Sona Haroutyunian, professor of Armenian language and literature and research fellow in linguistics at Ca’Foscari University of Venice is on a two-week visit to Armenia at the invitation of Yerevan State University within the project “Temporary Return of Qualified Nationals” of the International Organization for Migration.

On November 9, Sona Haroutyunian presented her recent book on “The Theme of the Armenian Genocide in the Italian literature” (YSU Press) at YSU Charents Hall. Professor Haroutyunian presented the Armenian Genocide survivor testimonies, witness accounts and artistic literature published in Italy. She provideed detailed analysis from literary, linguistic and psychological points of view. “This is the first such comprehensive account from Italy and, as such, provides a significant contribution to our understanding of the experiences and insights of the Armenian survivors and the foreign witnesses from that country. It is hoped that further volumes from other countries might be forthcoming and increasingly coordinated. In this way, the fragments of the Armenian Diaspora story can be woven together and help tell the story of the Armenian Genocide”,- wrote Alan Whitehorn, Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Royal Military College of Canada, in the introduction of Haroutyunian’s book.

On November 10, Sona Haroutyunian delivered her second public lecture on “Armenian Venice.” She spoke about the 16 centuries long relations between Venice and Armenians.

“We are proud that Sona Haroutyunian, who graduated from Yerevan State University with honors, continued her scientific and pedagogical activities, thus contributing to the promotion of our Armenian language, literature and culture abroad. Today she returned to Yerevan State University to share her research achievements, made over these years,” - said Dora Sakayan, professor of Armenian Studies at the University of Montreal at the end of prof. Haroutyunian’s lecture.

The events were attended by the representatives of the professorial staff of the Faculty of Romance and Germanic Philology, many other guests and students. The Head of Chair of English Philology of the Faculty of Romance and Germanic Philology, Doctor of Philology, Professor Seda Gasparyan emphasized the importance of Sona Haroutyunian’s visit to Armenia, stressing on the significance of these series of lectures and workshops.

In the following days, Sona Haroutyunian will face the challenge of multidisciplinary approach between Linguistics, Migration and Translation Studies by conducting scientific seminars for the students of the Faculty of Romance and Germanic Philology.