ARTISTIC EXPRESSION OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN MILITARY COOPERATION IN KHACHATUR ABOVYAN’S NOVEL “WOUNDS OF ARMENIA”

DOI: 10.24412/2470-1262-2022-3-47-53

Abstract:

Khachatur Abovyan’s novel Wounds of Armenia marked the beginning of new Armenian literature. Written in 1841, the novel accurately reflects the aspirations of the Armenian people related to the accession of Eastern Armenia to Russia.

The influence of the novel on the national self-consciousness of the Armenian people was best described by Avetik Isahakyan, “The Armenian people, having survived the difficult centuries of gloomy slavery, entered the 19th century — the century of enlightenment, revolutionary upheavals, amazing discoveries in the field of science and technology, and most importantly, the age of awakening and liberation movement small peoples, — entered without a clear consciousness of its task. From the bowels of the Armenian people a great educator was to emerge, who would inspire them with a fiery word, awaken them from hibernation, and strengthen their will with selfless appeal, light up their path to self-consciousness, to fight, to freedom. Abovyan was the chosen one, who announced the awakening of Armenia.” (1, p. 7)

The relevance of this article lies in the fact that it shows that Abovyan’s attitude towards Russia was not a matter of political orientation. It was based on the bitter realities of the recent past, on the life experience of the Armenian people. Let us give two examples to support this.

The novel begins with a description of Maslenitsa, during the celebration of which the elders of the village ask God, “We are your creatures, do not destroy us. Lord God, instill mercy in the heart of our Russian Tsar, so that he comes and frees us. Don’t let us die until we see Russian faces. Let everyone be healthy!” The fact that these lines are the exact expression of the time is evident from the words of the Decembrist E. Lachinov: “Already from a long time ago, dying fathers bequeathed to their children with the joyful ringing of a bell to tell them in the grave when the sun of happiness rises for the Armenians, when the Russians free them from the painful yoke and get together the distressed, scattered sons of Armenia.” (1, p. 282)

In the novel, Abovyan writes about the same desire among his ancestors, passed down from generation to generation. As P. Hakobyan writes, “Abovyan’s grandfather was one of the participants in the secret meeting convened in Yerevan in the spring of 1784, where it was decided to start negotiations with Russia, with which like-minded participants pinned hopes for the liberation of Armenia. For this purpose, a messenger was sent to Petersburg. Relevant documents have been preserved, under which there is the signature and seal of Abovyan’s grandfather Paron [Mr.] Apov.” (1, p. 263).

The purpose of this work is to show how with the help of artistic generalization, Abovyan represents the age-old desire of the Armenian people to become part of Russia.

The work consists of introduction, main body, conclusion, bibliography.

Keywords: Eastern Armenia, Khachatur Abovyan, Wounds of Armenia, national identity, General Madatov, Yerevan fortress

References:

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  2. Veselovsky Yu., Essays on Armenian Literature, History and Culture, Yerevan, 1972 … p.
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For citation: Shuvaeva-Petrosyan Elena A., (2022).

Artistic Expression of Armenian-Russian Military Cooperation in Khachatur Abovyan’s Novel “Wounds of Armenia”.

Cross-Cultural Studies: Education and Science, Vol. 7, Issue 3 (2022), pp. 47-53 (in USA)

Manuscript received 25/10/2022

Accepted for publication: 20/11/2022