-
Now, we can start talking about your
-
family's story during the genocide.
-
My ancestors, my grandpa and grandma
-
in 1915, my mom's side was from Marash
-
and my dad's side was from Boursa.
-
My mother and father were born and raised
-
in Aleppo.
-
Like them, I was born in the
-
same city.
-
I went to school in that city. My entire
-
childhood was spent there.
-
I went to school in Aleppo and had a good
-
environment. I have also been
-
an Armenian language teacher.
-
I have left all my friends in Aleppo
-
and came to Yerevan.
-
Do you know how your grandparents came
-
to Turkey and to Syria?
-
It is not really clear how my family
-
from Marash came...
-
In 1915, they must have joined the other
-
Armenians that fled the country and went
-
to an orphanage in Aleppo.
-
In that orphanage, they introduced them
-
to my grandmother and grandfather.
-
And then, they got married.
-
On my dad's side, the same
-
thing happened. They were also raised
-
in an orphanage.
-
My grandparents met one another there
-
and got married.
-
Do you know what they did for work?
-
I do not know where they used to work
-
during that time.
-
On my dad's side, they owned some land
-
and agricultural properties.
-
On my mom's side, it is a bit harder
-
to know. My family goes back many
-
generations and it's hard to know
-
where they worked.
-
My grandpa was a mechanic.
-
What else should I say?
-
Do you know how hard it was to start
-
their life again in Aleppo after the war?
-
What difficulties did they face?
-
Yes, they did go through tough times
-
during the war.
-
Firstly, they have lived in metal
-
shacks. They are called metal shacks
-
for Armenians. In Arabic, they say
-
berakatl Armen.
-
Secondly, the Armenians missed having
-
a home and moved into their own houses.
-
Life started to improve and as soon as we
-
came to Aleppo or Syria in general...
-
we had some Armenian churches.
-
Next to the churches, we had Armenian
-
schools. In the beginning, we have had
-
year-around schools. The population were
-
all Turkish speakers.
-
Since it was mandatory, they spoke Turkish
-
for 500 years.
-
When they came to Aleppo, due to the
-
Armenian schools they attended, the
-
people became more and more Armenian.
-
They started teaching Armenian.
-
From generation to generation,
-
we feel more Armenian since we speak
-
Armenian and have Armenian schools.
-
We also have Armenian
-
at the secondary level.
-
In Aleppo, what do you do to remember
-
the 1915 genocide and April 24th?
-
On the morning of April 24th, we go to
-
the cemetery and gather around the chapel
-
to remember those that we lost by praying
-
and by lighting candles.
-
During that time and on some days,
-
lectures took place in the Armenian
-
community centers.
-
From generation to generation,
-
we continue to remember and to not forget
-
that we have a problem with keeping
-
our Armenianhood. It is not only about
-
April 24th. It is not about tears.
-
Armenians do get sad and emotional
-
about what happened to our people.
-
We have been reborn and are
-
still living. We are still here. They said
-
that they are going to kill every
-
Armenian and leave one. They are going to
-
put that person in a museum. They did not
-
succeed in doing that. Because of that,
-
April 24th is a time of sorrow
-
for us. At the same time, it is
-
a victory for the Armenian people.
-
We are still present. We are still here.
-
We still have demands and want restitution
-
from them. We are not sleeping.
-
We are awake.
-
From generation to generation, we teach
-
them Armenian heritage and spirit with
-
the help of our cultural organizations.
-
With that, we prepare the next
-
generation of Armenians.
-
That is great.
-
Tell me a bit about your childhood.
-
My childhood... I was really happy.
-
Where were you raised? Aleppo! Aleppo!
-
I was born in Aleppo. In which neighborhood?
-
Sulaymaniyah! I was born in Aleppo
-
and grew up there in the same house.
-
My house is still luckily there.
-
I had a good childhood and was very happy.
-
I always had a good life... always.
-
Which school did you attend?
-
I went to Lazar Najarian. I attended that
-
school. I graduated in 1984. In terms of
-
the different community centers, I do not
-
want to make a distinction between them.
-
All of the community centers do their work
-
in their own way and follow different
-
principles. The goal that they all share
-
is Armenians keeping their
-
Armenianhood in the Diaspora.
-
We used to go to the theater with my
-
family. We did not have the choice to
-
go to one and not the other.
-
May it be a theater performance or
-
a literary evening, we have attended most
-
of them. I have been part of the scouting
-
ranks for a few years (for a short time).
-
It was one of the most beautiful years
-
of my life.
-
Until when did you go to school?
-
I graduated with the 1984 class.
-
High school
-
After you said...
-
After that, I studied Armenian Studies .
-
In university?
-Hamazkayin had opened
-
their own Armenian Studies department.
-
A very long time ago, I went to
-
the British Council.
-
What kind of work did you do?
-
I have been an Armenian language teacher.
-
And... when you were an Armenian teacher,
-
did you think that it was
-
your responsibility to teach them
-
the language and about their culture?
-
Yes, it is important to know about
-
their culture. To teach Armenians the
-
Armenian language is a big responsibility
-
in the Diaspora.
-
Our teaching is not limited to learning
-
how to read and write and studying grammar
-
and literature. It is also to teach them
-
Armenian values by introducing
-
the students to Armenian symbols in order to
-
make them feel a sense of belonging
-
to the Armenian culture.
-
If someone asks them
-
about who they are
-
they would say Armenian.
-
"What does it mean to be an Armenian?"
-
They should be able to say that
-
Armenians are the group of people that
-
lived during the times of Dikran Medz
-
a long time ago. We have been a prominent
-
nation from sea to sea. We have had some
-
well-known Armenians like Viktor Ambartsumian
-
and Aram Khachaturian.
-
We have had many famous personalities.
-
It would be hard to count them all.
-
We should remember the individuals that
-
fought for our people and be proud of all
-
the things they have done for us.
-
We have to tell the new generation
-
about this. So, they hear and know
-
what is being an Armenian and feel
-
a sense of belongingness.
-
Only speaking Armenian is not enough.
-
And which school?
-
I was at Zvartnots Primary School.
-
And... do you think that the students
-
are interested in this subject matter?
-
The teacher is the person that should
-
make them interested in it.
-
They say that learning about literature
-
can be boring, but it is not like that.
-
The teacher can get them interested in our
-
culture, because our culture is very
-
beautiful. You can make it more
-
interesting for the students by making
-
them relate to the subject.
-
I did all the work. I do not know how much
-
I succeeded in that since I have only
-
worked for 10 years. Before that, I worked
-
with the English language...
-
not with Armenians.
-
When you were an Armenian teacher, did you
-
feel free in Syria to say anything in
-
school or about what the government allows
-
and what it does not?
-
We had permission for 4 hours per week
-
to teach the Armenian language
-
in Armenian schools and 2 hours
-
to teach religion.
-
We were free. We had Armenian language
-
and religion books.
-
We had no restrictions.
-
We have been very free.
-
We have also had our own printing press
-
and our newspapers and printed books
-
in Armenian. We would easily receive
-
permission to print from the Syrian
-
government. Until the time that we did not
-
make a mistake and say and/or write
-
something wrong about the government
-
or against religion, we could print
-
anything. It was a positive thing to be
-
an Armenian in Syria. As a minority,
-
we had many rights.
-
Everyone was equal. Everyone was equal.
-
The Arabs, the Armenians, the Assyrians,
-
and the Kurds, all had equal rights.
-
Unlike some other minorities, we had
-
schools, the printing press, theaters,
-
and scouting ranks. We had all the rights.
-
We were never treated differently
-
by the government... not by our last prime
-
minister and not by the current one.
-
Did you experience any difficulty?
-
I know you said that the government did
-
not cause any difficulty. Did the people?
-
The people? No, they were very respectful
-
in regards to us. The Arabs were very
-
respectful towards us. All of us have had
-
friendships. We all have had good
-
and honest friends. We have never been
-
told you are Armenian...
-
why do you live here?
-
You should go back to Armenia. They have
-
never said that. On the contrary,
-
they were happy with us. The Arab culture
-
has always shown respect to the Armenian people.
-
Do you see a difference between
-
Armenians and non-Armenians in terms
-
of how they were treated? A difference?
-
All Syrians are one. There could not be
-
any difference between them. As Syrians,
-
we were equal. We had not noticed any
-
difference. When there were religious
-
events, like Easter or other holidays,
-
we would celebrate them differently
-
than others since we were Christian.
-
In general! In general, we were one.
-
There was no difference
-
between us. On the contrary,
-
we would visit each other. They would
-
visit us during the holidays. We would
-
visit them and wish them happy holidays.
-
We have never felt any difference.
-
When you got older (apart from work),
-
what would you do in your life?
-
I had a strong social life. Strong social life!
-
I like having friends. I have gone to
-
a lot of places with my brother like
-
historical castles and other antiquities.
-
Syria is a rich country with its
-
historical sites. If you have heard of
-
the city of Palmyra, it is very known.
-
I visited a lot of ancient places in Syria with my brother.
-
Do you want
-
to explain anything from your life
-
before the war?
-
Before the war, I do not have anything
-
specific to talk about. I already said
-
everything. I talked about the type
-
of life we had... a good and happy life.
-
Difficulties! We cannot call it
-
difficulties. These are normal
-
difficulties that we have overcome
-
in life. Before the war, it was very good.
-
After the war, however, everything changed.
-
Before 2011, were there
-
any signs that a war was going to
-
start soon?
-
For the most part, there were signs.
-
Things happened. Some governments
-
threatened others.
-
Middle Eastern countries have
-
always been in danger. The worry about
-
a war starting has always been there.
-
But until the last minute, you cannot know
-
that for sure a war will take place.
-
Maybe, they will come to an agreement.
-
You will get convinced of that and will
-
always have hope that it will not happen.
-
When did you know the war in Syria
-
had started? What were the first signs?
-
In the beginning, it started at
-
the outskirts. We heard the sounds.
-
I visited Armenia for 2 months. I was
-
going to return to Aleppo. They came
-
and took over the city.
-
I stayed here for a while. A lot
-
of people came from Aleppo. They came
-
in 2012 in August and September. It was
-
during that time. I stayed here too. Then,
-
there were people that returned to Aleppo.
-
During New Year's Day, I returned too.
-
I stayed there for 6 months. Then, I went
-
back. In June 2013, I came back to
-
Armenia. I came back here.
-
When you traveled from Syria
-
to Armenia and from Armenia to Syria... how was it?
-
The first time, I came here on
-
an airplane and returned the same way.
-
The second time, I came with a car.
-
We came on our own. We passed
-
the Turkish border and went to Georgia
-
and after Armenia.
-
Any difficulties?
-
Of course, there were going to be some
-
difficulties. It was evident that we were
-
going to have some difficulties.
-
We left illegally. So, we were going
-
to face some difficulties.
-
The 6 months that you were in Syria...
-
Yes. What state was Aleppo in?
-
It was really bad. It was really bad.
-
There was no electricity.
-
There was no water.
-
Excuse me.
-
Yes, there was in the beginning.
-
After...
-
Always, there was the fear of death.
-
It was not the fear of death per se, but
-
the way that someone was going to die.
-
It was the violent depictions displayed
-
in videos and photos on YouTube.
-
More than death, you would worry about
-
the way you were going to die.
-
You always heard the people
-
and the sound of bombs.
-
At night, it would get worse.
-
In the morning, it would be less.
-
And why? I turned back,
-
because it was safer.
-
I came back to Armenia, because it was safer.
-
Why did you go back
-
to Armenia and then Syria?
-
I went to Syria. My brother was in Syria.
-
We were going to celebrate New Year's.
-
We had no one there. We did not want
-
my brother to be alone.
-
I am here. He is there.
-
I took the risk. I did not want to...
-
In this world, he only has me
-
and I only have him.
-
That is how I went there.
-
And then, we came here together.
-
And... are the other families still in Aleppo?
-
I do not have a mom and a dad.
-
Other family members? My mom and my dad
-
have already passed away. My brother...
-
Before the war?
-
My mom died before the war due to an illness.
-
My dad died long before that.
-
And... the first time you went to Armenia?
-
Was that the first time that you went to Armenia?
-
I came here in 2004 with other
-
teachers for training purposes
-
for 1 month. I was in love with Armenia.
-
I had left my soul here. I wanted to
-
live in Armenia. We had decided with
-
the family to live here. My brother would
-
come when he had breaks.
-
He would say that we should live here
-
and go back later. We said that it is
-
hard. We already have good jobs
-
back home.
-
And yes, we came.
-
Did you come in 2012?
-
The last time was in 2013.
-
But the first time in 2012? Yes, 2012.
-
The first first time was in 2004. 2004!
-
The second one was in 2012.
-
How was your new life? How did you feel
-
in Armenia? How was life there?
-
What were the difficulties?
-
2012? Yes! You mean the differences
-
in 2004, right?
-
No, no, Not the differences.
-
You said that you went in 2012 just
-
to visit and you ended up staying
-
here after. How was it during that time?
-
Living here is different. Visiting is
-
different too.
-
Living here is very difficult. You really
-
have to have a good job to live here.
-
And... when you decided that I visited
-
and now I want to live here, did anyone
-
help you with where to live?
-
Or how to find a job?
-
No! How to help? I stayed in Echmiadzin.
-
The people were really great. I have had
-
neighbours... as soon as I moved to
-
a house, they always came to ask
-
if I needed anything.
-
If I said, yes, I need something.
-
They have offered pots, pans, blankets,
-
pillows, and clothing.
-
If I said, yes, I need something.
-
I would most probably have rooms
-
full of pots and pans and blankets.
-
The community always offered to help.
-
We were always treated well.
-
[Children yelling in background]
Children? Yes!
-
I have received help from Mission
-
Armenia, and they helped pay my rent.
-
I have also received books
-
from the Red Cross (and that is
-
worth mentioning as well).
-
There is another organization
-
called UN in English.
-
They are always willing and continue to
-
help us. We also have Syrian centers
-
called ACMA. They distribute
-
nutrients/food every 3-4 months.
-
One of the charities helps us find
-
doctors. We get help from Syrian doctors,
-
and they take care of us without pay.
-
The government has made education free.
-
Going to the polyclinic is also free.
-
The government tries to help us
-
as much as possible.
-
And... the first time in Armenia...
-
not the first time but the second time...
-
did you work during that time? Where?
-
Here! Here, I taught people at home.
-
Taught! That is how they say it in Eastern
-
Armenian. So, I did one-on-one
-
sessions with kids.
-
In that way, I was able to make a living.
-
Second? The third time?
-
No! When I came here the last time,
-
I did one-on-one sessions. When I
-
came here to visit, no,
-
I just came to visit.
-
In 2014, the third time that you came,
-
where did you live? Or now, where do you live?
-
I lived mostly in Etchmiadzin
-
and then came to Yerevan. They paid
-
the rent. When they stopped, I could
-
no longer continue to pay the rent.
-
It is hard to survive in Yerevan. I went
-
back to Etchmiadzin. And there,
-
Mission Armenia helped me
-
again. UN paid my rent.
-
After that, my dream was to live
-
in Yerevan. There are more job
-
opportunities in Yerevan.
-
I applied to UN and Mission Armenia,
-
and they helped me find a boarding room.
-
I have been living there for a year and a half now.
-
And... do you live here
-
and work with Mission Armenia?
-
I take part in trainings. I teach kids.
-
I give English classes
-
and sometimes Armenian.
-
Because... learning from Western to
-
Eastern Armenian is very easy. It is
-
much easier. The grammar and spelling
-
and etcetera are much easier.
-
And... how is life at the new house?
-
How is life there? I live in a unit
-
that has 5 boarding rooms.
-
We all live in the same unit.
-
The only problem is during winter
-
we had heating problems.
-
Last year! Last year, we did not have
-
a bathroom to take a shower in
-
or could not even do laundry. We were
-
not living in good conditions. As soon as
-
a drop of water would drip on the floor...
-
it was scary even the elderly could
-
have slipped. UN paid for the rent
-
and renovations of this housing unit.
-
Some renovations were done, but some have
-
not been completed and I do not know why.
-
Heating is an important issue
-
in the winter.
-
We really need it, but who is going to
-
help us and how I do not know.
-
How do you think the government
-
and the other organizations are going
-
to help Syrian-Armenians to have
-
a better and easier life here?
-
The government does all that it can.
-
They can only help within their limits.
-
The organizations and benefactors of other
-
foreign countries can help us more
-
effectively if it is well-coordinated
-
with local authorities.
-
Which organization and in what way...
-
that only they know.
-
I think that the organizations can help us
-
more, but they have already helped us
-
(like UN and the Red Cross).
-
They have already done that.
-
And... did you feel welcomed by
-
the Armenians living in Armenia?
-
Did you feel welcome and see any
-
differences in the culture?
-
On the contrary, I was emotionally ready
-
to live here from way before.
-
The Armenia population is not that
-
different compared to Syrian-Armenians.
-
They have been to and visited Aleppo
-
already. We are not foreigners. For us,
-
the Armenian culture is not different.
-
There can be some small differences.
-
The country the Diasporan
-
is from can have an effect on him/her.
-
Here, it is a purely Armenian culture.
-
Everything is very beautiful and nice.
-
There is not that much difference. I got
-
used to it quickly. I accepted them in
-
every way from their cuisine to their way
-
of thinking. It was not that difficult.
-
With those little cultural and language
-
differences, how do you keep your
-
Syrian-Armenian culture here in Armenia?
-
For the Syrian culture, first is
-
Western Armenian. I do not want to forget
-
Western Armenian. I want to pronounce
-
Eastern Armenian well, but I cannot.
-
I can talk (said in Western).
-
I can talk (said in Eastern).
-
Pronouncing it is difficult.
-
Unfortunately, we have lost
-
the traditional pronunciations.
-
As a Syrian culture, an Armenian
-
culture, a Syrian-Armenian culture,
-
we still have the same traditions and
-
continue to do things in the same way.
-
Do you still think that you live
-
in your homeland? This is not the same
-
homeland that your grandfathers
-
and grandmothers lived in? Do you still
-
feel that this is your homeland?
-
Of course, it is not the same. 100 years
-
ago, it was different. It is not about
-
the 100 years. Already 5 years ago,
-
Armenia was different. Life is more
-
difficult now. When I came as a tourist
-
just to visit, my point of view
-
was different. Now that I live here,
-
it is more difficult. I saw more
-
of the difficulties. It is mine
-
and I belong to it. The sense of
-
belongingness is very nice. All Armenians
-
have to put their roots in Armenia.
-
Every person has to put their roots in
-
their own land.
-
When on someone else's land you plant
-
a tree, you might not have the time to sit
-
under the tree's shadow. You have to plant
-
the tree on your own land.
-
Do you want to stay here? Or go back
-
to Aleppo? Or go somewhere else?
-
I want to go back to Aleppo, because
-
I miss the land that I grew up in
-
(my birthplace, my home, and my neighborhood).
-
I have lived there for 46 years before
-
coming here. Of course, I have a lot of
-
memories there and I miss everyone there,
-
but I want to continue to live in Armenia.
-
And... what do you want to do for work?
-
On my own? On my own! If I do not find
-
a good job, there is no hope.
-
There has to be a job out there.
-
You should not lose all hope.
-
To enjoy life, you have to create your own
-
aspirations. Without work, you cannot
-
do anything.
-
What kind of job do you want?
-
Whatever is available. This is Armenia.
-
You have to work with whatever work
-
is available.
-
You said that you do not have family in Aleppo.
-
No, I do not have family there.
-
Do you have any family there?
-
No, no family.
-
Yes, I have friends and neighbours there.
-
Are they still there?
-
For the most part, they went to Europe.
-
For the most part, no one is there now.
-
Is your house still there? Yes, it is.
-
Is anyone checking up on it? Yes!
-
In 1915, we had to... no... we were forced
-
to leave. We did not decide to leave.
-
Unfortunately, our forefathers were
-
all displaced in 1915.
-
From the war, the ruins, and the death
-
of many people, only a few of the families
-
made it to Syrian land.
-
Now, it is very different. No one told us
-
to leave Syria. Never. We left. There are
-
still a lot of Armenians that live in
-
Aleppo, Syria. We left. We had the ability
-
to leave. We had the convenience to
-
leave. We wanted to leave. From the people
-
that came to Armenia with us, they came
-
here temporarily. We thought the war
-
would end and we would go back.
-
That is the reason why we came here.
-
Now, I do not want to talk for other
-
people. For the most part, the people
-
that have work here do not go back.
-
When they have learned and gotten used to
-
the life here and have a job here,
-
I do not think that they will go back.
-
I highly doubt that Aleppo will go back
-
to the way it was. It will take a long
-
time for it to be the same as before.
-
It will take a long time.
-
And... for you, personally, what draws you to Armenia?
-
Personally! Since childhood, the love
-
for Armenia was in our house, at school,
-
and in the community centers. There is
-
a problem of keeping our Armenianhood.
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The community centers and the schools
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work with this issue. In our house,
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patriotism was important. They always
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mentioned Armenia. When I came
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to Armenia in 2004 for 1 month,
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I left my soul here.
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I wanted to live here, but we could not
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dare to do that because of work. We could
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not destroy everything there and start
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a new life here. We did not know if
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we would succeed or not. I already
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wanted to live in Armenia. And now,
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I am here.
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Very good!
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What advice would you give? To give advice
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to who? To Syrian-Armenians?
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Yes, the ones that returned to Armenia.
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I do not give myself permission to give
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advice to others, because every
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difficulty and experience in life teaches
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you something new. You will see that
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there is still a lot that you do not know.
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For this reason, I cannot give advice
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to anybody. Everyone will know what is
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convenient for them and will think before
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taking the appropriate steps. Like I said
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before, for everyone their motherland
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has to be their inspiring, final
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destination that they will feel
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comfortable in.
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We do not need to live in foreign lands.
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You always have to live on your own land.
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The next generation... you will teach
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the next generation about their own land.
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The tree that I talked about earlier,
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you are going to plant it on
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your motherland. That is a beautiful
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statement.
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Can you tell me about yourself
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in two words? About myself?
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What are those two words?
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I am proud that I am Armenian. I am still
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having some difficulties and do not know
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what the future will bring, but I am happy
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that I live in Armenia. I always wanted to
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live here.
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I am thankful to the Armenian people
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here that were always ready to help.
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How can Syrian-Armenians help Armenia?
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Every person that has a talent or can
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bring something new to the table
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or has a skill, depending on
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the conditions, he/she can help
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Armenia. Why not? It depends if
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he/she has the right conditions.
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He/she has to be given the opportunity.
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The conditions have to be met
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financially first.
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You can work with things you know, so that
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you can help others as well. If someone
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has a personal store, he/she is not going
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to work alone. That individual will have
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other employees. Other families will be
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able to benefit from them too. This is
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the smallest way that they can help.
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There are other ways too. They can
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be artists or artisans for example.
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Syrian-Armenians have some advanced
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and knowledgeable workers now that work
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in different centers like the national
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library and other places that
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I do not want to specify.
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There are already Syrian-Armenians that
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are working and are helping Armenia.
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And... how did you make friends and make
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a community here? New social life?
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With Syrian-Armenians or Armenians from Armenia?
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My surroundings are mostly
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Eastern Armenians. I like change. I was
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emotionally ready to accept all
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the changes. Their life is interesting.
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It was not difficult to get used to
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the change. For me, it was nice.
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I have many vast, rich,
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and interesting surroundings.
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What are? You were so happy when you
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were saying Armenia has welcomed you
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and maybe you have said it already, but
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what are some examples of how
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they welcomed you?
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How Armenia has welcomed you?
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How the Armenians were accepting
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of us here? Example? Do you have
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examples? How they welcomed us?
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Like I said before... how the people?
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Do you have stories or examples?
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For example, it has happened that I have
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been in some sort of transportation
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and had to go somewhere
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and they knew from the way
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I talked that I spoke Western Armenian
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and they have paid 100 AMD for me.
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They wanted to do something. It has
-
happened that they did not take 100 AMD
-
from me or the taxi charged me less.
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All these people are people I do not know.
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Speaking about neighbours, as soon as
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I would move...
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they would ask me what I need.
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With that question, you know that you are
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not alone. There have always been people
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who were willing to help us. It was not
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only me. There have always been people
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and institutions who wanted to help
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(like the Red Cross, UN,
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and Mission Armenia). They are
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non-Syrian organizations. They already
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help us. There are a lot of people here
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that want to help us.
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Is there anything you want to add that
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you did not say?
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There is a lot.
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What kind of thing?
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All the Armenians should come back to Armenia.
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Please see, for example, my family has
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always loved Armenia even before
-
seeing it. I already loved Armenia. When
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we saw Armenia, we fell in love with it...
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because you feel like you belong to it
-
and it belongs to you and is your mom.
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With all its bad qualities, it is yours
-
and you belong to it. We really wanted
-
to come and move here. Since we always
-
thought about our work situation, we did
-
not take the necessary steps to move here.
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You can see that the day came and that we
-
are here now. We should not have come in
-
this way. We should have been more
-
organized when we came here. In the end,
-
we heard that our place is our mother's
-
lap and not foreign lands. Syria,
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my birthplace, is a very good place
-
in terms of its people and its government.
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They are like family to us.
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Your motherland should be your country.
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All the Armenians, especially those that
-
had the convenience to work here, can
-
create jobs. They do not have to think.
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There is not that much to think about.
-
They have to come and start from here
-
and after them the next generation.
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When the Diasporans start to come
-
to Armenia, especially the youth, they
-
should not be easily discouraged and have
-
high hopes. You should create that hope.
-
From generation to generation, we get
-
better. We sit and watch the Diasporans
-
from afar. The love of Armenia is
-
not enough. We have to do something.
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Everyone should do, whatever they can do.
-
There is a short story.
-
In the forest, a fire takes place.
-
All the animals... what does that word
-
mean? Fire! All the animals think about
-
saving their souls and run away. All
-
of a sudden, they see a bird on its back
-
and its feet up. They ask the bird, what
-
are you doing? Run away and save your
-
soul. You can get burnt and die. The bird
-
says, no, I am holding up the sky.
-
So, that bird with its small and weak feet
-
is trying to do its part.
-
It holds up the sky to protect and save
-
the forest. Sorry, it was not fire.
-
You could say that it was the end
-
of the world.
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If everyone does what they
-
can like the bird in the story and does
-
not get discouraged, something will
-
happen. So, we can do something to help.
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Anything else?
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No, that is all. I am a teacher I can
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talk all morning.
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We learned a lot from you.