Brusov and The Poetry of Armenia
Brusov unveiled for Russian readers the ample poetry of Armenia, which for them formerly had been, according to Brusov, a "terra incognita".
Alexander Tsaturyan (1865-1917) – Armenian poet and translator. Karen (Gerasim) Mikaelyan (1883-1941) – Armenian literary and public figure, activist, writer, playwright and translator. Poghos (Pavel) Makintsyan (1884-1938) – an outstanding Armenian statesman, translator, literary critic, publicist.Brusov Museum
In October 1914, some notable representatives of Armenian intellectual community in Moscow, namely Karen Mikaelyan, Poghos Makintsyan and Alexander Tsaturyan, founded The Moscow Armenian Committee which aim was to allure the attention of Russian and world communities to the destiny of the nation on а verge of a physical extermination.
Subscription announcement of «The Armenian Bulletin», a new periodical initiated by Moscow Armenian Committee (1916) by Ivan AmirovBrusov Museum
To achieve cultural survival goal, the Committee initiated a publication of a periodical The Armenian Bulletin in Russian and an anthology of translations from Armenian literature.
Valery Brusov's photo at the age of 17 years (image)Brusov Museum
Valery Brusov was acknowledged as an experienced and multi-skilled translator. Maxim Gorky, whose advice the Committee requested, recommended Brusov as an editor of the planned publication. In a short period of time he felt that this undertaking had turned to be for him, in his own words, "a cherished and ardently beloved occupation".
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Valery Brusov lived in this house in the period 1910-1924. Currently the house is a literary museum open to visitors.
Moscow, Russia
Fragments of the drafts reflecting Valery Brusov's Armenian language classes (1915) by Valery BrusovBrusov Museum
Within a restricted period of time Makintsyan helped Brusov to learn the main rules of Armenian language, in particular, spelling, grammar and pronunciation.
Brusov did not master Armenian to the extent that would enable him to translate it without line glosses. But the acquired knowledge was sufficient for reproducing and listening to it.
Russian silver age poets and Armenian poetry heralds
Brusov engaged into the translation activities such notable Russian poets of that period as Alexander Blok, Konstantin Balmont, Vyacheslav Ivanov, Ivan Bunin, Vladislav Khodasevich, et al.
Public lecture poster on Armenian poetry to be held by Brusov in Erivan (Yerevan) on January 18, 1916. It was found in 1984, in Matenadaran archive. F. 238, N 274. (1916-01-18)Brusov Museum
The involvement of prominent Russian poets in the work over the anthology, as well as lectures on Armenian poetry Brusov delivered in Baku, Tiflis, Erivan and Echmiadzin enlightens the extent of a tremendous labor implemented by Brusov for the creation of The Poetry of Armenia.
Valery Brusov and representatives of Armenian intellectual community (1916)Brusov Museum
Brusov and his colleagues accomplished a titanic task: they unveiled for Russian readers the ample poetry of Armenia, which for them formerly had been, according to Brusov, a "terra incognita".
Valery Brusov's editorial corrections to Hovhannes Hovhannisyan's ''King Artavazd'' poem (1916) by Valery BrusovBrusov Museum
Being adherent to his basic translation principle – to remain in compliance with the original source to the maximum possible extent, preserving their entire national identity.
Former compilers of Armenian literature anthologies for Russian readers remained within the boundaries of XIX and early XX centuries. Occasional translations of the poets of the past and medieval lyricists were implemented on a very low artistic level
Valery Brusov's editorial corrections to ''The Poetry of Armenia'' (1916) by Valery BrusovBrusov Museum
The Armenian folk, medieval and bard poetry found their decent place in Brusov's anthology – a real revelation for Russian readers.
Armenia is the European avant-garde in Asia
In his opening statement Brusov dwelt upon the creations of numerous Armenian poets, emphasizing the uniqueness and significance of each of them. "Armenian poetry reveals the generosity of Armenian nation", he said.
He compared the Armenian poetry with "fiery rays" breaking through "the threatening and stuffy haze" dimming the Armenians’ life during centuries.
The drawing for the cover of ''The Poetry of Armenia''. It is a reproduction of the Armenian miniature from XI century manuscript by Martiros Saryan (1880 –1972) – a famous Armenian painter, the founder of modern Armenian national painting school. Saryan is the author of coat of arms for Armenian SSR and the curtain for the first Armenian state theatre. He is also recognized as a master of Armenian landscape painting. (1916) by Martiros SaryanBrusov Museum
According to Brusov, Armenia is a reconciler of the West and East, "the Europe’s avant-garde in Asia", a fact that predetermines "the dual unity of the Armenian national character." This mission found its reflection in Armenian poetry.
Draft of Valery Brusov’s translation of Raphael Patkanyan’s poems (1915)Brusov Museum
In particular, to pursue the traditions of Armenian poetry, to search for the ways of combining the Eastern and Western culture, and to reveal the Armenian national spirit in their works.
Armenian poet Hovhannes Hovhannisyan’s dedicatory inscription to Brusov on Hovhannes Hovhannisyan's ''Verses'' (1916) by Hovhannes HovhannisyanBrusov Museum
Brusov's gigantic labor was highly evaluated by Russian and Armenian intellectuals. Numerous readers’ responses and press estimates, The Anthology became a bright feast of two nations’ cultures.
Hovhannes Tumanyan photo with a dedicatory inscription to Johanna Brusova and Valery Brusov (1916)Brusov Museum
Hovhannes Toumanyan said, "I cannot stop in expressing my whirlwind and sincere gratitude to our friends for their professional work and love they invested into this brilliant project".
Valery Brusov's ''The poetry of Armenia and its continuity throughout centuries''. Translated into Armenian by Hovsep Margaryan and published in Venice in 1923 (1923) by Valery Brusov, Hovsep MargaryanBrusov Museum
Valery Brusov's Armenian Poetry and Its Unity throughout Centuries was highly appreciated by Armenians and was translated into Armenian by Hovsep Margaryan. The translation was published in Venice in 1923.
Postmark devoted to 90th anniversary of anthology "Poetry of Armenia" (1998-12-01)Brusov Museum
Postmark devoted to 90th anniversary of anthology Poetry of Armenia Dec 1, 1998
Co-production of Russia and Armenia. A postmark with Valery Brusov's imageBrusov Museum
Co-production of Russia and Armenia. A Postmark with image of Valery Brusov
The cover of ''Armenian Historical Prose and Poetry (V-XVIII centuries)''. The book was published according to Valery Brusov's project (2009) by Naira SeyranyanBrusov Museum
Shortly after the publication of the anthology Brusov decided to realize a new project – to compile and publish a collection of the Armenian prose. However, this project failed.
Historical Armenian Prose and Poetry (V – XVIII centuries) was published in 2009 and followed Brusov’s draft project.
The cover of Valery Brusov's book "The Chronicle of Historical Destinies of the Armenian Nation" published in 1918 (1918) by Valery BrusovBrusov Museum
While working upon the anthology of Armenian poetry and after its publication, Brusov wrote a series of papers and essays on the issues of Armenian literature, culture and history (Emile Verhaeren about Armenia, The Sphinxes and the Vishaps, A Chronicle of Historical Destinies of the Armenian Nation).
The Italian translation of Valery Brusov's «The Chronicle of Historical Destinies of the Armenian Nation». Edited and translated by Aldo Ferrari. Milan. 1993. (1993) by Aldo FerrariBrusov Museum
The Chronicle of the Historical Destinies of the Armenian People was translated into Italian by Aldo Ferrari and published in Milan in 1993.
Kamancha at Brusov's feet: Armenian bard competition tradition
In December 1923 Brusov was honored in the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow in respect to his 50th anniversary. The delegation of Soviet Armenia was present at the solemn ceremony celebrating Brusov’s 50th anniversary. An Armenian gusan performed a song by Sayat-Nova, who was Brusov’s beloved poet, and placed a national musical instrument «kemancha» to the poet’s feet as a sign of Armenian people’s gratitude to their friend. At the same time the government of the newly founded Republic rendered to Brusov the honorary title of a People’s Poet of Armenia for his contribution in promoting the Armenian poetry among the Russian readers and learning Armenia’s centuries-old culture.
Dedicatory inscription of Nvard Tumanyan, Hovhannes Tumanyan's daughter, to Valery Brusov on Sayat-Nova book published in Moscow in 1852 (1916-01-14) by Nvard TumanyanBrusov Museum
Valery Brusov is considered to the best translator of Sayat-Nova's poems from Armenian into Russian.
Valery Brusov's sculptural portrait in front of YSULS main entrance and Ara Sargsyan, its author, at work (1967) by Ara SargsyanBrusov Museum
In 1967 Ara Sargsyan - a prominent Armenian sculptor, People's Artist of USSR, academic of Russian Academy of Arts - sculptured Valery Brusov's bust, which is in front of the university.
The government of the newly founded Republic rendered to Brusov the honorary title of a People’s Poet of Armenia for his contribution in promoting the Armenian poetry among the Russian readers and learning Armenia’s centuries-old culture.
