The “History of the Rubenids” by Archimandrite Vahram, or Vahram Rabun, Secretary of the Royal Court, is a concise historical work, presented in a rhymed form and entirely dedicated to the history of the Cilician Armenian State from its origin (1080) to the 80s of the XIII century. It was created as a continuation of Nerses Shnorhali’s “Vipasanutyun”, as far as its structure and rhyme are concerned. This is a historical work, ordered by the king, which was often included in manuscripts along with texts by other authors (Nerses Shnorhali, Nerses of Lambron and others). In the XIX century, this work was published several times: from 1804 (Madras) to 1869 (Paris). All these editions can be divided into three groups: a) “Madras-1804” b) “Paris-1859” and c) “Madras-1810-Calcutta-1832-Paris-1869”, which were certainly based on manuscript copies that differ from each other. The manuscripts that served as the basis for the three versions mentioned above have either not survived or their location is unknown. There is evidence that a large group of Armenian manuscripts in India have completely deteriorated (in the 1860s) due to being kept in very humid and unfit conditions. It is most likely that among them were also manuscripts based on which the Madras and Calcutta editions were made. The Paris edition of 1859 was made by Karapet Shahnazariants through a copy of a manuscript of the Saint Echmiadzin library. Therefore, until those manuscripts are found, printed copies have acquired the significance of the original and should be taken into account when composing a critical text. Comparison of these editions led us to the conclusion that the “Madras-1810-Calcutta-1832-Paris-1869” version is the most complete. This is especially true for the Paris edition of Édouard Dulaurier, which has a more verified and carefully prepared text (compared with at least 3-4 manuscripts) as well as a scientific apparatus and a complete French translation.

KeywordsArchimandrite Vahram (Vahram Rabun (Rabuni)) History of Rubenids Karapet Shahnazariants Édouard Dulaurier Madras Calcutta Paris

In April 1910, in Constantinople, Misak Suryan, a member of the Reorganised Hunchak Party, founded the weekly newspaper “Aravot” (Morning). From its inception, the newspaper adopted a staunchly oppositional stance, which led to its prohibition by the Young Turk government after only a few issues had been published. The publication of “Aravot” resumed in April 1919, serving as the unofficial mouthpiece of the Reorganised Hunchak Party. Between March and October 1921, it functioned as the Constantinople organ of the party. The newspaper addressed a range of issues, with particular emphasis on the First Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Question at the Paris Peace Conference, the activities of the Armenian delegation, Russo-Armenian and Armenian-Entente relations, as well as the improvement of internal Armenian national affairs. After the Sovietisation of Armenia, “Aravot” maintained its national-liberal orientation. While rejecting Bolshevik ideology, it nonetheless advocated for the defence of the Armenian State and conducted a broad campaign in support of Soviet Armenia. Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the periodical found itself unable to continue on its ideological path and ceased publication in 1924.

Keywords“Aravot” newspaper national-liberal ideology Armenian statehood Republic of Armenia Russia United and Independent Armenia Paris Peace Conference

The role and significance of the national school is emphasized in the system of studying the centuries-old history of Armenian culture. The role of education is especially significant in the preservation of national values and traditions. The article presents a number of issues related to the educational life of Artsakh (at the beginning of the 20th century), one of the regions of Eastern Armenia based on materials published in the “Mshak” newspaper. We have briefly touched upon the policy of Tsarism in the Caucasus, the process of closing and reopening Armenian schools in the Artsakh Diocese. The educational problems of a number of settlements of the Artsakh Diocese are studied in relation with school programs, student and teacher complaints and the activities of the overseers. The activities of the Diocesan School of Artsakh, the Realakan College of Shushi, the Marinsky Girls’ School as well as one and two-grade schools of the villages of Tsmakahogh, Hadrut, Maghavuz, Taghavard, Haterk, Voskanapat and Banants are presented in separate subsections according to the information obtained from different issues of the “Mshak” newspaper. The circumstances hindering the development of educational life of Artsakh (related to the law on the confiscation of church property of June 12, 1903, the Armenian- Tatar Clashes of 1905–1907) as well as the activities of individual teachers are briefly highlighted. The charitable works of individual benefactors are appreciated, according to materials from the “Mshak” newspaper.

Keywordsculture parish school Diocesan School Real School Caucasus Getashen Gandzasar Eastern Armenia Artsakh gymnasium

The Armenian writer, critic, linguist, journalist and public figure Arshak Chopanian’s (1872–1954) role in the creative life of Komitas is exceptional, and significant is his contribution to the formation of Komitas studies. Komitas and A. Chopanian‘s acquaintance took place in Paris in July 1901 and lasted through Komitas’ death. A. Chopanian did not only highly appreciate Komitas’s talent and the work he did, but also attached importance to creating favorable conditions for his activity and took a lot of practical steps to that end. In Anahit, the literary, artistic and public magazine founded by him in Paris in 1898, as well as in other periodicals of the time, such as Byuzandion (Constantinople), Hayastani kochnak [Armenia’s Bell] (New York), etc., A. Chopanian placed articles, in which he commended Komitas’ activity, thereby making his works known to broader public. On the pages of Anahit, A. Chopanian, on the one hand, presented the full-fledged panorama of Komitas’ concert activities that unfolded in Paris and Geneva, published materials assessing Komitas’ oeuvre, authored by various musicians, as well as memoirs, and, on the other, Komitas’ own studies in musicology and a piece of his literary legacy – his autobiography. A. Chopanian’s Komitassiana had had also applied significance. Several important issues raised by A. Chopanian – in particular, the issue of burying Komitas in Armenia, and that of publishing his musical legacy – were brought to life in the near future.

KeywordsArshak Chopanian Komitas Armenian music Anahit magazine Paris the year of 1901 the year of 1935