Surprise for Armen Davtyan: New Poetry Collection Published Without His Knowledge (photos)

The event, held in a warm and intimate setting, was hosted by journalist and Davtyan’s former classmate, Anna Israelyan. Friends and collaborators—including Artak Apitonyan, Tigran Paskevichyan, and Vahagn Atabekyan—were behind the initiative.

Paskevichyan reflected on their shared literary journey, noting that Davtyan’s method of reading aloud with perfect intonation imbued his work with authenticity. He shared, “In Armen’s works, you can find not just his biography, but ours as well.”

Paskevichyan also reminisced about their communal creative life in the 1980s and 1990s, where Davtyan’s poetry, often memorized and recited by Vahagn Atabekyan, became a cornerstone of their literary camaraderie.

Writer Hovhannes Yeranyan shared a vivid memory of Davtyan’s eloquence during their school years, recounting how Davtyan’s inaugural speech as class representative left his peers in awe. Yeranyan praised Davtyan’s poetry, expressing his wish that the poet had written even more.

Davtyan himself recalled a significant encounter with renowned poet Razmik Davoyan during the publication of his first book. Davoyan’s words of encouragement, paired with a humorous yet profound exchange about the nature of literary greatness, left a lasting impression.

The surprise event also featured a rare video of celebrated actor Khoren Abrahamyan reciting Davtyan’s poems. Yeranyan shared the behind-the-scenes story of securing Abrahamyan’s participation, which included a playful negotiation over payment and a conversation about the legacy of Armenian literary giants.

Literary critic Rafael Ishkhanyan once challenged Davtyan to write with the simplicity of Hovhannes Tumanyan. Davtyan’s response—“I’m not that level of genius to write that simply”—showcased his humility and reverence for the greats, while affirming his unique voice in Armenian poetry.

Despite his success as a poet, Davtyan shared that his passion shifted over the years toward the study of Sumerology. His exploration of mythology and ancient languages led him to study cuneiform and Sumerian epics, which he now works to present in Armenian.

Meruzhan Ter-Gulanyan, editor-in-chief of “Garun” magazine during Davtyan’s formative years, remarked on the poet’s transition: “Armen is a wonderful poet, and though it’s a pity he turned to Sumerology, his poems are immortal.”

Aghvan Vardanyan echoed the sentiment, celebrating Davtyan as the most remarkable poet of their generation and advocating for his essays—especially his tribute to the Armenian warrior—to become essential reading in schools and universities.

Artak Aleksanyan, head of Newmag publishing house, concluded the event with heartfelt words, expressing hope that Davtyan appreciated the effort behind the surprise publication. Aleksanyan joked, “Since it’s everyone’s sixtieth birthday, we’re ready to publish all your books!”\

The event was a heartfelt tribute to Armen Davtyan’s literary legacy, marking not just a milestone in his life but a celebration of his enduring impact on Armenian poetry and culture.