COMPILED & ILLUSTRATED
by
ZABELLE C. BOYAJIAN
Over the plains of Armenia towers Mount Ararat, on which, the Bible
states, Noah's Ark rested after the flood. Here also is the traditional
site of the Garden of Eden, and the four rivers that Genesis describes
as rising in the Garden, still flow through the land.
Sitting astride an arm of the Silk Route, Armenia has been invaded
and occupied at various times by Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Greece,
Rome and the Seljuk Turks, to name but a few.
In the fifth century, Armenia became the first country in the world to
adopt Christianity as its national religion. Therefore, even a short
outline of Armenian folklore and poetry must acknowledge the
influences that have served to shape Armenian literature. These
influences reflect the interwoven remnants of an intricate tapestry of
ancient and modern cultures, legends, songs, and fragments of epics,
creating a unique cultural and linguistic identity.
Severed for many centuries from Western Europe by a flood of
invasions, Armenian literature has not had the recognition that it
deserves. In this volume, which is a mere sampler of Armenian literature,
you will find poetry and laments that equal those of Shakespeare in
their zeal and fervour.
You will also find folk-songs that weep tears for the fate of Armenia,
that cry out for freedom and liberty, that burst with the love of a woman
for her man and of nightingales singing to babes in cradles.
You will also find the key legends of Armenia-of Vahagn, King of Armenia,
deified on account of his valour, of Princess Santoukhd, martyred by her
father King Sanadroug for becoming a Christian, of Semiramis' love for Ara,
so strong that she thought she could will him back to life.
So curl up with this unique and exquisite piece of literature and be swept
away by the passion of sixteen hundred years of Armenian culture, poetry,
Legend and song.
A social enterprise project, 33% of the net sale from this book will be
donated to help the underprivileged in Armenia.
