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Presentation of the collection of reports made during the All-Armenian conference entitled “Istanbul-Armenian Literature from the Middle of the Twentieth Century to Our Days” took place at ASPU on May 24.
The collection contains the materials presented during the conference organized jointly by the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association Yerevan Office and ASPU in September 2022. It includes general theoretical questions and articles dedicated to different authors of Istanbul-Armenian literature.
The presentation was attended by Naira Safaryan, ASPU Vice-Rector for Education, well-known literary scholars, philologists, and students.
Ruzan Arakelian, Director of Hamazkayin's Yerevan Office, says in these difficult days [for Armenian people] it is especially important to publish books and talk about culture: it is necessary to value and fight for national culture and history. "One can talk about Armenian literature endlessly; it is unique, and few nations in the world have such a rich literary heritage. You are a patriot if you know the history, literature, and culture of your people. Fortunately, today there are individuals living and creating in the Diaspora who keep Armenian culture and its continuity alive," she said.
Professor Suren Danielyan, Director of ASPU’s Spyurq (Diaspora) Research Center, underlined the fact that the conference had brought together the best scientists who know Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) not only by heart, but also through the world of literary knowledge.
“In the 20th century, Istanbul-Armenian literature renewed its presence in modern literature: a literary movement began, famous faces and cherished names emerged who had a great significance. Today, Istanbul-Armenian literature is experiencing a period of retreat, and we are concerned if Polis will have its continuous course and preserve its primary characteristics? I do think the collection will help find answers to these questions," he said.
Vazgen Gabrielyan, Professor at YSU and specialist of Diaspora Armenian literature, also hailed the publication of the book. He says Constantinople (often referred to as “Polis”) was historically the center of Western Armenians, the cradle of culture. The collection provides a full description of Polis - life, culture, various scientific and educational phenomena.
Ashot Galstyan, Dean of the Faculty of Philology, said in turn that readers are offered an interesting book which introduces them to Istanbul-Armenia literature from the middle of the 20th century to our days.
He thinks that the collection full of various literary questions should have more volumes in the future: there is more to be said, there are also many questions about Istanbul-Armenia literature.
"The greatest tragedy of our life is separations. I think the book will fill in the gap and unite Armenians. The conference and the birth of the book prove that we have not forgotten the Armenians of Istanbul. In this way, Armenian literature should also become more recognizable and familiar to the current generation," said Artashes Shahbazyan, a member of the Central Board of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association.
Suren Danielyan then conveyed the satisfaction of Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Sahak Mashalian with the publication of the book. On the latter’s suggestion, the presentation of the book will take place in Istanbul as well on the Saint Translators’ Day.
The significance of the collection and importance of preserving the traditions of Armenian literature were also emphasized by Naira Safaryan, ASPU Vice-Rector for Education, Petros Demirchyan, Secretary of the Writers’ Union of Armenia, Rubina Pirumian, a specialist in Genocide studies, Professor Aelita Dolukhanyan, and Associate Professor Valery Piloyan, while ASPU graduate Garuna Yeranosyan presented the works of Istanbul-Armenian writers.
