A Translation from Armenian into English of the Poems of Zahrad, 1960-2004

A translation that shows the simple accessibility of Zahred's poetry and the culture of Armenians in Istanbul.

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This is a translation that shows the simple accessibility of Zahred's poetry and the culture of Armenians in Istanbul. Zahred (1923-2007), who was a native of Istanbul, is the towering figure of contemporary Western Armenian poetry. These translations from the Armenian by Sosi Antikacioglu have been selected from the poet's eight volumes, published in Istanbul from 1960-2004. The syntax of the poems is simple. The poems themselves are short and precise. Zahred does not talk about feelings; instead, he creates vignettes to make his point. These are accessible poems, close to the heart of the English speaking reader because of their universality, yet at the same time they show the reader a glimpse into the unique culture of Armenians living in Istanbul today.