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Tatul GuryanArmenian poet, state security sergeant, translator
Date of Birth: 04.08.1919
Country:  Armenia |
Content:
Early Life and Influences
Hailing from Western Armenia, Tatul Guryan was born in the village of Teyrlu in 1913. Following the Armenian Genocide in 1915, he became an orphan and found refuge with relatives in the village of Araзап. In 1925, Guryan moved to Baku, where he combined work with his studies at the O. Tumanyan Secondary School.
Literary Career
Guryan's passion for writing began in childhood. At the age of 15, he met the renowned Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents, who bestowed upon him the pseudonym "Guryan" (fiery). In 1930, Guryan enrolled in the literary faculty of the Moscow Editorial and Publishing Institute.
Poetic Output
During the early 1930s, Guryan published several poetry collections, including "Blood of the Earth" and "Growth." Inspired by a visit to the Dnieproges Dam, he wrote the poem "Dnepr" in 1933. Guryan also excelled at translating Russian classics into Armenian, including works by Pushkin, Lermontov, Nekrasov, and Mayakovsky. He notably rendered Nizami's poem "Seven Beauties" and Samad Vurgun's play "Vagif" into Armenian.
Military Service and Death
In 1939, Guryan was conscripted into the Soviet Army. He fought bravely in the defense of Sevastopol against the German invasion. According to his posthumous award citation, Guryan "actively participated in the defense of Sevastopol from German invaders during all three of their offensives. ... Died while carrying out a combat mission."
Legacy
Guryan's final poem, written from the besieged city of Sevastopol, was published in the Baku newspaper "Kommunist" without a title. It was later named "Mekenzievye Gory" by the Sevastopol poetess Maria Virginskaya.
Tatul Guryan was posthumously awarded the Order of the Red Star for his heroism. His literary works continue to be cherished as a testament to his talent and patriotism.
