Armenians in Tbilisi celebrated Hovhannnes Tumanyan’s 155th anniversary

February 19 is the birthday of All Armenian Poet Hovhannes Tumanyan. The celebration of the 155th anniversary of the folk poet was organized in Tbilisi with blessings and support of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan. The celebration started on February 18 at the "House of Hovhannes Tumanyan" Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia with Tumanyan's "Barekendan" play, which was performed by the artistic group of the Artashat State Drama Theater named after Amo Kharazyan, RA (director: Kamo Naghdalyan), directed by Karen Khachatryan.

At the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, the anniversary of the All Armenian Poet was marked according to the tradition. The celebration began with a visit to the Pantheon of the Armenian Writers and Public Figures “Khojivank” in Tbilisi, where the great poet is buried. The attendees placed flowers on Hovhannes Tumanyan's tombstone, as well as the graves of other honorable sons of the nation. For the peace of the souls of Tumanyan and the great figures resting there, a Requiem Service was offered with the participation of Rev. Father Archimandrite Nshan Hmayakyan, General Prelate at Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka’s General Prelacy and Rev. Father Hovsep Harutyunyan.

The celebration of the birthday of the Great Poet from Lori continued at the "House of Hovhannes Tumanyan" Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. After the Lord's Prayer, the tour guide Gohar Mazmanyan's greeting speech, Rev. Father Kirakos Simonyan, the spiritual superintendent of the Center, conveyed the paternal blessing and good wishes of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. Within his speech, Rev. Father turned the pages of the friendly relations between Catholicos of All Armenians Khrimyan Hayrik (Mkrtich Khrimyan) and the great All Armenian Poet Hovhannes Tumanyan, which were full of discussions about the problems of the nation, thoughts about the homeland and its people.

The presentation of the book "Resurrection" by Ruzan Hovasapyan, an Armenian poet from Tbilisi, and a member of the Writers' Union of Armenia, was truly impressive in the former apartment of Hovhannes Tumanyan, on the poet's birthday. After the reading of poetic lines by the author, the words of appreciation of Ruzan Hovasapyan's teacher, Tamar Amirkhanyan, who was the first listener, inspirer, and guide of her student's first poetic inspiration, were the most touching. And her student's pen is truly poetic, expressing heartfelt words dedicated to the motherland and language, conveying emotions and feelings of love.

Hovasapyan's poems translated into Georgian by poet and translator Levan Tsalughelashvili were read. Van Bayburdyan, editor of “Vrastan” (Georgia) newsletter, and Susanna Khachatryan, head of the Diocesan Media Department, shared their impressions about the beautiful event, highly appreciating the event organized by "House of Hovhannes Tumanyan" and "Hayartun" Centers.

The evening was full of recitations, songs, and music performed by the soloists of the "Hayartun" Center, students of the duduk group led by Ivane Mkrtchyan, and pianist Yesai Abovyan.

Years ago, the president of the  Writers' Union of Armenia, Levon Ananyan, declared the birthday of Hovhannes Tumanyan as "Book Giving Day", which was also established in Tbilisi by the late poet and translator Anahit Bostanjyan. Staying faithful to this beautiful tradition, the attendees gifted each other with various books.

The event, which was not only festive but also full of cognitive, emotional, and poetic breath, was fitting for the celebration of the 155th anniversary of the All Armenian Poet.