Vahan Tekeyan

Vahan Tekeyan Վահան Թէքէեան
Vahan Tekeyan, armenian stamp (2003)
Born	January 21, 1878. Constantinople, Ottoman Empire
Died	April 4, 1945 (aged 67) Cairo, Egypt
Occupation	poet and public activist
Nationality	Armenian
Notable works	"The Armenian Cathedral", "A Prayer Before the Future", "Your Memory Tonight", "When the Day Finally Comes", and "Your Name"
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Vahan Tekeyan (Armenian: Վահան Թէքէեան (January 21, 1878, Constantinople - April 4, 1945, Cairo) was an Armenian poet and public activist.

Biography

Tekeyan worked as a newspaper editor in Beirut and Cairo, a teacher, and a political and social activist.

He is regarded in Armenian literary circles as the "Prince of Armenian Poetry," as his poetry, especially his sonnets, are unparalleled in Armenian literature. Tekeyan's themes in poetry revolved mostly around love, such as compassionate love, love for one's homeland, or love for humanity.

Tekeyan's poems include: The Armenian Church, A Prayer on the Eve of Tomorrow, Your Memory Tonight, When the Day Finally Comes, and Your Name.

Another Armenian intellectual and poet, Vahe Vahian, was heavily influenced by Vahan Tekeyan's work, from where his pen-name came from.

Vahan Tekeyan now has relatives in Watertown and Cambridge using the name Tekeian.

References