When Vartan Mamikonian Was About to Balk - Simon Simonian (1/2)

 In memory of DIKRAN GULLEKIAN. This blog was originally posted on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. I am reposting it in remembrance of Dikran Gullekian, whom I had befriended on Facebook. I had asked him to send me a picture of the painting of Vartan Mamikonian, I had seen on a wall in his room, in Beijing, China. Dikran Gullekian passed away on December 30, 2023 in Montreal (see below). I am reposting the blog in his Dikran’s memory.  Vaհe H Apelian

Courtesy Dikran Gullekian

«Geh khntrvi Khatchatsevel – Կը Խնդրուի Խաչաձեւել» is the title of an unusual book by the late Simon Simonian. He fictionalized an event that allegedly took place in Beirut’s UNESCO Hall filled to capacity, where  some of the Armenian historic figures, such as: Gregory the Illuminator, Catholicos Sahag Bartev, the legendary patriarch of the nation Haig, Dikran the Great, King Drtad and many others, came onto stage and said what they did and what would have happened had it been their way.

The slogan of the event, in classical Armenian, was the following: “There has not been a dusk that was not followed by a dawn”. The  theme of the dignitaries’ discourses was tri fold: 1.What did we do for the Armenian people. 2. How is that the Armenian people survive and did not die off? 3. Why is it that the Armenian people will not die off?

This fictitious event was supervised by the current Armenian political parties, each having assigned a specific task. The Hnchagians were to ring the bell alerting the attendees to the succession of the appearances of these Armenian historical dignitaries on stage. The Tashnags were tasked to oversee the security of the event. The Ramgavars were tasked to maintain silence as the event progressed. The Communists were tasked to create commotion. The event supposedly took place on January 1, 1965, the year the 50^th anniversary of the Armenian genocide was to be commemorated

From the get-go, the readers are alerted that this  unusual event is a satirical Armenian history review. Customarily when organizers announced an upcoming event, they  alerted  the community not to hold another event that would overlap theirs. But this time around, the organizers were imploring to have this event overlapped, which made the title of the book "Please Overlap". After the appearance of the dignitaries on stage was concluded a dinner dance was held. 

The book is 152 pages long and was published by Simon Simonian’s Sevan Publishing House in Beirut in 1965. The book retailed for 2.5 Lebanese Lira, or 3 Syrian pounds. For those who live abroad (aradasahman) the book retailed  for a dollar. 

It should be noted that ardasahman is a term Armenians in Armenia use for those who live outside Armenia. It also should be noted that Simon Simonian was a persona-non-grata in Soviet Armenia and his literary works and the bi-weekly “Spuyrk” he published were banned in Soviet Armenia. Consequently, Simon Simonian must have  known that his book will not see the light of day in Soviet Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora outside Lebanon was abroad for him. Simon Simonian was a fiercely independent person and the only organization he belonged was the compatriotic union of the Sassountsi Armenians. His parental lineage was  from Sassoun.

 A quote in the book pertaining to Vartan Mamigonian prior to the famous Battle of Avarayr, bewildered me. It reads as follows: “On the Greek-Persian border, shortly before the Battle of Avarayr, Zoravar Vardan Mamikonian was stopped  by Armenian border guards as he tried to cross to the Greek side with his entire family, his wife, his two brothers, Hmayak and Hamazasp, and their wives, sons and grad children and with all his blood relatives (nobles) and servants. Vartan Mamikonian declared at the border that he is crossing to the Greek section for the freedom of worship, and that his brother Hmayak was even willing to do begging (pp. 176-7). The border guards returned Vardan Mamikonian and his blood relatives to the Ayraradian plain and showed them the way to Avarayr. It is evident that Vartan was forcibly led to Avarayr, against his free will. They were ordered to rest all winter.” GHAZAR PARBETSI, a relative and friend of the Mamikonians. (Venice Press, pp. 174-185).”

Simon Simonian attributed the quote to the Armenian chronicler Ghazar Parbetsi and “authenticated” it by citing not only the author but  also the pages of the book and its source. When I inquired about the authenticity of the quote, some friends claimed its completely ficticious. Sassoun, Simon Simonian’s claimed it is an authentic quote.  Fortunately, two friends came to my rescue forwarding me a copy of the chronicle and Harout Topjian, who is educated in Cilician See, shared the following by putting it in context and noted that Vartan Mamigonian, angered by the disunity and discord among the Armenian wanted to pass to Armenia under the Hellenic rule. The Armenian nobles having heard from Vasak Sunni, who was the marzban (Persian appointed governor) of Armenia, Vartan Mamigonian’s intention and preparation  to cross to Armenia under the Greek side sent a delegation headed by the priest Ghevont Yerets who assured him the Armenian nobles stood by the secret vow they took, while they pretended yielding to the Persian King Yezkert’s demands and accepting the Persian religion so that they could return to Armenia for the sake of their homes and families. The delegation implored him to return for they knew without Vartan Mamigonian’s leadership they will not be able to counter the eminent attack by the angered Persian king. 

Vartan Mamigonian relented and returned noting to them he feared neither  the enemy, nor the dreaded war. It is only because of the divided loyalties and disorderly deeds that he decided to move to Armenia on the Byzantine side with his family, brothers, their families and his courtiers and that he would return as long as the nobles promised to act in an orderly manner and remain united.

Thus began the preparation of the famous battle waged on the plains of Avarayr. The disunity and the discord among the Armenians appeared to have posed to doom the most famous Armenian battle, its contemporary chronicler Eghishé described in detail.

As to the Simonian’s quote, there is a kernel of truth in it, but surely he has changed the wording as the actual text by Ghazar Parbetsi indicates (next).

 

Note:          Simon Simonian’s posted quote: “Յոյն-պարսկական սահմանին վրայ, Աւարարայրի ճակատամարտէն քիչ առաջ, Հայ սահմանապահերու կողմէ վար դրուեցաւ Ծօրավար Վարդան Մամիկոնեան, երբ կը փորձէր պարսկական բաժնէն յունական կողմը անցնիլ՝ իր ամբողջ ընտանիքին եւ տոհմին – կնկան, երկու եղաբայրներուն՝ Հմայակին եւ Համազասպի, անոնց կիներուն, զաւակներուն ու թռռներուն, իր բոլոր արիւնակից ազգականերուն (ազնուական) եւ ծառաներուն հետ։ Վարդան Մամիկոնեան սահմանին վրայ յայտարարեց թէ ոգիի ազատութեան համար կ՚անցի յոունական բաժինը, իսկ իր եղբայր Հմայեակ՝ նոյիսկ մուրացկանութիւն ընելու համար ( էջ 176-7)։ Սահմանապահերը Այրարատեան դաշտ վերադարձուձին Վարդան Մամիկոնեանն որ իր արիւնակիցները եւ անոնց ցոյց տուին Աւարարայրի ճամբան։ Յայտի է որ Վարդան բռ նութեամբ կ՚առաջնորդուի Աւարայր, իր ազատ կամքէն հակառակ։ Հրամայուեցաւ անոնց՝ ամբողջ ձմեռը հանտիստ ըմել։ՂԱԶԱՐ ՓԱՐՊԵՑԻ, Մամիկոնեաններու ազգական եւ բարեկամ պատմիչ։ (Տպ. Վենետիկ, էջ 174-185 ).

                                                                                    ***

Dikran Gullekian

 

Hamprtsoum Antourian broke the news of the death of Dikran Gullekian noting:  “With great regret I announce the death of a great friend DIKRAN GULLEKIAN (KELEKIAN), a the of 70 after a long illness. He left us quietly in the evening of December 30, 2023."

I befriended Dikran on Facebook. He was born and raised in Lebanon. The whirlwinds of life had taken him to Beijing, China where he made a living catering middle-eastern food and had become a good ambassador to all things in Armenian. He was divorced after having married locally. He often posted about food and about pets. He appeared to be an animal lover.

ON December 10, 2019, Suzanne Ajamian, on behalf the Armenian community in China (CHINA-HAY) posted that “Dikran Gullekian, an Armenian residing in Beijing and fighting for his  December 9, our friend Dikran Gullekian – much loved for his kind heart and delicious hummus – suffered a stroke requiring immediate heart surgery to save his life. Together the Beijing community raised a miraculous Y250,000 for doctors to successfully operate on Monday night. Dikran is now stable in the ICU and faces a long road for recovery.

It was around that time that I befriended him on Facebook. He seemed to get by doing what he did, middle eastern cuisine and attended to pets. He had posted a picture of Vartan Mamikonian he had someone draw for him. I had asked him to have a picture of the painting forward to me. He did and I posted it in my blog and reposted it here next to a picture of his.  He left the painting behind in Beijing, China,  when he moved to Montreal, Canada where he had relatives and friends. He passed away, on December 30, 2023, as posted.

I attached some of the comments on his Facebook page.

 

“He is one friend I miss a lot, he was my 5th friend on FB. Humorous, kind, respectful & very considerate. I pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort us all.... in Jesus Name. (Nora Matossian)

 

“RIP my friend. will miss our talk around food and Spice”.  (Bedros Bedros) 

 

“Just learnt the passing of Dikran, RIP “Laogu. (Zhen Gupo)

 

“Rest in Eternal Peace dear Dikran my Facebook friend, although I never met you but you were a part of my daily visit to Facebook” (Armineh  Արմինէ Khachadourian)

 

“老友老顧Dikran Gullekian於加拿大時間2023/12/30過世

享壽70歲 RIP” Leo Liu

 

 

The Arshakunis: The legend of king Arshak – 4/7 –

Read the attached translated story and derive your own conclusion from the legend of King Arshak II (350-367 CE) as depicted in the Simon Simonian’s history book, lesson 8^th fifth grade elementary Armenian school students. Note Simon Simonian narrated the legend depicting the Armenian Arshakuni king as Arshak I, (Ե. Սարի, Ը. Դաս, Արշակ Ա.). Simon Simonian has presented the story noting that «this story tells us about the appeal of the Armenian soil and water.» Lately, decades after having read the story during my impressional childhood, the same story has been popping in my mind. I thank Sassoun Simonian from Lebanon and Levon Sharoyan from Aleppo for forwarding me copies from Simon Simonian's history book. Read the story and derive your own conclusion about Armenian diplomacy from the legend.   Vahe H Apelian

The cover of the Simon Simonian's history book

“The Persian king Shapur (Shabouh in Armenian), called his shamans and told them – “I wanted to love the Armenian king Arshak, but he offended me. I signed a peace treaty with him, he swore on the bible, but reneged his solemn declaration. I thought of bestowing upon him much good, much like a father would do to his son. However, instead of reciprocating in kind, he was spiteful towards me. The Armenian king Arshak has been waging war against me for the past thirty months. We could never defeat him. He has come with his own accord. If I knew that he would remain loyal to our treaty, I will let him return to his country in peace and with honor.”

His shamans answered to king Shabouh – “let us go today, tomorrow we will have an answer for you.”

The following day the shamans got together and asked the monarch – “now that the Armenian king has come and is with you, how does he talk to you? How does he sound? How does he present himself to you?”

The monarch said – “he regards himself as one of my servants and he tries to humble himself before me.”

The shamans said – “Do whichever way we tell you to do. Keep him here. Send emissaries to the Armenian land and get from there two loads of soil and a jar of water.  Order that they spread the Armenian soil on half of your court. Hold his hands and walk with him on part of the court that is on the Persian soil and quiz him there. Later on, holding his hand, take him towards the court that is on the Armenian soil and pay attention to what he says. This way you will know if you let him loose, whether he will abide by your treaty or not. If he speaks defiantly on the Armenian soil, know that when he returns to Armenia, he will treat you likewise. He will continue the war and his enmity towards you.”

Upon hearing the recommendations of his shamans, the Persian king sent people to Armenia to bring Armenian soil and water loaded on camels. They returned after a few days and brought Armenian soil and water.  King Shabouh ordered to spread the Armenian soil under half of the court and sprinkle it with water from Armenia. He ordered that the other half of the court remain on Persian soil. King Shabouh summoned the Armenian king and had all others leave the court. He held king Arshak’s hand and continued pacing in the court.

Pacing in the court, Shabouh asked the Armenian king, when they were on the Persian soil: “why did you become my enemy, King Arshak of Armenians. I liked you as a son and I wanted to give my daughter to you in betrothal and have you as a son. But you became my enemy. It has been thirty months that you waged a war against me.”

Arshak said to Shabouh – “I sinned against you. Now, here I am as your servant and at the disposal of your hands Do, whatever you want to do. Kill me, because I, as your servant, am much guilty in front of you. I am convicted to death.”

Later, King Shabouh holding King Arskak’s hand, paced taking him along towards the Armenian soil all the while making amends. When Arshak stepped on the Armenian soild, he changed greatlhy and he became defiant, boastful and said – “Get away from me, you wicked master, you became an overlord. From now on, I will avenge you and your sons. I will not relent until our throne is given back to us.”

Shabouh again held Arshak’s hands and paced toward the court which was over the Persian soil. At that moment Arshak repented for what he said. Bowed and threw himself at the feet of King Shabouh. But when, holding King Arshak’s hands the Persian king paced towards the side of the court on the Armenian soil, Arskak spoke the same way he had spoken when he was on the Armenian soil. In this manner until the evening, Shabouh did the same many times and tested. King Arshak was rebellious on the Armenian soil but repentful on the Persian soil. 

Later in the day, King Shabouh ordered and had iron chains brought and had Arskak’s neck, arms and legs chained and had him sent to the Anhoush (forgotten) castle to remain there until his death.”

***

 

 

 

 

 

On this International Literacy Day

Vahe H Apelian

Hamazkayin Vahe Setian publishing Armenian book exhibit

Hagop K. Havatian’s posting alerted me that today, September 8, 2024,  is the International Literacy Day. Hagop K. Havatian is the director of Hamazkayin Vahe Setian publishing. He is organizing an exhibit of Armenian books or Armenian literary books. The exhibit is scheduled to take place in Beirut, from October 9 to 18, exhibiting books from Armenia, Artsakh, Lebanon, Canada, United States, England, France, Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Kuwait, Greece, Cyprus.

Hagop K Havatian's quote reads as follows: «The process of reading, writing, accumulating knowledge in the course of history raises the level of civilization of nations and communities and strengthens the faith and pride of the people in the values of the given nation.

In the end, literacy is an irreplaceable way to connect the past life experience with the present, to permanently study the experiences, defeats and victories of the nation, and in that way also to value the present, far from superficiality, sloganeering and irresponsibility, so that it is possible to put our collective life on the right track and our collective desire to strive for good.

Read, read again, and never deviate from the mission of development and accumulation of knowledge. Reading expands one's horizons to face the outside world with self-confidence. Let's read and always try to change our life and turn around the unfavorable situations of the nation's survival.»

***

I was also reminded of Simon Simonian. I quote Levon Sharoyan from his book I translated “Simon Simonian, the last scion of the mountaineers». Levon Sharoyan wrote: «Simon Simonian was a prolific writer and his thirst for literature was unquenchable. He professed a deep love of Armenian book. He regarded these books one of the essential constituents for the preservation of Armenian culture and identity.»

In 1960 Simon Simonian proposed the following, "designate the Armenian Martyrs' Day on April 24, as «Armenian Book's Day», and have the following slogan – to read an Armenian book for every martyr during the Genocide, and perpetuate this year after year. If one million Armennians in the Diaspora, would buy and read one Armenian book a year, as an offering in memory of a martyr, the legacy of our forefathers would be perpetuated and we would best avenge the victims of the Genocide». (Spurk, 24.4.1960)

Grand Armenian Book Fair

 Vahe H Apelian

Courtesy Hagop K Havatian

Hagop K. Havatian’s posting alerted me that today, September 8, 2024,  is the International Literacy Day. Hagop K. Havatian is the director of Hamazkayin Vahe Setian publishing. He is organizing an exhibit of Armenian books or Armenian literary books. The exhibit is scheduled to take place in Beirut, from October 9 to 18, exhibiting books from Armenia, Artsakh, Lebanon, Canada, United States, England, France, Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Kuwait, Greece, Cyprus.

Hagop K Havatian's quote reads as follows: «The process of reading, writing, accumulating knowledge in the course of history raises the level of civilization of nations and communities and strengthens the faith and pride of the people in the values of the given nation.

In the end, literacy is an irreplaceable way to connect the past life experience with the present, to permanently study the experiences, defeats and victories of the nation, and in that way also to value the present, far from superficiality, sloganeering and irresponsibility, so that it is possible to put our collective life on the right track and our collective desire to strive for good.

Read, read again, and never deviate from the mission of development and accumulation of knowledge. Reading expands one's horizons to face the outside world with self-confidence. Let's read and always try to change our life and turn around the unfavorable situations of the nation's survival.»

***

I was also reminded of Simon Simonian. I quote Levon Sharoyan from his book I translated “Simon Simonian, the last scion of the mountaineers». Levon Sharoyan wrote: «Simon Simonian was a prolific writer and his thirst for literature was unquenchable. He professed a deep love of Armenian book. He regarded these books one of the essential constituents for the preservation of Armenian culture and identity.»

In 1960 Simon Simonian proposed the following, "designate the Armenian Martyrs' Day on April 24, as «Armenian Book's Day», and have the following slogan – to read an Armenian book for every martyr during the Genocide, and perpetuate this year after year. If one million Armennians in the Diaspora, would buy and read one Armenian book a year, as an offering in memory of a martyr, the legacy of our forefathers would be perpetuated and we would best avenge the victims of the Genocide». (Spurk, 24.4.1960)

The Sad Odyssey of a Historic Manuscript

By Antranig Chalabian

Translated and abridged by Vahe H. Apelian

The below article appeared in Simon Simonian's "Spurk" weekly in Beirut (April 19, 1970), at the publication of Henry Wilfrid Glockler's "Interned in Turkey 1914-1918". Dr. Antranig Chalabian narrates the prolonged saga of the historic book's publication. I thank the Vartan and Sassoun Simonian brothers for locating the article from the archives of their late father, Simon Simonian.

“I received a letter from an American professor¹, dated August 28, 1967. In it he informed me that he had a friend in New Jersey by the name of Henry Glockler who had witnessed Urfa's heroic battle and had written a book, in 1918, about the event. He had been unable to publish the book. The professor was asking whether Armenians would be interested in the manuscript. I asked for a copy. I also told him that I would bring the manuscript to the attention of Beirut's Urfa Compatriotic Organization. A copy of the 150-page manuscript arrived soon after. Some of the papers had turned yellow and others were on the verge of falling apart.

The author was born in Beirut and had spent a part of his life in this city. He graduated from the American University of Beirut in 1908 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He had also taken a two-year business administration course. Later he received M.B.E.²Order and Medal from His Highness King George VI and the Order of Cedar3 from the Lebanese Government.

In 1915, as a Briton and thus a subject of a country hostile to the Ottoman Empire, he was deported to the interior of Turkey. On his way to exile, he stopped in Urfa and came across destitute Armenian deportees. Witnessing their miserable condition, he wrote a heart-wrenching but beautiful description of their plight. He became an eyewitness to the city's heroic battle. 

Urfa's battle for existence is unique. The heroes of Van had a glimmer of hope that the advancing Russian Army would rescue them. The Mussa Dagh Armenians had the sea backing them and thus had a semblance of hope for rescue. When the Armenians of Urfa waged their decisive battle for existence they were cut off from the rest of the world and could harbor no hope from anywhere.

The names of heroes, such as Mgrdich Yotneghparian, Sako, Rasdgelenian are not mentioned in "Interned in Turkey". The author, a young foreigner, does not recognize them. However, whatever is mentioned in the book it's about the Armenian plight and the decisive battle of the lion-hearted Armenians of that city, waging a battle to death without the slightest hope of rescue. The splendid and yet agonizing descriptions make the book a very valuable eyewitness account. The book heightens and broadens for posterity the memory of Urfa's heroic battle from the confines of its historical record in Armenian.

It is such a heroic battle's eyewitness account, by a non-Armenian, that we had at hand. I approached the Urfa Armenian Compatriotic Organization.

The presence of wealthy Urfa Armenians in the compatriotic organization was a hopeful sign and I had no doubt that the manuscript would generate a lot of interest. I naively thought that the descendants of the Yotneghparian and Rasdgelenian heroes would find the manuscript a treasure trove.

I wrote a letter to the Committee of the Urfa Compatriotic Organization. After a long delay, the committee members asked to see the manuscript. I sent it.

Thirteen months after submitting the manuscript to the committee, I was hopeless.  I approached Garbis Kazanjian, a committee member, and asked him to have a meeting with the rest of the members. This sympathetic Urfatsi told me outright, "My friend, do not rely on others; do it yourself."

At an exhibition about the Yeghern⁴, in the West Hall of the American University of Beirut, I met Kersam Aharonian⁵. I said, "Mr. Kersam, there is a valuable manuscript ……….."

"Let the Urfatsis have it printed," he answered, without taking his eyes off of the exhibits.

I collected the manuscript and headed to Antelias to meet Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian⁶and ask for his advice. "Antranig, I know few people who will be interested. They have set aside a little money as well for projects such as this. I will personally hand the manuscript to Vahe Oshagan⁷."

I got in touch with Oshagan. He read the manuscript and was very enthusiastic. "This is very good and should be published. However, the other committee members must read to make a decision," he said.

The second reader of the manuscript was Vartkes Der Garabedian⁸. He spoke positively about the manuscript and about publishing it.

It was time for a third committee member, Prof. Shavarsh Torigian⁹, to read. He was away in Japan. Upon his return, I handed the manuscript to him.

In a telephone conversation, he said, "It is good and should be published. Presently we are engaged in the publication of the works of Lepsius¹⁰, therefore we cannot assume the responsibility of publishing the manuscript."

The elderly author of the manuscript, having come to his wits' end, wrote to me, "I am sending you $500 dollars. Have the manuscript printed and distributed. I will donate the proceeds of the copies sent to me to a worthy Armenian cause."

We came to an agreement with the printer¹¹and printed the manuscript that had waited for the past fifty years to see the light of day.¹²”

    

Notes:

1.                    Prof. Stanley Kerr, the author of "The Lions of Marash".

2.                    Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

3.            The National Order of the Cedar is a civil and military State Order of Lebanon. Established on Dec. 31,1936, the order is the second highest honor bestowed by Lebanon.

4.                    Synonymous to the Genocide of the Armenians.

5.                   Kersam Aharonian (1916-1981) was an author and the longtime editor of "Zartonk" Armenian daily in Beirut.

6.                    The late Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin I Sarkissian.

7.                  Vahe Oshagan (1922-2000) was a prominent Armenian author, poet and editor.

8.           Vartkes Der Garabedian was a community leader and the first elected chairperson of the Homenetmen 1st World Committee, a post he held until he was gunned downed in West Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War.

9.               The late Prof. Shavarsh Torigian was a prominent political scientist and the author of the "The Armenian Question and the International Law".The late Prof. Shavarsh Torigian was a prominent political scientist and the author of the "The Armenian Question and the International Law".

10.      Johannes Lepsius  (1858-1926) was a German Protestant missionary, Orientalist, and humanist with a special interest in trying to prevent the Armenian  Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

11.           The late Simon Simonian, editor and publisher of "Spurk" weekly in Beirut.

12.              Sevan Printing Press was owned and operated by Simon Simonian.

Googling history

Vahe H Apelian

 

First and foremost, let me quote the following to justify my use of the verb google. According to Wikipedia, I quote, “the word "google" became a verb in 1998, when Google co-founder Larry Page used it in a mailing list message. The verb was popularized in 2002 when it was used on the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The term was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2006 and the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary in the same year.”

Googling history is surely an acceptable way for searching the history of a nation, especially that this year, 2024, is marked by the controversy over the designation of the Armenian history, whether to call it “History of Armenia, Hayastani Badmoutyun” or “Armenian History – Hayasdani Badmoutyoun”.   The PM Nikol Pashinyan’s preference is the latter, not the former.

The issue was not a passing one. Prof. Ara Sanjian entertained it. He is an Associate Professor of History and the Director of the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. So did Dikran Jinbashian, who several years ago retired as the principal of the famed Nshan Palanjian Djemaran whose principals have been luminaries such as Levon Shant, Simon Vratsian, Hratch Dasnabedian. Dikran Jinbashian acted as its principal after an active life-long dedication to Armenian causes.  

Google is the primary internet search engine I use as well. Driven by the controversy, I wondered whether it is American History or History of the United States of America. Thus I googled American History and to my surprise I was directed to the “History of United States” with the following notation: “American History” redirects here (i.e. “History of the United States”). For the history of the continents, see History of Americas.) 

I wondered, about the search the history of other nations. 

When I googled for French history, I was directed to History of France. When I googled for German history, I was directed to the History of German. Similarly, googling Syrian history led me to History of Syria, Lebanese history led me to History of Lebanon, Russian history led me to History of Russia. Googling for European history led me to History of Europe but when I googled for Kurdish history, Google directed me to the History of Kurds. I imagine because the Kurds, unlike Armenians, do not have a state of their won.  

The message the global search behemoth sent is unambiguous. The history of a nation is the history of its state, unless that nation is stateless, such as the Kurds.

But it seems vocabulary has also evolved. When I googled Hayots Badmoutyun in Armenian letters, there came History of Armenia that “covers the topics related to history of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the Armenian people, the Armenian language, and the regions of Eurasia historically and geogrrahically considered Armenian. Wikipedia”. Googling Armenian history directed me to History of Armenia as well. 

Let me state that I was brought up with Hayots Badmoutyun – Հայոց Պատմութիւնղ՚. Well beyond having Simon Simonian’s Hayots Badmoutyun as a textbook, I was fascinated by it during my childhood years as it was a source, not only of mere history, but a source of pride. In fact Simon Simonian’s Hayots Badmoutyun is geared to install in the formative minds of the young Armenian student, a pride in the Armenian experience.

To each its own. I believe teaching the history of Armenia is very appropriate as a subject for the students in Armenia and as well as its citizens. Diaspora naturally is outside the State of Armenia, teaching as Armenian history may serve Diaspora better.

 In any event whether Armenian history should be taught as Hayots Badmoutyun, or it should be thought as History of Armenia, is an academic matter. Regrettably, it becomes ever so more evident to me that no matter what, the Armenian divisive political undertone if not the mindset will creep in brandishing a “holier than thou” attitude.   

Simon Simonian "Armenian History"