NEW CONNECTIONS IN LITERATURE
By Hovhannes Yeranian
Yerkir.am
June 16, 2006
In Yerkir’s previous issue we published an interview the chairman of
the Writers’ Union of Armenia Levon Ananian. He spoke about restoration
of cooperation in literature with the former Soviet countries. In
this issue, we continue the interview which this time deals with
foreign countries (not the former USSR). Several weeks ago Levon
Ananian complained that Yerkir does not cover numerous meetings and
events held at the Writers’ Union. This complain is justified and we
present to our readers’ attention this interview.
Q: Mr. Ananian, Diaspora should be taken into consideration when
literary establishing relations in the sphere of literature with
foreign countries. From this perspective, the Beirut convention was
rather interesting since it provided an opportunity to establish
connections not only with Diaspora Armenian literary circles.
A: Yes, I think it was important that the third convention of Armenian
writers was held in Beirut. I met with the Lebanese Minister of
Culture and we made a number of arrangements. First, a statue of
Avetik Isahakian will be set up in the center of Beirut, and we will
set a statue of Jubran Khalil Jubran in Yerevan. We have already sent
the sketches for Isahakian’s statue to Beirut. This statue is very
important in terms of presenting the Armenian culture.
Thousands of tourists from different countries visit Beirut every year.
Secondly, we made arrangements for several events. Days of Lebanese
literature will be held in Armenia. After that days of Armenian
literature will be organized in Lebanon. A number of Arab writers
will visit Armenian in 2007.Beirut is the non-official ‘capital’
of the Armenian Diaspora. Through cultural connections we will try
to preserve it like that because experience has shown that Armenians
remain more Armenian in the Middle East preserving their language
and culture than in Europe, USA and other countries.
During the Soviet period Beirut was our second capital in terms of
literature and culture. Unfortunately, the Armenian community in Beirut
is gradually weakening. Globalization does its job. However, we must
support this community that has active literary and cultural life.
Q: Conventions of Armenian writers writing in other languages are
a great opportunity to explore the literary trends in different
countries. Such information and analysis can be useful for the future
of Armenian literature.
A: The second convention of Armenian writers writing in other languages
will be held in 2007 in Armenia. At this convention we are ready to
establish qualitatively new connections and relations will Armenian
writers living and working in different countries and in different
languages. Each of them is a carrier of two literary traditions,
and we can use this reality that has emerged as a result of our
nation’s history.
Q: As far as I know a delegation of writers was supposed to visit
Iran. Why was this visit cancelled?
A: We have very good relations with Iran. We implement a number of
projects in cooperation with the Iranian Cultural Center. The visit
was postponed for some reasons. Last year we hosted several Iranian
writers in cooperation with the Armenian Organization for Cultural
Relations. The response visit was postponed and will be organized in
September instead of June.
We are thinking of organizing a friendship celebration at the bridge
in Meghri. An international conference was planned to be held in
Spahan, it was postponed till autumn as well. Ahmad Nurizade plays
an important role in promoting the Armenian literature. He is the
only foreigner who writes in Armenian.
A journal titled "Mihr" is published by the Iranian Embassy in Armenia.
This journal always pays much attention to the Armenian culture
and literature.
Eduard Hakhverdian has contributed greatly to the translation
of Iranian literature into Armenian. He has translated about 15
authors. We have made significant progress in literary and cultural
relations between Armenian and Iran.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to the
Cultural Center at the Iranian Embassy in Armenia. The Center is very
interested in promoting Iranian literature in Armenia and visa versa.
What I said earlier about the importance of preserving the Armenian
community in Beirut is equally true for the Armenians in Iran. The
Armenians in Iran do not get assimilated, they preserve their national
identity. The Armenian community is very important in maintaining
friendly relations with Iran.
Both sides acknowledge the importance of cultural relations in addition
to economic and political relations, and this is very important.