Written by; Ahmed Nurizadeh
Translated by: Daniel Janoyan
December 4, 2001

I am asked by Armenians from all over,
Whether it be in concerts or in parties,
“Ahmed Nurizadeh,
You being a non-Armenian
Having not been born an Armenian
How do you live up to our spirits
And our Armenianism?
Aren’t you a non-Armenian,
And born a non-Armenian?”

So I become obligated to say something half jokingly,
Saving myself to give a serious answer.
However, at this point, I would like once and for all,
And with no jokes attached,
Respond seriously to this very repeated question:
“Yes, my friend, relative, or whoever you are,
It’s clear that I am not an Armenian..
Let me put it this way –
I’m an Iranian from the province of Gilan,
Destined to know Armenian,
To read and write Armenian,
To live with the spirit of an Armenian,
And in a very insignificant manner
To contribute to the Armenian spirit and culture.

And today, although I’m a non-Armenian poet,
I’ve been known by the Armenian people
As the Armenian Persian speaking child,
Who having mastered the language of Mashtots,
Speaks Armenian, contemplates in Armenian,
Laughs in Armenian, is saddened in Armenian,
Continues to party with Armenians,
Makes merry with Armenians,
And very often takes part in their traditional rituals and customs.”

When I read the history of the Armenians,
The history of the people who are miserably happy,
Their tragic ups and downs in history,
I also become saddened and also happy.

Whenever the Armenians triumph over evil and tyranny,
I also feel the triumphant air flow within my veins,
And feel it with pride
And my heart becomes the triumphant arch of their memories.

And when Armenians lose their battles,
I also become a victim along with thousands others.
I also cry along with the hearts of all weeping mothers,
I also get the big picture of the “April Twenty Four” genocide.

Whenever I hear Sayat Nova’s music and kamancha,
I also feel burned down and also attached.
I also become in love along with Derian
And having been burned up by love
I begin to praise the Armenian girls
Who are very gentle, mild and also graceful.

Along with Charetnts I sing his “Yergir Nayiri” (The Armenian Land)
To save Toumanian’s “Anoush” opera from ill fate and death,
And along with “Bella” to turn into a breeze blowing down the hills.

Yes, my dear friends, or whoever you are,
I do love your people and your culture, too.
Yes, I’m indeed an Iranian, a non-Armenian poet.

Written by; Ahmed Nurizadeh
Translated by: Daniel Janoyan
December 6, 2001

Massis is not a mere mountain;
It’s the very existence of the Armenian people.
Massis is not a mere rock;
It’s the very blood of the Armenian people
Throughout ages.
It’s been piling and forming up rocks,
And having been turned into a mountain,
It became the grief and sorrow of the Armenian people.

Massis is not a mere mountain;
It’s a solid structure of the hearts of its people,
Beating up hope beyond its structure.

It resembles the Himalayan Everest,
The world’s highest summit
Within the Armenian universe.
There is no other mountain summit
As high as the Massis mountain.

Massis is not a mere mountain for the Armenian people;
Rather, it’s the summit for all Armenians.
It’s that very summit
From where one day all Armenians
Will be looking at the entire world over.

“Massis” is a word worthy of being said with pride
And with all of your heart,
Specially when it is the Armenian ears listening to it.

It’s like food for the hungry
And a freedom promise to those imprisoned.
With the word “Masssis” and specially with “liberated” Massis
You can get the climax of the Armenian history,
Its past and also its present.

Massis, a word, needs to be said loud and with pride.