Our next book club is dedicated to Raffi’s much-loved masterpiece – The Fool (Խենթը).
The novel, starting with one of the most famous openings in the Armenian literature – “Bayazit was besieged” (Բայազեդը պաշարված էր), tells the stories of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, romance and friendships. The unexpected shifts in the novel leave the reader in suspense, moving from the siege of Bayazit to the village in Alashkert and then to Vagharshapat.
Along with its fascinating plot and beautiful language, The Fool also offers a rich ethnographic account, with detailed and colourful descriptions of multi-ethnic Ottoman life, local customs, costumes, food, taboos, and traditions.
The session will be hosted and introduced by Tatevik Ayvazyan with Shahen Araboghlian, who will share readings and discussions in Armenian and English. Below are links for various versions of the book.
We will start at 7:00 pm in English and switch to the Armenian discussion and readings at 8:00pm.
Tatevik Ayvazyan, Director of the Armenian Institute, was the poetry curator of the film Taniel and is a passionate lover of literature and a literary producer.
A freelance writer, Shahen Araboghlian has recently written a review of the new English translation of The Fool by Raffi. His articles have appeared in h-pem and The Armenian Weekly.
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WHERE TO READ THE FOOL:
English translation (paperback and Kindle ebook version)
Armenian audiobooks: Vlume or Grqaser
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Please join on zoom here
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84017613234
Meeting ID: 840 1761 3234
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