Aleppo: Diaspora’s Rose and Point of Reference.

Vahe H. Apelian

Courtesy Kantsasar newsletter

All Armenian eyes are also directed towards Aleppo these days. Yesterday Catholicos Aram paid a pontifical visit there. The pontiff was welcomed by the representatives of the Armenian religious denominations and was warmly received  by the much tested Aleppo Armenian community

I was reminded of the following two quotes. 

The first one is from Antranig Zarougian and is from his book “Yerazaying Haleb” (Dreamy Aleppo). The book is a collection of short stories about Aleppo where Antranig Zarougian and his mother found refuge after the genocide and where Antranig Zarougian spent his formative years. The title of the book - Yerazayin Haleb - became a rather common expression when speaking of the Armenian Aleppo.

The other quote is a comment by Viken Attarian. He has posted the comment as a response to an article I had written in Keghartdotcom, a few years ago. I found his comment distilling the essence of Aleppo and what that city means for the Armenian Diaspora.

The quotes:

“I have had numerous occasions to write and speak about Haleb Armenians in large halls, in front of hundreds of people. Let me say my real thoughts from the heart. However the number of Haleb Armenians dwindles, the root remains. I remain with deep conviction that the Haleb Armenian is the rose of the Diaspora. If we liken the Armenian Diaspora to a tasty fruit, its seed has come from Haleb.”

Antranig Zarougian. 

Courtesy Aleppo Black and White FB Site

“Haleb is undoubtedly a milestone in the evolution of our Armenian Diasporan identity of the post-Genocide period.  I believe that it is there that the future community of Beirut was forged, and from then on to the different realities of our existence in the West.  In the great migration of our people, Haleb was the first place of a Great Gathering after the initial murderous big bang of the Great Dispersion. The above applies to all aspects of community life, whether they be historical, cultural, political, artistic, literary and so on.  This is not to minimize the roles of other places.  Far from it, but, if there are temporal and geographic points of reference around which our existence coalesced after 1915, Haleb was surely the first.” 

Viken Attarian

Courtesy George Abadrjian