Shakespeare's works in modern context: International conference at YSU

Founded in 2016, the Armenian Shakespeare Association, which includes theater experts, poets, and translators, is organizing an international Shakespeare conference in Armenia for the 5th time.

Professor Anush Sedrakyan, Head of the Chair of Foreign Literature at the YSU Faculty of European Languages and Communication, introduced the main topic of discussion, emphasizing that they would explore Shakespeare's works within the context of tyranny—specifically, the use and abuse of power. In such systems, individuals face significant challenges in maintaining their values. "Shakespeare embodies his era and history, but he also represents a universal trend that resonates with our reality and global developments," she noted. 

Professor Hasmik Seymour from Queen Mary University of London, the founder of the Armenian Shakespeare Association, highlighted that similar conferences have been held regularly. "This year, Shakespeare scholars from various countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Italy, and France, have come to Armenia. The purpose of the conference is not only to discuss Shakespeare's works but also to introduce our international guests to Armenian culture through organized visits to museums and historical sites." 

Professor Ara Arakelyan from the YSU Foreign Literature Chair discussed the world-famous writers William Shakespeare and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, emphasizing how great authors often reference their predecessors in their works. He quoted an episode from Goethe's "Faust," where the author subtly alludes to Ophelia from Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet." He noted, "In Goethe's 'Faust', Mephistopheles sings a song for Marguerite, cautioning her against following the path of madness that Ophelia takes in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'." 

In his report, Ara Arakelyan noted that the 17th century was marked by four prominent characters that dominated European artistic consciousness: Cervantes's "Don Quixote", Molière's "Don Juan", Goethe's "Faust", and Shakespeare's "Hamlet". 

Professors from the YSU Foreign Literature Chair, along with international scholars, presented their reports at the conference. 

The topics of reports included "Shakespeare and Manifestations of Tyranny in Elizabethan England and the Modern World", "The Tyranny of Artificial Intelligence and Shakespeare's Works", "Tyranny During Epidemics and Shakespeare's Ideas About Epidemic Tyranny", and "King and Tyrant Archetypes, Similarities and Differences: How Do These Archetypes Develop in the Case of Pagan and Christian Values?".

This year marks the 460th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth. American University in Armenia is also a partner of the 5th International Shakespeare Conference organized in Armenia.