List of Armenians From Nagorno-Karabakh - Shusha - Writers and Artists

Writers and Artists

• Stepan Aghajanian (1863–1940) Prominent Armenian artist, Aghajanian studied in Shoushi, Baku, Marcel and Paris Academy of Fine Arts. He is one of the main figures in Armenian fine arts of the 20th century, practiced various genres and was particularly distinguished as a portrait artist.
• Freidun Aghalian (1876–1944) Architect, a graduate of Shoushi Real School and Department of Architecture of Imperial Institute of Civil Engineers in Saint Petersburg. By his designs the buildings of secondary school, maternity hospital, treasure in Baku and Armenian Church in Armavir were built. In Yerevan Aghalian designed residential buildings in Mashtots and Hanrapetutian avenues, the administrative building of Kanaker HPP, etc.; taught at universities.
• Alexander Alexandrian (1889–1975) Composer, People's Artist of Armenia, Alexandrian was a tar player in Shoushi Folk Ensemble. He taught at Yerevan Conservatory, led the instrumental part of the Folk Ensemble of Armenian Philharmony. He is the author of well-known dancing tunes "Dilijan", "Nazeli", "Sevani", "Nune" and others.
• Margarit Alexanian (1839–1902) Well-known miniature artist. Echmiadzin Museum stores a rare New Testament that the artist had written and decorated, working five years at it (1867–1872). Alexandrian is also the author of several works that had received high assessment from press and prominent people. Alexandrian is buried in Shoushi.
• Haik Avetov (1878–1965) Architect. Avetov mostly worked in Leninakan, where he designed the buildings of nursery school, the administrative building of the textile plant, maternity hospital, sewing factory, kindergarten, residential building of a stocking factory and a number of other residential buildings.
• Artashes Arzumanian (1898–1985) People's Artist of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Arzumanian worked at Armenian theaters of Baku and Stepanakert, then at Leninakan State Theater (since 1956).
• Ashot Arzumanian (1913–1994) Writer, publicist, Arzumanian wrote about the literary and cultural contacts of Armenian and Russian people. He authored books Friendship, Orbeli Brothers, Byurakan Eye, Steel Secret, Admiral and others.
• Mikael Arutchian (1897–1961) Artist, founder of theater and decorative arts. Arutchian studied at Law Department of Berlin University, further continued his studies at Paris Academy of Fine Arts. He was the Chief Artist of Sundukian Academic Theater and Spendiarian Theater of Opera and Ballet.
• Eghishe Baghdasarian (1881–1919) Composer, choir conductor, music and public figure, Baghdasarian founded the Moscow Armenian Choir Society, taught at Lazarev seminary, made musical collections. He is also an author of popular songs.
• Arev Baghdasarian (1918–1994) People's Artist of Armenia. For her unique singing and dancing Baghdasarian enjoyed great popularity and was a soloist of Armenian Philharmony for many years.
• Gurgen Borian (1915–1971) Poet, playwright, state figure, Borian was the editor of Grakan Tert newspaper and Literaturnaya Armenia magazine, the secretary of the Writers’ Union of Armenia. He authored poetry, plays (On the Bridge, Sharing a Roof) and a script to Saroyan Brothers film.
• Gurgen Gabrielian (1903–1956) Well-known actor, Gabrielian worked at Sundukian Theater. His roles in Zangezur, On the Road of Thunder, Gold Bull movies are unforgettable. Gabrielian is an Awardee of the USSR State Award.
• Hakob Gyurjian (1881–1948) Well-known sculptor, Gyurjian studied at the Studio of Auguste Rodin. He is the author of over 300 sculpture portraits (Chaliapin, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Terian, Yakulova, Sarian, etc.). His sculptures "Diana", "Nude woman", "Adolescence" and many others are famous.
• Hovhannes Ionnesian (1881–1938) Conductor organized the first folk ensemble in Azerbaijan, as well as other musical bands.
• Daniel Kazarian (1883–1958) A well-known composer, conductor, singer, teacher, he founded music studios in Leninakan and Batumi, authored a number of popular songs.
• Arshak Kostanian (1865–1920) Opera singer (lyrical-dramatic tenor), studied at Kazan University, took vocal training in Italy. Kostanian performed at opera stages in Varnish, Kharkov, Kazan, Irrupts, Sartor and Moscow.
• Gevork Kotiantz (1906–1996) A well-known painter living and working in Leningrad, a member of the Saint Petersburg Union of Artists (before 1992 the Leningrad branch of Union of Artists of Russian Federation).
• Semen Hakhumian (1930-…) A descendant of the Hakhumiants dynasty, who made big donations for the prosperity of Shoushi – it suffices to remember Meghretsots church and Mariamian Girls' School. His father, Tigran Hakhumian, was a well-known scientists, theater critic, translator. Semen Hakhumian is a PhD, professor, was YSU prorector, Minister of Education of Armenia, the Rector of Brusov Institute of Foreign Languages, authored numerous monographies and articles.
• Simeon Hakhumian (1859–1905) Publicist, writer, translator, Hakhumian graduated from Shoushi Diocese School, studied at Sorbonne University. He published Gorts newspaper in Shoushi, and Vremya in Paris. Hakhumian headed the Shoushi theatrical group, was the director of the Armenian theater in Baku (1897–1898), translated works by Ibsen.
• Mikael Harutiunian (1918–1987) Poet, author of numerous poetry books, with the most prominent being "Karabakh tunes", "Belief" books. Harutiunian also wrote dramas, edited books, worked for the Editorial Board of Armenian Encyclopedia.
• Bala Melikian (1888–1935) Tar player, son of famous Shoushi tar player Grigor (1859–1929), a distinguished performer.
• Kostandin Melik-Shakhnazarian (1857–1940) Writer, agriculture professional, Melik-Shakhnazarian studied in France, worked in Derbent, Gandzak, Yevlakh, Baku. He wrote satirical articles in Nor Dar under the pen name of Tmblachi Khachan, published ethnographic works about Karabakh.
• Arsen Terteryan (1882–1953). Soviet Armenian literary critic, academic of Science Academy of Armenia, awarded by the Renowned scientist title (1940).
• Soghomon Melik-Shahnazarian (1862–1942) Writer of rural life was a teacher in Agulis, Gandzak, Derbent, Baku, Melik-Shahnazarian wrote a number of books.
• Alexander Melik-Pashaev (1905–1964) Prominent conductor, People's Artist of USSR (1951), Melik-Pashaev was born in Tiflis, in a family of a Shoushian. In 1930 he graduated from Leningrad Conservatory. In 1923-1931 he was the conductor of Tbilisi Opera Theater, sine 1931 he was the conductor, and in 1953-1962 he was the Chief Conductor of the USSR Bolshoy Theater. An Awardee of the USSR State Award.
• Muratsan (1854–1908) Prominent writer, he studied at Shoushi Diocese School. Muratsan is the author of many books, including Gevorg Marzpetuni novel, is one of the most famous figures in Armenian literature.
• Tigran Shamirkhanian (1899–1952) Director, People's Artist of Armenia, Shamirkhanian performed as an artist at Sundukian Theater, and in 1934-1943 he was the artistic director and general director. After that he became the Chief Director of Yerevan Theater for Adolescents, the Chairman of Armenian Theater society.
• Arfo Petrosian (1909–1985) Literary critic, Petrosian was deputy head of Department for Arts at the USSR Council of Ministers, Deputy Director of Gorkiy Institute of World Literature, the Chief Editor of "USSR People's Epics" series.
• Samvel Safarian (1902–1969) Architect, USSR Architecture Academy member, Safarian worked with Tamanian, was the head of several architecture studios, the Chairman of the Union of Architects of Armenia. By his design the second building of the Houses of Government in Yerevan, building of the Academy of Science, Burakan Observatory, Leninakan Theater were built.
• Vagharsh Vagharshian (1894–1959) Director, playwright, actor, theater and public figure, People's Artist of USSR (1954). Vagharshian graduated from the Diocese School in Shoushi, worked at Armenian theater crews of Baku, since 1923 he performed at Sundukian Theater, in 1941-1944 he was the artistic director of the Theater, starred in a number of films. Twice an Awardee of the USSR State Award.
• Simon Ter-Hakobiants Architect, built the Temple of Savior Ghazanchetsots (in 1868-1887) in Shoushi, a masterpiece of Armenian architecture.