Author and host: HaykHambardzumyan
TOPIC hosts men of culture, clergymen, renowned filmmakers and actors, Armenian and foreign scientists, scholars of Armenian studies, young specialists, writers and journalists residing in and outside Armenia.
How much do the contemporary Armenian art and literature relate to the development trends of world art? What new Armenian studies are currently underway in Armenia and Diaspora? Does the modern art educate or it rather entertains? These and other questions are voiced and answered in the pavilion of TOPIC.  
Frequency: Every Friday, at 21:50
Rerun: Saturday, at 13:30

History of Armenian Cartography


The map is an interesting cultural phenomenon with historical, political, geographical, military, and also ideological and psychological significance. Geographical maps, apart from being the micro model of the world or any other area, also bear meaning-wise heavy burden on the communities that used to live or actually live in those areas. What the attitude of Armenians was towards maps, what secrets does the history of Armenian cartography unveil? 
Hayk Hambardzumyan talks about these issues with cartographer Ruben Galchyan.
 

 

The Allure of the Armenian Medieval Literature


The medieval Armenian literature with its genre variety, unique combination of historical, folklore, artistic, and spiritual layers, seems to be well-researched and explored, also being taught in higher educational institutions. It is obvious, however, that the students of professional deapartments have difficulties in overcoming the resistance of the material and as they continue their activities in literary studies, they rarely select this subject matter for research. Why is it so, what are the difficulties in teaching and studying the medieval Armenian literature? 
Hayk Hambardzumyan talks about these issues with Doctor, Profession in Philological Sciences Vazgen Safaryan.
 

The Time of Charents


Although many issues related to the personality and compositions of Yeghishe Charents are always on the core of specialist studies, however, until recently no philosophical exploration of Charents was in place, when the great individual is presented in the context of facing the history and time, self-overcoming, critical attitude to the history. 
Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed these issues with philosopher, author of monograph “The Time of Charents” Ashot Voskanyan. 
 

Divine Liturgy in New Publications


The highest pick of the Armenian spiritual music is Surb Badarak (Divine Liturgy), which is the best and most complex expression of Armenian Christian culture. Until recently, there was no scientific publication of Surb Badarak with respective noting and Latin transcription in compliance with modern standards. Two highly valuable publications of this year came to fill this gap – Surb Badarak for choir and Zhamagirk (church book) by Makar Yekmalyan. 
Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed these publications and the issues on dissemination and proclamation of Armenian spiritual music with composer Artur Shahnazaryan. 
 

French-Armenian literature


French-Armenian literature with its famous names, Shahan Shahnur, Zareh Vorbuni, Vazgen Shushanyan, Nikoghos Sarafyan and others, differs from the literature formed in other Armenian communities. Opposing to the traditional themes of the Diaspora, the French-Armenian writers, through their creations, bring about other ways of perceiving and reflecting the reality, and a new attitude towards the historical past. How was this literary movement formed? What features does the French-Armenian literature generally have? Hayk Hambardzumyan talked to writer, literary critic Krikor Beledian about these issues.
 

 

Teaching and presenting Grabar has crucial role in promiting interest to the rich medieval


Armenian literary heritage, and in general, to culture. Medieval Armenian literature is not accessible to public, since Grabar is basically not taught at schools. How can we incite interest towards Grabar among children and students, how should be teach it today? 
Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed these issues with Norayr Poghosyan, philologist and Associate Professor of Yerevan State University. 
 

Armenian in the Modern Prose and Translations


How much is Armenian appreciated, how much do we put it in use, what is the role of the modern Armenian literature and translations in establishing an attitude and teaching Armenian?
Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed these issues with writer, translator, literary critic Diana Hambardzumyan. 
 

Choir “Varanda” and Cultural Life in Shushi


The liberation of Shushi in 1992 asked for promoting cultural life in Artsakh, carry out musical nurturing of children witnessing the war. The children’s choir “Varanda” was established back in those days and during this years held around 200 concerts in Artsakh, Armenia and abroad. This year marks the 25th anniversary of establishment of the choir. 
Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed issues related to the activities of the choir, cultural and music life of Artsakh with the conductor of the choir Zakar Keshishyan. 
 

“Golden Apricot” and the Present of Armenia Filmography


International Film Festival “Golden Apricot” kickoff had its 14th time in Yerevan. This year more than 100 films were included in different competition and non-competition program. “Armenian Panorama” feature film program includes three films. Within the scope of the TV series “Topic”, Hayk Hambardzumyan conversed with Levon Minasian, the director of one of these films called “Bravo, Virtuoso”. 

Higher Education Institution and Labor Market


How are the Armenian higher education institutions (HEIs) react to the labor market requirements, are there any mutual linkages between universities and employers, what is the demand for the professions given in our HEIs both in Armenian and abroad? 
Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed these issues with education expert Serob Khachatryan. 
 

Yerevan in Sketches


Yerevan is a city of contrasts. Established millenniums before yet left with almost no antiquities, with tall buildings scraping the sky in the stead of historical buildings and plants, with damaged buildings hiding in the suburbs, rich with museums and with the past under destruction.  And of course monuments, streets, museums and people - so different and dear. Which one is Yerevan, what is it like away from pink songs and festive days, with its daily, palpitating life? How is it in the sketches?   Hayk Hambardzumyan spoke about these issues with painter Zakar Demirchyan.

Being an Actor in Armenia: Conditions and Opportunity to Choose


We often hear complaints that this or that favorite actor was screened in poor quality serial or low quality comedy, is running TV show or acts as toast master in weddings. It is quite understandable that it is preferable to see loved actors only ien the theatre stage or good films, however does our film production with its current volume and theatre with its current capacity provide necessary conditions for the actor to realize his/her creative potential? Does the actor as a whole have any opportunity to choose? 
Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed these issues with actor Babken Chobanyan.