Conference dedicated to poet Magtymguly Pyragy’s 300th anniversary at YSU

Every year (since 2014), the university organizes a scientific and practical conference dedicated to the great thinker Magtymguly Pyragy, and diplomats and guests from Turkmenistan attend those conferences.

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, welcoming the attendees, said: "Today's scientific and practical conference is another step towards the strengthening of friendly relations between Armenia and Turkmenistan, the purpose of which is to establish new cooperative ties between the two countries."

Referring to the Armenian translation of the third collection of Magtymguly Pyragy's works about ten years ago, Hovhannes Hovhannisyan noted that the translation was done at the initiative of YSU professors and by the decision of the Academic Council.

Speaking about the cooperation between the university and the scientific and educational centers of Turkmenistan, the YSU Rector emphasized that the orientalists and historians of the university have worked in close cooperation with the Magtymguly Turkmen State University for a long time, as well as with various institutes of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, participating in international conferences organized in Turkmenistan. In this context, Hovhannes Hovhannisyan mentioned that university students recently participated in the International Chemistry Olympiad organized by Turkmenistan and scored high points.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Armenia Mohammetgeldi Ayazov said: "In 2014, when the 290th anniversary of Magtymguly Pyragy was celebrated in Turkmenistan, the first conference dedicated to the poet's works was held at YSU. From that day on, holding the conference at YSU became a tradition."

Referring to the works of Magtymguly Pyragy, the ambassador noted that they are dedicated to universal values and addressed to all generations.

"Magtymguly Pyragy urges to bring up human qualities, be fraternal, respect each other's national traditions, customs and spiritual values. In his poems, he often referred to his country, his sincere love for the country and its people," the ambassador said.

The works of Turkmen writer and thinker Magtymguly Pyragy were published in Armenian translation in different years: 1959, 1983, 2014.

The author of the translations done in 2014 is poet and translator Varuzhan Khastur. The latter emphasized that he made the translations at the suggestion of Professor Alexander Safaryan, Head of the Chair of Turkology at YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies.

Varuzhan Khastur, presenting the features of the translation of Magtymguly Pyragy's works, mentioned that he was already well acquainted with Eastern literature, as he had already translated the works of the Persian writer Omar Khayyam.

"For translating the works of Magtymguly Pyragy, Armenian ashugh art inspired me greatly since I felt the "smell" of Sayat-Nova's work in Pyragy's works as well," said Varuzhan Khastur.

Professor Alexander Safaryan, Head of the Chair of Turkology at YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, highlighted that Magtymguly Pyragy’s works include many words, that do not need to be translated, as they are familiar to the Armenian reader. For example, "սուփրա" (supra), "գյոզալ" (gyozal), " ռեհան" (rehan) and a number of other words. The professor also stated that the faculty is in close cooperation with the Embassy of Turkmenistan and meetings are organized almost every week, including at the Embassy.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Uzbekistan, representatives of the Embassy of Turkmenistan to Armenia, representatives of the YSU teaching staff and students, representatives of the teaching staff of the Magtymguly Turkmen State University and other institutes were present at the conference.