Vrtanes Papazian
Encyclopedia
Vrtanes Mesrop Papazian (1866–1920), an Armenian writer, public-political and cultural activist, literary critic, editor, literature historian, teacher and translator.
(Western Armenia
) in 1866. His father, archimandrite Mesrop Papazyan, was a well-known religious and public figure, pedagogue, writer, theater expert, and playwright. At the age of four he moved with his parents to Agulis where he received his primary education
. He continued his study at the Aramian School in Tavriz and Gevorgian Theological Seminary in Etchmiadzin
. Later he studied at the Geneva University
, the faculty of literature and social sciences
.
Hard conditions made him start working at the age of 15 and wonder from city to city, country to country. He worked as a labourer, photographer and telegrapher. For a long period he was teaching at schools in several cities (Van, Karin, Tbilisi, Tehran, Shoushi, Bucharest etc.). He worked as the editor of newspapers “Free Armenia”, “Struggle” of Armenian revolutionist labourer association (Tbilisi), of the weekly “Path” (Tehran) and of the weekly “Karabakh” (Shoushi). He cooperated with a number of Armenian, Russian and European press organs.
, poetry, literary criticism
, history of literature
, producer work, music, pedagogy
, linguistics, translation, logics, psychology
etc.
Early writings of Vrtanes Papazian are about the life of Western Armenians. During 90-s these stories appeared in the press. Later they were published in two books, “Scenes from the Life of Turkish Armenians” (1889), “Stories from the Life of Turkish Armenians” (1904). Speaking about the horrors by Turks and Kurds the writer did not ignore the national oppressors showing that their conduct was equally horrible. The events of 1915 genocide did not pass by his family. His brother, Nerses Papazyan (archimandrite Mashtots), abbot of Armenian Church in Northern American cities of Ustr and Boston, was arrested on 24 April 1915 in Constantinople
and killed by the Turkish executioners.
Vrtanes Papazian condemned servility and fawn, setting forward tragic scenes from Western Armenian struggle against the organizers of genocide and creating characters of valiant individuals (“Kheran”, “Lightning”, “Light Pleasures”, “The Dying are Greeting You”). He holds a relentless debate against any vicious opinion. The novel “Emma” and the strongly criticizes some national parties as being separated from the nation. While based in European countries far from the homeland these parties proclaim themselves as leaders of struggle against tyranny.
Biography
Vrtanes Papazian was born in the city VanVan, Turkey
Van is a city in southeastern Turkey and the seat of the Kurdish-majority Van Province, and is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The city's official population in 2010 was 367,419, but many estimates put this as much higher with a 1996 estimate stating 500,000 and former Mayor Burhan...
(Western Armenia
Western Armenia
Western Armenia is a term, primarily used by Armenians, to refer to Armenian-inhabited areas of the Armenian Highland that were part of the Ottoman Empire and now are part of the Republic of Turkey....
) in 1866. His father, archimandrite Mesrop Papazyan, was a well-known religious and public figure, pedagogue, writer, theater expert, and playwright. At the age of four he moved with his parents to Agulis where he received his primary education
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
. He continued his study at the Aramian School in Tavriz and Gevorgian Theological Seminary in Etchmiadzin
Ejmiatsin, Armenia
Vagharshapat , commonly known as Ejmiatsin in Eastern Armenian and Echmiadzin in Western Armenian , is the fourth-largest city in Armenia and the spiritual centre of the Armenians, as it is the seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the head of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church...
. Later he studied at the Geneva University
University of Geneva
The University of Geneva is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin, as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873, it...
, the faculty of literature and social sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
.
Hard conditions made him start working at the age of 15 and wonder from city to city, country to country. He worked as a labourer, photographer and telegrapher. For a long period he was teaching at schools in several cities (Van, Karin, Tbilisi, Tehran, Shoushi, Bucharest etc.). He worked as the editor of newspapers “Free Armenia”, “Struggle” of Armenian revolutionist labourer association (Tbilisi), of the weekly “Path” (Tehran) and of the weekly “Karabakh” (Shoushi). He cooperated with a number of Armenian, Russian and European press organs.
Literary works
The literary legacy of Vrtanes Papazian is regarded as the twin of his life – a valiant fighting of pen against national and social oppression, struggle for national survival and bright future. Looking into historical and current standards of various nations the writer referred to the Armenian life and culture in the light of those standards assessing national realities upon a wide range of criteria. His prolific literary creation is an outcome of a wide sphere mental activity – prose, dramaturgyDramaturgy
Dramaturgy is the art of dramatic composition and the representation of the main elements of drama on the stage. Dramaturgy is a distinct practice separate from play writing and directing, although a single individual may perform any combination of the three. Some dramatists combine writing and...
, poetry, literary criticism
Literary criticism
Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals...
, history of literature
History of literature
The history of literature is the historical development of writings in prose or poetry which attempts to provide entertainment, enlightenment, or instruction to the reader/hearer/observer, as well as the development of the literary techniques used in the communication of these pieces. Not all...
, producer work, music, pedagogy
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
, linguistics, translation, logics, psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
etc.
Early writings of Vrtanes Papazian are about the life of Western Armenians. During 90-s these stories appeared in the press. Later they were published in two books, “Scenes from the Life of Turkish Armenians” (1889), “Stories from the Life of Turkish Armenians” (1904). Speaking about the horrors by Turks and Kurds the writer did not ignore the national oppressors showing that their conduct was equally horrible. The events of 1915 genocide did not pass by his family. His brother, Nerses Papazyan (archimandrite Mashtots), abbot of Armenian Church in Northern American cities of Ustr and Boston, was arrested on 24 April 1915 in Constantinople
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
and killed by the Turkish executioners.
Vrtanes Papazian condemned servility and fawn, setting forward tragic scenes from Western Armenian struggle against the organizers of genocide and creating characters of valiant individuals (“Kheran”, “Lightning”, “Light Pleasures”, “The Dying are Greeting You”). He holds a relentless debate against any vicious opinion. The novel “Emma” and the strongly criticizes some national parties as being separated from the nation. While based in European countries far from the homeland these parties proclaim themselves as leaders of struggle against tyranny.