Poems by Siamanto, translated by Peter Balakian and Nevart Yaghlian

Siamanto (1878-1915), one of the most important Armenian poets of the 20th century, was among the Armenian intellectuals executed by the Turkish government at the onset of the Genocide. Available for the first time in English translation, this collection depicts the atrocities committed by the Ottoman Turkish government against the Armenian population.

The cycle of 12 poems bears the imprint of the Genocide in a language that is raw and blunt; often eschewing metaphor and symbol for more stark representation. Siamanto confronts pain, destruction, sadism, and torture as few modern poets have.

The pieces are accompanied by a critical introduction by Peter Balakian which places Siamanto's poems in a proper literary and historical context.

77 pages, soft cover

ISBN# 08143264026404