Akop Vardovyan Armenian and Turkish director, entrepreneur, actor, theater figure Date of Birth: 18.08.1830 Country: Turkey

1. Early Life and Career Beginnings
2. Founding of the Vartovyan Theatre Company
3. Artistic Accomplishments
4. Contributions to Turkish Theatre

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Garabet Vartovyan, an Armenian and Turkish director, entrepreneur, actor, and theatrical figure, was born in Constantinople. His journey into the world of performing arts commenced in 1861 when he joined the "Aravelyan Tatron" ("Oriental Theatre").

Founding of the Vartovyan Theatre Company

Following the closure of the "Aravelyan Tatron" in 1867, Vartovyan obtained exclusive permission from the government to stage plays, operettas, and comic operas in both Armenian and Turkish languages. In 1869, he established the "Vardovyan Tatérahoumb" ("Vartovyan Theatre Company").

Artistic Accomplishments

The "Vardovyan Tatérahoumb" became a hub for theatrical productions. It staged works by renowned playwrights such as Shakespeare, Schiller, Molière, Hugo, and Dumas, as well as plays by Armenian dramatists like S. Ekmayan, M. Peshktaşlıyan, and P. Duryan. The company employed talented Armenian actors including M. Nvard, E. and V. Garagaşyan, G. Rştuni, and D. Tryan. Vartovyan himself took to the stage, notably playing the role of Macbeth.

Contributions to Turkish Theatre

Vartovyan played a pivotal role in shaping the development of professional theatre in Turkey. From 1867 to 1879, his company performed at the "Gedik-paşa" theatre. During this period, they presented Turkish-language plays by prominent authors such as Ahmet Midhat and Namık Kemal.