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On April 12 there was again a cultural festivity at the NA Green Hall: numerous deputies, artists, NA employees, and journalists were gathered to take part in the “Six Armenian Poets” book presentation, which was held by the support of the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan in the parliament.
The book, that has been published in Armenian and in English within the framework of the series New Voices From Europe and Beyond, includes the works by contemporary poets Violet Grigorian, Anatoli Hovhannisyan, Khachik Manoukyan, Azniv Sahakyan, Hrachya Saroukhan and Hasmik Simonyan, translated by translator Armine Tamrazian from Armenian into English, and the introduction written and edited by poet Razmik Davoyan.
The NA President warmly welcomed the participants of the presentation:
“Dear friends, I welcome you in the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. This hall has become the most-cultural part of the parliament, where usually are shown our cultural figures’ works. And I am very glad that today again we have an opportunity to contact with art, Armenian poetry, which due to our friends, from now on through this volume, becomes accessible also to the British and in general, our English speaking reader.
As all of you know, last year in Armenia the 500th anniversary of Armenian Printing was solemnly celebrated, and Yerevan was declared World Book Capital. The bilingual “Six Armenian Poets” is the deserved continuation of our literary, publishing traditions. It unites not only the Armenian and British cultures, but peculiarly highlights the bridge, which has created the great son of England George Byron in the 19th century, who studying Armenian in Mkhitarist Congregation being St Lazarus island of Venice, became one of the first Englishmen, interested in Armenian language and one of the genuine friends of our people. It’s not accidental that the great poet has said: ‘If the poet’s body belongs to England, his heart to Greece, and a part of his soul inherit you, Armenians, perhaps, the kindest, as the poet’s peace and intimate love remain with you.’ I am sure that this book will make closer the Armenian-British literary and in general, the cultural ties.”
Highly assessing the activity of the British Arc Publications and the selected poets’ works, the RA acting Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan thanked the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan for holding the book presentation in the legislative body, which, according to Mrs Poghosyan, gives special nuance and content to our life.
The poet Razmik Davoyan introduced the path of the book creation, noting in that issue the backing of the RA President Serzh Sargsyan, the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan, the acting Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan, due to which the volume “Six Armenian Poets” today is also on the table of the British reader.
The poet Hrachya Saroukhan expressed gratitude in the name of the poets, and the Publishing Director of the Arc Publications Tony Ward touched upon the publication of the book and the further cooperation.
