November 2, 2009 - 16:10 AMT
Competition after Vahan Tekeyan to be held in nine nominations this year
Applications for participation in the arts, literature and science annual competition after Vahan Tekeyan, outstanding classic of Armenian literature, have already been accepted for three days. Last year the number of applications reached 130. This year's competition is conducted in nine categories: "Fiction", "Music," "Painting", "Radio and Television", "Socio-political satire," "Best program for children and students", "Sculpture ", " Theater" and "Best publication in the Azg newspaper ".

According to the head of the Tekeyan society in Armenia Ruben Mirzakhanian , the competition has gained a new quality, since in recent years representatives of Diaspora took part in it.

In 2010 the Tekeyan society will mark its 20th anniversary in Armenia. "We have decided to publish a book, with works of all winners of the contest, including the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Charles Aznavour, Baroness Caroline Cox, " Ruben Mirzakhanian said.

Applications are accepted until December 15. The authoritative jury, consisting of writers and art historians, will select the winners, who will be awarded prizes in mid-January of 2010.

Vahan Tekeyan was born in 1878 in Constantinople. In 1901 first collection of Tekeyan's poems "Meditations" was published in Paris. Tekeyan is the author of "Wonderful Sunday" (1914), "From midnight to dawn" (1920), "Love" (1933), "Armenian Songs" (1943) collections. Tekeyan is also known as the founder of the "Chirac" magazine (in Cairo), he published the newspapers "Arev", "Bartsravank". Vahan Tekeyan died in 1945.