Congratulating members of the Union of Writers on the 85th anniversary of the organization, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian said while writers faced a “heavy ideological hammer” on freedom of speech and thought 85 years ago, they created literature, both good and bad.

Recalling his youth, Sarkissian described the Union of Writers as an island of free thinking where Yeghishe Charents, Aksel Bakunts, Avetik Isahakyan, Paruyr Sevak, Hovhannes Shiraz, Khachik Dashtents, Gevorg Emin, Silva Kaputikyan and others lived.

“Bypassing the ideological chains and adhering to the traditions of national literature, it was the literature of that period that brought up new generations in the spirit of patriotism and national ideals in the spirit of loyalty. The generation of 1988 was the fruit of that literature,” Sarkissian writes in his congratulatory message, referring to the emerging Karabakh movement.

Noting that Armenia is living in a time of change, Sarkissian called on Union members to stay relevant and give birth to new creative thinking.