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Time in Yerevan: 11:07,   29 March 2024

Armenian Genocide book presented in USA

Armenian Genocide book presented in USA

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS: In the framework of the events, devoted to the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the presentation of the new book of New York-based Herand Markarian was held on February 28 at the Washington's Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church Hall.

The press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informed Armenpress that the book “The Martyred Armenian Writers 1915-1922” tells in English about the life and literal activity of 13 Armenian writers, who became martyrs in the years of the Armenian Genocide.

“The initiative of Herand Markarian is quite important from the point of view of introducing the literal legacy of the Armenian nation to the new generation of the Armenian community of the USA”, - said the Ambassador of Armenia to the USA Tigran Sargsyan at the event.

Armenian Weekly reported that as Armenians around the world prepare to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, writer and playwright Dr. Herand Markarian has taken on the ambitious task of memorializing 13 of the most prominent Armenian writers who were martyred in the genocide, in a new anthology entitled The Martyred Armenian Writers 1915-1922. 

Markarian’s anthology, which was published by Libra-6 Productions in New York earlier this year, begins with an introduction to Armenian history, with a particular focus on the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire and the evolution of Ottoman-Armenian literature. Markarian then gives readers a concise, yet methodical history of the Armenian Genocide through eyewitness accounts, and a chronology of events during the genocide based on the memoirs of the Very Rev. Krikoris Balakian. Markarian also dedicates a page to the different prison sites where Armenian writers and intellectuals from Constantinople were detained starting on April 24 and later murdered.

The final hours of Taniel Varoujan, Rupen Sevag, and Indra (Dikran Chrakian) are detailed through excerpts from Micheal Shamdanjian and Ohan Bedigian, two eyewitnesses to the genocide.

Markarian then provides comprehensive biographies of the 13 martyred writers—which include Rupen Zartarian, Kegham Parseghian, Yerukhan (Yervant Srmakeshkanlian), Hrant (Melkon Gurjian), and Taniel Varoujan—and highlights their literary characteristics and accomplishments.

Perhaps the biggest highlight in Markarian’s anthology is his masterful translation of the writers’ works. The excerpts are carefully selected and are wide-ranging in literary style and genre—from plays, (like Smpad Pyurad’s “The Eagle of Avarayr”) to poems (Siamanto’s “The Dance”) and both fiction (Krikor Zohrab’s The Burden of Responsibility) and non-fiction (Hrant’s Lives of Bantookht). 

Markarian has done an exceptional job in presenting nearly all facets of Armenian literature at the time. The translations of the original Armenian versions are done meticulously, and are vital to the success of this book.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the night when most of the profiled writers were arrested and subsequently murdered, Markarian’s book proves to be a fitting tribute to the martyrs of what is sometimes called our Red Sunday.




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