YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) Graduate Certificate in Translation (CTr) program is proud to announce that alumnus Norayr Manvelyan (BAEC ’21, CTr ’24) has translated Kolya Stepanyan’s novel Where into Armenian. Originally written in Russian, the Armenian edition of this semi-autobiographical novel was recently released by Vernatun Publishing House. It tells the story of a 22-year-old Moscow-born Armenian who served in the 2020 Artsakh War and was stranded behind enemy lines in the wilderness with his mates for 70 days. The book will officially be launched on February 22 during the BookuBoran Literary Festival at the Woods Center, Yerevan, with a panel discussion featuring the author, the translator, and the editor of the book.
For Manvelyan, the project was far more than a linguistic exercise; it was a profound cultural mission. “I approached the translation as a mission: to give voice to my generation, especially those who completed compulsory military service in Armenia or Artsakh, to address their moral, psychological, and existential concerns, and to document both the spoken and written language of Armenians living in the country,” he remarked.
Manvelyan highlighted that the novel’s stylistic and linguistic techniques vividly portray the experience of an unprepared young person thrust into war, conveying emotions that, as the author suggests, cannot be fully understood without firsthand experience.
“Translating Where by Kolya Stepanyan into Armenian has been a journey of self-reflection, re-traumatization, and resolution, a full-scale classical opus of sorts. Direct communication with the author and interactions with the survivors’ squad — characters of the book — made the journey even more intimate. One of the superior challenges of this translation was preserving the raw yet masterful sincerity of the text across language, form, and style. Have I accomplished that mission? Only readers shall judge,” he said.
Manvelyan expressed deep gratitude for the professional and moral mentorship of Dr. Shushan Avagyan, AUA associate professor, CTr coordinator, and director of AUA Press, as well as AUA adjunct lecturer Davit Isajanyan. “I am convinced that AUA and the CTr program will continue to inspire and equip new generations of translators with both theoretical insight and practical skills,” he noted. He also warmly acknowledged the guidance of Nerses Ter-Vardanyan, executive director at Vernatun Publishing House, and the extensive editorial work overseen by Armen Sargsyan.
This translation showcases the tangible impact CTr graduates have on the literary landscape both within and beyond the University, standing as a testament to the Program’s ability to turn academic rigor into real-world achievement.
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 and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
