Derenik Demirchyan

Derenik Demirchyan was born in Akhalkalak. He received his primary education at the parish school in his birthplace. In 1892 he was admitted to Gevorkian Seminary in Etchmiadzin. In 1898 he graduated from Nersisyan School in Tbilisi, then worked in Ardahan. In 1900 he relocated to Tbilisi and became a member of the Armenian Literary group “Vernatun” founded by Hovhannes Tumanyan. In 1903 he left for Moscow to study music. From 1905 to 1910 he studied at the University of Geneva, graduating from the Pedagogical Faculty. He returned to Tbilisi and practiced teaching. In 1925 he moved to Yerevan and became the Scientific Secretary of the Art Department at the Institute of Science and Arts. In 1923 he wrote the comedy play “Kaj Nazar” (Brave Nazar). He died in Yerevan.