On June 2, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received Diaspora Armenian prose writer, poet, publicist, editor Asadour Guzelian.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan cordially greeted the guest and praised his pro-national activities within Armenian communities of the Diaspora. The Minister particularly stated the following: “There are people who spread warmth and light with their presence, and you are one of those people. You have dedicated your entire conscious life to the Armenians. Born in Syria, you simply had to dedicate your heart and soul to the Armenians. You are a great Armenian, a great human being and a walking encyclopedia of the Armenian Diaspora. Living in different communities, you have been able to take that which is the most important and return it to the people with the power of your art and with your writing skills. Your voluminous epistolary, which is entitled “K’ Khosin Namaknere” (The Letters Speak) and is a compilation of your letters addressed to renowned Diaspora Armenian intellectuals Simon Simonian and Vahram Mavian, is a unique story of the events that were taking place in the Diaspora in the 1960s and 1970s and contain many interesting facts and photos. Even today, you continue to write “the history/encyclopedia” of the Armenian Diaspora with the vigor of a young person.”

Guzelian expressed gratitude for the cordial reception and the words of appreciation. Talking about his several meetings with Armenians in Armenian communities of the Diaspora, he emphasized the following: “A person who can’t cry won’t understand the sorrow of another person. There are things in life that one can’t give up, and first and foremost, it is dignity. I have been living far away from the homeland with this principle and have always kept the Armenian spirit alive throughout my conscious life.”

During the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to cultural ties between Armenia and the Diaspora and attached importance to the role of Armenian language and culture in the preservation of the Armenian identity abroad.

Asadour Guzelian was born on May 14, 1932 in Syria. In 1939, he and his family moved to Lebanon. In 1940, they returned to Syria and settled in Aleppo. In 1948, Guzelian graduated from the local Cilician School, got accepted to the School of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and graduated in 1955. From 1955 to 1956, he taught at the Cilician School.

In 1957, at the invitation of the curators of the Armenian Humanitarian Lyceum of Calcutta, he left for Madras and taught Armenian language, literature, bibliography, grabar (classic Armenian) and Armenian history at the local Armenian college. Alongside his pedagogical activities, he also founded a choir and a theater company. To reorganize the literary and cultural life of the community, he assumed the office of secretary of the board of the Haigazian Cultural Society. In 1964, he and his family settled in London. From 1964 to 1966, he served as editor of Aregak periodical. In 1974, Guzelian published the London Monthly, which stopped publishing due to financial difficulties in 1976. He has been actively involved in the activities of the local Armenian community, especially in the sphere of culture. Asadour Guzelian has written several poems, articles and short stories and has conducted many literary, historical and philological studies. In 1982, His Holiness Vazgen I, Catholicos of All Armenians awarded him with the Saint Nerses Shnorhali Order.

On the occasion of the 500^th anniversary of Armenian Printing, by the proposal of the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia, he was awarded with the Movses Khorenatsi Medal. He has also been awarded with a certificate of the RA Ministry of Diaspora. In 2012, Guzelian also received the William Saroyan Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.