Kesabl elderly Armenians, was brought to Turkey by dissidents and was used as a show material. Newspaper columns, “Turkey has opened its arms to the Armenians” was adorned minvalinde news. Karin goes to Vakiflikoy Karakaşlı, Kesab brought from the inner face of the event in consultation with the Syrian Armenian wrote.

Karin Karakasli
is karinkarakasli@agos.com.tr

PHOTOS: Arabian BERGER

The sound of a gun before, fluttered in the sky scattered with cries after a bevy … Kesab first image that comes to mind when you think of the Armenians in this. Armenians and Kesab, fell apart after a thousand years of history. Not much, even in the horrors of the war in Syria last two years, mainly in Aleppo bomb heaven and the fat of the remaining space of the cities of fleeing for dear life as he threw himself Kesab countryside for a time, is now a ghost town. Armenians remaining in town until the last half of the now aged forty Vakıflı in the village.

Gonna bring us such a quirk of fate, he says, all of them. After all, the two villages of the same history and geography more. The same local dialect of Armenian, talking quietly negotiate. Big city dwellers dream, orange and lemon garden Vakıflı Village, became a place of refuge. The village Kesabl Armenians who settled in two hostels horrors lie behind them, they wander in front like a fairy tale uncertainty and a combination of the old life sırtlıyor.

One side of the load in nasipleniy I am. There are 21 different stories in me. Large and small intrigues of policies that slashed every one of these people, entrust his life, actually. And while writing koyulurk most of these lives and their dignity’m more concerned with the fact that the specificity of protection. Tiny plastic bags in their hands, overcome only with the clothes they came in the weeks remaining in this place, they can also play the story, if you’re left with what?

War could, therefore, felt it on his skin directly decency to encounter another. Nursery teachers are Dzovin Sulyak’s words, “Beating the situation and would not count on eating.” Everybody say it to relieve the pain in beating. Morning, noon, evening Vakıflı residents of the village, this God is building for guests dining in shifts. Each of the look, the, garden, sheep, fruit mourning the loss of these people took refuge trying to comfort rooms. Televisions Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Armenia tuned to channels. Family cautiously as weather monitors,’re listening to the latest news about Kesab’l. It’s in the news bahsedildik unless they wake up from a nightmare, and moreover that they really live life with my beautiful nightmare before ordinary people like you want to believe that. The rest is silence deep …

This recording machine where the bankrupt. I do not have to extend the microphone. To sit at your feet, listen, understand, I’m trying to explain. They talked prepared by the opposition Armenian did not hurt to make the ‘mise en scene and it becomes evident that Turkey’s role in the mise en scène. All of them have been caught off guard what is happening in three days. Those who could flee, while the remaining bald ibis surrounding homes in the hands of opposition groups in Kesab widely from the house of a Aleppo, Aleppo, on the way to a farm in Daman, and from there to the village boundary and finally dragged Vakıflı. On the farm waiting to be killed at any moment that they spend two weeks, tireless road and their hands in their lap, they can look concatenate tell their former lives they shared.

The first stop

Three brothers Hagop, the Cury with Asbed and Babka Babken Nıvart Lebanese wife, my story was the first stop on my journey. Karuna is the green-eyed elderly mother of the brothers later I see in the hostel room. Kesab-born siblings, have settled a period of leave due to the civil war in Lebanon was forced. In all that time, auto mechanics, working in different jobs, such as pharmaceuticals in Kesab farming have done. Mr. Hagop “our house, we left our land. I’m coming I was 75, after this age will beg you? Here, thankfully, we get used to everything, but we’re interested in our food to be brought to our doorstep. We want to work, “he says.

Asbed said Cury take the last three days he explains: “Three years would always rumors of an attack. Last week on Facebook here who would occupy had read something in the form. On Thursday afternoon, five days before the bombing began. Friday also increased, with a car and was in a panic to escape. Strength of the soldiers who had until Saturday. We do not understand what happened then, suddenly besieged militia homes. We understand the soldiers pulled. Telephone, internet was disconnected. Sunday morning relied on the door. It was all a long beard. Doors were decimated our hands raised. Aleppo before us homeowners who took home a sizeable one. We all gathered there in groups. We’re stuck there for two days. I had surgery, I asked for permission to go home and take medication. We could not get anything else. Inside the house was plundered, the door had entered the motorcycle, the motorcycle on its side, petrol flowed into place. Glass has been in the frame. I have not seen already after one more house and home. ”

The second accommodation of prisoners, Kurdish mountains on the way to Aleppo was also called the Checkers. “The farm was located. But there’s nothing around, including chickens. Have carpeted concrete over the whole length. They said they prayed. We entered off our shoes. There was no furniture inside. They gave each of us two blankets. We stayed there for fifteen days. They decided to eat. Meanwhile also gave plenty of preaching Islam. Bridal you return to this religion, they said. First, everyone said they would return to their homes in Kesab. Comes out from the farm directly to the Catholic Church took the hill. Television channels ready waiting for us. They took us. We thought we’d go home and gather our belongings. In the place to go in Turkey, saying they did not allow everything to be. Also confiscated our passports and identity. Dispelling a kısmımızın them afterwards, but he is still missing. ”

Paterfamilias not limited to loss and identity. Babken Curyan Nıvart’s wife a daughter in Lebanon also a little grandchildren. But the 23-year-old son Kevork idea in mind. Militias have taken the boy took. Have not heard from him since that day, a single mother knows. “My son works in the kitchen making. Gardening was dealing with a well in the last days. Had military boots on the feet while doing business. I wonder if he took us for? “He asks.

There is no answer some of your questions. I’m shutting up.

‘Three hundred sheep gone’

Yessayi Ayntablı, the sister Silva, his wife and 35-year-old daughter Ani Hasmig have come with Ayntablı Vakıflı village. In 1958, foreign schools and education at American School is closed the remaining half is still burning. His older brother, “Kesab in Lebanon,” he went on ANCARI can, from there to the U.S. as an electronics engineer in the past. “What do we do to sacrifice one in the family?” He says.

Do not get me wrong, there is a real fighter in front of me. “Syria is not on me in the apple tree. We started with 11 apple trees with my wife, two beautiful gardens we have established, “he says proudly. During the Arab-Israeli war Yessayi Bey thought a bomb near the garden also got arrested. Innocent tortured for 45 days in military prison, then was released. Central location in the beautiful lands duly kidnapped by threatening mob tried to seize. “I always start from scratch in my life. Recently I raised this herd for many years. Now I do not know what happened 300 sheep. ”

“When the explosion were mountain sheep grazing. We have seen previously that lowering of air. My daughter told him withdraw troops from the border I was worried, “he tells the latest period, and adds:” Without having to say Allahu Akbar came with the sound militia. My daughter cried for his head off. I gave him my own hat. Weapon asked. We also have no weapon. They took their mobile phones. They stuck us in that farm. ‘Do not be afraid of our other Armenians have no business. Our troubles with Alevis. Flame, though I will kill my father, ‘they said. They put on the return path to the Catholic Church. ‘You will see the church cleaned. We downloaded a single cross, ‘they said. ‘The church was dirty, “he asked. They did not answer. The interior of the church was filled with broadcasters. When we pray to Der Voğormy were videotaped. Already at that exact moment the bomb exploded. Did you see bombing al-Assad’s men, “they said. On the road again greeted by Governor Yayladağı removed at the border. Vakıflı has given us to eat and go as I was told that the Armenians. Now here we are. ”

Two relatives who could hardly inside the house of Aleppo Anahid Aharonian and Nerses Tangukyan’m going to head. An old woman lies on the mattress. All that said so from the days of old people how to farm, from which an enigma. Ms. Anahid, showing the feet of Mr. Nerses. “Good bad could walk with a cane. For days to sit on the chair, how to look to concrete or swollen now. Kill us, we said right here. They said no. Forced to move or they put the car in your lap. ”

‘You’re working, they place’

I have next to bed again Zaven Hovsepian languidly in the way. Zaven concrete master gardener for 35 years and Gentlemen, “he’re the minority, you do work where they are,” he sums up the life of an oral report. About 500 gardeners in the time regime in Kesab every day, but that a case of bribe income for life is 500 kasalık explains. Town to be evacuated at once and caught slippin ‘into this situation of Armenians angry. “Did you see the scene of our administrators’ Long live our language, our people in there,” he rant. But when it comes to job performance is zero. Already one-third of people trying to Mailroom been an informant. There is nothing called the merger. Even the clergy of the Church to preach the regime had to offer for approval. Now we are. ”

Iraqis lost his wife. Daughter, married stranger in his own words. broken bond with his brother in the United States during this last period. Armenia has remained a dream, you want to get there. “Both my grandfather died in the desert. At that time France laughed at us, half of whom will these lands now? “He asks. Founded in mind also Kesab have stayed at the museum. “Armenian culture around the world brought on the tracks. Look now Kesab own was shattered. ”

One of the most valuable pieces of disarray in the village now Vakıflı. Encroaching upon their compatriots for the Armenian community in Turkey, we know it’s time to remedy a pain. Armenian Church of Surp Asdavaz Foundation’s account, (Ziraat Bank Account No: 33222327-5001 IBAN: TR83 0001 0004 4633 2223 2750 01) the contribution of everyone is waiting for. Of course, when I told them the story as no one can be compensated financially. But with every type of support Kesab Vakıflı the same village that Armenian history, recalling that connects the mouth, has a meaning as to build together the future.

Entrusted to me the story is ordering it. I also delivered to you now that I’m stories.

A Russian aristocrat: Movses Arabian

The gentleman stood up and meet me sad Marc Chagall’s paintings thin long face, deep-eyed man is reminiscent of. Movses Arabian Arabian and sister Marta, who in the winter Kesab article in Latakia and two brothers living together. Marta lost the way to exile Arabia’s counterpart wanted to drugs. Return to Top of cane in hand because there was constant. For reminiscent of a tree branch that cane “brought from Kesab. I’m sittin ‘where I’m falling, “he says. Owner of one of the world’s most beautiful expression of the Arabian Movses “We have relatives in Armenia and the United States. I do not want to see me this hair beard saying, “you agree to be photographed only from behind. Two brothers of the situation until it is clear what will happen as a protest decided to stay with the old clothes.

Mr. Movses Vakıflı next hours strolling in the village hill I see. Take a walk in Kesab always been like that. There is a state that can not fit anywhere. Will set out the right to a full house in Latakia on Saturday, the militia had surrounded the house. He wanted to show the other Armenians have left their homes. After long way to go. “My sister can not walk,” he, driver injured in a paramilitary vehicle came to the house with the wide range of Aleppo. “The evening was very cold. My house is one kilometer away. Go shoes, jackets, let’s say. They gave one of our Y. We walked from home to the car again put us in two small pods were taken to Daman side, “she recalls.

Carpeted concrete place, mattress, chair, sofa that non-farm men and women divided into two groups with two blankets on them have stayed for two weeks. “I pray five times a day, so you do not pray, why they were calling us as well,” she recalls of that period, Movses Araby. “I three times a day and prayed in church on Sunday, we were told.” Jesus Christ is the Son of God telling stole a cross on the ground. Movses Araby, he lost a lot when talking about the days that tells the bag. On entering the house lived in the turmoil that the confiscated bag tide, signs of psychological war story: “Inside there were books and other things. I told the guard at the entrance. Today we look at tomorrow’s late, he said. I said the next day. We ask our elder said to the Emir. Eventually I told the Emir, but I could not find a two-piece out of the bag. ”

Overlooked in the church in Kesab them ready and waiting broadcasters holding the bomb explosion at precisely that moment a slight smile tells it. “Will took us to the borders of us when” sums up the end of the process.

Dinner, by w

rapping his scarf is participating in a fabulous fur cap. Physically here but a moment before the eyes of two brothers in Latakia in return. Movses from Arabia, said he remains a backward: “He Does e Gants, the gull-inch gısbas to keri / Day passes are captured, what people expect …”

God, I wonder where have you been?’

Serop and is Dzovin Sülyen, I encountered two other guest at the dinner table. Church Serop Sülyen with jamgoç, thick wool beanie with a white mustache and looks like something out of a history of William Saroyan. Posttraumatic perhaps most of his life begins by saying something decisive now hope to talk, because he suddenly “did his military service from 1961 to 68 full seven years in Syria,” he said on entering. The second sentence of the other pillars of his life is completed. “Ten years I took my place in Sabie wearing ritual. One day I’m in the church today. Pastor of our church came from Aleppo. He appeared to have gone, I’m everything. I chant with 8 different authority. ”

If Dzovin wife kindergarten teachers. Two years later, though retires. Erupted on the eve of the weekend of events, teachers and mothers day has coincided. Look after your holiday has been the largest of the six-year-old middle school no little lamb. That they are taken away by militias in captivity recounting the days eyes red from crying: “Death at any moment t we felt in our days. Chechen, Libyan, Maghreb, Egyptian, were mixed Wahhabi. Kesab how they find and bring the upper floors in the house of the Virgin Mary statue and crosses If you come in front of us were shattered on the floor. Days later, the Catholic Church towards that in Kesab sokarlark us, I looked around the remains of a bird, nor a cat. Tree pattern, all is black. “Your eyes are looking at me for a moment to wipe out ambition. “I did not look at the school. It was dark I could not see at all. Kids are still going in my dream. “After leaning your head. Whispers right into your lap. “God, I wonder where have you been?”

‘I like a woman broke up, I did not marry a more’

This gentleman came and found me and stole their hearts. Already encounter with the other kind of view would not be able to talk. More than showing up, not to feel that one of the çekiliver into a corner now. Hokis, can I start by saying that the speech of the first sentence, a question was: “Guess I’m how old?” Had I age, I will not know, and show as old as he is proud of the “88 years old,” he said and added. “May 1st is my birthday.”

And two brothers Hagop Vazken Giragosy they’re here. Mr. Hagop photographer. And the last day of a lifetime with seven different cameras, at the beginning of the business worked until the last minute, Mr. Vazken the cobbler. Photo asked me to withdraw. “Whether our memories,” said Hagop Giragosy question before, and I was sort of the second and third sentences. “I’ve been in love once in my life, we parted. An even got married. My children are all beautiful in the world. ”

At dinner, I sat at the bottom of the index Hagop Giragosyan. Never remove the cap store in the beginning showed that key. I took a napkin to wipe my hand in his pocket. “Clean, take it,” he said. As well as come into the room quietly after lunch. Hagop did not ask questions but most of Giragosyan ever understood him. Berge home at night “Human After experiencing so many things to tell you in love first?” He asked. “Of course it does, so I’d start talking,” he said. “Well, you’re not ordinary and a good example in this regard,” I said, we laughed mutual. After that, he is very impressed with both of us that people share this determination was the most decisive. “You know, this is a story of longing. Lost first love, longing attracted a lifetime. Now home, I was losing homesick, longing to return to the first of what could be more natural? .. ”

15 days of captivity

This past week, Sırpuhi and Satenik Titizy brothers’ Vakıflı village evolved over Turkey and the world community that spans Kesabl Armenian developments related to the April 5, Saturday night average age of highly rated 19 Kesabl Armenians more Yayladag by logging in to the village with the arrival once again came up.

Diet troop withdrawal and opposition militias homes siege on the prisoners, falling ago Halepli an Armenian confiscated mansion, then checkers or Kurdish mountains known as the Aleppo on the road in the area evacuated on a farm retained convoy, about fifteen days in captivity after the frontier was brought.

The first day, the Turkish Red Crescent has also donated clothing and goods Kesabl Armenians, Vakıflı two board was placed in the village. Morning, noon and evening meals every time, assuming a resident of the village. They eat their meals together with the people of the village and vicinity Alevi villages in dishes from the citizens is showing solidarity. Wednesday, April 9 U.S. Ambassador John Espinoza’s Consul in Adana personally visited the village accompanied by food, the flame was supplied by the neighbors.

Weeks of fear and dread hours, later in life, of being under the influence of various health problems, struggling with Kesablı to them embracing Vakıflı Village, then they leave to their home country geographically and historically very close visual de mind still family and relatives took shelter in Latakia and Aleppo back to the can. There is no direct diplomatic relations between Turkey and Syria, Lebanon, first they want to reach. Because it is close to some of the thinking of settling in Lebanon. Unfortunately, some passport is confiscated. Turkey on behalf of the Armenian Patriarchate Archbishop Aram Atesyan, calling Antilias Gatoğigo I. Aramaic, who took refuge in the village of Vakıflı Kesablı be asked to help. Aram I. were closely interested in the topic and do their best and that they will help in any way. Armenian Patriarchate in Turkey on behalf of the Spiritual Board opened a campaign to help donate five thousand was reported for the third account number.

TL Account for Armenian Kesabl with the phrase: Turkey Ermenlier patriarchate of Yapi Kredi Bank – Kumkapi branch, branch code: 047, account number: 11549696 IBAN Code: TR430006701000000011549696

For Armenians Kesabl Euro Account with the phrase: Turkey of the Armenian Patriarchate of Yapi Kredi Bank – Kumkapi branch, branch code: 047, account number: 23634286 IBAN CODE: TR570006701000000023634286

For Armenians Kesabl Dollar Account: Turkey Ermenlier patriarchate of Yapi Kredi Bank – Kumkapi branch, branch code: 047, account number: 11549769 IBAN CODE: TR120006701000000011549769