A ceremony marking the opening of the personal book collection of Seda (Sonya) Odabashyan (1922–2016), a long-serving distinguished lecturer at the YSU Chair of Arabic Studies and a prominent Arabist, was held at the chair's Aram Ter-Ghevondyan Reading Room.
The newly opened collection includes specialized literature in Arabic Studies from Odabashyan's extensive personal library, including rare, valuable and exceptional publications covering various periods in the history of Arabic literature. The establishment of the collection is an important step toward preserving the rich literary legacy associated with the distinguished scholar's many years of academic and teaching activity and making it available for active academic use by students and researchers.
The event brought together representatives of the academic staff of the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, students, as well as Odabashyan's colleagues and former students. During the meeting, representatives of the older generation warmly recalled Seda Odabashyan and shared memories of her professional achievements, extensive teaching experience and remarkable personality, placing particular emphasis on her invaluable contribution to the formation and development of the Armenian school of Arabic Studies.
The establishment of the collection named after Seda Odabashyan is significant not only from a literary and scholarly perspective but also institutionally. It contributes to preserving the academic and educational traditions of the YSU Chair of Arabic Studies, ensuring professional continuity and ties between generations, and strengthening the university's institutional memory.
