Norayr Dadourian’s Speaks about History of Armenian Poetry

Poetic dialogue between lovers in the Armenian rebirth era, as presented by Dadourian, evolved from figurative speech, where expressions of love were implicit to more explicit language. In the figurative speech realm, a bird meant a male lover, whereas a rose meant a female lover. In the more explicit expressions later, words like bosom, breast, and kissing on the lips were commonly used.

It was interesting to know that Hovhannes Yerznkatsi (1225-1293) was the inventor of the quatrains in secular Armenian poetry. Another eye opening fact that was revealed in the lecture was the use of the triangular dialogue by Nahabed Kouchag, who died in 1592.

At this time, triangular dialogue was introduced, where the man addressed his lover through an imaginary figure, as direct verbal encounter was not acceptable yet. Furthermore, Nagash Hovnatan was commissioned to paint the dome of Holy Echmiadzin in 1712.

Dadourian was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He first attended Karaguezian Elementary School, and then Mkhitarian Middle and Secondary School. He was accepted to the University of Bosporus in Istanbul, where he studied philosophy and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

He is married to Never Silahli and have four children. He has been teaching Armenian language and literature at the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School in Pasadena, since its founding in 2006. Every summer, he takes his 11th grade students to Armenia for an exploratory, educational, and cultural trip.

In tune with the theme of the lecture, Khatchig Nahabedian rendered a beautiful song by Sayat Nova. Reception followed the lecture, during which the members of the audience continued asking informed questions to the lecturer.