Hovhannes Shiraz (Հովհաննես Շիրազ, 1915–1984) was one of Armenia’s most beloved poets of the twentieth century, remembered for his passionate lyricism, deep patriotism, and evocative imagery that captured the heart of the Armenian people.
Early Life
Born Hovhannes Garabedyan on April 27, 1915, in Alexandropol (modern-day Gyumri), Shiraz came from a humble background. His father perished during the Armenian Genocide, and he was raised by his mother in poverty. Despite hardship, his talent for verse emerged early, and he soon became recognized for the emotional depth of his poetry.
The Name “Shiraz”
The great Armenian writer Avetik Isahakyan gave him the pen name “Shiraz,” saying his poems were “as fragrant as the roses of Shiraz”—a reference to the Persian city famed for its poets and gardens. The name stayed with him for life and became synonymous with his poetic identity.
Education and Career
Shiraz studied at Yerevan State University and later continued at the Maxim Gorky Institute of Literature in Moscow, honing his craft. His first collection, Beginner’s Song (1941), brought him early recognition. Over the decades, he became the people’s poet, adored for the way his verses touched ordinary lives.
Themes and Style
Shiraz’s works are known for their emotional power and simplicity. His recurring themes include:
- Love and passion – tender yet fiery poems about human connection.
- Motherhood – tributes to maternal sacrifice and Armenian women’s strength.
- Patriotism – verses honoring Armenia’s history, culture, and survival.
- The Armenian Genocide – most notably in his monumental work The Armenian Dante-esque, where he gave poetic voice to the nation’s collective trauma.
- Gyumri – his birthplace remained a source of inspiration, reflected in poems such as Gyumri My Love.
Personal Life
Shiraz was briefly married to Silva Kaputikyan, another great Armenian poet, and together they had a son, Ara Shiraz, who later became a distinguished sculptor. His private life, like his poetry, was marked by intensity and complexity.
Legacy
Hovhannes Shiraz passed away on March 14, 1984, in Yerevan. He was laid to rest in the Komitas Pantheon, alongside Armenia’s greatest cultural figures.
Today, Shiraz is remembered not only as a literary giant but also as a voice of the Armenian soul. His works continue to be read, memorized, and recited by generations of Armenians both in the homeland and the diaspora. Statues, schools, and cultural centers bear his name, ensuring his legacy endures.