A Cycle of Poems about Armenia by R. Gamzatov

Abstract

The subject of the article is the cycle of poems by R. Gamzatov about Armenia. This work represents the first detailed scientific study of the poetics of R. Gamzatov’s cycle of poems about Armenia. Using the example of the most striking works, the methods, techniques and means of expression used by the author to create the image of Armenia are identified. The poet describes the nature of this country, its song traditions, socio-political events, recreates the images of Armenian friends, sacred and iconic symbols for Armenia, its cultural objects and geographical topoi. The purpose of the article is to identify works from R. Gamzatov’s cycle of poems about Armenia, to conduct a philological analysis of the texts, to identify their genre specificity, and to determine the main motifs and images. The objectives of the work are to identify the themes and problems of poems about Armenia; their figurative and emotional-style similarities and differences from each other: determination of techniques and methods, as well as means of expression in realizing the image of Armenia. The study, carried out on the basis of the comparative method and the method of philological analysis of the text, led to the following conclusions: 1) in the cycle of poems by R. Gamzatov about Armenia, typical attributes are used, found in similar poems about Armenia by other authors (Ararat, Sevan, Matenadaran, Saryan); 2) a distinctive feature of the author’s feelings is admiration for nature, national cultural monuments and the creativity of literary and artistic figures of the Armenian people; 3) depending on the object and subject of the author’s attention, the mood and emotional tone of the works changes from lively, respectful, in love with the songs, music, and nature of Armenia to sad, sympathetic for the fate of this country and its long-suffering people. The results of the study can be used in further studying the work of R. Gamzatov. In addition, the article may arouse interest in wide circles, in particular in Dagestan-Armenian literary relations. This work can be used in teaching courses on the history of Avarian, Dagestan and Armenian literature.