KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Razmik Davoyan, a famous Armenian poet and publicist, a graduate of ASPU, died on January 11, 2022, at the age of 81.

Razmik Davoyan was born on July 3, 1940, in Mets Parni village of Spitak, Armenia. He received his primary education in a local school. In 1949, he moved to Gyumri (Leninakan) with his family where he went to high school and later to medical college. From 1959 to 1964, Davoyan studied at the Faculty of History and Philology of Armenian State Pedagogical Institute after Khachatur Abovian. While studying, he worked as a proofreader for "Literary newspaper" and was also a member of the founding editorial board of “Science and Technology.” Since 1965, he was editor of the poetry and prose section of "Literary newspaper."

In 1970, Davoyan served as Senior Adviser at the Committee for Cultural Relations with the Diaspora. From 1975 to 1990, he worked as Secretary of the Central Committee for Armenia’s State Prizes. In 1989, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for the Earthquake Struck Disaster Area. From 1991 to 1999, he was Chairman of the Board of the “Hamazkayin” Armenian Educational and Cultural Society.

From 1994 to 1996, Davoyan was President of the Writers’ Union of Armenia. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Adviser to the President of the Republic of Armenia. From 2005 to 2007, he headed "Yerevan" documentary film studio. From 2007 to 2018, he served as Adviser to President of H1 TV Company.
The writer’s first poem was published in 1957 in Leninakan-based “Worker” daily and his first collection was published in 1963.

Razmik Davoyan is the author of more than 40 collections and books which have been translated into Russian, Czech and English. His works have been published in literary periodicals in Italy, France, Syria, Yugoslavia, Iran, China and USA. Many foreign periodicals, including Russian "Literaturnaya Gazeta," French "Le Figaro", British "Times" and "Wasafiri" have written about the writer’s life and literary activity.

In 1969, Davoyan’s “Requiem” was published after being blocked for five years. His second blocked book - “Massacre of the Crosses” was published in Beirut in 1972 and his “Toros Rosslin” was first published in New York in 1984 because of the block on its publication.

In 1990, the famous Czech publisher “Odeon” published an anthology of contemporary world literature in which Davoyan was the only writer included from the entire South Caucasus region.

Davoyan is the winner of numerous prizes, including the State Prize of the Armenian SSR, State Award of the Republic of Armenia, Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots, St. Sahak – St. Mesrop Order of the Armenian Apostolic Church, 1st degree Medal for Services to the Motherland, RA Prime Minister's commemorative medal and Honorary Citizen of Yerevan.

The famous graduate of Pedagogical University visited his Alma Mater very often. During his meetings with ASPU lecturers and students, he showed his sincere admiration and love for ASPU, recalled his years of study and told the future teachers interesting stories and memorable episodes of his student years. On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of ASPU, Razmik Davoyan was awarded the "Pedagogical University" medal.

ASPU extends its deepest condolences to the relatives, close friends and colleagues of the gifted poet and famous graduate of the university.