A writer and visual artist of Armenian origin with a French expression… This is how multi-genre writer Denis Donikian describes himself. The National Library of Armenia has received an exclusive gift from Donikian. His personal archive: books, albums, and manuscripts were sent from France to the National Library of Armenia. The materials are on display for a week in the library’s large exhibition hall. After the exhibition, Denis Donikian’s manuscripts and other materials will be transferred to the Museum of Literature and Art.

Nvard Vardanyan and Lusine Musakhanyan, translators of the author's works, Grigor Janikyan, a prose writer and longtime friend of Denis Donikyan, and others attended the exhibition's opening. Donikyan's printed legacy will find a place of honor in the Armenian National Library's funds, according to Anna Chulyan, the library's director, who gave the opening remarks.

I had the privilege of meeting Denis Donikian in France, and I can confirm that the author chose to give his literary legacy to the Armenian National Library during his lifetime. Let's admit, not everyone is prepared to take this significant step," she said.

The opening of the exhibition was also attended by the Director of the Museum of Literature and Art, Suzanna Khojamiryan, who said:

“Accepting the gift from Denis Donikyan and our partner, the National Library, is an enormous honor. Letters and diaries in particular are very important to us. Although we are familiar with the author through his writings, we learn about him personally only from his letters and diaries. Tatev Ghambaryan and Julia Manukyan, the exhibition coordinators, spoke enthusiastically about their work after months of working with the exhibition materials.”

Denis Donikyan's video message kicked off the matinee that followed the exhibition's opening.

“The fact that my books and programs will now be in Armenia makes me very happy. Firstly, I am grateful for the gracious acceptance of my archive by the National Library. I would like to thank Anna Chulyan, the director, in particular, for coming up with the concept for this presentation-exhibition."

Lusine Musakhanyan, who is currently translating the writer's latest collection, a series of poems written with mysterious aphorisms, "I Will Carry Your Pain," acted as the interview host, and NLA employee Nerses Hayrapetyan took on the role of Danny Donikyan. An interesting Q&A, which you can watch in full in the video.

Translator Nvard Vardanyan also spoke about her translations: "Working with Donikyan was a difficult task that took a lot of my strength and energy. His works clearly reflect his multi-genre status as a writer and artist. He can appear in multiple genres in a single work, which makes translation challenging. I translated seven of Donikyan's works in this manner."

In his speech at the end of the evening, Donikyan's longtime friend and acquaintance Grigor Janikyan stated: "One must first understand Donikyan's life in order to get to know him and comprehend his literature. His biography starts with the Genocide of 1915 because the Genocide continued throughout his life, even though he was born in France in 1942. The challenges he faced throughout his life, his early and teenage years, and his yearning for his native country could be discussed incessantly. Following the speech, Grigor Janikyan gave the National Library one of Donikyan's books.

You can familiarize yourself with Denis Donikian's works by visiting the National Library of Armenia's digital database.