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