Tweet
SYRIAN AUTHOR ADONIS IS CHARMED BY YEREVAN
10:19, 30 April, 2013
YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. Renowned Syrian author Adonis (Ali
Ahmed Sayeed) paid a visit to Armenia to take part in the final events
held within the framework of "Yerevan World Book Capital" program.
Poetry is not the sole occupation of the Syrian writer. Adonis is also
known as an expert in literature, theorist, critic, translator, and
lecturer. His works have been translated into over 20 languages of the
world. Adonis authored about 20 poetic collected works and 15 volumes
on theory and literary criticism. "Armenpress" had an opportunity to
take walk with Adonis on the streets of Yerevan and ask him a number
of questions.
- Mr. Adonis, this is Your first visit to Armenia. What impressions do You have?
- Yes, You're right. This is my first visit to Armenia and frankly
speaking I am very impressed. You have a very beautiful city with
wonderful architecture. Notwithstanding, I am sure that I must stay
here for a long time to have complete impressions. So that I could
have a chance to meet more people, communicate with poets and
intellectuals, exchange opinions with them. I am hopeful that my next
visit will last much longer. I guess I shall come back in 3-4 months.
- Dual contradictions are prevailing in Your art; life-death,
paradise-hell etc. Is this one of the main peculiarities of Your style
or this is a dictate of life?
- Yes, You are not mistaken. That tendency is a result of the bitter
temptations I had to face with. It is a crystallized experience. One
cannot understand the light, if he has not seen night. Life and death
are different sides of existence. In order to understand love, you
must experience hatred. These opposites of life are among the best
means to realize the essence of existence.
- You visited a number of places in Armenia and You also paid a visit
to the Tzitzernakaberd Hill on April 24. What did You feel there?
- First of all I had an impression that everybody starting from the
elders to the youth, from the President to a child remains loyal to
the vow and precept of the martyrs. This is a significant indicator of
the fact that the Armenian people deserve the right to live and create
in this land. Despite all the calamitis and difficulties the Armenians
is much fuller of life now, than they ever were. And this people can
live not only with the past alone, but the present and future as well.
(THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)
Interview by Arusik Zakharyan
Translation by writer and translator Sargis Kirakosyan
Photos by Samvel Berkibekyan
10:19, 30 April, 2013
YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. Renowned Syrian author Adonis (Ali
Ahmed Sayeed) paid a visit to Armenia to take part in the final events
held within the framework of "Yerevan World Book Capital" program.
Poetry is not the sole occupation of the Syrian writer. Adonis is also
known as an expert in literature, theorist, critic, translator, and
lecturer. His works have been translated into over 20 languages of the
world. Adonis authored about 20 poetic collected works and 15 volumes
on theory and literary criticism. "Armenpress" had an opportunity to
take walk with Adonis on the streets of Yerevan and ask him a number
of questions.
- Mr. Adonis, this is Your first visit to Armenia. What impressions do You have?
- Yes, You're right. This is my first visit to Armenia and frankly
speaking I am very impressed. You have a very beautiful city with
wonderful architecture. Notwithstanding, I am sure that I must stay
here for a long time to have complete impressions. So that I could
have a chance to meet more people, communicate with poets and
intellectuals, exchange opinions with them. I am hopeful that my next
visit will last much longer. I guess I shall come back in 3-4 months.
- Dual contradictions are prevailing in Your art; life-death,
paradise-hell etc. Is this one of the main peculiarities of Your style
or this is a dictate of life?
- Yes, You are not mistaken. That tendency is a result of the bitter
temptations I had to face with. It is a crystallized experience. One
cannot understand the light, if he has not seen night. Life and death
are different sides of existence. In order to understand love, you
must experience hatred. These opposites of life are among the best
means to realize the essence of existence.
- You visited a number of places in Armenia and You also paid a visit
to the Tzitzernakaberd Hill on April 24. What did You feel there?
- First of all I had an impression that everybody starting from the
elders to the youth, from the President to a child remains loyal to
the vow and precept of the martyrs. This is a significant indicator of
the fact that the Armenian people deserve the right to live and create
in this land. Despite all the calamitis and difficulties the Armenians
is much fuller of life now, than they ever were. And this people can
live not only with the past alone, but the present and future as well.
(THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)
Interview by Arusik Zakharyan
Translation by writer and translator Sargis Kirakosyan
Photos by Samvel Berkibekyan