Textbook author: It is a shame to omit Raffi from the textbooks of Armenian literature

Literary scholar, Ph.D., Professor Albert Makaryan, who is
the author of the new textbook of Armenian literature, referred to this issue
in detail.

“The textbook starts with the Armenian literature of the
19th century. So, why is the literature of the Middle Ages skipped? It is a
serious omission,” Makaryan said to ABC Media.

The expert says Co-author of the textbook Henrik Bakhchinyan
covered the medieval period, but it was only uploaded to an educational
platform. Thus, students have to go through a QR code to be able to read it.

“In fact, I wrote 180 pages of the 192-page textbook, which
begins with Khachatur Abovyan and ends with Hovhannes Tumanyan. Many authors
have been omitted, namely Petros Duryan and Mikayel Nalbandyan. According to
the requirements, “The Killed Dove” by Nar-Dos was to be included. However, I
think it is no longer relevant. I, of course, worked and analyzed as well as I
could. I did my best to write a book comprehensible to schoolchildren. However,
it is no longer relevant. If asked, I would suggest “Anna Saroyan”. The issue
of a young girl’s suicide is relevant to our times. That thinking of a child
that whatever happens, life is not easy, happiness and sorrow are twins.
Children can gain vigor even from school age,” Makaryan said.

Albert Makaryan is displeased only with the requirements.

“The requirements are rather poor. Hovhannes Tumanyan’s
quatrains are included, “Anoush” is included, which is a brilliant work, but if
we think deeply, it is not relevant to our times either. I would include
“Parvana”, which is a timeless work and interests everyone: the eternal flame,
the true love. What matters here is the aspiration, the hero strives to achieve
it. They could have included better works. I state it is a shame to omit Raffi,
to throw him out. Raffi is omitted in the 10th grade textbook. His works are
included on the platform. Children have to enter the platform to read the
electronic version. They do not even read the printed version. Raffi should
have been one of the major authors, as we have two major writers in the 70s and
80s: Raffi in Eastern Armenia, and Hakob Paronyan in Western Armenia. Paronyan
is included. We are grateful that he has not been omitted. However, Raffi has
been omitted,” Makaryan said.