On October 19, at the initiative of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, painter and ethnographer Hrazdan Tokmajian presented his album entitled “The Galemkearians: Aintab, Damascus, Aleppo” during an event held at the National Gallery of Armenia. The album presents samples of copper and silver items made by the Galemkearians and the bicentennial history of the family.

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakoyban, as well as public figures and intellectuals participated in the event.

Greeting the participants of the event, Minister Hranush Hakobyan praised Hrazdan Tokmajian’s efforts to transmit the legacy of the Galemkearians to the generations by creating a comprehensive album.

The Minister expressed gratitude to Primate of the Aleppo Diocese of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, His Grace, Fr. Archbishop Shahan Sarkisian, who had helped Hrazdan Tokmajian see and examine the works of the Galemkearians in all the churches, museums, schools and cultural centers in Syria. “We thank Mimi and Armen Harutiounian, whose donation helped make the release of this wonderful album possible,” the Minister stated, adding: “Armenian masters have always been reputable outside of Armenia. Although Armenians haven’t had statehood for centuries, they have created thousands of craftworks that have turned into art. In favorable conditions, Armenian craftsmen have been able to create more works of art. They have created guilds, started families of craftsmen, and one of those families was the family of Galemkearian, the great master of processing copper and silver. The family made copper and silver items for about 200 years. After being displaced in 1915, the Galemkearians found themselves in Damascus and later moved to Aleppo. This was the journey of the Galemkearians. Our beloved Hrazdan Tokmajian has presented their story in a book and has dedicated it to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.” The Minister emphasized that it is the duty of all Armenians to invite Armenian coppersmiths and silversmiths, especially those living in Syria and Lebanon and transmit their experience to the young generations. “What will also help us a lot is the list of 986 Armenian coppersmiths that Hrazdan has complied and presented at the end of his book,” she stated.

Getting back to Hrazdan Tokmajian’s pro-national activities, Minister Hranush Hakobyan attached importance to the role of his Martiros Saryan Academy in Aleppo in educating generations of young Armenians and stated the following: “Even amid the bombardments, the Academy named after the great Armenian painter remains open and continues to educate the generations. Let’s hope the war ends and the once thriving Armenian community of Aleppo is restored.”

Primate of the Aleppo Diocese of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, Archbishop Shahan Sarkisian also gave a welcoming speech in which he stated that, in spite of deprivation of the homeland and the threatening physical annihilation, the Armenians have not only remained, but have also preserved their national values. “This album will be one of the best books of the Armenian Prelacy,” Archbishop Shahan Sarkisian said.

Among other speakers were Aleppo-Armenian doctor, writer and intellectual Toros Toranian and Merited Art Figure of the Republic of Armenia, art critic Shahen Khachatryan.

Descendant of the Galemkearians, Balik Galemkearian-Popova performed the songs of Komitas, and Dalar Galemkearian expressed gratitude for the creation and publication of the book and to all the organizers of the presentation.

In his closing speech, Hrazdan Tokmajian expressed gratitude to the RA Ministry of Diaspora for its efforts to help him present his works to the public in Armenia. Presenting his book, Tokmajian stated that he and the master Hovhannes Galemkearian were neighbors in Aleppo. “During the past couple of years, we weren’t able to go out to the yard very much due to the war, but I would see Hovhannes looking at the street from his balcony. The last store and studio that are still open are the store and studio in the Salipeh and Suleymanieh districts. Yes, Minister Hranush Hakobyan was right when she stated that the Armenian craftsmen living in the Armenian communities of the Near East need to transmit their experiences to the young generation of Armenians, especially the youth in Armenia. The future of all Armenians is in Armenia. In my turn, I suggest that Armenian researchers and art critics examine the lives and careers of the reputable families of Armenian craftsmen in the final pages of my album,” Tokmajian stated.