Performance, presentation, exhibition: A number of events scheduled on 150th birthday anniversary of renowned poet Hovhannes Tumanyan

February 19 marks the 150th birthday anniversary of renowned Armenian poet and writer Hovhannes Tumanyan.

On this occasion a number of events will be held in his birthplace – the village of Dsegh of Lori province, not only this day, but throughout the year.

Roza Ghazumyan – Director of the Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum, gave an interview to ARMENPRESS, talking about the expected events.

“On his birthday we plan to visit his Memorial located in the center of Dsegh to lay flowers for his memory. Thereafter, we will visit a church together with the guests, and then to the House-Museum to watch the Dog and the Cat performance”, she said.

Talking about the events scheduled for 2019, the Director said the presentation of the book by German-based translator Agapi Mkrtchyan will be held in the House-Museum in summer. Mkrtchyan has translated Tumanyan’s fairytales from Armenian into Germany. “We are cooperating with her for already two years. Children study German in the schools of Dsegh, therefore, the performance of Tsit (Bird) work included in the book will be presented during the presentation, and the kids will perform it in German”, she said, adding that they also plan to organize exhibitions.

Roza Ghazumyan informs that they are going to implement an educational program titled “Family relationships: Upbringing by Tumanyan’s family example” in summer and autumn.

“I also attach importance to the initiative titled ‘At Tumanyan places’ within the frames of which the visitors, in addition to touring at the House-Museum, getting information about the renowned writers, also spend their time at places where Tumanyan enjoyed spending his time. This year in September the International Puppet Theater Festival will take place in Dsegh. There will be participants from Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and other countries. We are scheduling the visit of the descendants of the Tumanyan family to Dsegh. He has two grandchildren, one lives in St. Petersburg and the other is currently in Germany”, Ghazumyan said.

Talking about the reforms carried out in the House-Museum, Director Roza Ghazumyan said they have changed the lighting of the building, plan to hold a new exhibit, increase the number of photos and enrich the already existing materials.

She said the main concerning problems are mainly solved. “As it was planned, there will be a sale of books and souvenirs in the yard before the jubilee”, she said.

Interview by Angela Hambardzumyan

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan