The Largest Lebanese flag atop KOHAR Library

 Vahe H Apelian

Courtesy Garo Derounian Facebook

The other day, Garo Derounian from Beirut, posted on his Facebook page a comment from my friend and fellow pharmacist Krikor Kradjian about the largest Lebanese flag flying from the roof of KOHAR Library in Beirut. 

It is public knowledge that KOHAR symphony orchestra and choir was founded and supported by Khatchadourian brothers. The orchestra was named after the matriarch of the Khatchadourian family, their mother Kohar. KOHAR in capitalized letter is the trade mark of Khatchadourian brothers and spelled that way whenever the famed symphony orchestra and choir is mentioned , as well as anything that has to do with the KOHAR independent musical and cultural institution, founded by the Armenian culture patrons the Khatchadourian brothers, is concerned. Those interested about the KOHAR symphony orchestra and choir, may read in the Wikipedia. 

The Khatchadourian brothers are also the sponsors of the KOHAR library that houses the world’s largest collection of Armenian song books and hymnals, along with rare books and manuscripts. I have been privy of the information thanks to Garo Derounian who is affiliated with KOHAR and is in charge of the KOHAR library.

Several years ago, in response to Garo Derounian’s appeal on behalf of KOHAR library, I presented to them a song book I had in my library. It turned out KOHAR library did not have a copy of that song book in their vast collection. Consequently, I donated the song book to the KOHAR library which not only acknowledged the receipt of the song book but also donated me the KOHAR symphony orchestra and choir’s complete cd.

The song book I donated was compiled by Mirjan Kirian, who was  an acquaintance when I lived in New Jersey. He had gifted it to me when we were residing in NJ and I worked with him over a publication project that had to do with the Armenian Evangelical College East Coast Student Association, the founder of the Sipan Armenian school in the premises of the Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus, NJ.

 In fact, it was Mirjan Kirian who had compiled the song book. He had written the following for foreword. “On many occasions I have noticed that many people start to join with one another in singing Armenian songs. Although most of the times singers seem to be familiar with the tunes, yet few know the lyrics in full. After the first or the second line, some singers just hum the tunes and follow along while others stop. In this small song book, I have compiled 48 popular songs bilingually – with American transliteration in order to help people sing the words as well. “

Mr. Mirjan Kirian was active with the St. Leon Armenian Apostolic Church, in Fair Lawn,  NJ. My late mother-in-law sang in their church choir for many years.  

As to the largest Lebanese flag flying over the roof top of the KOHAR library building, this is what Krikor Kradjian wrote in translation.

“In Lebanon, the largest, tallest, and most imposing Lebanese flag flies from the roof of the luxurious KOHAR library building that along the library houses, the book binding facility. The building belongs to the Khatchadourian family and is located on Armenia avenue in Nahr district.

The flag of Lebanon, the most important symbol of the country, consists of a white field with two horizontal red stripes at the top and bottom with a green cedar tree in the center. Naturally, the flag has a special meaning and a message for the Lebanese and for the world. The red symbolizes the blood shed by the patriots for the independence of Lebanon. White is the pure and sanctified body of the martyrs who sacrificed themselves for Lebanon, and it also symbolizes the clean, peaceful snow-covered peaks of the country. And the green cedar tree is a relative image of eternity, strength, prosperous and peaceful country.”

Krikor explains how the idea of placing the Lebanese flag came about. He wrote:

“The idea of installing the largest and the most imposing Lebanese flag belongs to Harout Khatchadourian. Many years ago, when commemorating April 24, he saw Armenian marchers proudly marching with Armenian flags. In Lebanon Armenians enjoy all civil rights, to have the right to hold parades and marches but not to wave also the country’s flag, Harout found troubling and painful.”

Indeed, the survivors of the Armenian genocide thrived in Lebanon and contributed immensely towards building the Diaspora we know today. 

Thanks to the initiative of the Khatchadourian brothers, Krikor rightly noted, “The largest flying Lebanese flag, installed on the roof of the KOHAR building, inspires a sense of pride in the citizens. The flag can be seen from faraway places, from airplanes arriving in Lebanon, from satellites orbiting the earth.

May God preserve and protect Lebanon and the Lebanese.”

Find the transliterated lyrics of the Yerevan-Yerepouni song from the "Armenian Song Book"  and sing along with the KOHAR orchestra......