Hayern  Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with President of the Armenian Writers Association of California Hakob Mkrtchyan.

Hayern Aysor: First, let’s talk about you, Mr. Mkrtchyan.

Hakob Mkrtchyan: I am a lawyer by profession. In 1975, I graduated from the Faculty of Law at Yerevan State University. I started writing poems when I was in school, and I started writing more and more when I was serving in the army. I have also worked as a journalist. In 1992, I published the “Kamarak” newspaper in Los Angeles. In that newspaper, I would publish my poems in verse and prose, as well as my political and economic analyses.

Basically, the multifaceted education that I received in Armenia provided me with the opportunity to put my strengths to the test in another field.

Before joining the Armenian Writers Association of California, I had opened a literary club where I would organize discussions with writers and intellectuals. In 2003, I also released a collection of lyrical poems and entitled it “Man the Creator”. In that collection I presented the thoughts, feelings and experiences of man from the day he is born until the day he dies. I am also a founding member of the temporary plenipotentiary representative body of Western Armenia.

Hayern Aysor: Could you talk about the activities of the Armenian Writers Association of California?

H. M.: First, I must say that there are many different Armenian community organizations, compatriotic unions and literary clubs in all Armenian communities of the Diaspora, including in California. The Armenian Writers Association of California stands out with its activities for the Armenian language and literature, which helps strengthen the bonds between Armenia and the Diaspora. The Armenian Writers Association of California was established after the reestablishment of the Republic of Armenia and has organized its activities in line with the events that take place in the field of literature in Armenia.

We finally established the base that would officially become the Armenian Writers Association of California a couple of years later. We have overcome all the difficulties with political parties and other difficulties that could impede the activities of the Association. In a short amount of time, writers from Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as intellectuals based in Los Angeles, joined the Association. I must say that the Association organizes regular meetings during which we discuss issues of our concern, identify the current issues and seek ways to solve those issues together. We regularly organize book presentations and present the works of our writers.

We have writers who bring honor to the world of writers in not only California, but in Armenia as well. The Armenian Writers Association of California already has over 50 members. Our doors are open to all creative people, and we especially encourage young Armenian writers to join the Association since they’re not active in the field.

Hayern Aysor: What is the main mission of the Association?

H. M.: Our mission is to have Armenian intellectuals always be involved in the major events taking place in Armenia, raise questions and express their views that will help bring them close to the homeland.

We try to participate in not only literary events, but also pan-Armenian events. Just recently we participated in the 5^th Armenia-Diaspora Conference organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora, and we were very content with the results. After the conference, we organized a meeting with Editor-in-Chief of California Courier Harut Sassounian, exchanged views and raised issues. During the meeting, Harut Sassounian delivered a speech. Literary life gained momentum in 2004 when the Association became state registered and was officially named the Armenian Writers Association of California. One of our achievements is that we have been provided with the opportunity to hold meetings with Armenian Americans and listen to their comments and suggestions. With this we want to help make Armenian arts popular to the wide masses of Armenians around the world.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Mkrtchyan, to what extent do Diaspora Armenian intellectuals respond to the events taking place in Armenia?

H. M.: I must say that Diaspora Armenian intellectuals are always interested in the events taking place in Armenia, are heartfelt and try to do their best to help the homeland. Currently, we are all focused on the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. On this occasion, we will be holding several events. We will be commemorating Grigor Zohrab, Daniel Varujan, Siamanto and Ruben Sevak, who were the poets murdered during the Armenian Genocide.

Interview by Gevorg Chichyan