Paruir Sevak: Selected Poems

by Paruyr Sevak, Jack Aslanian (Translator)

Paruir Sevak was the foremost Armenian poet and intellectual of the 20th century. Before his tragic death under suspicious circumstances at the age of 47, he had created a vast body of poetry that was rich in imagery, replete in timeless ethical and humanitarian messages, and presented in architecturally engaging and compelling poetic structures. This book of translations of his poems is the first of its kind to offer several groups of his poems in a single extensive and entirely English volume. An appendix provides a brief biography of Sevak and an evaluation of his art and his importance in Armenian and international literature.

Genres: Poetry

168 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 24, 2011

About the author

Paruyr Rafaeli Ghazaryan (better known as Paruyr Sevak; in Armenian: Պարույր Սևակ (Ղազարյան); January 26, 1924 - June 17 , 1971) was an Armenian poet. He is considered one of the greatest Armenian poets of all time.

Sevak was born in Sovetashen (now Zangakatun) village, Soviet Armenia to Rafael and Anahit Soghomonyan. He studied at Yerevan State University and Moscow's Gorky Institute of Literature. A doctor of philology, Sevag was one of the senior researchers of the M. Abeghyan Yerevan Institute of Literature.

Sevak died on June 17, 1971 in an automobile accident while on a drive back to Yerevan. In previous years, he had been voicing out his criticism of the corruption of the Soviet establishment and for this, many Armenians believe, he was murdered by the Soviet KGB(FBI). His wife, Nelly Menagharishvili, also died in the accident. He was buried in the backyard of his home, in Zangakatun, which later became a museum.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poet is a revelation.

[Daniele Panzeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un poeta che non conoscevo, ma che ha colpito per una sorta di consapevole ingenuità.