ARMENIANS PUBLISH ROSTOV-ON-DON’S EARLIEST PAPERS

Aysor
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

Rostov-on-Don’s history of papers and publishing business is directly
related to Armenians who came from Nakhichevan.

Here is the history of papers and their editors and publishers as
followed. Since 1891 S.Arutyunov (Arutyunyan) purchased a paper,
reedited it, renamed Priazovky kray, and published making it Russian
South’s most popular paper. Among its columnists was Anton P. Chekhov.

The well-known bibliophile O.Ter-Abrahamyan was editor-in-chief of
Donskaya Pchela paper and since late 19th century he also has published
Russian version of Russian-Armenian Don-Azov calendar which involved
annual directory and life histories of Armenian communities.

The equally popular in Rostov, Speech of Don Paper’s editor-in-chief
was M.Berberyan, a very respectable individual.

Meanwhile Armenians here dreamed to publish the own papers. So, a
well-known public figure, R. Patkanyan applied to St. Petersburg’s
Press General Directorate but was refused. Officials said cannot
allow publishing Armenian paper without censorship.

Eve so, Armenian papers were published. Early in 20th Century these
were Golub (Armenian Dashak Party’s paper), Novaya Zhizn (New Life),
Nash Golos (Our voice), Nashe Slovo (our Word), Pero (Feather),
Colonia, Armanskaya Obshina (Armenian Community). Later at soviet
times some other papers were published such as Bednota (The poor),
Putyem Lenina (Through Lelin’s Way), Serp I Mopot (Sickle and Hammer),
Shturm (Storm), Bolshevik.

These papers’ files are displayed in Surb Khach (St. Cross) Found of
Armenian-Russian Friendship, and now are exhibited in museums. The
great contribution to saving of this Armenian and Armenians’
press history belongs to honored teacher of Russia, well-known
historian A.G. Malkhasyan. Malkhasyan has also published a unique
Armenian-Russian phrasebook which involves dialect of Don’s Armenians.