Silva Kaputikyan

One of the most famous contemporary poets in the Soviet Union, honored and loved by Armenians in her homeland and all over the world. Her recognition has included the prestigious Stalin Prize, and her poetry has been translated into more than twenty languages. The present volume offers a selection of her work appearing for the first time in English translation.It is a significant contribution to the forum of international poetry. A most important theme of both her life and poetry is her dedication to the Armenian nation, encouraging and inspiring in her scattered compatriots an enduring loyalty to the history and future of the Armenian people. It is in her love songs, however, that the charm and lyric beauty of her poetry can be most universally appreciated. They are an intimate autobiography—a mirror to the delicate shadings and intense passions of the poet's heart, reflecting common feelings in refreshing and uncommon expression. With this translation, many of her most beloved songs—of love and of the homeland—are made available to a wider audience throughout the world.