Category Archives: MEMORY

DOI: 10.57192/18291864-2026.1-238

ARTASHES TER-KHACHATURYAN: SCHOLARLY LEGACY
Part One: An Eminent Bibliographer of the Armenian Book

This article is the first part of a study devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the scholarly legacy of the renowned researcher of the history of the Armenian book and press, Artashes Ter-Khachaturyan. The focus of the research is his work “Bibliographical Studies of the Armenian Book,” which is regarded as a substantial contribution to the study of Armenian print culture.

Having spent most of his life within intellectual and educational milieu of Beirut and Aleppo, Artashes Ter-Khachaturyan is known Armenian intellectual community primarily as a teacher and editor, while for a narrower circle of Armenologists in Armenia and abroad he is regarded as an undisputed authority in the study of the history of the Armenian book and press. In this context, following the publication of a comprehensive two-volume edition that consolidates his works, Ter-Khachaturyan’s scholarly legacy calls for thorough professional evaluation and reinterpretation.

The aim of this article is to analyze the empirical, structural, and theoretical-methodological significance of Ter-Khachaturyan’s scholarly research in the fields of the history of the Armenian book and bibliography, within the framework of contemporary Armenological and interdisciplinary academic discourse. The study is based on a comprehensive methodological approach that incorporates source criticism, comparative analysis, structural examination, and theoretical reinterpretation. Particular attention is paid to the fact that, for Ter-Khachaturyan, bibliography functions not as an auxiliary tool but as an autonomous system for the organization of knowledge.

The article elucidates Ter-Khachaturyan’s methodological position, grounded in the principles of the primacy of fact, chronological accuracy, and scholarly objectivity. This approach made it possible to overcome the mechanistic understanding of bibliography and to transform it into an effective instrument of historical and cultural analysis. Ter-Khachaturyan’s legacy constitutes an implicitly structured theoretical–methodological system, comparable to contemporary theories of cultural memory, book history, and public discourse. In his interpretation, the Armenian book functions as a material carrier of national memory, while bibliography serves as a mechanism for its organization and preservation.

These considerations allow one to conclude that the bibliographical legacy of Artashes Ter-Khachaturyan constitutes a system of foundational and normatively organizing significance for Armenian bibliography; consequently, it continues to retain its relevance and functional effectiveness for contemporary Armenian studies, providing a new generation of scholars with the opportunity to further develop the theoretical and methodological approaches of this outstanding bibliographer.

ARTSAKH ETHNOGRAPHY, FOLKLORE AND DIALECT IN RUSSIAN PUBLICATIONS OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE XIX CENTURY

The author presents the studies, articles, programs and other materials published in the Russian publications of the second half of the XIX century, which are related to the ethnography of Artsakh or its separate settlements. Of particular importance are the materials, published in the journals «Кавказский календарь», «Сборник материалов для описания местностей и племен Кавказа», «Мате риалы для изучения экономического быта государственных крестьян Закав казского края», «Всемирный путешественник», «Записки Кавказского отдела императорского русского географического общества», «Известия Кавказ ского отдела Императорского Русского географического общества», which contain valuable information about the population and ethnic composition of various regions and villages of Artsakh, including the city of Shushi, as well as agriculture, cattle breeding, silk weaving, winemaking, trade, various crafts, traditional medicine, sanctuaries, antiquities, churches, monastries, mountains, rivers, flora and fauna, geographic location, climate, national costume, national holidays, family life, public trials and proceedings, structure of houses, quarters, religions, matrimonial and wedding ceremonies, customs, religious beliefs and prejudices, ration, folk games and other phenomena. Published materials on the folklore and dialect of Artsakh are also presented in separate subsections. Published materials on the folklore and dialect of Artsakh are also presented in separate subsections.

THE ARTISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF GABRIEL SUNDUKYAN’S VAUDEVILLES
(On the occasion of the 150th anniversary)

Sundukyan’s artistic value is high, as he masterfully uses colorful and characteristic elements. Sundukyan skillfully creates real and destructive worlds that make life more recognizable, although not always pleasant. In vaudevilles, music and songs are not only a means of entertainment, but also an important element of creativity, emphasizing the atmosphere, emphasizing the importance of the interaction of different cultures and values. Comic speech, which Sundukyan often uses, is of particular importance: it not only aims to cause laughter, but also serves as a sharp tool that reveals human shortcomings, making them visible to everyone. The characters, who often speak in touching and at the same time funny ways, reveal the complex relationships between the individual and society. In the world created by Sundukyan, everything not only turns into a symbol, but also gives the reader a wide opportunity to understand the essence of human behavior, which is related to a person’s psychological choices and destiny. Sundukyan’s mission is to shed light on the problems that society or the individual often tries to hide.

REFLECTIONS ON KARO HOVHANNISYAN’S WORK “THE SUPREME LEADER: SARKIS ZEITLIAN”

Beirut’s national publishing house “Vage Setyan” has published a monographic work by historian Garo Hovhannisyan, dedicated to one of the major figures of the ARF in the second half of the 20th century, a member of the ARF Bureau, a national public and political figure of the diaspora, editor-in-chief of the periodicals “Yusaber”, “Azdak”, “Azdak Shabatoryak-Droshak”, to the ideologist and publicist of the ARF, a critical history of the life and fruitful work of Sargis Zeitlian (1930-1985), the son and descendant of a brave Musaler resistance fighter. This is Volume A of the author’s planned work, covering the period of his life and work up to 1966. As a continuation of this: the author has conceived of preparing Volume B of this work, dedicated to the life and work of S. Zeitlian, which will present a comprehensive panorama his political, journalistic, party-organizational activities from 1966 until his death (1985) (Oganesyan, 2025, 11).

In this review, we have presented not only the approaches, analyses and assessments of K. Oganesyan regarding the life and multifaceted activities of S.Zeitlyan, but also, as necessary, have tried to give our own observations and explanations on many issues raised in the editorial and journalistic materials of the ideologist and activist of the ARF. S. Zeitlian expanded the framework of the Armenian Question (Hay Dat) at the programmatic level, including by implementing the idea of restoring the free, independent statehood of the Armenian people. At one time, he can be considered one of the founders of the Armenian national ideology in the diaspora under the new conditions.

The monograph presented to the readers is the first of its kind dedicated to the life and work of the great patriot and ideologist S. Zeitlyan. Unfortunately, he lived a relatively short life – only 55 years. The thread of his life was broken at the very height of his intellectual productivity and public engagement, by malicious kidnapping and vile murder, which has not yet been clearly and thoroughly solved. It can be assumed that this work is specially dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the martyr of the great intellectual and Diaspora figure, as a sign of his bright and immortal memory. We also believe that this volume is called upon to strengthen the intellectual, socio-political and spiritual ties between the Diaspora and
Armenia.

HAKOB GURDJIAN: FROM SHUSHI TO PARIS – 2024-3

Aida G․ Harutyunyan

In the background of Shushi’s panorama of theatrical, musical, and ethnographic presence and thought, Armenian sculptor Hakob Gurdjian is formed as an individual who is gradually approaching the word sculptor. Being one of the cultural centers of Artsakh and the region and constantly distinguished by its cultural emphasis, Shushi was an important and influential starting point for Gurdjian.

THE DREAMS OF THE HEROES OF RAFFI’S “THE CRAZY” AND AV. ISAHAKYAN’S “USTA KARO” NOVELS: PARALLELS – 2024-1

Summary

Ani V. Ghazaryan
Candidate of Sciences in Philology

The phenomena and events in a dream present themselves to the writer with unexpected solutions, and since the reality of impressions is a kind of merging point, they are subjected to the requirement of artistic abstraction. That is when the striving to achieve the perfect takes place; the unstoppable and unexpected flight of imagination, and the aesthetic ideal-image of the writer is formed, which is beyond the reality.

From this point of view, the goals of Raffi and Isahakyan completely coincide: through dreams they reveal the inner life, feelings, emotions and sensations, secret desires, fears and anxieties of the characters they create. Clearly realizing that a dream is also an expression of a person’s subconscious desires and fears, they, along with representing real life, try to predict the future events and happenings through the characters’ dreams.

Structurally, Vardan’s and Karo’s dreams are made up of a premise, because the conditions and maturing processes that contribute to the appearance of the vision, the dream itself and its description are described in advance. The dreams of the protagonists have a local significance, because they are aimed at the interpretation of the future of the country, which fully contributes to the disclosure of their mental world. They were witnesses of the life-changing periods for Armenia, and Raffi and Isahakyan consciously made them their ideological heroes.

REFERENCES

20. Avetis’yan Z., E. dari hay patmagrutyan tipabanutyuně, Yer., 2013. (in Armenian)
21. Bazmavep, 1848, tiv 6. (in Armenian)
22. Devrik’yan V., Hayots’ mijnadari azatagrakan legendě (mas yerkrord, azatagrakan legend tesilnere), Vem, 2011-1. (in Armenian)
23. Tamamyan N., Tesilě vorpes grakan-gegharvestakan mtatsoghutyan drsevorum, Echmiatcin, 2005, ZH.-ZHA.
24. Ter-Davtyan Q., XI-XV dareri hay varqagrutyune, Yer., 1980. (in Armenian)
25. Isahakyan A., Barev varpet, Yer., 2008. (in Armenian)
26. Isahakyan A., Avetik’ Isahakyani gitakan kensagrutyuně, hat. 1, Yer., 2000(in Armenian).
27. Isahakyan Av., Yerkeri liakatar zhoghovatcu, hat. 7, Yer., 2016. (in Armenian)
28. Isahakyan Av., Yerkeri liakatar zhoghovatcu, hat. 12, Yer., 2021. (in Armenian)
29. Hayots’ grakanutyan patmutyun, hat. 3, Yer., 2015. (in Armenian)
30. Movses Khorenatsi’, Hayots’ patmut’yun, Ashkharhabare, targmanutyune, neratsut’yune yev tsanotagrut’yunnere akademikos St. Malkhasyantci, Yer., 1968. (in Armenian)
31. Hovhannisyan A., Drvagner hay azatagrakan mtqi patmutian, Girk’ a’ragin, Yer., 1957. (in Armenian)
32. Madoyan A., Nerses Metci tesile mijnadaryan hay poeziayum, Patmabanasirakan handese, 1969, N 4. (in Armenian)
33. Raffi, Yerkeri zhoxovatsu, hat. 9, Yer., 1962.(in Armenian)
34. Sarinyan S., Raffi. Gaghaparneri yev kerparneri hamakarge, Yer., 2010.(in Armenian)
35. Sarinyan S., Hay vepi patmutyun, Yer., 2005. (in Armenian)
36. Syurmelyan L.-Z., Ardzaki tekhnika. Chap yev khentutyun, Yer., 2008.(in Armenian)
37. Qristonya Hayastan hanragitaran, Yer, 2002. (in Armenian)
38. Freid Z., Tolkovanie snovideniee, M., 2011.(in Russian)

TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WAR-RELATED DISCOURSE – 2023-4

Linguistic manipulation in action

Seda K. Gasparyan, Gaiane H. Muradian

War discourse is a specific type of communication maintained and structured through language, serving as a medium of mass interaction. The discourse is purposefully created to construct internal support against an external enemy and encourage direct action against a certain state, country, nation, or ethnic group. Social actors worldwide employ the language of war to shape ideologies that legitimize violence and justify certain political, economic, territorial, or social interests. Any call for war masterfully uses the power of words to achieve the consent of society and the citizens to get involved in war.

THE ARMENIAN QUESTION AT THE LAUSAN CONFERENCE – 2023-2

To the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923

Armen Ts. Marukyan

In the process of signing the Lausanne Treaty, the mandatory conditions and procedures for amending international treaties were not observed. Since neither the subjects nor the parties of the two treaties are identical, there is no reason to argue that the Treaty of Sèvres has been legally superseded by the Treaty of Lausanne. Based on this, it can be stated that the rights of the state parties to the Treaty of Sevres that are not parties to the Treaty of Lausanne, from a legal point of view, could not undergo any changes, in particular, the Treaty of Lausanne did not introduce any changes into the provisions of the Treaty of Sèvres regarding the rights and interests of Armenia.

TRANSLATION PECULIARITIES OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S POLITICAL SPEECHES – 2023-1

Anna E. Hakobyan, Gayane E. Grigoryan

Political discourse analysis (PDA) is an inter-and multidisciplinary research that focuses on the linguistic and discursive dimensions of political text and talk and on the political nature of the discursive practice. It indicates unity of communicative intentions which are always intentional and the public speaker has three primary goals when delivering his message: to inform, trigger and arouse an emotional response and to persuade his audience.