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Statue of Zabel Yessayan

Statue of Zabel Yessayan is a sculptural composition portraying the well-known Armenian writer, translator, and literary critic in life-size form. It is located in the village of Proshyan in Armenia’s Kotayk Province, on the grounds of the International Center for Agro-business Research and Education, which is named in her honor. The project was carried out by the charitable online gallery Armenian Artists Project. It was initiated and sponsored by members of the Armenian diaspora in Boston, Victor Zarougian and Judith Sarian.

Bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan holding a book on a small arched bridge in a circular garden bed.
Bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan in a landscaped garden setting.
October 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan holding a book, standing on an arched bridge with roses and trees behind her.
Bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan displayed on an arched bridge in a landscaped setting.
October 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan behind a black metal fence and stone bridge, surrounded by rose bushes and greenery.
The bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan stands in a landscaped garden with a decorative fence and stone bridge.
October 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan holding a book against her chest and looking upward.
The bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan is shown from below against an overcast sky.
October 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan shown from the chest up, holding a book to her chest.
Bronze statue of Zabel Yessayan, depicted from the chest up with a book in hand.
October 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleStatue of Zabel Yessayan
Armenian titleԶաբել Եսայանի հուշարձան
TypeLife-size bronze statue
Original titleՊамятник Забел Есаян

Historical context

Commissioned year2021
Unveiled date9 October 2022

Creator

ArtistNune Tumanyan

Discovery and provenance

Commissioned byArmenian Artists Project, on the initiative and under the patronage of Boston-based Armenian diaspora philanthropists Victor Zarougian and Judy Saryan
InitiativeArmenian diaspora representatives in Boston
SponsorsVictor Zarougian and Judy Saryan
Implemented byArmenian Artists Project charitable online gallery

Iconography and meaning

Book symbolismIntellect and love of literature
Depicted personZabel Yessayan, Armenian writer, translator, literary critic, public speaker, and politician
Figure symbolismThe image of Yessayan stands as a connecting link between Western and Eastern Armenia
Base symbolismRepresents Western and Eastern Armenia
Left hand symbolismFighting spirit and defiant character

Physical characteristics

Total height2.50 m including the bridge
Height of statue1.80 m
DepictionLife-size

Materials

MaterialBronze

Appearance

Left handClenched into a fist
Right handHolding a book

Location and ownership

LocationPark of the International Center for Research and Education in Agribusiness (ICARE), Proshyan village, Kotayk Province, Armenia
SettingOn a bridge
Opening ceremony locationPark of the Zabel Yesayan Agribusiness Center

History and restoration

Opening speech byJudy Saryan
Opening ceremony performanceNairyan vocal ensemble
Additional opening ceremony detailNaira Mugdusyan handed a letter from Zabel Yesayan to one of her daughters

Significance

Opening speech contentJudy Saryan highlighted important episodes from Yesayan's life and her contribution to the protection of the rights of the Armenian people, especially Armenian women