The Documentary Character of the Romance Mkhitar Sparapet

Abstract

The historical romance Mkhitar Sparapet by Sero Khanzadian is the continuation of the famous romance David Bek by Raffi. The battles of national liberation of Siunik and Artsakh (1772-1730) had their echo not only in Armenian sources, but were also known by European armenologists who spoke about them with admiration. Before recounting in fiction the liberation war of Siunik and Artsakh the author verified in historical sources the documentary character of his writings.
Writing romances on historical themes was an inner demand for Sero Khanzadian. He was convinced that the struggle and the indomitable spirit of the Armenian people helped to save its existence during centuries. That was the reason that Vartanids, Khutids, David Bek and Mkhitar Sparapet, standing the trial of time, joined around the sacred idea of national conservation.