Hratch Demiurge

H-Pem breaks its own long-form writing record with long-time contributor Hratch Demiurge and his analytical take on Armenian language purism. Demiurge is a comedian, poet, teacher, and translator of Daniel Varoujan's Pagan Songs (2019) and, along with his students, Hagop Baronian's My Ledger (2024).

Our platform is a space for people to exchange ideas, engage in dialogue, and reflect. Demiurge’s newest piece, Փ (Pure) Language: The Positive, Negative and Neutral of Armenian Language Contact and the Reality of a Pure Language, argues for a new paradigm of 'purism' and a new way of assessing the influence of foreign languages on Armenian. Read it now.

Last week, we published Jennifer Manoukian's essay entitled “That’s not Armenian! Encounters with language purists past and present,” and asked for comments on the topic.
Hratch Demiurge, a long-time contributor to h-pem, came up with a respectful critique—which appeared first in his satirical online journal Bread and Onions, discussing why purism sometimes matters with regard to the spoken language.
Check out Demiurge's insightful perspective peppered with his signature wit and humor, and let us know what you think in the comments below!*

Did you know that Navasard is one of the top growing queries on Google that lead to h-pem? While you may be surprised to hear our “11 facts” plays a key role in demystifying one of the most obscure pre-Christian festivals, be sure to read our exclusive piece by Hratch Demiurge on the ancient Armenian New Year—his “funny” take comes with a crescendo of poetic delights!

Hratch Demiurge, comedian, poet, teacher and translator of Daniel Varoujan's Pagan Songs has generously granted h-pem the right to publish his English translation of Navasardian aghotk ar ditsouhin Anahit (“Նաւասարդեան աղօթք առ Դիցուհին Ահահիտ” | “Navasardian Prayer to the Goddess Anahit”)—Siamanto’s soulful prayer to the “golden-footed” deity who presided over the annual festivities of the month Navasard. You can find it at the end of the article below.

“Condemned as pornography for its eroticism, criticized by feminists for ‘objectifying women,’ and denounced by the Church as anti-Christian—Daniel Varoujan’s Pagan Songs survived a tumultuous reception when it was published in 1912 to begrudgingly become a classic of Armenian poetry.”

Famed Armenian poet Daniel Varoujan’s notorious work has finally been translated—in its entirety—into English, thanks to Hratch Demiurge. The volume also includes an extensive introduction, helpful notes, and appendices.

Now, if the opening of the book’s synopsis up top piqued your interest, be sure to read our exclusive piece by Demiurge, derived from the preface of his translation of Varoujan’s Pagan Songs («Հեթանոս երգեր» | “Hetanos Yerger”). 

Then, check out the trailer of "Taniel" («Դանիէլ»), a 2018 multi-award-winning arthouse short film by British writer and director Garo Berberian, which tells the story of the last months of the poet's life before his murder during the Armenian Genocide at the age of 31. You can find it in our video section below!