Hovhannes Kachaznuni (February 14, 1868– January 15, 1938)

The first prime minister, Hovhannes Kachaznuni (Kajaznuni) died in prison on January 15, 1938. He was the Republic of Armenia’s only founding principal who repatriated to Armenia after having left it in 1921. I have attached my translation of his letter dated May 15, 1924, asking permission to repatriate. 

Hovhannes Kachaznuni's last picture. Courtesy Tatul Hakopyan 

One of the founding fathers of the Republic of Armenia and its first prime minister, Hovhannes Kachaznuni (Kajaznuni) died on January 15, 1938, in a prison hospital in Yerevan, from influenza and or pneumonia. He was to be executed on December 5, 1937, according to the decision taken by People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia but the execution was temporarily halted by the prison physician because of his poor health.

He was born on February 1, 1868 (February 14 according to the new calendar), in Akhalkalak  (Jevakhk). His wife’s name was Satenik Mirimian. Their daughters’ names were Hrachya (Anahit) (died in 1974), and Margarita (died in 1994). Their sons’ names were Aram (killed in 1921), Ashot (killed in 1918), Ruben (died 1953), and Karen (died in 1941). Only the surviving sons had families of their own.

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Hovhannes Kachaznuni’s letter for repatriation”

“Application to the Soviet Authority

Trade Representative of the Transcaucasian Soviet Republics

Berlin

Wanting to return to Armenia, I humbly ask you to instruct me what actions I should take to get the proper permit.

Information about me.

I was born in 1868, in Akhalkalak district. I am married - my wife and children are now in Tiblisi. I am a civil engineer by profession. Party-wise, until last year my affiliation has been with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. 

Last August 1923, I resigned from the Federation and now I am not associated with any party. 

In the first months of 1918, during the existence of the Transcaucasian Federated Republic, I was a member of the Sejm, and then of the provisional government. After the dissolution of the Federation in 1918, from the beginnings of the summer 1918 to the end of the summer in 1919, I was the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. In 1919 and 1920, I toured Europe and North America to find economic assistance for Armenia.

In 1920, I was elected President of the Parliament. 

I left Armenia in April 1921, with the retreating army and the people because of to the February uprising. I crossed over Mountainous Armenia to Persia and from there, by a long journey, to India and Egypt. I came to Istanbul where I stayed until the fall of 1922. At the end of 1922, I came to Bucharest where I have been staying to this day.

I want to return to the Motherland, because I consider it a civic duty and I have a sincere desire to participate in the ongoing construction works in Armenia.

Accept the assurance of my respects

Hovhannes Kachaznouni

May 15, 1924

Bucharest”

Kachaznouni’s gravesite is unknown. The surviving family members had a monument placed in the family’s designated burial site in Tokmakh Cemetery in Yerevan.

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Sources: The letter was published in 1965 in “Kachaznouni after death: Stories, Memories, Articles, Letters" compiled by Simon Vratsian and published by the "Hamazkayin" Printing House in Beirut, in 1965 as reported by and a copy of the text was posted by Tatul Hagopyan on ANI Armenian Research Center. The rest of information I have gathered from Mike Babyan’s “Commemorative Book of Independence”. Vahe H. Apelian