Beyond the Theater Curtain: Recollections of an Icon

In May of 1897, Gurgen Janibekyan, one of the greatest Armenian actors to ever grace the stage and screen, was born. While Janibekyan starred in many plays and films and helped create many memorable characters throughout his illustrious career, I’d like to focus this article, written in honor of his 44th death anniversary, on one of his most cherished characters—Markar, the lead role in the play The World, Yes, Turned Upside Down («Աշխարհն այո, շուռ է եկել»), which was written by my great-grandfather, playwright Aramashot Papayan. Markar is the father of three sons and has forbidden his youngest two from marrying until his eldest finds a wife, so the youngest brothers devise a plan to help their older brother marry.