Shushan Avagyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia. She is currently working on her master’s degree in English Literature, and is a recipient of the Dalkey Archive Press fellowship at the Illinois State University.

Articles

I Want To Live

I want to live, but not a lavish life wedged in obscurity, unconcern, simple-mindedness, nor an outright hostage of beauty aids as a frail creature, delicate and feeble - but equal to you, oh men, auspicious, as you are - powerful and headstrong, fit against calamities, and ingenious - with bodies full of fervor. I want to love, unreserved, without a mask - autonomous like you, so that when in love I can sing my feelings to the world and unchain my heart - a woman’s heart before the crowds ignoring the stern judgements with my shield, and destroy their prickly arrows with all my vigor unrestrained!...

December 6, 2003 · Shushanik Kurghinian, , translated by Shushan Avagyan