Adom Yarjanian was born in 1878 in Agn (modern-day Kemaliye, Turkey), a town on the shores of the river Euphrates.

The director, Garegin Srvandztiants, the noted folklorist and ethnographer, gave him the name Siamanto, after the hero of one of his stories.

They moved to Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1891, where he continued his studies at the Berberian School, graduating in 1896, during the Hamidian massacres.

From Paris he moved to Geneva, and contributed to the newspaper Droshak, the organ of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF).

His first poetic works were published in this newspaper under such headlines as Tiutsaznoren (Heroically) and Asbedin yerkë (The knight’s song).

The paper detailed the destruction of his homeland, was highly critical of the Ottoman government, and demanded equal rights for Armenians and more autonomy.

These events led him to write his most noted work, Garmir lourer paregames (Bloody news from my friend).

The first one was released in 1905 and dealt with the deep grief and mourning that many had to endure after the Hamidian massacres and other Turkish atrocities.

[2] Hokevarki yev houysi chaher (Torches of agony and hope) was released in 1907 described in stunning details scenes of massacres, blood and anguish.

[2] Garmir lourer paregames (Bloody news from my friend) was written right after the Adana massacre of 1909.

He wrote about his yearning for his country and encouraged Armenians living abroad to return to their native soil.

He was hoping to ignite the revolutionary spirit in the younger generation of Armenians and to make them understand that indifference and inaction was not going to save them.

His works give a clear image of the spirit that existed at the time in the minds of many of the Armenian populace.

On his way to his destination, he visited many landmarks associated with Armenian culture and history, including Mount Ararat, Khor Virap and Etchmiadzin.