In the year of Matevossian’s ninetieth anniversary, Brusov State University convened a conference devoted to the man whose words were the voice of his native land and whose writing was the living fabric of existence.
“…Hrant has already written about the horse, the buffalo, what a dead dog thinks in the moonlight, the wolf and a little about the bear; now he is writing about the wild boar… Not ABOUT them: his task is to write the creatures themselves. To paint them in words.” In his welcome address, Davit Matevossian recalled these words by the distinguished Russian writer Andrei Bitov, noting that through Hrant our SELF becomes itself, and the WALL becomes STRONG.
This awareness filled the University. Matevossian’s universe also mapped Armenia: Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor and Ijevan. The writer’s words brought together people from different cities and generations.
At the close of the conference, the University’s Rector, Mr Gyurjinyan, said: “Next year will be Matevossian’s ninety-first anniversary too. And nothing changes: his work will continue. The atmosphere of our university is filled with him.”
The University has gathered a small part of this universe beneath its roof, and its students are part of it. This is already a continuation of the work, grounded in scholarship and dedication. A university of foreign languages speaks to the world first in the language of its own great writer. In the most worthy way…
Fortunate is the student who will discover this universe with inspiration. We bow to all of you, dear keepers and tellers of Hrant’s living words.
Photographs from Brusov State University’s Facebook page.
