Asbarez: Garin Angoghinian’s Book of Armenian Haikus Published in Yerevan

YEREVAN—Dear Bed Books announced the publication of Garin Angoghinian’s book of haikus, “Hayeren Haiku” – “Armenian Haiku”) on December 31.

The cross-genre book is a collection of 63 haikus written by the U.S.-born Angoghinian on topics ranging from love, loss, politics, and assimilation. It features an introduction by the book’s editor and designer, Rupen Khajag. This is Angoghinian’s first published volume.

The book was published by Dear Bed Books and printed by NA-ME Press in Yerevan, Armenia.

Garin began writing short-form poetry as a way to conform to social media’s character limitations and to overcome writer’s block.

“Very often I find myself with a great idea for a title, opening line, or closing, but struggle to see an entire piece from beginning to end. When writing haikus, I found it to be more like a puzzle— to bring a beginning, middle, and end together in one thought while incorporating literary tools such as rhyming, alliteration, and wordplay,” Angoghinian said about his process. “It is exciting to see 17 syllables come together; they can be so simple and direct or have multiple meanings and interpretations.”

One of the reasons Angoghinian decided to publish his collection of haikus was to give an alternative to those who have difficulty reading Armenian. “Most often, those still learning the language are forced to turn to children’s books to match their reading level. I hoped to provide some light reading but with more relatable content,” he said.

“Garin’s haikus are raw and sincere. His subtle use of irony, hyperbole, ridicule, and wordplay exposes truths and criticizes the status quo,” said Khajag. “An American-born poet producing in Armenian is a rarity these days. Not only does Garin write in Western Armenian—he does so beautifully,” Khajag added.

A traditional ginedzon (wine blessing) for “Armenian Haiku” was held at an undisclosed location in Yerevan on January 3.

“Shaghzoyan Bookstore” is available for purchase at Yerevan’s Zangak and Bookinist bookstores, online and in-store at Abril Books in Los Angeles, Calif.

Established in 2020 and based in (Virtual-)Garin, Western Armenia, Dear Bed Books is committed to publishing and republishing books in Western Armenian.