0:00:04.395,0:00:07.405 Now, we can start talking about your 0:00:07.405,0:00:10.805 family's story during the genocide. 0:00:10.805,0:00:14.805 My ancestors, my grandpa and grandma 0:00:14.805,0:00:21.665 in 1915, my mom's side was from Marash 0:00:21.665,0:00:25.735 and my dad's side was from Boursa. 0:00:25.735,0:00:29.435 My mother and father were born and raised 0:00:29.435,0:00:31.477 in Aleppo. 0:00:31.477,0:00:33.787 Like them, I was born in the 0:00:33.787,0:00:35.907 same city. 0:00:35.907,0:00:39.287 I went to school in that city. My entire 0:00:39.287,0:00:42.497 childhood was spent there. 0:00:42.497,0:00:45.495 I went to school in Aleppo and had a good 0:00:45.495,0:00:48.355 environment. I have also been 0:00:48.355,0:00:50.985 an Armenian language teacher. 0:00:50.985,0:00:54.782 I have left all my friends in Aleppo 0:00:54.782,0:00:56.982 and came to Yerevan. 0:00:56.982,0:01:00.795 Do you know how your grandparents came 0:01:00.795,0:01:03.633 to Turkey and to Syria? 0:01:03.633,0:01:06.683 It is not really clear how my family 0:01:06.683,0:01:08.052 from Marash came... 0:01:08.052,0:01:10.792 In 1915, they must have joined the other 0:01:10.792,0:01:13.462 Armenians that fled the country and went 0:01:13.462,0:01:15.627 to an orphanage in Aleppo. 0:01:15.627,0:01:19.607 In that orphanage, they introduced them 0:01:19.607,0:01:25.397 to my grandmother and grandfather. 0:01:25.397,0:01:27.776 And then, they got married. 0:01:27.776,0:01:29.947 On my dad's side, the same 0:01:29.947,0:01:32.597 thing happened. They were also raised 0:01:32.597,0:01:34.253 in an orphanage. 0:01:34.253,0:01:38.643 My grandparents met one another there 0:01:38.643,0:01:41.303 and got married. 0:01:41.303,0:01:47.423 Do you know what they did for work? 0:01:47.423,0:01:51.423 I do not know where they used to work 0:01:51.423,0:01:53.823 during that time. 0:01:53.823,0:01:58.953 On my dad's side, they owned some land 0:01:58.953,0:02:02.118 and agricultural properties. 0:02:02.118,0:02:04.977 On my mom's side, it is a bit harder 0:02:04.977,0:02:07.344 to know. My family goes back many 0:02:07.344,0:02:09.529 generations and it's hard to know 0:02:09.529,0:02:11.129 where they worked. 0:02:11.129,0:02:16.649 My grandpa was a mechanic. 0:02:18.350,0:02:20.440 What else should I say? 0:02:22.494,0:02:25.114 Do you know how hard it was to start 0:02:25.114,0:02:29.834 their life again in Aleppo after the war? 0:02:29.834,0:02:32.384 What difficulties did they face? 0:02:32.384,0:02:35.154 Yes, they did go through tough times 0:02:35.154,0:02:37.088 during the war. 0:02:37.088,0:02:39.953 Firstly, they have lived in metal 0:02:39.953,0:02:43.454 shacks. They are called metal shacks 0:02:43.454,0:02:47.444 for Armenians. In Arabic, they say 0:02:47.444,0:02:49.574 berakatl Armen. 0:02:49.574,0:02:52.434 Secondly, the Armenians missed having 0:02:52.434,0:02:55.074 a home and moved into their own houses. 0:02:55.074,0:02:58.077 Life started to improve and as soon as we 0:02:58.077,0:03:03.337 came to Aleppo or Syria in general... 0:03:03.337,0:03:05.827 we had some Armenian churches. 0:03:05.827,0:03:08.287 Next to the churches, we had Armenian 0:03:08.287,0:03:10.477 schools. In the beginning, we have had 0:03:10.477,0:03:12.777 year-around schools. The population were 0:03:12.777,0:03:14.657 all Turkish speakers. 0:03:14.657,0:03:17.728 Since it was mandatory, they spoke Turkish 0:03:17.728,0:03:19.328 for 500 years. 0:03:19.328,0:03:21.648 When they came to Aleppo, due to the 0:03:21.648,0:03:24.328 Armenian schools they attended, the 0:03:24.328,0:03:26.938 people became more and more Armenian. 0:03:26.938,0:03:28.573 They started teaching Armenian. 0:03:28.573,0:03:30.148 From generation to generation, 0:03:30.148,0:03:32.048 we feel more Armenian since we speak 0:03:32.048,0:03:34.198 Armenian and have Armenian schools. 0:03:34.198,0:03:36.555 We also have Armenian 0:03:36.555,0:03:39.078 at the secondary level. 0:03:41.521,0:03:44.851 In Aleppo, what do you do to remember 0:03:44.851,0:03:48.191 the 1915 genocide and April 24th? 0:03:48.191,0:03:51.376 On the morning of April 24th, we go to 0:03:51.376,0:03:54.876 the cemetery and gather around the chapel 0:03:54.876,0:03:57.806 to remember those that we lost by praying 0:03:57.806,0:03:59.776 and by lighting candles. 0:03:59.776,0:04:02.554 During that time and on some days, 0:04:02.554,0:04:06.254 lectures took place in the Armenian 0:04:06.254,0:04:09.094 community centers. 0:04:10.768,0:04:13.068 From generation to generation, 0:04:13.068,0:04:15.698 we continue to remember and to not forget 0:04:15.698,0:04:17.962 that we have a problem with keeping 0:04:17.962,0:04:20.112 our Armenianhood. It is not only about 0:04:20.112,0:04:22.292 April 24th. It is not about tears. 0:04:22.292,0:04:24.542 Armenians do get sad and emotional 0:04:24.542,0:04:27.542 about what happened to our people. 0:04:27.542,0:04:31.312 We have been reborn and are 0:04:31.312,0:04:35.892 still living. We are still here. They said 0:04:35.892,0:04:38.812 that they are going to kill every 0:04:38.812,0:04:42.412 Armenian and leave one. They are going to 0:04:42.412,0:04:45.462 put that person in a museum. They did not 0:04:45.462,0:04:49.212 succeed in doing that. Because of that, 0:04:49.212,0:04:52.402 April 24th is a time of sorrow 0:04:52.402,0:04:56.092 for us. At the same time, it is 0:04:56.092,0:04:58.882 a victory for the Armenian people. 0:04:58.882,0:05:01.842 We are still present. We are still here. 0:05:01.842,0:05:04.752 We still have demands and want restitution 0:05:04.752,0:05:06.702 from them. We are not sleeping. 0:05:06.702,0:05:07.872 We are awake. 0:05:07.872,0:05:10.382 From generation to generation, we teach 0:05:10.382,0:05:13.072 them Armenian heritage and spirit with 0:05:13.072,0:05:15.852 the help of our cultural organizations. 0:05:15.852,0:05:17.999 With that, we prepare the next 0:05:17.999,0:05:19.679 generation of Armenians. 0:05:19.679,0:05:20.762 That is great. 0:05:20.762,0:05:23.672 Tell me a bit about your childhood. 0:05:23.672,0:05:26.352 My childhood... I was really happy. 0:05:26.352,0:05:29.482 Where were you raised? Aleppo! Aleppo! 0:05:29.482,0:05:31.882 I was born in Aleppo. In which neighborhood? 0:05:31.882,0:05:35.052 Sulaymaniyah! I was born in Aleppo 0:05:35.052,0:05:37.538 and grew up there in the same house. 0:05:37.538,0:05:40.638 My house is still luckily there. 0:05:41.948,0:05:44.928 I had a good childhood and was very happy. 0:05:44.928,0:05:48.098 I always had a good life... always. 0:05:48.098,0:05:52.098 Which school did you attend? 0:05:52.098,0:05:56.568 I went to Lazar Najarian. I attended that 0:05:56.568,0:06:01.378 school. I graduated in 1984. In terms of 0:06:01.378,0:06:04.868 the different community centers, I do not 0:06:04.868,0:06:10.388 want to make a distinction between them. 0:06:10.388,0:06:14.038 All of the community centers do their work 0:06:14.038,0:06:16.898 in their own way and follow different 0:06:16.898,0:06:19.718 principles. The goal that they all share 0:06:19.718,0:06:21.368 is Armenians keeping their 0:06:21.368,0:06:23.698 Armenianhood in the Diaspora. 0:06:23.698,0:06:26.187 We used to go to the theater with my 0:06:26.187,0:06:29.517 family. We did not have the choice to 0:06:29.517,0:06:33.907 go to one and not the other. 0:06:33.907,0:06:37.087 May it be a theater performance or 0:06:37.087,0:06:41.667 a literary evening, we have attended most 0:06:41.667,0:06:45.567 of them. I have been part of the scouting 0:06:45.567,0:06:49.217 ranks for a few years (for a short time). 0:06:49.217,0:06:51.827 It was one of the most beautiful years 0:06:51.827,0:06:53.707 of my life. 0:06:57.197,0:07:00.877 Until when did you go to school? 0:07:00.877,0:07:03.287 I graduated with the 1984 class. 0:07:03.287,0:07:04.897 High school 0:07:04.897,0:07:06.467 After you said... 0:07:06.467,0:07:08.847 After that, I studied Armenian Studies . 0:07:08.847,0:07:12.957 In university?[br]-Hamazkayin had opened 0:07:12.957,0:07:16.827 their own Armenian Studies department. 0:07:16.827,0:07:19.587 A very long time ago, I went to 0:07:19.587,0:07:22.157 the British Council. 0:07:25.637,0:07:28.187 What kind of work did you do? 0:07:28.187,0:07:31.127 I have been an Armenian language teacher. 0:07:31.127,0:07:34.467 And... when you were an Armenian teacher, 0:07:34.467,0:07:37.017 did you think that it was 0:07:37.017,0:07:40.197 your responsibility to teach them 0:07:40.197,0:07:43.787 the language and about their culture? 0:07:43.787,0:07:46.207 Yes, it is important to know about 0:07:46.207,0:07:49.117 their culture. To teach Armenians the 0:07:49.117,0:07:52.527 Armenian language is a big responsibility 0:07:52.527,0:07:54.397 in the Diaspora. 0:07:54.397,0:07:56.977 Our teaching is not limited to learning 0:07:56.977,0:07:59.717 how to read and write and studying grammar 0:07:59.717,0:08:02.457 and literature. It is also to teach them 0:08:02.457,0:08:04.917 Armenian values by introducing 0:08:04.917,0:08:08.117 the students to Armenian symbols in order to 0:08:08.117,0:08:11.027 make them feel a sense of belonging 0:08:11.027,0:08:13.337 to the Armenian culture. 0:08:13.337,0:08:15.337 If someone asks them 0:08:15.337,0:08:16.867 about who they are 0:08:16.867,0:08:18.447 they would say Armenian. 0:08:18.447,0:08:20.617 "What does it mean to be an Armenian?" 0:08:20.617,0:08:22.727 They should be able to say that 0:08:22.727,0:08:24.809 Armenians are the group of people that 0:08:24.809,0:08:27.083 lived during the times of Dikran Medz 0:08:27.083,0:08:29.798 a long time ago. We have been a prominent 0:08:29.798,0:08:33.158 nation from sea to sea. We have had some 0:08:33.158,0:08:36.250 well-known Armenians like Viktor Ambartsumian 0:08:36.250,0:08:38.250 and Aram Khachaturian. 0:08:38.250,0:08:40.950 We have had many famous personalities. 0:08:40.950,0:08:43.540 It would be hard to count them all. 0:08:43.540,0:08:46.000 We should remember the individuals that 0:08:46.000,0:08:48.350 fought for our people and be proud of all 0:08:48.350,0:08:50.860 the things they have done for us. 0:08:50.860,0:08:53.450 We have to tell the new generation 0:08:53.450,0:08:55.810 about this. So, they hear and know 0:08:55.810,0:08:58.790 what is being an Armenian and feel 0:08:58.790,0:09:01.640 a sense of belongingness. 0:09:01.640,0:09:05.700 Only speaking Armenian is not enough. 0:09:05.700,0:09:08.960 And which school? 0:09:08.960,0:09:11.355 I was at Zvartnots Primary School. 0:09:11.355,0:09:16.145 And... do you think that the students 0:09:16.145,0:09:20.200 are interested in this subject matter? 0:09:20.200,0:09:22.230 The teacher is the person that should 0:09:22.230,0:09:24.070 make them interested in it. 0:09:24.070,0:09:26.322 They say that learning about literature 0:09:26.322,0:09:28.692 can be boring, but it is not like that. 0:09:28.692,0:09:32.172 The teacher can get them interested in our 0:09:32.172,0:09:36.112 culture, because our culture is very 0:09:36.112,0:09:39.432 beautiful. You can make it more 0:09:39.432,0:09:42.062 interesting for the students by making 0:09:42.062,0:09:44.952 them relate to the subject. 0:09:44.952,0:09:48.032 I did all the work. I do not know how much 0:09:48.032,0:09:50.732 I succeeded in that since I have only 0:09:50.732,0:09:53.692 worked for 10 years. Before that, I worked 0:09:53.692,0:09:56.322 with the English language... 0:09:56.322,0:09:59.542 not with Armenians. 0:09:59.542,0:10:04.182 When you were an Armenian teacher, did you 0:10:04.182,0:10:07.852 feel free in Syria to say anything in 0:10:07.852,0:10:12.892 school or about what the government allows 0:10:12.892,0:10:15.832 and what it does not? 0:10:15.832,0:10:20.092 We had permission for 4 hours per week 0:10:20.092,0:10:24.412 to teach the Armenian language 0:10:24.412,0:10:28.052 in Armenian schools and 2 hours 0:10:28.052,0:10:30.132 to teach religion. 0:10:30.132,0:10:34.482 We were free. We had Armenian language 0:10:34.482,0:10:37.482 and religion books. 0:10:37.482,0:10:40.242 We had no restrictions. 0:10:40.242,0:10:41.952 We have been very free. 0:10:41.952,0:10:44.432 We have also had our own printing press 0:10:44.432,0:10:47.342 and our newspapers and printed books 0:10:47.342,0:10:50.072 in Armenian. We would easily receive 0:10:50.072,0:10:52.572 permission to print from the Syrian 0:10:52.572,0:10:55.102 government. Until the time that we did not 0:10:55.102,0:10:57.762 make a mistake and say and/or write 0:10:57.762,0:11:00.002 something wrong about the government 0:11:00.002,0:11:02.722 or against religion, we could print 0:11:02.722,0:11:05.782 anything. It was a positive thing to be 0:11:05.782,0:11:08.142 an Armenian in Syria. As a minority, 0:11:08.142,0:11:09.822 we had many rights. 0:11:09.822,0:11:13.632 Everyone was equal. Everyone was equal. 0:11:13.632,0:11:16.752 The Arabs, the Armenians, the Assyrians, 0:11:16.752,0:11:19.532 and the Kurds, all had equal rights. 0:11:19.532,0:11:24.282 Unlike some other minorities, we had 0:11:24.282,0:11:27.292 schools, the printing press, theaters, 0:11:27.292,0:11:31.862 and scouting ranks. We had all the rights. 0:11:31.862,0:11:34.512 We were never treated differently 0:11:34.512,0:11:38.222 by the government... not by our last prime 0:11:38.222,0:11:41.912 minister and not by the current one. 0:11:41.912,0:11:45.732 Did you experience any difficulty? 0:11:45.732,0:11:48.862 I know you said that the government did 0:11:48.862,0:11:51.942 not cause any difficulty. Did the people? 0:11:51.942,0:11:55.592 The people? No, they were very respectful 0:11:55.592,0:11:58.902 in regards to us. The Arabs were very 0:11:58.902,0:12:02.202 respectful towards us. All of us have had 0:12:02.202,0:12:04.942 friendships. We all have had good 0:12:04.942,0:12:07.712 and honest friends. We have never been 0:12:07.712,0:12:09.512 told you are Armenian... 0:12:09.512,0:12:11.362 why do you live here? 0:12:11.362,0:12:13.972 You should go back to Armenia. They have 0:12:13.972,0:12:16.132 never said that. On the contrary, 0:12:16.132,0:12:21.182 they were happy with us. The Arab culture 0:12:21.182,0:12:24.712 has always shown respect to the Armenian people. 0:12:24.712,0:12:28.332 Do you see a difference between 0:12:28.332,0:12:32.212 Armenians and non-Armenians in terms 0:12:32.212,0:12:34.662 of how they were treated? A difference? 0:12:34.662,0:12:39.112 All Syrians are one. There could not be 0:12:39.112,0:12:42.022 any difference between them. As Syrians, 0:12:42.022,0:12:45.602 we were equal. We had not noticed any 0:12:45.602,0:12:49.422 difference. When there were religious 0:12:49.422,0:12:54.142 events, like Easter or other holidays, 0:12:54.142,0:12:57.502 we would celebrate them differently 0:12:57.502,0:12:59.922 than others since we were Christian. 0:12:59.922,0:13:05.062 In general! In general, we were one. 0:13:05.062,0:13:06.812 There was no difference 0:13:06.812,0:13:08.422 between us. On the contrary, 0:13:08.422,0:13:11.022 we would visit each other. They would 0:13:11.022,0:13:13.302 visit us during the holidays. We would 0:13:13.302,0:13:16.052 visit them and wish them happy holidays. 0:13:16.052,0:13:19.572 We have never felt any difference. 0:13:19.572,0:13:22.712 When you got older (apart from work), 0:13:22.712,0:13:25.982 what would you do in your life? 0:13:25.982,0:13:31.695 I had a strong social life. Strong social life! 0:13:31.695,0:13:36.005 I like having friends. I have gone to 0:13:36.005,0:13:38.785 a lot of places with my brother like 0:13:38.785,0:13:41.965 historical castles and other antiquities. 0:13:41.965,0:13:44.155 Syria is a rich country with its 0:13:44.155,0:13:46.675 historical sites. If you have heard of 0:13:46.675,0:13:50.495 the city of Palmyra, it is very known. 0:13:50.495,0:13:53.645 I visited a lot of ancient places in Syria with my brother. 0:13:53.645,0:13:55.665 Do you want 0:13:55.665,0:13:58.285 to explain anything from your life 0:13:58.285,0:13:59.915 before the war? 0:13:59.915,0:14:02.135 Before the war, I do not have anything 0:14:02.135,0:14:04.145 specific to talk about. I already said 0:14:04.145,0:14:06.135 everything. I talked about the type 0:14:06.135,0:14:08.575 of life we had... a good and happy life. 0:14:08.575,0:14:11.125 Difficulties! We cannot call it 0:14:11.125,0:14:14.205 difficulties. These are normal 0:14:14.205,0:14:16.815 difficulties that we have overcome 0:14:16.815,0:14:21.185 in life. Before the war, it was very good. 0:14:21.185,0:14:23.715 After the war, however, everything changed. 0:14:23.715,0:14:28.745 Before 2011, were there 0:14:28.745,0:14:32.305 any signs that a war was going to 0:14:32.305,0:14:34.125 start soon? 0:14:34.125,0:14:38.555 For the most part, there were signs. 0:14:38.555,0:14:42.355 Things happened. Some governments 0:14:42.355,0:14:44.825 threatened others. 0:14:44.825,0:14:47.425 Middle Eastern countries have 0:14:47.425,0:14:50.715 always been in danger. The worry about 0:14:50.715,0:14:53.445 a war starting has always been there. 0:14:53.445,0:14:56.195 But until the last minute, you cannot know 0:14:56.195,0:14:58.405 that for sure a war will take place. 0:14:58.405,0:15:00.815 Maybe, they will come to an agreement. 0:15:00.815,0:15:03.315 You will get convinced of that and will 0:15:03.315,0:15:06.695 always have hope that it will not happen. 0:15:06.695,0:15:11.035 When did you know the war in Syria 0:15:11.035,0:15:15.905 had started? What were the first signs? 0:15:15.905,0:15:17.975 In the beginning, it started at 0:15:17.975,0:15:20.495 the outskirts. We heard the sounds. 0:15:20.495,0:15:24.615 I visited Armenia for 2 months. I was 0:15:24.615,0:15:28.145 going to return to Aleppo. They came 0:15:28.145,0:15:30.185 and took over the city. 0:15:30.185,0:15:32.765 I stayed here for a while. A lot 0:15:32.765,0:15:35.685 of people came from Aleppo. They came 0:15:35.685,0:15:41.155 in 2012 in August and September. It was 0:15:41.155,0:15:45.325 during that time. I stayed here too. Then, 0:15:45.325,0:15:48.315 there were people that returned to Aleppo. 0:15:48.315,0:15:50.475 During New Year's Day, I returned too. 0:15:50.475,0:15:53.735 I stayed there for 6 months. Then, I went 0:15:53.735,0:15:58.705 back. In June 2013, I came back to 0:15:58.705,0:16:01.685 Armenia. I came back here. 0:16:01.685,0:16:06.175 When you traveled from Syria 0:16:06.175,0:16:08.625 to Armenia and from Armenia to Syria... how was it? 0:16:08.625,0:16:11.085 The first time, I came here on 0:16:11.085,0:16:13.775 an airplane and returned the same way. 0:16:13.775,0:16:18.535 The second time, I came with a car. 0:16:18.535,0:16:21.055 We came on our own. We passed 0:16:21.055,0:16:23.935 the Turkish border and went to Georgia 0:16:23.935,0:16:25.425 and after Armenia. 0:16:25.425,0:16:26.425 Any difficulties? 0:16:26.425,0:16:28.775 Of course, there were going to be some 0:16:28.775,0:16:31.055 difficulties. It was evident that we were 0:16:31.055,0:16:32.765 going to have some difficulties. 0:16:32.765,0:16:35.065 We left illegally. So, we were going 0:16:35.065,0:16:37.145 to face some difficulties. 0:16:37.145,0:16:40.385 The 6 months that you were in Syria... 0:16:40.385,0:16:43.135 Yes. What state was Aleppo in? 0:16:43.135,0:16:45.085 It was really bad. It was really bad. 0:16:45.085,0:16:46.895 There was no electricity. 0:16:46.895,0:16:48.650 There was no water. 0:16:48.650,0:16:49.505 Excuse me. 0:16:49.505,0:16:51.825 Yes, there was in the beginning. 0:16:51.825,0:16:52.985 After... 0:16:52.985,0:16:56.975 Always, there was the fear of death. 0:16:56.975,0:17:00.155 It was not the fear of death per se, but 0:17:00.155,0:17:02.675 the way that someone was going to die. 0:17:02.675,0:17:04.645 It was the violent depictions displayed 0:17:04.645,0:17:08.115 in videos and photos on YouTube. 0:17:08.115,0:17:10.525 More than death, you would worry about 0:17:10.525,0:17:12.565 the way you were going to die. 0:17:12.565,0:17:14.615 You always heard the people 0:17:14.615,0:17:16.255 and the sound of bombs. 0:17:16.255,0:17:18.175 At night, it would get worse. 0:17:18.175,0:17:20.855 In the morning, it would be less. 0:17:20.855,0:17:23.915 And why? I turned back, 0:17:23.915,0:17:26.315 because it was safer. 0:17:26.315,0:17:28.895 I came back to Armenia, because it was safer. 0:17:28.895,0:17:32.415 Why did you go back 0:17:32.415,0:17:35.115 to Armenia and then Syria? 0:17:35.115,0:17:40.515 I went to Syria. My brother was in Syria. 0:17:40.515,0:17:45.315 We were going to celebrate New Year's. 0:17:45.315,0:17:48.625 We had no one there. We did not want 0:17:48.625,0:17:50.335 my brother to be alone. 0:17:50.335,0:17:52.615 I am here. He is there. 0:17:52.615,0:17:55.395 I took the risk. I did not want to... 0:17:55.395,0:17:57.295 In this world, he only has me 0:17:57.295,0:17:59.485 and I only have him. 0:17:59.485,0:18:01.615 That is how I went there. 0:18:01.615,0:18:04.445 And then, we came here together. 0:18:04.445,0:18:09.115 And... are the other families still in Aleppo? 0:18:09.115,0:18:12.835 I do not have a mom and a dad. 0:18:12.835,0:18:16.025 Other family members? My mom and my dad 0:18:16.025,0:18:19.435 have already passed away. My brother... 0:18:19.435,0:18:22.665 Before the war? 0:18:22.665,0:18:26.555 My mom died before the war due to an illness. 0:18:26.555,0:18:30.785 My dad died long before that. 0:18:32.075,0:18:38.345 And... the first time you went to Armenia? 0:18:38.345,0:18:41.595 Was that the first time that you went to Armenia? 0:18:41.595,0:18:45.135 I came here in 2004 with other 0:18:45.135,0:18:47.735 teachers for training purposes 0:18:47.735,0:18:50.675 for 1 month. I was in love with Armenia. 0:18:50.675,0:18:54.175 I had left my soul here. I wanted to 0:18:54.175,0:18:58.175 live in Armenia. We had decided with 0:18:58.175,0:19:02.175 the family to live here. My brother would 0:19:02.175,0:19:06.175 come when he had breaks. 0:19:06.175,0:19:09.845 He would say that we should live here 0:19:09.845,0:19:12.135 and go back later. We said that it is 0:19:12.135,0:19:14.545 hard. We already have good jobs 0:19:14.545,0:19:16.085 back home. 0:19:16.085,0:19:18.325 And yes, we came. 0:19:18.325,0:19:23.015 Did you come in 2012? 0:19:23.015,0:19:25.515 The last time was in 2013. 0:19:25.515,0:19:28.435 But the first time in 2012? Yes, 2012. 0:19:28.435,0:19:30.735 The first first time was in 2004. 2004! 0:19:30.735,0:19:32.965 The second one was in 2012. 0:19:32.965,0:19:36.905 How was your new life? How did you feel 0:19:36.905,0:19:39.205 in Armenia? How was life there? 0:19:39.205,0:19:41.055 What were the difficulties? 0:19:41.055,0:19:44.145 2012? Yes! You mean the differences 0:19:44.145,0:19:45.575 in 2004, right? 0:19:45.575,0:19:48.495 No, no, Not the differences. 0:19:48.495,0:19:52.005 You said that you went in 2012 just 0:19:52.005,0:19:54.615 to visit and you ended up staying 0:19:54.615,0:19:57.255 here after. How was it during that time? 0:19:57.255,0:20:00.755 Living here is different. Visiting is 0:20:00.755,0:20:02.985 different too. 0:20:02.985,0:20:05.755 Living here is very difficult. You really 0:20:05.755,0:20:08.605 have to have a good job to live here. 0:20:08.605,0:20:13.575 And... when you decided that I visited 0:20:13.575,0:20:16.575 and now I want to live here, did anyone 0:20:16.575,0:20:18.965 help you with where to live? 0:20:18.965,0:20:20.915 Or how to find a job? 0:20:20.915,0:20:27.015 No! How to help? I stayed in Echmiadzin. 0:20:27.015,0:20:30.675 The people were really great. I have had 0:20:30.675,0:20:34.535 neighbours... as soon as I moved to 0:20:34.535,0:20:37.175 a house, they always came to ask 0:20:37.175,0:20:38.725 if I needed anything. 0:20:38.725,0:20:42.215 If I said, yes, I need something. 0:20:42.215,0:20:44.885 They have offered pots, pans, blankets, 0:20:44.885,0:20:46.355 pillows, and clothing. 0:20:46.355,0:20:48.355 If I said, yes, I need something. 0:20:48.355,0:20:50.715 I would most probably have rooms 0:20:50.715,0:20:52.475 full of pots and pans and blankets. 0:20:52.475,0:20:55.705 The community always offered to help. 0:20:55.705,0:20:58.965 We were always treated well. 0:20:58.965,0:21:01.475 [Children yelling in background] [br]Children? Yes! 0:21:01.475,0:21:05.375 I have received help from Mission 0:21:05.375,0:21:08.565 Armenia, and they helped pay my rent. 0:21:08.565,0:21:11.445 I have also received books 0:21:11.445,0:21:14.795 from the Red Cross (and that is 0:21:14.795,0:21:17.805 worth mentioning as well). 0:21:17.805,0:21:21.355 There is another organization 0:21:21.355,0:21:25.385 called UN in English. 0:21:25.385,0:21:29.065 They are always willing and continue to 0:21:29.065,0:21:32.525 help us. We also have Syrian centers 0:21:32.525,0:21:35.733 called ACMA. They distribute 0:21:35.733,0:21:38.923 nutrients/food every 3-4 months. 0:21:38.923,0:21:41.993 One of the charities helps us find 0:21:41.993,0:21:45.663 doctors. We get help from Syrian doctors, 0:21:45.663,0:21:49.713 and they take care of us without pay. 0:21:49.713,0:21:52.903 The government has made education free. 0:21:52.903,0:21:55.973 Going to the polyclinic is also free. 0:21:55.973,0:21:58.153 The government tries to help us 0:21:58.153,0:22:00.233 as much as possible. 0:22:00.233,0:22:04.233 And... the first time in Armenia... 0:22:04.233,0:22:06.953 not the first time but the second time... 0:22:06.953,0:22:09.933 did you work during that time? Where? 0:22:09.933,0:22:13.893 Here! Here, I taught people at home. 0:22:13.893,0:22:17.213 Taught! That is how they say it in Eastern 0:22:17.213,0:22:20.223 Armenian. So, I did one-on-one 0:22:20.223,0:22:22.373 sessions with kids. 0:22:22.373,0:22:25.533 In that way, I was able to make a living. 0:22:25.533,0:22:27.923 Second? The third time? 0:22:27.923,0:22:30.983 No! When I came here the last time, 0:22:30.983,0:22:33.333 I did one-on-one sessions. When I 0:22:33.333,0:22:35.453 came here to visit, no, 0:22:35.453,0:22:38.283 I just came to visit. 0:22:38.283,0:22:45.493 In 2014, the third time that you came, 0:22:45.493,0:22:51.773 where did you live? Or now, where do you live? 0:22:51.773,0:22:54.273 I lived mostly in Etchmiadzin 0:22:54.273,0:22:56.483 and then came to Yerevan. They paid 0:22:56.483,0:22:59.593 the rent. When they stopped, I could 0:22:59.593,0:23:02.373 no longer continue to pay the rent. 0:23:02.373,0:23:06.483 It is hard to survive in Yerevan. I went 0:23:06.483,0:23:09.833 back to Etchmiadzin. And there, 0:23:09.833,0:23:12.413 Mission Armenia helped me 0:23:12.413,0:23:14.933 again. UN paid my rent. 0:23:14.933,0:23:19.063 After that, my dream was to live 0:23:19.063,0:23:21.733 in Yerevan. There are more job 0:23:21.733,0:23:23.963 opportunities in Yerevan. 0:23:23.963,0:23:28.509 I applied to UN and Mission Armenia, 0:23:28.509,0:23:31.423 and they helped me find a boarding room. 0:23:31.423,0:23:33.853 I have been living there for a year and a half now. 0:23:33.853,0:23:39.243 And... do you live here 0:23:39.243,0:23:43.533 and work with Mission Armenia? 0:23:43.533,0:23:50.473 I take part in trainings. I teach kids. 0:23:53.013,0:23:55.873 I give English classes 0:23:55.873,0:23:58.703 and sometimes Armenian. 0:23:58.703,0:24:01.993 Because... learning from Western to 0:24:01.993,0:24:05.433 Eastern Armenian is very easy. It is 0:24:05.433,0:24:09.113 much easier. The grammar and spelling 0:24:09.113,0:24:12.203 and etcetera are much easier. 0:24:12.203,0:24:15.801 And... how is life at the new house? 0:24:15.801,0:24:20.752 How is life there? I live in a unit 0:24:20.752,0:24:24.383 that has 5 boarding rooms. 0:24:24.383,0:24:29.014 We all live in the same unit. 0:24:29.014,0:24:31.557 The only problem is during winter 0:24:31.557,0:24:34.113 we had heating problems. 0:24:34.113,0:24:38.933 Last year! Last year, we did not have 0:24:38.933,0:24:41.973 a bathroom to take a shower in 0:24:41.973,0:24:44.433 or could not even do laundry. We were 0:24:44.433,0:24:47.143 not living in good conditions. As soon as 0:24:47.143,0:24:50.053 a drop of water would drip on the floor... 0:24:50.053,0:24:53.908 it was scary even the elderly could 0:24:53.908,0:24:58.413 have slipped. UN paid for the rent 0:24:58.413,0:25:02.243 and renovations of this housing unit. 0:25:02.243,0:25:05.593 Some renovations were done, but some have 0:25:05.593,0:25:11.523 not been completed and I do not know why. 0:25:11.523,0:25:14.323 Heating is an important issue 0:25:14.323,0:25:15.323 in the winter. 0:25:15.323,0:25:19.033 We really need it, but who is going to 0:25:19.033,0:25:22.083 help us and how I do not know. 0:25:22.083,0:25:24.263 How do you think the government 0:25:24.263,0:25:26.703 and the other organizations are going 0:25:26.703,0:25:28.933 to help Syrian-Armenians to have 0:25:28.933,0:25:31.403 a better and easier life here? 0:25:31.403,0:25:36.813 The government does all that it can. 0:25:36.813,0:25:43.563 They can only help within their limits. 0:25:43.563,0:25:46.903 The organizations and benefactors of other 0:25:46.903,0:25:50.423 foreign countries can help us more 0:25:50.423,0:25:53.152 effectively if it is well-coordinated 0:25:53.152,0:25:54.663 with local authorities. 0:25:54.663,0:25:58.163 Which organization and in what way... 0:25:58.163,0:26:00.783 that only they know. 0:26:00.783,0:26:04.783 I think that the organizations can help us 0:26:04.783,0:26:08.513 more, but they have already helped us 0:26:08.513,0:26:10.543 (like UN and the Red Cross). 0:26:10.543,0:26:13.573 They have already done that. 0:26:15.363,0:26:20.003 And... did you feel welcomed by 0:26:20.003,0:26:23.433 the Armenians living in Armenia? 0:26:23.433,0:26:26.213 Did you feel welcome and see any 0:26:26.213,0:26:29.293 differences in the culture? 0:26:29.293,0:26:33.933 On the contrary, I was emotionally ready 0:26:33.933,0:26:37.603 to live here from way before. 0:26:37.603,0:26:40.383 The Armenia population is not that 0:26:40.383,0:26:42.933 different compared to Syrian-Armenians. 0:26:42.933,0:26:46.413 They have been to and visited Aleppo 0:26:46.413,0:26:49.463 already. We are not foreigners. For us, 0:26:49.463,0:26:53.643 the Armenian culture is not different. 0:26:53.643,0:26:56.193 There can be some small differences. 0:26:56.193,0:26:58.823 The country the Diasporan 0:26:58.823,0:27:01.793 is from can have an effect on him/her. 0:27:01.793,0:27:05.173 Here, it is a purely Armenian culture. 0:27:05.173,0:27:09.293 Everything is very beautiful and nice. 0:27:09.293,0:27:12.383 There is not that much difference. I got 0:27:12.383,0:27:16.603 used to it quickly. I accepted them in 0:27:16.603,0:27:21.113 every way from their cuisine to their way 0:27:21.113,0:27:25.223 of thinking. It was not that difficult. 0:27:25.223,0:27:28.123 With those little cultural and language 0:27:28.123,0:27:30.443 differences, how do you keep your 0:27:30.443,0:27:33.983 Syrian-Armenian culture here in Armenia? 0:27:33.983,0:27:36.983 For the Syrian culture, first is 0:27:36.983,0:27:39.983 Western Armenian. I do not want to forget 0:27:39.983,0:27:43.053 Western Armenian. I want to pronounce 0:27:43.053,0:27:45.663 Eastern Armenian well, but I cannot. 0:27:45.663,0:27:47.623 I can talk (said in Western). 0:27:47.623,0:27:49.833 I can talk (said in Eastern). 0:27:49.833,0:27:51.913 Pronouncing it is difficult. 0:27:51.913,0:27:53.773 Unfortunately, we have lost 0:27:53.773,0:27:55.893 the traditional pronunciations. 0:27:55.893,0:28:03.843 As a Syrian culture, an Armenian 0:28:03.843,0:28:08.003 culture, a Syrian-Armenian culture, 0:28:08.003,0:28:11.143 we still have the same traditions and 0:28:11.143,0:28:14.943 continue to do things in the same way. 0:28:14.943,0:28:18.723 Do you still think that you live 0:28:18.723,0:28:23.033 in your homeland? This is not the same 0:28:23.033,0:28:25.933 homeland that your grandfathers 0:28:25.933,0:28:29.003 and grandmothers lived in? Do you still 0:28:29.003,0:28:31.173 feel that this is your homeland? 0:28:31.173,0:28:33.713 Of course, it is not the same. 100 years 0:28:33.713,0:28:36.443 ago, it was different. It is not about 0:28:36.443,0:28:38.813 the 100 years. Already 5 years ago, 0:28:38.813,0:28:41.488 Armenia was different. Life is more 0:28:41.488,0:28:45.813 difficult now. When I came as a tourist 0:28:45.813,0:28:49.933 just to visit, my point of view 0:28:49.933,0:28:52.353 was different. Now that I live here, 0:28:52.353,0:28:55.243 it is more difficult. I saw more 0:28:55.243,0:28:58.463 of the difficulties. It is mine 0:28:58.463,0:29:01.283 and I belong to it. The sense of 0:29:01.283,0:29:05.043 belongingness is very nice. All Armenians 0:29:05.043,0:29:08.533 have to put their roots in Armenia. 0:29:08.533,0:29:11.493 Every person has to put their roots in 0:29:11.493,0:29:12.793 their own land. 0:29:12.793,0:29:16.073 When on someone else's land you plant 0:29:16.073,0:29:19.173 a tree, you might not have the time to sit 0:29:19.173,0:29:22.493 under the tree's shadow. You have to plant 0:29:22.493,0:29:24.973 the tree on your own land. 0:29:24.973,0:29:28.403 Do you want to stay here? Or go back 0:29:28.403,0:29:31.813 to Aleppo? Or go somewhere else? 0:29:31.813,0:29:35.743 I want to go back to Aleppo, because 0:29:35.743,0:29:38.713 I miss the land that I grew up in 0:29:38.713,0:29:41.983 (my birthplace, my home, and my neighborhood). 0:29:41.983,0:29:45.893 I have lived there for 46 years before 0:29:45.893,0:29:49.053 coming here. Of course, I have a lot of 0:29:49.053,0:29:53.633 memories there and I miss everyone there, 0:29:53.633,0:29:57.293 but I want to continue to live in Armenia. 0:29:57.293,0:30:01.713 And... what do you want to do for work? 0:30:01.713,0:30:06.333 On my own? On my own! If I do not find 0:30:06.333,0:30:10.603 a good job, there is no hope. 0:30:10.603,0:30:14.603 There has to be a job out there. 0:30:14.603,0:30:18.603 You should not lose all hope. 0:30:18.603,0:30:22.463 To enjoy life, you have to create your own 0:30:22.463,0:30:27.143 aspirations. Without work, you cannot 0:30:27.143,0:30:29.433 do anything. 0:30:29.433,0:30:31.633 What kind of job do you want? 0:30:31.633,0:30:34.423 Whatever is available. This is Armenia. 0:30:34.423,0:30:36.693 You have to work with whatever work 0:30:36.693,0:30:38.233 is available. 0:30:38.233,0:30:40.773 You said that you do not have family in Aleppo. 0:30:40.773,0:30:43.323 No, I do not have family there. 0:30:43.323,0:30:45.383 Do you have any family there? 0:30:45.383,0:30:46.853 No, no family. 0:30:46.853,0:30:49.643 Yes, I have friends and neighbours there. 0:30:49.643,0:30:51.933 Are they still there? 0:30:51.933,0:30:54.323 For the most part, they went to Europe. 0:30:54.323,0:30:57.423 For the most part, no one is there now. 0:30:57.423,0:31:00.443 Is your house still there? Yes, it is. 0:31:00.443,0:31:04.173 Is anyone checking up on it? Yes! 0:31:09.412,0:31:13.562 In 1915, we had to... no... we were forced 0:31:13.562,0:31:16.722 to leave. We did not decide to leave. 0:31:16.722,0:31:20.292 Unfortunately, our forefathers were 0:31:20.292,0:31:23.452 all displaced in 1915. 0:31:23.452,0:31:27.092 From the war, the ruins, and the death 0:31:27.092,0:31:29.932 of many people, only a few of the families 0:31:29.932,0:31:32.592 made it to Syrian land. 0:31:32.592,0:31:36.592 Now, it is very different. No one told us 0:31:36.592,0:31:41.222 to leave Syria. Never. We left. There are 0:31:41.222,0:31:44.592 still a lot of Armenians that live in 0:31:44.592,0:31:48.592 Aleppo, Syria. We left. We had the ability 0:31:48.592,0:31:51.992 to leave. We had the convenience to 0:31:51.992,0:31:55.012 leave. We wanted to leave. From the people 0:31:55.012,0:31:58.002 that came to Armenia with us, they came 0:31:58.002,0:32:00.992 here temporarily. We thought the war 0:32:00.992,0:32:03.452 would end and we would go back. 0:32:03.452,0:32:05.892 That is the reason why we came here. 0:32:05.892,0:32:08.122 Now, I do not want to talk for other 0:32:08.122,0:32:11.142 people. For the most part, the people 0:32:11.142,0:32:14.952 that have work here do not go back. 0:32:14.952,0:32:18.842 When they have learned and gotten used to 0:32:18.842,0:32:21.682 the life here and have a job here, 0:32:21.682,0:32:24.122 I do not think that they will go back. 0:32:24.122,0:32:26.662 I highly doubt that Aleppo will go back 0:32:26.662,0:32:29.072 to the way it was. It will take a long 0:32:29.072,0:32:31.512 time for it to be the same as before. 0:32:31.512,0:32:35.452 It will take a long time. 0:32:35.452,0:32:42.048 And... for you, personally, what draws you to Armenia? 0:32:42.048,0:32:45.662 Personally! Since childhood, the love 0:32:45.662,0:32:49.812 for Armenia was in our house, at school, 0:32:49.812,0:32:53.212 and in the community centers. There is 0:32:53.212,0:32:56.072 a problem of keeping our Armenianhood. 0:32:56.072,0:32:58.282 The community centers and the schools 0:32:58.282,0:33:02.092 work with this issue. In our house, 0:33:02.092,0:33:08.702 patriotism was important. They always 0:33:08.702,0:33:11.322 mentioned Armenia. When I came 0:33:11.322,0:33:16.062 to Armenia in 2004 for 1 month, 0:33:16.062,0:33:19.302 I left my soul here. 0:33:19.302,0:33:23.552 I wanted to live here, but we could not 0:33:23.552,0:33:27.552 dare to do that because of work. We could 0:33:27.552,0:33:32.052 not destroy everything there and start 0:33:32.052,0:33:34.442 a new life here. We did not know if 0:33:34.442,0:33:37.072 we would succeed or not. I already 0:33:37.072,0:33:40.082 wanted to live in Armenia. And now, 0:33:40.082,0:33:42.782 I am here. 0:33:42.782,0:33:44.212 Very good! 0:33:44.212,0:33:50.172 What advice would you give? To give advice 0:33:50.172,0:33:53.542 to who? To Syrian-Armenians? 0:33:53.542,0:33:56.562 Yes, the ones that returned to Armenia. 0:33:56.562,0:33:59.042 I do not give myself permission to give 0:33:59.042,0:34:02.782 advice to others, because every 0:34:02.782,0:34:08.992 difficulty and experience in life teaches 0:34:08.992,0:34:12.042 you something new. You will see that 0:34:12.042,0:34:14.782 there is still a lot that you do not know. 0:34:14.782,0:34:16.952 For this reason, I cannot give advice 0:34:16.952,0:34:19.592 to anybody. Everyone will know what is 0:34:19.592,0:34:22.482 convenient for them and will think before 0:34:22.482,0:34:26.632 taking the appropriate steps. Like I said 0:34:26.632,0:34:31.592 before, for everyone their motherland 0:34:31.592,0:34:37.842 has to be their inspiring, final 0:34:37.842,0:34:42.342 destination that they will feel 0:34:42.342,0:34:45.442 comfortable in. 0:34:45.442,0:34:48.892 We do not need to live in foreign lands. 0:34:48.892,0:34:52.332 You always have to live on your own land. 0:34:52.332,0:34:55.712 The next generation... you will teach 0:34:55.712,0:35:00.732 the next generation about their own land. 0:35:00.732,0:35:03.902 The tree that I talked about earlier, 0:35:03.902,0:35:06.002 you are going to plant it on 0:35:06.002,0:35:08.402 your motherland. That is a beautiful 0:35:08.402,0:35:10.192 statement. 0:35:10.192,0:35:15.942 Can you tell me about yourself 0:35:15.942,0:35:19.662 in two words? About myself? 0:35:19.662,0:35:22.192 What are those two words? 0:35:22.192,0:35:25.872 I am proud that I am Armenian. I am still 0:35:25.872,0:35:28.772 having some difficulties and do not know 0:35:28.772,0:35:31.282 what the future will bring, but I am happy 0:35:31.282,0:35:33.482 that I live in Armenia. I always wanted to 0:35:33.482,0:35:34.992 live here. 0:35:34.992,0:35:39.192 I am thankful to the Armenian people 0:35:39.192,0:35:42.222 here that were always ready to help. 0:35:47.376,0:35:51.322 How can Syrian-Armenians help Armenia? 0:35:51.322,0:35:56.422 Every person that has a talent or can 0:35:56.422,0:36:00.793 bring something new to the table 0:36:00.793,0:36:04.197 or has a skill, depending on 0:36:04.197,0:36:07.982 the conditions, he/she can help 0:36:07.982,0:36:11.532 Armenia. Why not? It depends if 0:36:11.532,0:36:14.022 he/she has the right conditions. 0:36:14.022,0:36:16.592 He/she has to be given the opportunity. 0:36:16.592,0:36:18.792 The conditions have to be met 0:36:18.792,0:36:20.112 financially first. 0:36:20.112,0:36:23.672 You can work with things you know, so that 0:36:23.672,0:36:27.522 you can help others as well. If someone 0:36:27.522,0:36:32.872 has a personal store, he/she is not going 0:36:32.872,0:36:36.012 to work alone. That individual will have 0:36:36.012,0:36:38.902 other employees. Other families will be 0:36:38.902,0:36:40.902 able to benefit from them too. This is 0:36:40.902,0:36:43.092 the smallest way that they can help. 0:36:43.092,0:36:45.472 There are other ways too. They can 0:36:45.472,0:36:48.502 be artists or artisans for example. 0:36:48.502,0:36:54.222 Syrian-Armenians have some advanced 0:36:54.222,0:36:57.602 and knowledgeable workers now that work 0:36:57.602,0:37:02.082 in different centers like the national 0:37:02.082,0:37:04.802 library and other places that 0:37:04.802,0:37:06.512 I do not want to specify. 0:37:06.512,0:37:09.442 There are already Syrian-Armenians that 0:37:09.442,0:37:12.872 are working and are helping Armenia. 0:37:12.872,0:37:20.252 And... how did you make friends and make 0:37:20.252,0:37:25.232 a community here? New social life? 0:37:25.232,0:37:27.292 With Syrian-Armenians or Armenians from Armenia? 0:37:27.292,0:37:30.172 My surroundings are mostly 0:37:30.172,0:37:33.032 Eastern Armenians. I like change. I was 0:37:33.032,0:37:35.492 emotionally ready to accept all 0:37:35.492,0:37:41.142 the changes. Their life is interesting. 0:37:41.142,0:37:43.892 It was not difficult to get used to 0:37:43.892,0:37:47.292 the change. For me, it was nice. 0:37:47.292,0:37:50.752 I have many vast, rich, 0:37:50.752,0:37:52.982 and interesting surroundings. 0:37:52.982,0:37:55.779 What are? You were so happy when you 0:37:55.779,0:37:58.172 were saying Armenia has welcomed you 0:37:58.172,0:38:00.028 and maybe you have said it already, but 0:38:00.028,0:38:01.772 what are some examples of how 0:38:01.772,0:38:02.712 they welcomed you? 0:38:02.712,0:38:04.202 How Armenia has welcomed you? 0:38:04.202,0:38:06.542 How the Armenians were accepting 0:38:06.542,0:38:09.142 of us here? Example? Do you have 0:38:09.142,0:38:10.842 examples? How they welcomed us? 0:38:10.842,0:38:13.582 Like I said before... how the people? 0:38:13.582,0:38:16.622 Do you have stories or examples? 0:38:16.622,0:38:18.732 For example, it has happened that I have 0:38:18.732,0:38:20.582 been in some sort of transportation 0:38:20.582,0:38:22.422 and had to go somewhere 0:38:22.422,0:38:23.992 and they knew from the way 0:38:23.992,0:38:26.262 I talked that I spoke Western Armenian 0:38:26.262,0:38:29.112 and they have paid 100 AMD for me. 0:38:29.112,0:38:33.822 They wanted to do something. It has 0:38:33.822,0:38:37.752 happened that they did not take 100 AMD 0:38:37.752,0:38:43.382 from me or the taxi charged me less. 0:38:43.382,0:38:46.652 All these people are people I do not know. 0:38:46.652,0:38:50.222 Speaking about neighbours, as soon as 0:38:50.222,0:38:52.942 I would move... 0:38:52.942,0:38:55.292 they would ask me what I need. 0:38:55.292,0:38:58.862 With that question, you know that you are 0:38:58.862,0:39:02.272 not alone. There have always been people 0:39:02.272,0:39:05.162 who were willing to help us. It was not 0:39:05.162,0:39:08.312 only me. There have always been people 0:39:08.312,0:39:11.402 and institutions who wanted to help 0:39:11.402,0:39:13.932 (like the Red Cross, UN, 0:39:13.932,0:39:17.332 and Mission Armenia). They are 0:39:17.332,0:39:21.202 non-Syrian organizations. They already 0:39:21.202,0:39:24.712 help us. There are a lot of people here 0:39:24.712,0:39:26.662 that want to help us. 0:39:26.662,0:39:29.052 Is there anything you want to add that 0:39:29.052,0:39:30.702 you did not say? 0:39:30.702,0:39:34.902 There is a lot. 0:39:34.902,0:39:37.712 What kind of thing? 0:39:37.712,0:39:39.992 All the Armenians should come back to Armenia. 0:39:39.992,0:39:43.812 Please see, for example, my family has 0:39:43.812,0:39:47.162 always loved Armenia even before 0:39:47.162,0:39:49.912 seeing it. I already loved Armenia. When 0:39:49.912,0:39:52.872 we saw Armenia, we fell in love with it... 0:39:52.872,0:39:55.262 because you feel like you belong to it 0:39:55.262,0:39:57.452 and it belongs to you and is your mom. 0:39:57.452,0:40:00.812 With all its bad qualities, it is yours 0:40:00.812,0:40:03.862 and you belong to it. We really wanted 0:40:03.862,0:40:07.002 to come and move here. Since we always 0:40:07.002,0:40:09.912 thought about our work situation, we did 0:40:09.912,0:40:12.412 not take the necessary steps to move here. 0:40:12.412,0:40:14.962 You can see that the day came and that we 0:40:14.962,0:40:17.332 are here now. We should not have come in 0:40:17.332,0:40:19.602 this way. We should have been more 0:40:19.602,0:40:22.962 organized when we came here. In the end, 0:40:22.962,0:40:25.272 we heard that our place is our mother's 0:40:25.272,0:40:30.842 lap and not foreign lands. Syria, 0:40:30.842,0:40:33.992 my birthplace, is a very good place 0:40:33.992,0:40:38.232 in terms of its people and its government. 0:40:38.232,0:40:40.772 They are like family to us. 0:40:40.772,0:40:44.582 Your motherland should be your country. 0:40:44.582,0:40:48.092 All the Armenians, especially those that 0:40:48.092,0:40:50.762 had the convenience to work here, can 0:40:50.762,0:40:55.302 create jobs. They do not have to think. 0:40:55.302,0:40:57.942 There is not that much to think about. 0:40:57.942,0:41:01.342 They have to come and start from here 0:41:01.342,0:41:04.422 and after them the next generation. 0:41:04.422,0:41:08.159 When the Diasporans start to come 0:41:08.159,0:41:11.719 to Armenia, especially the youth, they 0:41:11.719,0:41:15.482 should not be easily discouraged and have 0:41:15.482,0:41:20.052 high hopes. You should create that hope. 0:41:20.052,0:41:22.422 From generation to generation, we get 0:41:22.422,0:41:26.732 better. We sit and watch the Diasporans 0:41:26.732,0:41:29.592 from afar. The love of Armenia is 0:41:29.592,0:41:32.692 not enough. We have to do something. 0:41:32.692,0:41:36.865 Everyone should do, whatever they can do. 0:41:36.865,0:41:39.412 There is a short story. 0:41:39.412,0:41:44.092 In the forest, a fire takes place. 0:41:44.092,0:41:47.202 All the animals... what does that word 0:41:47.202,0:41:51.202 mean? Fire! All the animals think about 0:41:51.202,0:41:54.942 saving their souls and run away. All 0:41:54.942,0:42:01.252 of a sudden, they see a bird on its back 0:42:01.252,0:42:04.592 and its feet up. They ask the bird, what 0:42:04.592,0:42:07.412 are you doing? Run away and save your 0:42:07.412,0:42:10.152 soul. You can get burnt and die. The bird 0:42:10.152,0:42:13.885 says, no, I am holding up the sky. 0:42:13.885,0:42:17.615 So, that bird with its small and weak feet 0:42:17.615,0:42:20.255 is trying to do its part. 0:42:20.255,0:42:25.855 It holds up the sky to protect and save 0:42:25.855,0:42:28.565 the forest. Sorry, it was not fire. 0:42:28.565,0:42:30.295 You could say that it was the end 0:42:30.295,0:42:31.547 of the world. 0:42:31.547,0:42:34.745 If everyone does what they 0:42:34.745,0:42:37.975 can like the bird in the story and does 0:42:37.975,0:42:40.345 not get discouraged, something will 0:42:40.345,0:42:44.035 happen. So, we can do something to help. 0:42:47.095,0:42:49.285 Anything else? 0:42:49.285,0:42:52.525 No, that is all. I am a teacher I can 0:42:52.525,0:42:55.045 talk all morning. 0:42:55.078,0:42:57.000 We learned a lot from you.