Dr. Jesse Arlen’s Zoom lecture series on Medieval Armenian Poetry Begins Tonight

Tonight at 7:00pm ET by Zoom Zohrab Center director Dr. Jesse Arlen will deliver the first lecture in a two-semester series offered through St. Nersess Armenian Seminary’s Public Lecture Series, entitled, “An Introduction to Medieval Armenian Poetry.”

Part I of this series will consist of six lectures delivered on the following dates: Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 10, Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 8.

Register for the Zoom meetings here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUoc-mtqT0jEtV7-sBO9Pp1p21bqCFrJTYR

Series Description

After the invention of the Armenian alphabet in the fifth century, the early centuries of Armenian literature are dominated by prose: theological and philosophical treatises, histories, hagiographies, commentaries, and the like. Nevertheless, the premodern Armenian literary tradition also boasts a vast and dazzling array of poetic texts, which are generally less well known to scholars and novices alike. This two-semester public lecture series will introduce the medieval Armenian poetic tradition, including sharagans, odes, lyrics, laments, poetic prayers, as well as love and wisdom poetry. This vast array of material spanning over ten centuries was composed both in the classical literary idiom as well as a form of the language closer to the vernacular, known as middle Armenian. Attention will also be paid to interchange and contact with neighboring literary and poetic traditions, such as Greek, Persian, and Arabic.

Reminder: Dr. Russell’s Medzarents Lecture Tomorrow by Zoom

Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00pm ET, Harvard emeritus Prof. James R. Russell will speak on the life and work of Misak Medzarents on Zoom. Advance registration is required at the following link: https://bit.ly/3fImtlK

This talk will draw on Dr. Russell’s recent publication, Misak Medzarents: The Complete Lyric Poems (Armenian Series no. 12. The Press at California State University, Fresno, 2020), a translation and commentary of Medzarents’ complete poetic works, the first of its kind in any foreign language.

You may read a review of the book by Zohrab Center director, Dr. Jesse Arlen, at this link.

The book is available for purchase from the NAASR bookstore or Abril Books.

Dr. Russell’s Misak Medzarents Lecture Now by Zoom

The October 19th lecture by Harvard emeritus Prof. James R. Russell on the life and work of Misak Medzarents will now take place on Zoom only. Advance registration is required at the following link: https://bit.ly/3fImtlK

This talk will draw on Dr. Russell’s recent publication, Misak Medzarents: The Complete Lyric Poems (Armenian Series no. 12. The Press at California State University, Fresno, 2020), a translation and commentary of Medzarents’ complete poetic works, the first of its kind in any foreign language.

You may read a review of the book by Zohrab Center director, Dr. Jesse Arlen, at this link.

The book is available for purchase from the NAASR bookstore or Abril Books.

Book Talk: The Poetry of Misak Medzarents by Dr. James R. Russell

Come to the Zohrab Center to learn from Harvard University Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies (Emeritus), Dr. James R. Russell: he will speak about the life and work of the great Western Armenian lyric poet, Misak Medzarents. 

The lecture will take place in-person at the Zohrab Information Center on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 at 7:00pm ET.

This talk will draw on Dr. Russell’s recent publication, Misak Medzarents: The Complete Lyric Poems (Armenian Series no. 12. The Press at California State University, Fresno, 2020), a translation and commentary of Medzarents’ complete poetic works, the first of its kind in any foreign language.

You may read a review of the book by Zohrab Center director, Dr. Jesse Arlen, at this link.

The book is available for purchase from the NAASR bookstore or Abril Books.

NEW DATE! St. Gregory of Narek roundtable moved to Monday, Sept. 12th

The roundtable discussion around Prof. Abraham Terian’s new translation of St. Gregory of Narek’s Prayer Book has been moved to Monday, September 12th.

Please see the updated information below:

RSVP at the following link: https://bit.ly/depth-of-the-heart

To watch on YouTube, click on https://bit.ly/StLeonEvents at the beginning of the program

A Roundtable Discussion on St. Gregory of Narek’s Prayer Book with Dr. Abraham Terian, Bp. Daniel Findikyan, and Dr. Jesse Arlen

The Zohrab Information Center, St. Leon Armenian Church, and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary are proud co-sponsors of a roundtable discussion around St. Gregory of Narek’s Prayer Book, with Dr. Abraham Terian, His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan, and Dr. Jesse Arlen, that will take place on Monday, September 12th at 7:00pm at St. Leon Armenian Church (Abajian Hall), 12-61 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410.

Join scholars of Armenian Christianity to explore St. Gregory of Narek’s magnum opus and celebrate its recent translation into English by Abraham Terian: From the Depths of the Heart: Annotated Translation of the Prayers of St. Gregory of Narek (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press Academic, 2021).

RSVP at the following link: https://bit.ly/depth-of-the-heart

To watch on YouTube, click on https://bit.ly/StLeonEvents at the beginning of the program

A Literary Evening: Armenian Writers in New York

Join the Zohrab Information Center and the International Armenian Literary Alliance for an in-person literary evening on August 23, 2022 at 7:00 pm ET, to hear Armenian writers read from their short stories, novels, poetry and nonfiction.

Readers include Aida Zilelian, Alan Semerdjian, Garen Torikian, Jesse Arlen, Lola Koundakjian, Nadia Owusu, Nancy Agabian, Nancy Kricorian, and Olivia Katrandjian. A wine and cheese reception will follow. 

At Guild Hall of the Armenian Diocese, 630 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016