RESPONSE OF ARMENIAN PRESS TO BRYUSOV’S LECTURES OF 1915 – 1916

Abstract

The literary and cultural ties of the Armenian and Russian peoples are diverse and multi-content. Both Armenian and Russian researchers often turned to these literary – historical relationships and interconnections, comprehending each event from the private viewpoint of certain research problems and preferences.

Today, when new prospects are opening up for Armenian – Russian literary and cultural communication, naturally, there appear necessity to rethink cultural and historical values. In this article, taking into account the above, we tried, as comprehensively and thoroughly as possible, from a historical perspective, to summarize the responses of the Moscow and Caucasian lectures of the famous representative of the Russian intelligentsia, writer, translator and critic V. Bryusov of 1915 – 1916 in the Armenian press.

Bryusov’s lectures find wide resonance, especially in “Arev”, “Mshak”, “Horizon”, “Hambavaber”, “Caucasian Word” and other newspapers. As a result of the study and analysis of articles devoted to the lectures, a number of observations and provisions are noticeable, which are presented in different formulations in almost all the articles and truly reveal the unique historical value of Bryusov’s lectures in the spiritual and cultural life of the Armenian people, here importance is attached to the scientific preparation of the Russian speaker, as well as to the skill on making philosophical generalizations. The articles also highlight the effective and sobering impact of the lecture on the Armenian society.

Summing up the above, we came to the conclusion that Valery Bryusov’s lectures in the context of the vicious geopolitical relations of the early 20th century and the disasters that befell the Armenian people became an unprecedented phenomenon; they were and remain one of the most original and profound interpretations of literary values ​​represented by his creative genius.