This article is dedicated to the centenary of the birth of the Armenian writer Paruyr Sevak: a distinguished poet, literary critic, and interpreter. It offers a renewed characterization and interpretation of his artistic universe, emphasizing the distinctiveness of his poetic and scholarly contributions. The analysis situates Sevak within the context of his time while underscoring the enduring relevance of his works beyond their historical moment, framed through the lens of contemporary literary thought. Sevak himself once remarked: “We are getting old, Paruyr Sevak, we are getting old, my dear.” However, he did not reach old age, remaining forever 47. Had his “scissored life” not been prematurely interrupted, it might have been possible to celebrate his centenary in his presence. Tragically, his premonitions regarding an untimely death materialized on June 17, 1971.
Paruyr Sevak is a multifaceted intellectual figure. As a poet of profound insight, he also made significant scholarly contributions to the fields of literary history—particularly medieval literature and Sayat-Nova studies—literary theory, and criticism. Additionally, he bequeathed to subsequent generations high-quality translations of works by Spanish, Russian, and European authors. These spheres of activity were complementary rather than discrete. As an innovative poet and accomplished theorist, Sevak opposed poetic self-sufficiency, insularity, and the repetitive tendencies of traditional ashugh-style poetry. Yet, he acknowledged the brilliance of Sayat-Nova, whom he considered a leading poet of the late medieval period. With deliberate intent, Sevak sought to enhance the artistic prestige of Armenian literature, striving to overcome its limitations and align it with the global intellectual and artistic developments of his time. His ultimate aim was to position Armenian poetry as a peer among the literary achievements of the world’s leading nations.
The article further examines the distinctive features of Sevak’s figurative thinking, addressing key ideological, thematic, and aesthetic aspects of notable works, including Anlreli Zangakatun and Eradzayn Patarag. Special attention is devoted to several pivotal poems from the collections Mardy Api Mej and Yeghici Luys, revealing their thematic depth and interpretative layers.