Diplomat’s Day - Դիվանագետի Օր

Vaհe H Apelian

Did you know that Armenia has an official observation day called Diplomat’s Day?

Do not be surprised at yourself if you too did not know that Armenia has such a day for observation.

In fact, I came to find out that particular observation day was enacted on March 22, 2012 by the President Serzh Sargsyan government. The official announcement I came across reads as follows: “In accordance with Article 18 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Holidays and Commemorative Days of the Republic of Armenia”, the Government of the Republic of Armenia hereby decides:

1. To celebrate March 2 as Diplomat's Day.

2. This decision shall enter into force on the day following its official publication.” The date is March 26, 2012.

I had not seen the day observed until today, on March 2, 2026.  The Armenian Foreign Ministry under the auspices of the FM Ararat Mirzoyan observed the Diplomat’s Day with the PM Nikol Pashinyan’s participating in the ceremony.

I attached excerpts from FM Ararat Mirzoyan’s and PM Nikol Pashinyan’s messages at the Diplomat’s Day.

THE FOREIGN MINISTER ARARAT MIRZOYAN, in his speech emphasized that the: “Recent years have shown that diplomacy is indeed one of the key components of our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security architecture. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the first line of defense for our security is diplomacy, a balanced and balancing foreign policy, which, in the conditions of current movements or stormy seas, has allowed us to sail safely and bring the ship of our statehood to peaceful waters.”

THE PRIME MINISTER NIKOL PASHINYAN congratulated the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and all diplomats on their professional day. He thanked them for their service and emphasized that it is extremely important to realize the role and significance of diplomacy and the diplomatic service in the development of our country. 

The PM Nikol Pashinyan, noted that we should pay more attention to the role of diplomacy and the diplomatic service in the security and normal development of the country, because, he said “when we say security, we usually always mean the army. But later we realized that the more we associate security with the army, the more it means there is a lack of security or the more it means the security situation or condition is not good, and on the contrary, the more we mean soft factors when we say security, as is commonly said, it means there is a more reliable level of security.”

In our tortuous history our freedom fighters rightly clung to the notion that the salvation is only by guns (Միայն զէնքով կայ Հայոց փրկութիւն). Khrimian Hayring is his historic Paper Laddle speech, after his return from the Berlin Conference, advocated people buy and gift each other guns.

We all have an understanding of the symbolic significance of guns. The United States Constitution has enshrined it in its famous Second Amendment. However, the United States of America does not rely on guns, as we understand guns, for its security.

But we know that what constitutes the might of the United States is its learned advanced society and technology for which the United States government educates its young and upcoming citizens to keep pace with the advancing technology and goes to the end of the world to recruit educated people to advance its technological know how. The United Sates, naturally, like any advanced society, also maintains a superb cadre of diplomats across the world to keep the republic safe and resorts also to diplomacy to advance its security.

So is for Armenia. Diplomacy is a powerful component for keeping Armenia safe and secure. Armenia’s Diplomat’s Day rightly advances that notion and appreciates its diplomats spread across the globe who toil to advance the interests, the safety and the security of the republic. Armenia's diplomats deserve our unconditional appreciation and support in the Diaspora. Surely such a day is appropriate for appreciating the republic's diplomats, and should be observed every year.

 

 

  

Ուրեմն ալ ինչո՞ւ գրել մահուան սահմանուած այս լեզուով

Ուրեմն ալ ինչո՞ւ գրել մահուան սահմանուած այս լեզուով,

Ինչո՞ւ ձօնել մեր սուղ ժամերն այս հին լեզուին հիւծախտաւոր,

Երբ վաղը ալ չի գտնուիր ո´չ զինք խօսող ո´չ կարդացող...

Ի՞նչ հոգ, որ դար ու կէս առաջ հիւծախտաւոր քերթող մը մեծ¹

Սրտակեղեք իր բառերով՝  ցաւը պատմեց ապշած լիճին,

Որո՞ւ հոգը, թէ մէկ ուրիշ թոքախտաւոր պարման քերթող²

Անանձնական ուրախութիւն հայցեց այս մահամերձ լեզուով,

Որպէսզի ինք զայն լաստ ըրած՝ նաւորդն ըլլար վառ լոյսերու,

Եւ նահատակ բանաստեղծ մըն ալ անոր լուսախոբ բառերով

Ադամանդէ ու յակինթէ արգասաւոր արշալոյսները արօրեց, 

Տիտան³ մըն ալ վարդահեղեղ արշալոյսներ կանխատեսեց,

Դեռ՝ մերօրեայ, լուսածին մեծ բանաստեղծ մը իր լուսագիր 

Գիրքն սկսէր՝ լոյս բառերով՝ «Հեղեղ մը լոյս ծնանիմ։»

Այս լոյս լեզուն, որ դարէ դար խաւարումը արհամարհեց,

Արդեօ՞ք պիտի արհամարհէ ՄԱԿ-ԵՈՒՆԵՍՔՕ-ի վճիռն ալ,

Եւ բառերով իր բարբարոս⁴ շարունակէ լուսաստեղծել

Հեզաճկուն բառապարեր տակաւին անհամար դարեր, 

Թէ՞, այլեւս մեծասքանչով⁵ չսքանչացող հայուն ի տես՝

Սիրտէն խոցուած՝ կուչ պիտի գայ ինքն իր վրայ եւ ծուարի

Լուսահաւաք պատմագրութեան մէկ էջին մէջ, որ ճրագէ

Իր մահովն իսկ գիտաշխարհը հնահաւաք լեզուաբանին...

 

Արա Մանուկեան (Մխսեան)

*  

1. «Ինչո՞ւ ապշած ես, լըճակ,

Ու չեն խայտար քու ալեակք...» 

Պետրոս Դուրեան

 

2. «Տո՜ւր ինծի, Տէ՜ր, ուրախութիւնն անանձնական.

Զայն ընդգրկած՝ իտէալի՜ն ըլլամ որսկան.

Զայն լաստ ըրած՝ ես Լոյսերու նաւո՜րդն ըլլամ:» 

Միսաք Մեծարենց

 

3. «Ոհ, այն ատեն, այս օրուան

Մեր մեռելները բոլոր

Միահամուռ ոստումով

Պիտի կանգնին գերեզմանին մէջ իրենց,

Ու անհամբեր հեռո՜ւն, հեռո՜ւն ակնապիշ

Պիտի սպասեն վարդահեղեղ գալուստին

Արշալոյսի, Արշալոյսի մը` որուն

(Հաւատացէք ինձ Մայրեր),

Ես ոտնաձայնը կ՛առնեմ…» 

Դանիէլ Վարուժան

 

4. «Մեր լեզուն ճկուն է ու բարբարոս,

Առնական է, կոպիտ, բայց միեւնոյն պահին

Պայծառ է նա, որպէս մշտաբորբոք փարոս,

Վառուած հրով անշէջ դարերում հին։-» 

Եղիշէ Չարենց

 

5. «Ո՛վ մեծասքանչ դու լեզու,

Ո´վ հեշտ բարբառ մայրական,

Քաղցրահնչիւն բառերուդ 

Նման արդեօք այլ տեղ կա՞ն...» 

Ն. Մեզապուրեան

 

Amiras: Lords of Ottoman Armenia

Vahe H. Apelian 

Sometime ago, I ordered "The Amiras: Lords of Ottoman Armenia" book from Amazon.com (but had to cancel my order because of unavailability). Reading about the book before requesting a copy, I came across a comment made by the author of the book Pascal Garmont. He said that most of the Amiras hailed from the city of Agn and he wondered whether the Armenian Agnetsis were inheritors of a special gene pool that put them on top of the fiscal game in the Ottoman Empire.

The Amiras were bankrollers of the Ottoman Empire. In other words, they were the Rothschilds of the Ottoman Empire. Their prominence was so obvious that the first American missionary Rev. William Goodell to set foot in Constantinople (on on June 9, 1831), on behalf of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM), noted the following in his memoir "The Armenians were an enterprising people, and the great wealth of the bankers, who were nearly all Armenians, made them very influential throughout the empire, even with the Turkish officials, who were largely dependent upon them for pecuniary advances and assistance."

It was the European powers that put an end to this influential class of Armenian Amiras when they established the Ottoman Bank in 1856. The bank was Ottoman by name only. The European powers and their big bankrollers owned and operated the bank that the Armenians occupied for 14 hours on August 14, 1896, under the leadership of young Papken Sunni who hailed from Agn. 

Wikipedia notes that on September 15, 1896, three weeks after the raid of the Ottoman Bank by members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation as a response to the Hamidian massacres, Turkish authorities organized a new massacre in the city of Ağın. Ottoman troops killed "upwards of 2000 Armenians" including "many women and children" according to a report by the French ambassador. Of the 1500 houses located in the Armenian quarter of Ağın, 980 were pillaged and burned. Ağın was chosen to be the target of the massacre because the leader of the bank raiding party who was killed at the start of the raid, Papken Siuni, was native to the city of Ağın. According to a report by the British Consul at Harput, the pretext used to attack the city's Armenian quarter was that the Armenians of the said city were "set to cause trouble" but it would not surprise me that the real cause was the wealth of the Armenian inhabitants of the city. 

It should be noted here that the financially well-to-do Agnetsis had bought their safety a few years earlier and thus had spared their city from the widespread killing and ransacking during the early Hamidian massacres (1894-1897).

Armenian authors have written a number of books about the Amiras, the great enterprising Armenian bankrollers of the Ottoman Empire who mostly hailed from Agn. I have my own interpretation as to why the cunning sultans bestowed upon these Armenians the special title that distinguished them as a class. Amira is derived from an Arabic word and it means princess. The sultans trusted and valued the services of these enterprising Armenians and yet they would not have wanted to draw the envy of the Turks. Hence the ever-cunning sultans came with the title Amira, princess. No self-respecting Turk would have liked to be titled, princess. The Turks must have envied the special relationship these Armenians had with the prevailing Sultan and yet they would not have wanted to be caught dead with such a "demeaning" title.

As to the Amiras, Dr. Chalabian wrote: "During this time trade in Constantinople was in the hands of Greeks and Armenians. For many years the pulse of Ottoman royalty was in Armenian hands and its distinguished denizens were titled "Amira". The word is Arabic in origin and was bestowed upon the wealthy and influential Armenian subjects of the Ottoman Empire. A disproportionate number of the Amiras, whose number ranged between 80 to 100 individuals, came from modest provincial backgrounds notably good many of them hailed from the small town of Agn (today's Kemaliye) in Anatolia's Erzincan province. They were a remarkable group of enterprising and ambitious Armenians who rose to the forefront of the Ottoman Empire in the 18th, and 19th centuries. At times, the succeeding generations of the same Amira family served the reigning Sultans faithfully and accomplished great things. They also became enormously influential in running the affairs of the Armenian community and became the link between the Sultan's palace and the Armenian Patriarch who had legal jurisdiction over the entire Armenian subjects of the Sultan.

Some of the Amiras were also put in charge of tax collection in the empire. Up to 1856, there was no banking system in the Empire. The Amiras filled in the void and made financial transactions with traders, trading houses, government offices and even with the reigning Sultans at exuberant rates. In 1795, the head of the Dadian family, Arakel Dad Amira, was appointed to oversee the armament factories of the Empire. From that date on for the next 75 years, the descendants inherited the position and ran the Ottoman munitions and artillery along with the production of paper and military uniforms. The members of the family thus exercised enormous influence given the size of the Empire and its armed forces. 

In the first half of the 19th century, one of the Armenian titans in Bolis was Harutyun Amira Bezdjian who was nicknamed "Kazaz Artin". He became a confidant of Sultan Mahmud II and was trusted with handling the personal wealth of the Sultan. His influence on running the affairs of the Empire was so strong that historians would call the era as the "Bezdjian Era". 

Through Harutyun Amira Bezdjian's financial contributions the following institutions were built in Bolis: the new building of the Bolis Patriarchate in 1823; Sourp Prgitch (Saint Savior) Armenian National Hospital in 1832; The women's school of Peria in 1826; the central school of Kumkapi in 1828; Saint Arakelots (Holy Disciples) Armenian school in 1830; Boghossian Boys' School in 1832; Varvarian Women's School in 1832; Bezdjian School in Kumkapi in 1832; Ayoubian Co-Ed School in 1832; a total seven schools and three major institutions. In 1836 he established the first trade – tailoring- school for the Armenian women of Bolis. Along with these monumental charitable contributions, he also undertook the expenses for the publication of many literary works, especially that of Krikor Pashdimaljian, the noted Armenian pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. Harutyun Amira Bezdjian was buried in the Virgin Mary Patriarch Cathedral by the special permission of Mahmud II. 

Limited space does not allow us to elaborate more on the amazing accomplishments of other Amiras such as the Balians, who became court architects and built such masterpieces as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Yildiz Mosque, and the Imperial College of Medicine, which today houses the famed Galatasaray Lisesi. The Arpiarian Amira family clan, who also hailed from Agn, oversaw the silver mining in the Ottoman Empire. 

For some two hundred years the Amiras served the Sultans faithfully and were accorded privileges no others possessed in the Empire. 

Courtesy Houshamadyan

The Armenian word "ag" means spring and ‘agn" would mean "the spring". The Armenian Wikipedia notes the following about the city of Agn: According to tradition, after the destruction of Ani, part of its population came to the location and finding a cold water spring, next to it, formed a new city naming it Agn. During 1300 to 1311, the Armenians arriving from Ani founded their own neighborhood with Saint Hagop Church".

Agnetsis were not only money smart as great bankrollers.  The Armenian Wikipedia further notes that the Agnetsis have had a number of prominent persons in culture, medicine, education, arts, law and as civic and clerical leaders. Along with young idealist revolutionary Papken Sunni, other prominent Armenians are:

Arpiar Arpiarian (Արփիար ԱրփիարեանՕ (1851-1908), - novelist, publisher, literary critic and editor.  

Missak Medzarents (Միսաք Մեծարենց) (1886-1908) - poet

Krikor Zohrand (Գրիգոր Զոհրապ) (1861-1915) – writer, statesman, lawyer and philanthropist.

Siamanto (Սիամանթո) (1878-1915) - poet

Arshag Chobanian (Արշակ Չոպանյան) (1872-1954) – writer, literary critic, philologist, journalist and civic leader.

Minas Cheraz (Մինաս Չերազ) (1852-1928) – writer, editor, translator, civic leader.

Nikol Kalenderian (Նիկոլ Գալանտերյան) (1881-1944) - compositor

 Yeghia Chelebi Keumurjian (Երեմիա Չելեպի Քյոմուրճյան) – Note: Chelebi was an honorific title given to persons of prominence.

Archbishop Ardavazt Surmelian (Արտավազդ արքեպիսկոպոս Սյուրմելյան) - clergy

Levon Kasparian (Լևոն Գասպարյան) – Medical doctor.

Many regard the great middle-age poet Nahabed Kouchag (Նահապետ Քուչակ) hailing from Agn.

The Armenian Wikipedia further notes: "For almost 200 years, the great dynasties of Amiras in Constantinople and Smyrna hailed from Agn."

Those who hail from Agn may shed further light on this unique city and its famous Armenian inhabitants, the Agnestsis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 1300th Anniversary of the Council of Manazkert

The Eastern Prelacy Diary has been published annually since 1974 without interruption and contains a listing of the following under its jurisdiction:  parishes, outreaches, retired clergy, Sunday Schools, One Day Schools, Day Schools, Youth Ministry, and a few other information relevant to the Armenian community.

Last year the Diary had the 1700^th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea on its cover. This year it has the Council of Manzakert on its cover. I reproduced Arch. Anoushavan Tanielian’s, the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, reflection on the Councial of Manazkert. Vaհe H Apelian

The 1300^th Anniversary of the Council of Manazkert

The Armenian Church, an ancient part of the Universal Church, after celebrating last year with the Christian World, the 1700^th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, this year is commemorating the 1300^th anniversary of the council convened with the Syriac Orthodox Church, which took place in Manazkert in 726 AD, under the presidency of Catholicos of All Armenians Hovhannes Ordzetsi (John of Otsun) and Syriac Patriarch Athanasius III, with the participation of 23 Armenian bishops and eight archimandrites (vartabeds), and eight Syriac bishops.

The council is noteworthy for the enduring relevance of its content. Indeed, it addressed significant matters of theology, liturgy, and the Holy Scriptures which even today, in various forms still concern the wider ecumenical Christian family.

We may draw the following practical lesson from the Council of Manazkert.

1.   As it is beyond human understanding, in every age, the mystery of the Incarnation has unfortunately been a cause of conflict for, when viewed solely through a human perspective, it is stripped of its sublimity and divine character. In such circumstances, the essential role belongs to enlightened leaders – such as the Catholicos of the Armenians and the Patriarch of the Syriacs – who by confronting false doctrines, have prevented polarization and paved the way for peace.

2.   While both are members of the family of Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Armenian and the Syriac Churches nevertheless retain significant differences, which is the most persuasive testimony to the spirit of mutual understanding and tolerance.

3.   As in the case of individuals, dialogue is ever more imperative for both ecclesiastical and secular institutions, for it transforms the very stones of dividing walls into the building blocks of connecting bridges.

May the spirit of the Council of Manaskert ever renew Armenian life.

Archbishop Anoushavan

Prelate

Eastern Prelacy.

 

 

Nikol Pashinyan does not protect Armenian interests

Vaհe H Apelian

 

To a degree, I follow Kegham Papazian’s postings. He posts interesting things about a variety of Armenian and non-Armenian issues and subjects, including about the Armenians of Egypt and about Egypt itself. He hails from Alexandria, Egypt. Today, I was alerted to a comment he has made.

I would not have penned this blog had my repeated comment, to the comment Kegham Papazian hատ made, not been repeatedly erased. Kegham Papazian’s comment in Armenian was the following, in Google verbatim translation), “The organized and consistent struggle of the current government of the Republic of Armenia against Armenian values, national identity, historical memory, and the Armenian Apostolic Church continues, aiming to weaken the foundations of our statehood and undermine the natural pillars of our national survival.” 

To make sure that my comment was being posted I took a screen shot from my activity log. Yes, it was being posted and it was being erased. See the attached below, 

Kegham comment seemed to be in affirmation of Hagop Der-Khatchadourian’s comment. It aroused my interest. It turned out that Hagop Der-Khatchadourian in an interview had made the following conclusive statement. “Nikol Pashinyan has become the prime minister who protects everyone's interests, but not Armenian interests.” Borrowing Eastern Armenian usage his comment in Armenian is as follows: “Նիկոլ Փաշինեանը դարձած է այն վարչապետը որ  պաշտպանում է բոլորին շահերը բացի հայկական շահերը։”

Let me now share with the readers of this blog my post on my Facebook page on January 24, 2019 about Hagop Der-Khatchadourian; “NEWLY ELECTED A.R.F. BUREAU REPRESENTATIVE: I knew Hagop Der Khatchadourian when he was a student and member of the Antelias Branch of the A.R.F. Youth Association of Lebanon. Even then he was known as a studious student who excelled in his studies, displayed natural leadership and chaired the local Aantelias branch. I was the Central Committee's representative overseeing the Antelias Branch named "Haiastan", situated in the community center not far from the Catholicosate. His parents were among those who immigrated to Canada early on when he still was in his youth. Over the years he and his Armenian wife have raised their own family, and he has remained true to his youthful calling and has continued to serve the A.R.F. He represents a fresh air of a newer generation raised in the West. I join all those who wish him well in his new endeavor as the A.R.F. Bureau representative”. (see a screen shot of the posting below)

These two gentlemen, much like I remained settled in the Diaspora. And after the independence of Armenia, much like I,  forfeited their Armenia birthright and continued to remain settled in Canada with their families. 

Having forfeited birthright Armenia, it's got to take a certain degree of audacity, maybe not audacity, to hurl such comments – that the PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government are not protecting Armenian interest, are not upholding Armenian values and national identity, are undermining national survival  ! 

But, apparently, Hagop and Kegham seem to have forgotten the rudimentary. It is the citizens of Armenia who elected the PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government, to govern Armenia and Armenian interests with their consent. 

 

Nikol Pashinyan does not protect Armenian interests

Vaհe H Apelian

 

To a degree, I follow Kegham Papazian’s postings. He posts interesting things about a variety of Armenian and non-Armenian issues and subjects, including about the Armenians of Egypt and about Egypt itself. He hails from Alexandria, Egypt. Today, I was alerted to a comment he has made.

I would not have penned this blog had my repeated comment, to the comment Kegham Papazian hատ made, not been repeatedly erased. Kegham Papazian’s comment in Armenian was the following, in Google verbatim translation), “The organized and consistent struggle of the current government of the Republic of Armenia against Armenian values, national identity, historical memory, and the Armenian Apostolic Church continues, aiming to weaken the foundations of our statehood and undermine the natural pillars of our national survival.” 

To make sure that my comment was being posted I took a screen shot from my activity log. Yes, it was being posted and it was being erased. See the attached below,  

Kegham's comment seemed to be in affirmation of Hagop Der-Khatchadourian’s comment. It aroused my interest. It turned out that Hagop Der-Khatchadourian in an interview had made the following conclusive statement. “Nikol Pashinyan has become the prime minister who protects everyone's interests, but not Armenian interests.” Borrowing Eastern Armenian usage his comment in Armenian is as follows: “Նիկոլ Փաշինեանը դարձած է այն վարչապետը որ  պաշտպանում է բոլորին շահերը բացի հայկական շահերը։”

Let me now share with the readers of this blog my post on my Facebook page on January 24, 2019 about Hagop Der-Khatchadourian; “NEWLY ELECTED A.R.F. BUREAU REPRESENTATIVE: I knew Hagop Der Khatchadourian when he was a student and member of the Antelias Branch of the A.R.F. Youth Association of Lebanon. Even then he was known as a studious student who excelled in his studies, displayed natural leadership and chaired the local Aantelias branch. I was the Central Committee's representative overseeing the Antelias Branch named "Haiastan", situated in the community center not far from the Catholicosate. His parents were among those who immigrated to Canada early on when he still was in his youth. Over the years he and his Armenian wife have raised their own family, and he has remained true to his youthful calling and has continued to serve the A.R.F. He represents a fresh air of a newer generation raised in the West. I join all those who wish him well in his new endeavor as the A.R.F. Bureau representative”. (see a screen shot of the posting below)

These two gentlemen, much like I, settled in the Diaspora. And after independence of Armenia, much like I,  forfeited their Armenia birthright and  continued to remain settled in the Diaspora with their families.

Having forfeited birthright Armenia, It’s got to take a certain degree of audacity, maybe not audacity, to hurl such comments – that the PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government are not protecting Armenian interest, are not upholding Armenian values and national identity, are undermining national survival  ! 

But, apparently, they seem to have forgotten the rudimentary. The citizens of Armenia elected the PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government to govern Armenia  and Armenian interests with their consent. 

 

Andrew Kizirian also closed their home library

Vaհe H Apelian

On October 29, 2025, I wrote a blog reflecting upon reading on that day, that Andrew Kizirian has donated his Armenian library consisting of close to 2000 books to Armenian Museum's Mesrob G Boyajian Library in Watertown, MA. Surely, it was commendable gesture, but it also is another example of the Armenian libraries disappearing from Armenian homes. 

In 2018, the New York Armenian Center closed its over 100 years old public Armenia library because of lack of readers, and had its books sent to Artsakh Another tragic reality for the Armenian community of NY and another kind tragedy awaited these books in Artsakh.  The eminent linguist Armenag Yeghiayan wrote an article about its closure and about the closure of the personal libraries of Ardashes Der-Khatchadourian, Hagop Iskenderian, Vahe Vahian. 

On May 7, 2025 I reflected in a blog post about my reading in “Horizon” Weekly that Vahe Setian’s daughters, Ms. Mayda Setian and Mrs. Lena Setian-Der Kaloustian, donating their father’s large private collection of rare books to the prelacy of Canada. I had a personal experience with Vahe Setian’s library accompanying my uncle Antranig Chalabian searching for primary sources when he was collaborating with Dr. Stanley Kerr. He found them in Vahe Setian's personal Library.

At least two decades ago, I too donated most of my books to the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA). My mother had my library shipped from Lebanon when I immigrated to the U.S. Carrying them from one house to another, from one state to another was becoming taxing, especially for my wife and mother-in-law. I also knew that my books had no future without me.

Yesterday, in a comment, this is what Andrew Kizirian wrote on my Facebook page about his library and about his donating his collection to the Armenian Museum.

“ I donated my library of a few thousand books and periodicals to the Armenian Museum of America. A very substantial portion of the collection was devoted to Armenian subjects, art, history, literature, theology, the Armenian Encyclopedia, very large volumes often exceeding 500 pages devoted to various provinces of Western Armenia. These were in Armenian. The collection on Armenian subjects included hundreds of volumes in Armenian and English. There were also many books devoted to the Middle East, the Ottoman Empire, the first Armenian Republic, Soviet Armenia, the Armenian revolutionary movement and the Armenian Genocide. I approached NAASR, several Armenian studies chairs at universities, the Armenian Prelacy and other entities about donating my collection. There was no interest or no space to house the collection. Fortunately, the Armenian Museum expressed an interest in the collection, to house and organize it, and make it available to Armenologists, researchers and scholars for academic purposes. Having accumulated my book collection for almost 60 years, and enjoyed it immensely, I was extremely happy.”

A few days ago, on February 22, 2026, Levon Sharoyan from Aleppo wrote an article about the fate of Armenian personal libraries and titled it “Who should we beget our libraries?” (ՄԵՐ ԳՐԱԴԱՐԱՆՆԵՐԸ ՈՐՈ՞ՒՆ ԿՏԱԿԵՆՔ). The few public depositories we have, such as NAASR (National Association of Armenian Studies and Research) , the Armenian Museum, formerly the Armenian Museum and Library of America (ALMA) are getting filled up to capacity and will accept only books they do not have. Landfill is what remains . 

The closure of these personal libraries in our homes is indicative of the inevitable demise of Armenian readership in the Diaspora.