On the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, the National Library of Armenia presents the first printed draft of the Constitution, “Vorogayt Parats.” The book, with a history of some 250 years, is kept in the National Library of Armenia and is on display at The Museum of Printing / Գրատպութեան թանգարանին մէջ:
The draft constitution, considered one of the first of its kind in professional literature and in the world in general, was printed in the city of Madras, India, at the printing house bearing the name of Hagop Shahamiryan, as noted on the title page, in 1773. The book consists of 339 lined pages; the title page is also lined, and it features headpieces, ornamental letters, tailpieces, a decorative cross illustration, and more.
It consists of a historical-theoretical section and a draft constitution comprising 521 articles, which, after being elaborated and approved, was to acquire the force of law and be implemented within the framework of the newly established Armenian Republic.
“Vorogayt Parats” is a valuable document of Armenian Enlightenment thought and progressive ideas of the second half of the 18th century.
