AUA Adjunct Lecturer Patrick Azadian Presents His Collection of Poems

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On December 7, American University of Armenia (AUA) adjunct lecturer Patrick Azadian presented his anthology of poetry, Longing: Forty-Two Poems and One Visit.

Published in 2022, Longing is a collection of poems that look at both loss and hiraeth: a Welsh word that describes a longing for a home, a place, or a feeling. 

Azadian shared his experience writing the poems, which began with his personal understanding as an undergraduate student that wildfires actually “permanently alter the development course of a forest.” As noted in the prologue to his book, Azadian reveals that he had “always associated wildfires with destruction” and coming to terms with wildfires as “good” brought him to a new understanding; with that understanding, he began to ponder about loss.   

Longing is about the loss of love, home, homeland, and so much more. 

Introducing Azadian, Dean of General Education Dr. Sharistan Melkonian noted, “To say Patrick has a way with words is an understatement. His words push us to think deeply about the value of loss.” To emphasize the essence and depth of Azadian’s words, Dr. Melkonian read a short passage from his poem “Hometown:”

You were being promised

A new dawn.

Remember,

You were restless,`

To put centuries of darkness

Behind you.

Soon, 

There was to be 

a season of hope

Azadian also read passages from several of his poems, including “The tourist,” “Second Chance,” and “Flight.”

Thirty students, staff, faculty, and friends of AUA came to hear Azadian present his work and read from his collection. Several students inquired about the writing process and where he gets his inspiration. Azadian encouraged writers to persevere and exercise patience, explaining that it took him years to complete this collection for publication.  

Longing is available for sale at the Artbridge Bookstore Cafe and is in circulation at AUA’s AGBU Papazian Library.

Azadian is an adjunct lecturer at AUA. Before moving to Armenia, he was a columnist at the Glendale News-Press, contributing fiction, satire, and opinion pieces on a weekly basis. He has also contributed to the Asbarez Daily, CivilNet, the EVN Report, and the Armenian Reporter as a freelance writer.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.