The National Library of Armenia hosted a public discussion and lecture honoring the 150th anniversary of the birth of renowned Armenian poetess Shushanik Kurghinyan. American University of Armenia students, readers with an interest in literature, and visitors all attended the event. As a significant exponent of social and revolutionary poetry, Shushanik Kurghinyan has a unique place in Armenian literary history. Her writings are replete with references to freedom, social justice, women's rights, and human dignity. Although the social and political developments of Kurghinyan's era influenced her poetry, many of its themes remain relevant today.

During the meeting, the speakers Shushan Avagyan and Ruzanna Grigoryan touched upon Kurghinyan’s life, work, and contemporary perceptions of literary heritage. Shushan Avagyan introduced Kurghinyan’s work to the English-speaking reader years ago; she translated it into English and published a collection of 40 of the poetess’s works in the United States in 2005. Avagyan also wrote the novel “Untitled Book,” which was published in Armenia in 2006 and is dedicated to the imaginary meeting of Shushanik Kurghinyan and Zabel Yesayan. Since 2012, she has been teaching translation theory and practice at the American University of Armenia.

Ruzanna Grigoryan, together with a group of friends, prepared for publication a selection of poems by Gyumri poet Tanya Hovhannisyan, “Towards You—To Bring You to Life,” which was published in July of this year. Grigoryan donated copies of the book to the National Library. Translator Aram Ohanyan also participated in the event and brought an exclusive historical photograph taken in the 1880s, depicting Shushanik Kurghinyan with her school classmates. The photograph gave those present a unique opportunity to see the poetess not only as a famous author in the history of literature, but also as a young girl in the educational environment of her time.

Representatives of Yerevan Shushanik Kurghinyan Library No. 17 also participated in the meeting. The National Library also prepared small souvenirs for the participants of the meeting - bookmarks with Shushanik Kurghinyan's photo and her poems. During the event, the National Library of Armenia also presented an exhibition dedicated to Shushanik Kurghinyan's works and literary heritage.