Tlgadintsi

The last speaker of the day was Prof. Peter Cowe, holder of the UCLA Narekatsi Chair. His topic was Tlgadintsi (Hovhannes Harutiwnian, 1860-1915) who, like Zardarian, lived and functioned in rural Armenia. Tlgadintsi spent most of his life in Kharpert where he taught school and wrote prose works and plays. His colorful work which remained deeply realistic, depicted the goings-on in the provincial backwoods. In his writings he has always defended family life as the foundation of society and he frowned upon men who mistreated or brutalized their wives. Tlgadintsi is given the credit for preparing a group of future writers like Rupen Zartarian, Vahan Totovents, Peniamin Nurigian, and Vahe Haig. To this group also belongs the great admirer of Tlgadintsi's work - Hamasdegh.