Director of “Spyurq” Resource Center, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor Souren Danielyan.
The Dean of the Philological Faculty, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Acting Professor Yuri Davtyan greeted those present and considered Roper Hatechyan’s visit at the Faculty an important literary-cultural occasion. “He made a great scientific, cultural and artistic contribution to the conservation, development of the nation,” the Dean of the Faculty observed.
“Roper Hatechyan brought the real literary spirit of Istanbul, who in spite of the time and the old pan-Turkish dream, turned the wheel of history and became the Armenian artist from Istanbul who changed the flow of literature and the leader of the Diaspora-Armenian literature. He tied his fate to “Marmara” magazine still in 1950 hoping to bring to light the slumbering literary spirit of Istanbul”, this is how Souren Danielyan introduced the Diaspora –Armenian writer Roper Hatechyan.
In fact, Roper Hatechyan had multiple occasions to visit the Armenian universities and inhaled the healthy atmosphere of which their generation would dream while studying at foreign universities. In addition, he particularly motivated the students in regards with choosing the profession of philologist. “I want to witness that the existence of our language and literature is trusted on young people like you; protect our literature”.
Referring to the Armenian- Istanbul literature, he assured that most of the best pieces of Armenian literature were written in Istanbul.
Moreover, the writer admitted that despite being the graduate of the Mkhitaryan School, they wrote in Turkish until the age of 20. And when his friends translated into Armenian one of his stories and then published it in “Hayadasht” literary magazine, Roper Hatechyan decided; further on writing and creating solely in Armenian.
The Diaspora- Armenian writer considers it an unjust decision when a lot of people think of the Istanbul-Armenian literature having no fiber. “A watchful reader may find and observe in every line what is not explicitly written. Our language, its use and preservation is the proof of our nationality”.
And to conclude his speech, he urged the students to preserve and protect Armenian language and literature everywhere.
And last but not least, in 2011 the RA President granted Roper Hatechyan “St.Sargis” award.
