The periods of Vahan Terian's language development can be divided into four categories. •
First phase the first phase encompasses the early period of the poet’s literary activity up until 1908, the publication of
Mtnshaghi Anourjner. Based on the dating provided by Terian's friend and literary critic Poghos Makintsian in early 1903-1904 there existed poems written in Terianakan style– "Farewell," "Elegy," "To the Unknown Girl," etc. In the early period, Terian’s poetic style was still influenced by the linguistic developments of the previous era. •
Second phase of Terian’s linguistic development (1909-1912) was the most important in the artistic maturity of the author’s poetry. The best testimony to this is the first volume Poems, published in 1912. The collection, in addition to the edited and expanded version of
Mtnshaghi Anourjner, included poetic cycles
Gisher yev Husher,
Voski Hekiat and
Veradardz. By meticulously editing the poems written years ago, Terian cleared his poetic language of linguistic remnants of the previous period. •
Third phase Encompassed the 1910s. In 1913, Terian entered the Saint-Petersburg period of his life and creative work. The poet’s thematic, genre-based, metric, and stylistic innovations were the result of the works of poetic cycles
Katvi Drakht,
Yerkir Nairi, and
Voske Shghta. •
Fourth phase The post-October phase (1918-1919), notable for its linguistic explorations, was Terian’s final creative period. With verses expressing the spirit of revolution, Terian provided a unique assessment of his artistic journey through his journalistic articles. His poetry has been adapted into music by various artists, including Project LA (Two Ghosts, an Autumn Melody, In the Night of Peace, Home, Desire) and Harout Pambukjian. (Years Years) Notable songs based on his poems include "Come Back Again" by Levon Katrjian, "Sorrowful Souls" by Vardevar Antosyan, and "Let's Go Away" and "Forget" by Atis Harmantyan. Other adaptations include "Peaceful Nights" by Haro Buryan, "Carousel" by Artashes Avetyan, and "Autumn Melody" by Raisa Mkrtchyan. Hasmik Papyan has contributed with multiple interpretations, such as In the Fields, My Mothers Have, and You Come to Me in the Dark Evening. The evocative Nocturne (Lullaby) was performed by Flora Khorenyan, while You Will Come was brought to life by Levon Hakhverdyan and Tatev Beglaryan. Marietta Antonyan wrote the musical adaptations of Sadness and Ghost, and I Saw a Dream and a Light, which was performed by Lida Zakaryan. Additionally, Whisper and Shrshyun by Tatevik Babloyan and Mother by Vahag Rash and Anahit Simonyan. Terian's village, Gandza, celebrates
Terian days, which coincides with
Vardavar. The celebration is followed by visiting his house, the flea market, singing, and reciting his poems. On this occasion, the villagers visit the Saint Hovhannes Church in Gandza as in 1904, another prominent Armenian poet,
Avetik Isahakyan, was in
Akhalkalaki, visiting the Ter-Grigoryan family, and on the holiday of
Vardavar, they went with him to the then chapel of St. Hovhannes. ==References==