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Farewell Aleppo – The Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center
Armenian studies in the heart of the Armenian diocese
Krapar & Kini (Գրաբար եւ Գինի)
On May 21, 2014May 21, 2014 By zohrabcenterIn General Interest, Zohrab Center Updates
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, the city of Aleppo, Syria became a staging ground and refuge for tens of thousands of Armenian Genocide survivors.
Քաղաք մըն ես դուն արաբական,
Գիտցայ թէ ա´լ քաղաք չկայ։
Ապրեցանք մենք միշտ միասին
Որպէս եղբայր հայն արապին.
Գործեցինք մենք միշտ միասին,
Մօտ է օրը մեր բաժանման,
Իմ մանկութեան լոյսի խորան.
Պիտի յիշենք քեզ տեւական,
Իմ մանկութեան յոյսի խորան։
Զաւակները իր քովը կանչեց.
Կը բաժնուիմ քեզմէ սիրով
Հալէպ քաղաք մնաս բարով։
Born in Erzerum, Turkey in 1906, Paylag Khatchadourian lost his parents, grandparents, uncle, three sisters and one brother in the Genocide. Barely escaping the atrocities himself, he was placed in the Kalekian Armenian orphanage in Syria. At the age of 18, Khatchadourian was released from the orphanage. He continued his education and subsequently settled with his family in Aleppo.
Written as the author was preparing to emigrate to Armenia along with thousands of others during the great repatriation of 1946, the poem poignantly conveys the tender love of countless Armenian genocide survivors for Aleppo, which became their “precious birthplace” and “second fatherland.” Today, as this historic city lies in ruins, the poem resonates in a new and tragic strain.
The poem was submitted by Dr. Aida Khatchadourian of Orlando, Florida, daughter of the poet, who died in 1991.
Read more about the Repatriation of 1946.
1946AleppoArmenian GenocideArmenian orphangeArmenian orphansArmenians of AleppoArmenians of SyriaHalebKalekian orphangeՀալէպrepatriatesRepatriationsurvivor accountsSyria
Save a Language. Save a Culture. A Sociolinguist Discusses the Future of Western Armenian
Armenians in a Multicultural World. Monastic Insights on Armenian Identity and Faith. Lecture by Prof. Roberta Ervine.
One thought on “Farewell Aleppo”
Dear Zohrab Center: This is indeed a very touching poem. I can certainly understand why the poet has such intense loyalty to Aleppo. It is too bad Syria has been dominated by the Assad family for so many years. Without them maybe things would have gone better recently for the Armenians. Apparently the Syrian Armenians and other Syrian Christians are all supporters of the Assad regime. A Faustian bargain, indeed. Thankyoufor sharing this beautiful poem.  Anoush Miridjanian
May 21, 2014 at 3:46 PM Reply
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