Language/Armenian/Culture/Armenian-Folktales-and-Literature

Armenian Culture → Armenian Culture and History → Armenian Folktales and Literature

Welcome to our lesson on Armenian Folktales and Literature! In this lesson, we will explore the rich literary tradition of Armenian folklore, which has been passed down through generations.

Armenian Folktales

Armenian folktales are an important part of the country's history and culture. Folktales are stories, legends, and beliefs that are passed down orally from one generation to another. Armenian folktales are filled with symbolism and allegory and are usually expected to teach or entertain the audience.

Here are some of the most popular Armenian folktales that you may encounter in Armenian literature:

Old Mher's Story

This is the most popular Armenian legend, which tells the story of Armenian hero Mher, who lives in the region of Sasoun. In this tale, Mher is tormented by Tritel, an evil giant. Mher ultimately overcomes this giant and rescues his wife and child.

The Golden Age

This Armenian legend tells the story of the efforts of the Armenian king, Tigranes II, who worked to promote prosperity, culture, and happiness among his people. The Golden Age is filled with stories of courage, justice, and valor.

Anush and Astghik

This folktale describes Anush, the most beautiful girl in the city, and her love for the Armenian goddess Astghik. The story talks about love, beauty, and the passion experienced by two lovers.

Jansem and the Giant's Daughter

In this folk story, Jansem discovers a beautiful woman, who is imprisoned in a tower by an evil giant. Jansem bravely saves the woman from the giant, falls in love with her, and ultimately saves his family from the evil giant with whom he battles.

Armenian Literature

Armenian literature consists of literary works, documents, and oral traditions that originated in ancient Armenia. It includes historical and religious documents, poetry, songs, and fictional works. Here are some of the most popular Armenian literary works:

The Book of Lamentations

This is a famous Armenian literary work that records the history of the Armenian people in the fifth century, through the eyes of a saint named Gregory of Narek. It describes the hardships and sufferings of the Armenian people and the pain experienced by Gregory in the face of such struggles.

The Daredevils of Sassoun

This Armenian epic poem, written in the fifteenth century, tells the story of the Armenian hero Yerznkyan, who fights against foreign oppressors. The poem highlights the heroism, endurance and courage of the Armenian people who fought against the invading empires.

An Armenian Trilogy

This is a work of three plays by William Saroyan, an Armenian-American author, about the Armenian experience. The plays are about the lives of Armenian immigrants in San Francisco, California, and their struggles to preserve their heritage in the new country and overcome personal difficulties. The plays are titled "My Heart's in the Highlands", "The Time of Your Life", and "The Human Comedy".

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have seen how Armenian folktales and literature serve as a great way of exploring the culture and history of Armenia. The cultural significance and practice, the people of Armenia and their struggles, and the common principles that form their tradition are all reflected and expressed through these folktales and literary works. We hope this lesson has inspired you to explore and learn more about Armenian culture and its literature.

Table of Contents - Armenian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Armenian Alphabet
• Pronunciation Rules

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

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Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Yes/No Questions

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Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

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Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Plurals
• Personal Pronouns

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Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Adverbs of Time, Manner, and Place

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Armenian Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

Related Lessons

• Armenian Cinema
• Armenian National Instruments
• Armenia Timeline
• Modern Armenian Literature
• Armenian Holidays and Festivals
• Chess and Chess Players
• Armenian Music and Arts
• Armenian Cuisine
• Armenian Ceramics and Pottery

Sources

• Children's Author shares Armenian Culture in her Stories and ...