At the initiative of “Kamurj” Public, Literary and Cultural Organization and at the invitation of the poet and Chairman of "Kamurj" Public Organization Anahit Bostanjian, American Armenian, famous literary critic, bibliographer, translator (translates from Arabic into English and Armenian - and vice versa), publicist, energetic public, cultural, social figure - Hovsep Nalbandian for a few days was on a visit in Tbilisi.

A few days ago – on October 6, his first meeting with the Armenian community of Tbilisi took place at the Educational Cultural Youth Center "Hayartun" of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia. It was a symbolic day, the more so as the city celebrated its traditional festival – Tbilisoba, and the visit of a distinguished guest from the United States of America to the Georgian capital as if even better showed both to the guest and the hosts the centuries-old cordiality and hospitality f Tbilisi.

The evening that took place at Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the “Hayartun” Center was opened by the coordinator of the center Levon Chidilian. The audience held a moment of silence in honor of Tbilisi Armenian archivist and cultural figure Sargis Darchinian, who was buried the previous day.

Then the floor was give to Mrs. Bostanjian, who was the host of the event. She presented the biography of Hovsep Nalbandian and the overall picture of his activities, stressed the role of Nalbandian in the American Armenian (Californian Armenian) literature, mainly in the field of book publishing, emphasized the significant role of founded by Nalbandian in 2005 "Hovsep and Carolina and Nalbandian" book series, during the past 10 years 15 in total, in existence of voluminous and significant books published both in America and in Armenia, particularly marking collected, edited and published by Nalbandian in 2012 "The Armenian Language" collection and presented during the evening, dedicated to 1650th birth anniversary of Mesrop Mashtots, highly artistic "Amazing Mesrop Mashtots" collection (2013), consisting of 688 pages.

“Nalbandian was born in 1958, in Aleppo, Syria. He graduated from Yerevan State University, holds a Master’s degree in Philology. Almost 30 years he worked as a teacher in the Armenian public and Sunday schools of Aleppo, Alexandria (Egypt) and Los Angeles. Later he has devoted himself to the book and publishing industry, this area he considers an integral part of his life, the basis of his nature and work, the purpose of his life, and he is ready to make even his last contribution for the creation and distribution of the book, he considers himself a faithful successor of Mesrop Mashtots, who is obliged to serve to the Armenian writing and literature - the Armenian Treasure ", - Mrs. Bostanjian said, adding that the series of books "Hovsep and Carolina Nalbandian " are 15 voluminous adopted children, collected and published with his support, , surpassing each other in artistry, content and value, both in the educational, cognitive and ideological terms. And most importantly: 5500 copies of which were donated to 1762 public schools in Armenia, Diaspora and Artsakh. And today we are happy and proud to host in our city a true and devoted son of the Armenian nation, to see him among us, talk to him and learn a lot from him. "

The poem by Hovsep Nalbandian, dedicated to Mesrop Mashtots, from the aforementioned book was recited by the student of School # 104 Liza Torosian, after that the audience asked Nalbandian question regarding the Armenian books and schools in America, criteria that contribute to the national identity preservation in the modern era, full of different challenges, problems of charitable activities, relations between America and Armenia, language and culture, emigration and immigration, Armenian-Georgian relations and a number of important contemporary issues.

Hovsep Nalbandian gave comprehensive, detailed and convincing answers to all the questions,   presenting from different angles a description of the Armenian population of Los Angeles. He emphasized the role of edited and published by him six volumes of the Encyclopedia entitled "Luys" in our spiritual life, mentioning the importance of the national benefactors participation in the books’ publication and their distribution in particular, encouraging them to take more active part in the preservation of books in different parts of the Diaspora. "The book is the light of our soul, the book is the key to knowledge, the book is a school of life, and it is our daily bread and food for our souls," - he said. Nalbandian on behalf of Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanian thanked the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, as well as the “Hayartun” Center and Mrs. Bostanjian for the organization of such an interesting meeting. He donated to the “Hayartun” Center his “Amazing Mesrop Mashtots" collection.

It should be added that many representatives from various sectors of society attended the meeting with our American compatriot at the “Hayartun” Center. Within the framework of his visit to Armenia in connection with the presentation of the book entitled “Amazing Mesrop Mashtots" at Yerevan prestigious cultural institutions (Yerevan State University, Eurasia International University, Ministry of Diaspora, etc.) he also visited Tbilisi.

Advisor to the President of Georgia, the editor of "Vrastan" ("Georgia") Van Baiburtian, the clergy of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia – Priest Manuk Zeynalian and Deacon Gevorg Antonian, poet and translator Givi Shakhanzari, famous businessmen Samvel Agekian, writers, artists, musicians, teachers attended the event.

The evening passed in the form of question and answer, in a fun, friendly and warm atmosphere, during which the guest and the hosts shared their knowledge.

Anahit Bostanjian