On Saturday, 24 August 2019, the Board of the ADL’s Vahan Tekeyan Cultural Union in Amman organised a literary evening marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Poet of All Armenians, Hovhannes Tumanyan.
The evening was presided over by the Spiritual Leader of the Armenian community of Amman, Rev. Fr. Avedis Ibrajian, and was attended by a large audience.
The event took place in the elegant and welcoming hall of the ASU (Armenian Sports Union) club in Ashrafieh, Amman.
The speaker of the event was the Chairman of the Vahan Tekeyan Cultural Union, Nerses Nersesian.
The speaker of the day presented the audience with the biographical highlights of the Poet of All Armenians, gave details of his family lineage, presented the creative phases of the jubilarian, and described with some detail the great writer’s literary path, from 1881 to 1922.
The presentation also had an artistic character, with excerpts from Tumanyan’s works being shown from time to time, including from the opera “Anush,” the film “The Master and the Servant,” “Kaj Nazar,” and the children’s films “The Dog and the Cat.”
The audience followed with interest the legacy Tumanyan left, which had something to say to people of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest.
Nersesian brought to light with some detail the facets of the jubilarian’s national character, his sacrifices and devotions for Armenian survivors during the Genocide of 1915.
He briefly touched upon the principled stance and mindset adopted by Hovhannes Tumanyan throughout the entire period of the creation of the First Republic of Armenia.
In the last part of his presentation, the esteemed speaker presented in detail the richness of the cultural heritage bequeathed to us, which is characterised by the buildings and centres named after Hovhannes Tumanyan, Vanadzor State University and schools, house-museums and squares, whether in Armenia or outside Armenia, advising the audience to visit these places to pay respect and love to the incomparable writer and our cultural values.
At the end of the evening, Rev. Fr. Avedis Ibrajian was invited to the stage to speak from the heart at this event, greatly appreciating the organisers of the event, in particular the esteemed speaker.
Enthused by the event, he even recited from memory several passages from Tumanyan’s works and encouraged parents to introduce the Poet of All Armenians to their children, so that the Armenian language may always be spoken in every Armenian home.
In conclusion, the programme of the ceremony was closed with a prayer.
Maral Nersesian
Jordan
