Abovian was not only a great Armenian writer, but also an enthusiastic patriot who devoted his life to the resurrection of his nation. He, who foresaw the renaissance of the Armenian nation, dedicated his life to raising the cultural level of the Armenian people and introducing Armenia and its people to foreign nations. 117
Other names which made Armenian literature famous during the 19th century include, from Eastern Armenia, Perj Proshian, Mikael Nalbandian, Stepanos Nazarian, Grigor Artzrouni, Ghazaros Aghaian, the dramist Soundoukian, the linguist Patkanian, the poet Kamar Katiba, Dzevents, who wrote short epical histories about New Armenia, the historian Emin, Bishop Aivazovski, and finally the great novelist Raffi (1837-1888).
One could equate Raffi's importance for Armenia to Taras Schwetschenko's for the modern history of Ukraine. Like Schwetschenko, Raffi, through awakening the glorious and heroic history of the Armenian people, lent a decisive force to the national movement of the Armenians.
The works of Raffi include: "Khent" (Crazy) and "Jallaledin" 126, both novels from 1877-1878 telling the misery of the Armenian people under the oppression of the Turks; the novel "Kaytzer", in which the hero fights for the freedom of his people; and finally a number of historical novels of which "Samuel" is the most famous. 129
This highly respected writer is regaled for his clear interpretation of the sentiments and mentality of the Armenian nation. He manages to capture the Armenian nation in its human features and thereby show the most valuable element of Armenian life. 130
In Western Armenia, the highest accolade is given to the Catholicos, Khrimian Hayrik, who lead the Armenian people spiritually during a decisive period in the history of the nation. He was not only the "prince" of the church and the political representative of the nation, but also a teacher of patriotism and a competent writer and poet. The memory of his great personality is linked to the renaissance of the Armenian nation and is eternally engraved on the heart and soul of the country.
Another great of Armenian literature is the poet, writer and the translator Hovhannes Toumanian, who lived during the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. His children's books are familiar to every Armenian child, with tales such as "One drop of honey" (Mi katil meghr), "The Dog and the Cat" (Shounén ou Katoun) and "Nazar the brave" (Kaj Nazar). His opera, Anoush, was made into a film, and is still played in opera-houses today.
The poets Beshiktashlian and Petros Tourian and writers and political publicists such as Odian, -Arpiarian, Zohrab and H. Baronian were also leading lights of the Western Armenian literary scene during the 19th century.
Two significant trends within the literature from this period are evident. First, the high level of sentimentality, an indicator that after centuries of subversion, the Armenian nation was rediscovering its identity. The second trend is the intense patriotism, which comes to light both in statements of the nation's emotions, and in the attitudes of individuals portrayed in these works.
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