Armenian Artek

Born in the village of Pakhvants in the Rshtunik district of Western Armenia. His parents were killed during the Armenian Genocide (1915). The writer's childhood was spent in orphanages. In 1924 he graduated from the pedagogical college of Leninakan (now Gyumri), and in 1932 from the Faculty of History and Philology of Yerevan University. He was given the literary name “Sarmen” by his teacher, Yeghishe Terlemezyan. His first poem, “Depi Astvats” (Towards God), was published in 1919 in the Tiflis newspaper “Paros” (Lighthouse). He wrote the lyrics of the State Anthem of the Armenian SSR. From 1934 he was a member of the Writers' Union of Armenia. He was awarded the Orders of the October Revolution, the Red Banner of Labour, the Red Star and the Badge of Honour. In 1967 he was awarded the title of Honored Worker of Culture of Armenia. He died in Yerevan.