The Literature Group of the Moushegh Ishkhan Chapter of Hamazkayin hosted an evening dedicated to the talented poet Paren Hovsepian at the Pierre Keosseyian Hall in Sharja. The event was dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the publication of the first Armenian book and proclamation of Yerevan as the international book capital.
Members of the local Armenian community of various ages attended the event. They were interested in hearing the poems by Paren Hovsepian, read by Shakeh Mangassarian and Lisa Karajian. After the recitation of each poem, the poet spoke about what motivated each creation and his feelings while writing. He also said the artist Norair Kazanjian has taken up writing and that the Hovsepian authored some of Kazanjian’s lyrics. Afterward some of those songs were performed. Paren Hovsepian answered questions from the the audience and involved them in the analysis and discussion of their recitation. “Emiroutiants hay kagoutin,” (“To the Armenian community in the Emirates,”) “Anerevouit Khoyanknere” (“Invisible flights,”) “Garegtsoutioun” (“Compassion,”) “Tou indz hed” (“You with me,”) “Hair-vorti” (“Father-son,”) and “Dzerouni Haitouke” (“The old Haytouk”) are some poems worthy of mention. The poem “Ohannessian varjaran” (“Ohannessian School”) is dedicated to the Armenian school of the United Arab Emirates. The song titled “Arantsnoutioun” (“Loneliness”) performed by Paren’s son, Varak, stirred deep emotions in the audience. Toward the end of the event we enjoyed the noble “Trosh hayreni” (“The flag of fatherland,”) dedicated to the official opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Abu Dhabi. This unique event was concluded with success and deeply impressed the audience.