YSU HOSTED THE DESCENDANTS OF THE STATE, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FIGURES OF THE FIRST REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

The meeting was a unique opportunity for the public and especially university students to recognize the descendants of the prominent figures of the First Republic of Armenia, as well as to hear from them family stories and remarkable memories.

The meeting was attended by the RA Prime Minister Hamazasp Ohanjanyan's grandson Lisa Mehrabyan, RA state figure Vahan Pastrmayyan's relative Mrs. Anna-Mare, Chief of the Police of Yerevan Artavazd Atomyan's grandchildren Victor and Arthur, RA Public Education Art Minister’s grandson Gevorg Melik-Gharagyozyan, the grandson of the Mayor of Tiflis,Christapor Abakumyan-Vermishyan Mikael Vermishyan, the grandson of the first parliament speaker Avetik Sahakyan Armen Sahakyan and granddaughter of public figure Hayk Serenkulyan Alice-Seda Serenkulyan and others.

The initiator of the event, founder and head of the Research Center for Modern Armenian History Michael Babayan presented the biographies of prominent figures, introduced their activities and important role.

“It is not a secret that after the Sovietization of Armenia the prominent figures of the First Republic of Armenia left the homeland and were forced to settle in other places. After settling in different countries, the destinies of our devotees were different. And today it is not surprising that most of their descendants have come to Armenia from abroad,” - said Michael Babayan.

Hayk Serenkulyan's granddaughter Alice-Seda Serenkulyan told those present that she had not been able to know her grandfather and had heard stories from her grandmother: “I know that he has done a great deal to give asylum to the Armenian orphans. He founded a school in a very difficult situation, and when the Kemalists reached them, he came to Armenia in 1918 with orphans. Being abroad during his lifetime, he has also provided great assistance to Armenian refugees.”

Artavazd Atomyan's grandson Arthur told that his grandfather’s greatest wish was an independent statehood: “Two years after the dream came true, after the establishment of the Soviet Union, Artavazd Atomyan left for Bulgaria and then settled in Romania. My mother has grown up there. After moving to a number of countries, the family was settled in Germany, where my grandfather died, and my grandmother left for the United States and settled there.”

Gevorg Melik-Gharagyozyan and Christopher Vermishian’s grandson Mikael Vermishyan noted their archives were preserved, which had been transferred to the state archive: “Both my grandfathers were prominent figures and have been active. The stories of both of them are preserved in archives.” By the way, Mikael Vermishyan lives in Armenia.

Avetik Sahakyan's grandson Armen Sahakyan has arrived from London. He told those present that his mother is from Yerevan and his father was born in Lori, and grew up in Tiflis: “Abraham was the parliament speaker. He has emigrated with his family with about ten thousand people after her change. The most important thing for me is that my grandfather and his friends have laid the basis of the parliament, which was the authorized body of the people. The same system works today in Armenia, which proves that they were on the right way,” - Mr. Sahakyan said.

Mrs. Anna-Marie, granddaughter of Vahan Pasrmajyan, said that her grandfather’s memories were not as great as she died when Mrs. Anna-Marie was 7 years old: “But I remember well, and then I heard that he was a very kind person and liked to tell some funny stories. He did not tell family members. Here I got acquainted with the history of my family and I am happy that I am in Armenia now.”

Ohanjanyan's granddaughter Lisa Mehrabyan told us that she did not have much information about her grandfather since her relatives did not speak about his activities: “I know he has also emigrated from the homeland, has been in Italy, lived in Germany. Then, leaving for Ethiopia, he became king’s personal doctor, then moved to Egypt and treated socially vulnerable people. He died in Egypt, and his remains are still in Cairo.” Mrs. Lisa also lives in Armenia today.

Aram Yerkanyan's granddaughter Alexia Asatouryan said she lives in Argentina where her grandmother's father settled: "In our family, all of us have been married to an Armenian because we love the Armenian kind.”

Alexia Asaturyan said she often visits Armenia with her husband: “It was important for us to be in Armenia these days, as Aram Yerkanyan has done a great job a hundred years ago and was a real soldier. Unfortunately, he did not see his son, we did not know him, but when we look at the picture, there is a sense that we have always known him,” - Alexia Asaturyan said and added that recent changes have raised new hopes in their community, and 40 Argentinean Armenian youth decided to move and live in Armenia.

During the meeting, the participants also addressed the questions to the descendants of the great devotees of the First Republic of Armenia.