The Debate on “Antipoetry” in the Literary Press in 2000-2001
The Debate on “Antipoetry” in the Literary Press in 2000-2001
Khachatryan Aram
Summary
Key words: contemporary literature, literary discussion, anti-poetry, Armen Shekoyan, literary press, poetry, poet
The article examines the discussion that unfolded in the Armenian literary press in 2000-2001 around the phenomenon of “anti-poetry”. The discussion partially took place and even despite the small number of responses, they essentially touched on the essence of the phenomenon and its problems. The discussion is conditionally divided into two stages: first, writers came forward with articles and responses, and later literary scholars responded. The presence of anti-poetry in the context of Armenian poetry of the 1990s is an event that, to a certain extent, developed in the following decades in a variety of forms and with the use of various terms — “pseudo-poetry” (Mher Arshakyan), “mema-poetry” (Karen Antashyan), etc. The discussion on antipoetry aimed to clarify the nature of the phenomenon and its key issues, as well as to establish its place and role in contemporary Armenian poetry. However, unfortunately, the discussion did not receive the necessary development. The parties involved in the discussion sought to interpret the phenomenon of antipoetry in the context of post-independence poetry; however, no attempts were made to examine it in light of world poetic trends.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58726/27382915-2025.2hs-80