November 5, 2006


Armenian Poetry

After saying goodbye to old friend Lola Koundakjian who set up and runs the Armenian Poetry Project blog, which also includes podcasts, Zarchka at Life Around Me has felt encouraged to post some of her own writing on her site.

No, I’m not a poet, never was and never intend to become. Just from time to time something strikes me and I try to jot down it down. When I manage, I like it. When I don’t, I just tear off the leaflets. Now, eventually, I decided to post some of those “poems”. Yet, this is a challenge for me. Don’t kill me!

[…]

Anyways. I venture to present to your attention two of my writings, which are rather states of mind then poems. I would give the translations if needed, but I’m always of the idea that the literary work suffers a lot when translated.

Actually, Zara did eventually provide a translation of one of the poems in the comments section of her post, so you can read both Armenian and English versions over there. Lola Koundakjian’s Armenian Poetry Project is here.

She also has a travel blog that includes an account of her recent visit to Armenia here.

Posted by Onnik @ 2:07 pm. Filed under: Armenia, Culture, Armenian Diaspora, Blogging, Caucasus, Arts




3 Comments »

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  1. Thanks Onnik.
    Incidentally I provided the translations of both of the poems.

    Comment by Zarchka — November 5, 2006 @ 3:24 pm

  2. Oh yeah, I’m stupid — as you constantly point out.

    Point now proven. ;-)

    Comment by Onnik — November 5, 2006 @ 3:28 pm

  3. Talking of Armenian poetry, Armenia Now has an interesting story online.

    An anthology of modern Armenian poetry entitled Avis de Recherche (Wanted) including works by 20 Armenia-based and Diaspora poets was published in France recently. On this occasion three of the authors of the anthology held meetings with French readers in several cities and towns in France on October 6-11.

    […]

    It is said in the preface by Juranics “No longer enjoying state support, these poets enjoy complete creative freedom, which is shown in most different directions and experiments. Fundamentally reconsidering the notion of literary text, they turn, as Marine Petrosyan puts it, to non-normative language, i.e. a language that breaks old literary and oral norms, but pursues no goal of installing new norms and enjoys its status of being ‘out of norm’ as a literary task.”

    […]

    If such an anthology were published 20 years ago, then probably Diaspora poetry would express more protest (connected with the genocide), and Armenian poetry would express optimistic patriotism or filled with allegories. Now the picture is opposite.

    The works by Armenia-based poets are more social, with moods of despair and discomfort once caused by the former Soviet reality and then by the controversies of independent Armenia.

    Comment by Onnik — November 7, 2006 @ 8:27 am

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