Images of lyrical subjects in the poems of Russian poets about Armenia

The article offers an analytical review of the implementation of the lyrical subject in the Armenian text of Russian poetry. For a local text, the point of view external to the Armenian space is important, whether it coincides with the national one or not. The lyrical subject becomes its exponent. In chronological sequence - from the 18th to the 21st century, the evolution of the image of the lyrical subject in the poems of Russian poets about Armenia is described - from the author himself (in the B.O. Korman’s classification) through the role-playing character, to the lyrical hero. At first Armenia is mentioned in connection with the plot of Noah’s Ark or as part of the Turkish theme, the image of the lyrical subject does not add up. Then a lyrical “I” appears, which contemplates the exoticism of a distant country. The 20th century mainly provides examples of role-playing characters, with the help of which Russian poets strive to get used to the fate of the Armenian people and reconcile the masks of suffering, persecuted, but unconquered Armenians. In all these masks there are no personal lyrical motifs and the motif of suffering and persecution prevails. The turning point comes at the beginning of the 20th century in connection with the crimes of genocide, to which Russian poetry responds fervently. A lyrical subject appears who feels like an adopted son of a long-suffering earth. The history of Armenia teaches him courage and compassion, awakens a Christian sense of guilt. Acquaintance with the outstanding representatives of Armenian culture and science makes him involved in this great culture and history. Gradually Armenia becomes an object of admiration, love and a source of creative inspiration, where you want to return again and again. The completeness of the manifestation of the image of the lyrical subject is fading in the 21st century, giving way to the cultural and philosophical understanding of Armenia. The article also notes some of the author’s features of the embodiment of the image of a lyrical subject in poems about Armenia.