Where and how was the idea of Vahan Ishkhanyan's latest book "Bitter Sea" born?

Where did the idea for the book come from?

Famous for its locally brewed beer, the name is a pun on "Bitter Drink or Drink the Sea" meaning to do something difficult. This bar has an important role for me and Vahan, especially for Vahan. My boss Mandel invited us to his presentation. Vahan's novel "Bitter Sea", which was originally a short story, is a reference to the conversations during that evening.

The last book. "Bitter Sea"

The book's development also coincided with Vahan's illness, bringing essays and articles written in the past. It can be said to be the summation of a whole life. Not just personal. It is the summation of ideological contradiction. Any honest person asks himself who he or she was, what ideas had, and how and why all this changed. That book completes not only Vahan's life but also the life of an Armenian intellectual, an Armenian intellectual who went through different stages of Armenia's history.

End of search. From Nationalist to Socialist

Yes, in Vahan's case, since he was an intellectual person, he was constantly in search, depending on socio-political characteristics, his ideological beliefs were accordingly. During the 1988 Soviet nationalist movement, Vahan was a nationalist-liberal, over the years, due to Armenia's liberalism and wild capitalism, Vahan began to doubt whether this was what we were fighting for. After all, in the last 10 years, I can say that Vahan was inclined to leave socialist ideas.

Vahan in Quebec

For Vahan, Quebec was interesting, it is where nationalism and leftist ideology merge. Quebec is francophone and has a self-determination problem. There have been two referendums to secede from Canada. All social aspects are interesting. Vahan loved these currents. He told me to go and join the left nationalist party, he told me that if he knew the language, he would do so. In terms of political ideas, Quebec was very suitable for Vahan. There was also mental peace. The life in Yerevan, the environment, the debates… I think, living here, Vahan had much more creative free time to devote to his books. We wrote many articles.

The daughter: The waiting reader

I will definitely give her this book and not only this one, but others as well. She spent little time with Vahan himself. She was not even a year old when he fell ill. She looks at Vahan's photo, finds the books written by Vahan on the bookshelf, and browses the pages. Whatever is left of the Vahan will surely become her.

Unfinished...

He talked endlessly about the novel, Violet was the editor, and he discussed it with her. Wanted to finalize it. He worked a lot and made many amendments. Vahan had many other projects as well. He did not manage to finish the work dedicated to his grandparents and his family. He collected many materials that were very important to him. He started collecting those materials right after coming home from the hospital, where it was found that he had cancer. He came and said that now he had to do this, he had to get it done. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. He had a lot to do. Once he said that he spent many years in vain doing nothing.