Literary 2025


The year was full of literary events, anniversaries, and new and important publications. The “Parallel Readings” program series covered almost all the important events of the literary year, presented the literary events, and presented various literary issues with thematic programs. In the last program of this year’s “Parallel Readings” program series, literary critics Hayk Hambardzumyan and Arkmenik Nikoghosyan summarize the literary 2025.

Vigen Galstyan


The exhibition “Currents of Modernism: Diaspora Armenian Art from the Iron Curtain to the Present” has opened at the National Gallery of Armenia. Presenting around 100 works by more than forty artists, the exhibition reveals the complex and often overlooked connections that formed in the mid-20th century between Soviet and Diaspora Armenian arts and artists. The exhibition’s curator, Vigen Galstyan, Head of the Exhibition Department of the National Gallery of Armenia, spoke at “Artfocus” about the exhibition and the important cultural events that took place at the National Gallery of Armenia in the past year.

The Armenian Heritage of Constantinople: Beyoglu's Holy Trinity Church


About 50,000 Armenians live in Istanbul. There are 33 Armenian churches. The largest in the Beyoglu district is the Holy Trinity, which was built in 1838. The architects are the famous Karapet Palyan, Hovhannes Serveryan, and master Minas. In the northern courtyard of the Holy Trinity Church is the tomb of the Catholicos of All Armenians Hakob Jughayetsi (1598-1680).

Vahagn Ter-Hakobyan


Cinematographer Vahagn Ter-Hakobyan is convinced that one should always be a student in life, in order to grow and change. Art critic Anahit Margaryan spoke with Vahagn Ter-Hakobyan, founder and vice president of the Cinematographers Guild of Armenia.

Ruben Hakhverdyan: song and poetry


What artistic and poetic features do the lyrics of Ruben Hakhverdyan's songs have, what thematic directions do they have, can we consider those lyrics poems and why? Literary critics Hayk Hambardzumyan and Arkmenik Nikoghosyan discuss the topic on the "Parallel Readings" program.

Priests of the Aragatsotn Diocese Confirm Their Faithfulness to Their Vow


With the blessing of the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Proshyan, the faithful participated in a liturgy and united prayer at the 7th century St. John's Church in the village of Voskevaz, Aragatsotn region. Those present prayed for the steadfastness of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, for the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich, who is currently in prison, and for other clergy, as well as for those who are in captivity for defending the homeland and the church.

A discussion-presentation of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan’s book “Defeating Ourselves” took place


The presentation took place without the presence of the Holy Father. The first two chapters of the book include excerpts from the pontiff’s previous books, “With a Vision of the Promised Land” and “Mind and Bank.” The continuation includes the author’s articles and conversations on the unity of the state-church-nation. The book offers solutions to obstacles that have arisen in various areas, anchored on the Christian value system.

The concept of one's own country in international law


Forcibly displaced Artsakh residents have the right to demand to return to their own country, and for this it is not at all necessary to accept Azerbaijani citizenship. Anna Sargsyan spoke with human rights expert Ara Ghazaryan about the legal definition of the concept of "one's own country", as well as the restoration of the violated rights of Artsakh residents, and the violations of the rights of prisoners of war and other detainees held in Baku.

Grigor Artsruni


In the Pavilion: Literature and Art program, prose writer Hovhannes Yeranyan tells about Grigor Artsruni, a figure who had a huge influence in his time, but was controversial.

Carpet weaving


The carpet was created, as Foucault defined it, as “a special kind of space: heterotopia” and a reflection of the oriental garden. Why are women the authors of these unique worlds? What are the real connections between the legends of Armenian red carpets and reality? Why is Armenian carpet weaving not in its rightful place on the world cultural map? Marina Baghdagyulyan discussed the topic with art critic Anush Hakobyan on the “Sixth Day” program.

What is post-war Armenian abstract art about?


At the beginning of the 20th century, between and after the two world wars, the “children” of the times of pain, shocks and destruction came - representatives of abstract art. They created a new relationship between man and art, based on intellect and concept. And what is Armenian abstract art about in the post-war period? If the images of representatives of European abstract art were accompanied by the poetic words of Jacques Prévert, then the art of Khachatur Martirosyan is Grigor Narekatsi.

The reopening of the National Center of Aesthetics Museum


Reopening of the Museum of the National Center of Aesthetics
In September, the Children's Art Museum of the National Center of Aesthetics named after Henrik Igityan officially reopened in its original, historical space. After renovation, functional reinterpretation and re-equipment, the National Center of Aesthetics today presents itself with a new spirit and opportunities. From now on, in the center, you can not only get acquainted with the works of art created by children, but also create independently. The center has an ambitious mission to create an innovative, inclusive and multifunctional cultural and educational space, where people of different ages, professions and interests can express themselves and develop through the transformative power of art. Anahit Margaryan spoke with the director of the center, artistic director of the Small Theater, director Vahan Badalyan.