Acclaimed Armenian poet dies

Alexa Capeloto

GLENDALE -- Ara Oshagan remembers traveling with his father, acclaimed

Armenian poet Vahe Oshagan, through the Karabagh region near Armenia last

fall. Father and son were researching a book they planned to do together,

with Ara taking photographs and Vahe writing the text.

Ara must now publish that book alone.

Vahe Oshagan, one of the best-known Armenian literary figures in

modern history, died June 30 of complications from heart surgery in

Philadelphia. He was 78.

Oshagan’s death was a blow to the large Armenian community in

Glendale, many of whom know his name or have read his work.

Daughter-in-law Anahid Oshagan, who lives with Ara in Glendale, said

their phone has been ringing off the hook with residents offering

condolences.

“I didn’t realize what an impact he has had on the Armenian

community,” said Anahid. “It is like everyone who calls is a close member

of his family.”

According to Ara Oshagan, his father, who lived in Philadelphia, died

of congestive heart failure after undergoing a triple bypass. His death

was a shock to his family, who believed the surgery had been a success.

“He got better and was out of the hospital. We thought he was out of

the woods,” said Ara by telephone from Philadelphia, where he is

arranging his father’s funeral.

Vahe Oshagan was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in 1921. He spent his

childhood in Cyprus and Jerusalem before receiving his doctorate in

Comparative Literature from the University of Paris, Sorbonne.

He emigrated to Philadelphia in 1975 at the start of the Lebanese

Civil War and became a leading international figure through his poetry.

Perhaps best known among his work is his epic poem “Ahazank” (“Alert!”),

written with Armenian themes as well as an urban American bent.

“His work has impacted Armenian literature by opening it up to

younger, more contemporary audiences,” said Ara Khachatourian, English

editor for Glendale’s Asbarez newspaper. “He felt it was important for

Armenians to become more progressive.”

Vahe Oshagan is survived by his wife, Arsine; sons, Ara and Hayg;

sister, Anahid Voskeritchian; and grandchildren, Alidz, Ashod and Sebouh.

An Armenian national funeral for the poet is scheduled for Wednesday

in Philadelphia. In his memory, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and

Cultural Society has established the Vahe Oshagan Literary Fund, to which

contributions in lieu of flowers can be sent to 424 Meadowcroft Road,

Radnor, PA 19087.

As for the book the Oshagan father and son did together, Vahe finished

the text just before he went into surgery. Ara said he plans to add his

photographs and publish the piece in the next year. He said he will use

his father’s suggested title, “The Spirit of Karabagh”.