The poet and writer Vahe Arsen who voiced about Genocide and Baku massacres in the Finnish literary festival, in an interview with “Aravot”, told that recently he introduced Armenia in the Lahti 26th international literary festival in Finland. The theme was “Breaking the Walls”. “For the 26th year, this festival is being held, attended by writers from around the world, from Africa, Europe, Latin America and so on,”- said our interlocutor. He added that in the literary festivals he is first introduced as a writer and is pleased with poetic readings. “My poems were translated from Finnish, and readings were held in “Sibelius hall” in Lahti, which is a huge hall. I was reading in Armenian, the attendees were following the Finnish with the book. There were also round tables. Especially, on the last day, I took a very active part in the round table and spoke in the context of the topic “Breaking the Walls” of the festival. I addressed the issue of genocide, because in the countries where people live a better life, it is talked a lot about breaking the walls never existed, but when the matter comes to the real case, nothing is done. I brought the well-known example as to how the British ships did not rise the mountains in Armenia, I spoke also about Azerbaijan as to how the Armenians were subjected to genocide in that country, and again no one spoke about it, except for a few writers. By the way, there was a writer, Olga Gryaznova, who was born and grew up in Azerbaijan, who thanked for raising that issue. She has seen with her own eyes the Baku massacre and fled from this country to Germany. Olga has written a book about the massacre in Baku,”- said Vahe Arsen.
The poet said that he tries to introduce Armenia in “outside” as rich as possible within the limits of his potential. “I talk with the foreigners about our alphabet, because I think the Armenian language is the supreme genetic entire condensation of Armenians, and, of course, I introduce the Armenian church, which is also our unique form of disclosure of gene. It was the Christianity that gave us Narekatsi and Tatevatsi, and, generally, the rise of our culture is linked to the Christianity. I always take with me souvenirs in the form of alphabet and churches. By the way, this time we were also astonished, asking whether we are so old. In Finland, they took us to their oldest church, which was built in the 18th century. For us, it may seem something humorous. They have adopted Christianity in the 14th century.” Vahe Arsen notes that such literary gatherings are the best ways of recognizing internationally, and, in the past two years, he has been participating in the 4th international festival. “My poetry is of great interest, many online journals asked for my translations.” At the end of our conversation, the poet said,- “We, Armenians, have so many things to be proud of, but we are falling after shameful things, today, the culture is pushed to the second plan, we have become the slaves of everyday life, and it disperses us, destroys our human nature…”
Gohar Hakobyan
“Aravot” daily
