Ays vepe

THIS NOVEL

This novel is not, strictly speaking, a historical novel, but rather the story of several Armenian souls whose fate it was to live through one of the most decisive periods in our national life.

The characters portrayed are imaginary, because imagination is more real than reality itself. Therefore, let no one—as has happened in connection with some of my other writings—take their shortcomings or virtues upon themselves. Nor should anyone look for historical inaccuracies: this is not a history book, but a history of the spirit.

The novel was conceived and written for the most part before this war and was to have been published in an Italian translation, had the authorities of that country not intervened to prevent it at the last moment.

The Armenian original is destined to see the light of day in a foreign country, during the days of a new, second terrible world war, when Armenia, once again taking up arms, is preparing to defend its existence and forge its future. Yesterday and today, despite violent attempts to separate them, seem intimately intertwined, pursuing a supreme goal that unfolds in a logical progression.

Throughout these years of exile—not emigration—our hearts and minds have not been separated for a single moment from our homeland and our people. We also know that there, in the homeland forcibly closed off to us, many have listened attentively to our words. For this reason, we have not felt ourselves estranged from them and have been able to endure the harsh and bitter trials imposed by stagnant environments.

Today, everything seems to have changed. There, in Armenia, Armenian song, like the warm breeze of early spring, is recovering its national freedom of flight, stifled for years, and the Armenian people, standing magnificently tall, are preparing to return to their true, radiant destiny.

If, in these decisive days, this novel—by awakening a past that still torments our bodies and hearts—can contribute, however modestly, to the rebirth of the Armenian spirit, then the author will consider himself happy.

K. Z.