Vahan Terian

Vahan Terian (Armenian: Վահան Տերյան, real name Vahan Ter-Grigoryan; 9 February 1885 – 7 January 1920; Orenburg, Soviet Russia), was a prominent Armenian poet, lyricist, public and political figure.

Born in Gandza, Terian attended the Lazarev Seminary in Moscow, Moscow State University, and Saint-Petersburg University, where he worked in various journals that shaped his literary work. Terian’s first poetry collection, Mtnshaghi Anourjner (“Twilight Dreams”) received positive feedback in literary circles. Other notable works include the collections "Night Remembrance," "The Golden Legend," "The Return," "The Golden Link," "In the Land of Nairi," and "The Cat's Paradise."

Besides poetry, Terian’s contribution to literature includes translations of European, Russian, Indian, and Georgian literary works to Russian and Armenian. Terian translated Sappho, Baudelaire, Wilde, Bryusov, Rustaveli, and many others.

In October 1917, Terian actively participated in the Bolshevik Revolution and the civil wars that followed. He participated in the signing of the Brest peace treaty with Lenin's signed mandate.

Terian died of tuberculosis in 1920 in Orenburg.