Genocide survivor Archives

Armenian Genocide survivor Silvard Atajyan passed away at 105

February 2, 2018 By administrator

Silvard Atajyan passed away aged 105

Armenian Genocide survivor Silvard Atajyan died on Thursday night at the age of 106.

Silvard Atajyan’s granddaughter Nune said the old woman was conscious and talking. She died sitting in her armchair.

In 1915 disregarding the threats by the Turkish authorities, the residents of Armenian villages on the Mediterranean coast climbed Mount Musa (Musa Dagh) and organized a self-defense. Silvard’s parents Hayrapet and Maritsa Sherbetyan were among them. She was only three years old during the events.

Two years ago, Silvard Atajyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the Turks killed her uncle and threw him into the river, whereas her father managed to escape.

“In the daytime, the women were standing, without fear, with their fathers, husbands and brothers. At night, however, they were slipping down the mountain without being noticed, and to collect grapes and figs to somehow provide something to eat for the fighting men” she said. Sometime thereafter, Silvard Atajyan was to notice that her future mother-in-law, Silvard Atajyan, also was taking part in their defense of Mount Musa.

After the First World War, however, the Armenians again had the opportunity to go back to Mount Musa. But the Sherbetyan family, which already had settled in Aleppo, stayed in Syria.

“The French gave our lands to the Turks,” Silvard Atajyan said trying to hold back the tears in her eyes. “We could no longer travel home.”

Silvard Atajyan’s granddaughter Nune told us that on every third Sunday of September, Grandma Silvard cooks Harissa, the traditional food of the Mount Musa residents, for her grandchildren and relatives. Thus, she pays tribute to her father and the defenders of Mount Musa.

In 2015, NEWS.am interviewed Silvard Atajyan within the framework of the “Survivors” project ahead of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated in the Ottoman Turkey in 1915-23.

The press: Armenian genocide of 1915: Marseille mobilizes

February 17, 2015 By administrator

Didier Parakian whose grandparents arrived by boat in Marseille

“I am a grand-son of genocide survivor. The report 77 is close to my heart. “ The assistant to the economy, Didier Parakian whose grandparents arrived by boat in Marseille, will present this morning [Monday] the events commemorating the Armenian Genocide of 1915. “2015 is a painful year, but carrier of hope. Hoping that the criminalization of genocide is finally submitted to Parliament, “added the elected.

In this centenary year of the genocide, many events will be organized in Marseille, exhibitions, meetings, debates for the 80 000 Marseillais of Armenian origin, the largest community in France and for all the Marseillais.

On 24 April, the City Hall will be draped in the colors of Armenia is able to discover in exile 100 portraits exhibition at the History Museum with Aram association. On 24 April, the City Hall will be draped in the colors of Armenia. And July 14, on the occasion of the National Day, Marseille host the Mayor of Yerevan, Marseille city with which maintains close relations since 1992.

2015 is also the year of creation of an association Marseille Provence Armenia that will unite around this commemoration City, Metropolitan and CCI Franco-Armenian under the patronage of the Consulate General of Armenia in Marseilles.

Didier Parakian also launch on the occasion of this board, “Club M” ambassadors for the city of Marseille. M as Marseille, Metropole Mediterranean.

“A new promotional tool in the fight against Marseille Bashing, which will count including Yvon Berland Gerald Passédat Masha Makeïeff, Jean-Pierre Foucault, Olivier Picasso, the Saade …”.

Kessab Armenian Genocide survivor celebrates 104th birthday

May 6, 2014 By administrator

Joseph Manjikian celebrated his 104th birthday at the Pasadena Highlands with over one hundred people in attendance including family, friends, and community leaders, Asbarez reported.

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) presented Mr. Manjikian with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition honoring his life. City of Sierra Madre Mayor John Harabedian, Armenian National Committee of America board members Raffi Hamparian and Raffi Kassabian, ANCA-Western Region Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan, Armenian Bar Association President Garo Ghazarian and Kessab Education Association President Esther Tognozzi were also in attendance.

“My father is the richest man from Kessab,” said Dr Haig Manjikian, son of Joseph Manjikian. “Having survived the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and suffering the loss of family and close friends, he understands that the real wealth in life lies in the ability to cherish and appreciate time spent with family, friends, and community.”

Joseph Manjikian was born May 9th, 1910 in Kessab, Syria, at that time a part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. During the Armenian Genocide, his father was conscripted into the Ottoman Army only to be murdered along with fellow Armenians. The villagers were forced into exile, marched into the desserts of Der Zor, along with countless other Armenians from the region. He was able to survive by eating weeds his mother collected along the way. By good fortune, survivors from Kessab were able to go back to their village, as it became part of Syria after World War One.