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Richard Hovannisyan's "Republic" Released In Armenian

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  • Richard Hovannisyan's "Republic" Released In Armenian

    RICHARD HOVANNISYAN'S "REPUBLIC" RELEASED IN ARMENIAN

    DeFacto Agency, Armenia
    May 22 2006

    Yerevan--Professor Richard G. Hovannisian, chairholder in Modern
    Armenian History at UCLA, was publicly honored today on the occasion
    of the Armenian-language publication of the first volume of his
    four-part epic, entitled "The Republic of Armenia: The First Year,
    1918-1919." The event was organized by the National Academy of
    Sciences and the Writers' Union of Armenia, with support from the
    Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS). The
    presentation brought together prominent specialists in Armenian
    studies, leading scholars and intellectuals, political and public
    figures, diplomats, and media representatives.

    Held in the auditorium of the Writers' Union of Armenia, the program
    was opened by Academician Vladimir Barkhudarian, vice president of
    the National Academy of Sciences. "There remain historical phenomena
    which call for further, deeper research. One such experience is the
    history of the first Republic of Armenia which, through four decades of
    diligent dedication and groundbreaking work with a wealth of primary
    sources, Academician Richard Hovannisian has fully and objectively
    brought to light," he said.

    The next speaker was chairman Levon Ananian of the Writers' Union. In
    his words, "The Republic of Armenia" is a colossal oeuvre and thus
    one of the greatest achievements in contemporary Armenian studies.

    "It is noteworthy that the author of the book is a unique symbol of our
    national pride. An incisive thinker and a scholar with professional
    methodology, Hovannisian's international standing and pre-eminence
    in the field keep growing."

    Volume One of "The Republic of Armenia" was presented in detail by
    Professor Ashot Melkonian, director of the Academy's Institute of
    History. He first underlined the historiographic value of the work.

    According to Melkonian, in the 1960s and 1970s, when the historical
    truth about the First Republic was concealed by political strictures,
    this masterpiece by Richard Hovannisian was an underground imperative
    for those in Soviet Armenia who were researching and studying the
    topic. "The ultimate importance of this book is that the concept of
    statehood forms its entire backbone," he concluded.

    In his turn, Professor Babken Harutiunian, chairholder in Armenian
    History at Yerevan State University, commended "The Republic of
    Armenia" in terms of its reliance on a broad spectrum of sources as
    well as its application of the precept of continuity in historical
    science. "Aside from presenting the historical record completely and
    truthfully, each chapter and every line of the work are founded in a
    supreme notion of patriotism." It is not a coincidence, he continued,
    that owing directly to the incessant efforts of Professor Hovannisian
    a school of modern Armenian history has been developed in the diaspora.

    Raffi Hovannisian, founding director of ACNIS and Armenia's
    first Minister of Foreign Affairs, congratulated his father on
    the accomplishment of finally bringing the whole history of the
    First Republic home to Armenia. "Comprehensively researched and
    objectively presented, Richard Hovannisian's authoritative account
    both gives cause for moments of historic pride and achievement and
    offers a record of losses and shortcomings which the new Armenia must
    avoid repeating. It is a valuable lesson of liberty and legitimacy,
    democracy and diplomacy, sovereignty and security, which must be
    drawn today--in the name of the Republic of Armenia, past and present."

    Also noteworthy were artistic contributions by literary expert Svetlana
    Khanumian and professor of theology Khoren Palian.

    Finally, Richard Hovannisian took the floor and extended his
    deep appreciation to the organizers of the event, the scholars,
    intellectuals and everyone present, and acknowledged Vrezh Markosian,
    director of the Tigran Mets Publishing House, for his high-caliber
    production of the volume. Hovannisian shared vignettes from his
    childhood, his student years, and his four-decade quest for "The
    Republic of Armenia." A well-rounded understanding of the history of
    the First Republic, he said, will enable its modern-day heir to steer
    clear of mistakes and never place false hope in paper guarantees for
    security, which we have trusted on numerous historical occasions and
    suffered setbacks as a result.

    The capacity crowd of assembled leaders, intellectuals, and students
    stood to express their appreciation of the work and its creator.
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