Antranik: The Death of the Hero – the Burial (2/2)

 Dr. Antranig Chalabian, my maternal uncle, was endearingly called “Antranigaked -Անդրանիկագետ), which means someone who has expert knowledge about Andranik, born on February 25, 1865. Attached is an excerpt from the last chapter of Antranig Chalabian’s book, “General Andranik and the Armenian Revolutionary Movement” that has been translated in a few languages.

Andranik's cemetary thomstone in Paris 

" More than ten thousand Armenians from all over California and other places came to pay their respects at the funeral services on September 7 (1927). Out of admiration for the great Armenian, the mayor of Fresno and other dignitaries attended the service. Andranik’s former second-in-command, Smbat, who was still in Fresno at that time, insisted that the funeral not be the sponsorship of any single political party. He wanted it to be a dignified observance and completely Armenian in tone. One of Andranik’s soldiers led a horse draped with a black blanket and carrying Andranik’s uniform, sword and boots -symbolizing Andranik’s life as a fedayee – at the head of the procession to Ararat Cemetery where the hero’s remains would be buried temporarily. A military band played Chopin’s funeral march. Andranik’s comrades-in-arms served as pallbearer. Next to the coffin loaded flowers, walked General Andranik’s widow, Nevart, overcome with grief. A low flying airplane strewed flowers on the road that ten thousand mourners tread to the cemetary.

When the procession reached the grave, funeral orations were given by the leaders Jim Chankalian, Haid Bonapartian, and Smbat Baroyan. Smbat dressed in a colonel’s uniform spoke briefly. He then opened the coffin and kissed the hero’s forehead as a last farewell on behalf of his soldiers and the Armenian people.

Then a fair young girl in black dress approached the coffin to recite a poem. Choked with grief, she was hardly able to begin. When she finally managed to utter the word “Andranik”, she began to sob. She continued crying until her wailing and loud laments enveloped the crowd. Ten thousand mourners joined her in sobbing, wailing, and shedding tears. The wailing reached such a proportion that a group of soldiers, in order to turn the tide of lamentation and divert the attention of the people, came to attention and began to sing one of the songs dedicated to the hero.The whole crowd of mourners joined in and the atmosphere reverberated with thousands of voices singing together To Andranik (see footnote):

To Andranik

Like an eagle o’er the mountains and rocks, you soar

The heaven and earth welcome outroar,

You name through the ages, shall live evermore

Armenia’s cliffs be your refuge, Andranik!

Your enemies base, of your deeds when they hear,

To their nests they crawl! Like serpents in fear,

Heroic your blood is and pure and sincere,

May it course on for age and age, Andranik!

Let Armenia’s maiden weave laurel wreath fair,

For their tender hands gently crown your hair,

And bring for you dauntless breast pearls rich and rare,

May you live evermore, O brave Andranik.

Let Armenia’s nightingales chant loud and free,

Your praises forever from ticket and tree!

Brave warrior, unconquered for ages shall you be,

Our home’s defender, our hero Andranik.

*****

Unfortunately, the great hero’s will was not carried out. Conditions in the motherland were such that its leaders were not in a position to allow a few square feet of space for the burial of a man who dedicated his entire adult life for the liberation of his ancestral lands.

Nearly five months after the funeral service in Fesno, Andranik’s remains were exhumed and enclosed in an oaken coffin to be taken to Armenia, but the central government in Moscow prevented the transfer. Nevart then asked the French ambassador in Washington, D.C., for permission to transfer her husband’s remains to Paris. The ambassador informed Nevart that the French government would gladly allow the transfer of Andranik’s remains to the French capital. Soon after, the coffin containing Andranik’s remains was moved to San Francisco, where the French consul completed the formalities and arranged the paper work. The coffin sealed, to be opened only in Paris, Andranik’s widow, Nevart would escort the coffin.

After three days, Nevart with Andranik’s coffin in her care, left New York harbor abroad the ship Lili de France. Andranik’s body arrived at the Saint Lazare train station on the 20^th of January 1928. After the formalities were arranged, the coffin was delivered to the Armenian Prelacy. Andranik’s remains were buried in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Seven thousand mourners attended the funeral service on January 29, 1928.

The Archbishop Vramshabouh Kibarian, who had baptized Andranik as a revolutionary in Shabin Karahisar and officiated at his wedding in Paris, also performed his memorial service. The same cross was used on all three occasions. "

Footnote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?=5UKuAOvfFZE

*****

p.s. Andranik’s remains were moved to Armenia in 2000, and a memorial was built on his grave with the phrase Zoravar Hayots—"General of the Armenians"—engraved on it.

Andranik's cemetary thombstone in Yerevan

 

Andranik: The Death of the Hero (1/2)

https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2023/02/antranik-death-of-hero-1_26.html