At the Sources

Mkrtich Armen’s memoirs tell about the vibrant literary and political life of Armenia in the 1920s. The story begins with the author’s youth — poor but passionate about books — in Alexandropol (Gyumri). The main theme is the formation of Armenia’s proletarian literature, led by Yeghishe Charents. The author describes the beginning of his friendship with Charents and reveals his inner, multifaceted character, contrasting his genius with his small stature and extraordinary modesty.