The enormous and tastefully decorated Christmas tree still hadn’t been taken out of the home of the Syrian-Armenians that I visited. The smiling Santa Claus, which was as tall as a person, was also standing, and as the woman of the house said, the Christmas tree and the Santa Claus are their only and most favorite items that they had brought with them from Syria. The kind Syrian-Armenians’ intimate dog was also very happy and was constantly running around me, expressing his joy by wagging its tail. During the several interviews that I have had with Syrian-Armenians, I have always been charmed and surprised by the optimism, faith and indescribable feeling of patriotism of these people, who were deprived of their places of birth and felt the misery of losing their homes, relatives and acquaintances. The Keivanians are also Armenians for whom Armenia has been a cherished dream for years. They visited the Homeland before the Syrian war and decided to settle here. Their wish came true. Sevan and Jack Keivanian built a home in the Argavand district of Yerevan and started their new life with their son, Giorgio (Gevorg).

Sevan Melkonian-Keivanian: We decided to move to Armenia five years ago when the Syrian war hadn’t even begun yet. We had purchased a home in Armenia so that we could come and stay during the summers. The war broke out five months later, and we wanted to go and sell our house in Aleppo, but we couldn’t. Thank God, we already had a house in Armenia. We were unemployed for one or two years. We have a yard in front of our house. In that yard there is a shack that we turned into a small shop and started preparing and selling sandwiches. We had many customers, and they liked our sandwiches. We worked for six months, but then, for some reason, we stopped selling them. I wouldn’t work in Aleppo because my husband, Jack was a car tire expert, earned a good living and we had no problems. Women in Syria usually don’t work. My husband didn’t let me work. When we came to Armenia, Jack was unemployed. I tried to sell clothes and jewels to help my husband and family. In the beginning, we would drive my husband’s car and try to sell clothes. Now, we don’t need a car because I only sell silver jewels and tour the places and stores that I already know. I have my customers. Thank God, I’m content. I’m happy that my family and I are living in our Homeland. Our 12-year-old son, Giorgio (Gevorg) (he is named after my father-in-law) was 3 when we moved to Armenia. My son attends the Monte Melkonian School, practices karate and plays the guitar. My husband plays the synthesizer, I sing, and we have a small band at home. I love it when we sing and play music at home, and I believe that brings luck and happiness to each family. I have a house, a Homeland, a good family and relatives-what else does one need to be happy? The only thing that is painful for me is the fact that I left my parents’ tombs in Syria. I might bring two handfuls of soil and pour it under the trees in our garden. When the trees blossom, my parents will be ��?close’ to me and will revive.

Jack Keivanian: Before the war, I wanted to purchase a land parcel in Yerevan, build a building, give apartments for rent and set up shops, but it didn’t work out. I purchased the land parcel, and I still have it, but I didn’t build anything. My store in Aleppo was destroyed, but our home remains standing. My mother and younger brother are there. Our house in Aleppo is located in front of the St. Mary Church in the Sheikhtahar district. My wife’s parents died, and her sisters and brothers moved to Armenia. We had a U.S. visa, passport and could have moved to the United States, but we preferred to settle in the Homeland. The important thing is that we are safe and sound. When I wanted to move to Armenia years ago, many would tell me I was doing great in Syria and asked me what I wanted to do in Armenia…I would tell them that Armenia is our Homeland, that wealth is not only about having money and that the Homeland is our wealth. My brother has been in the United States of America since 2001. He would tell me to come so that we could work together. Of course, I went to the States, but settling there was out of the question. My brother and his family have been living in the USA for 13 years, but they still haven’t acquired citizenship. As for me, I received the passport of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia after two days. Which other country would give me a passport quickly? I admire Armenia and particularly Yerevan. The locals are great people. I’m happy to be around Armenians. We want all Armenians to love each other and be kind to each other, as well as maintain their families and our sacred land.

Giorgio (Gevorg) Keivanian: Like my parents, I also love Armenia and Yerevan, our home. I’m very happy in our Homeland. I have a lot of friends, both Syrian-Armenians and citizens of Yerevan. I attend Monte Melkonian School with pleasure. I love Armenian history, language and literature. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to be when I grow up, but I’ll definitely serve in the Armenian army.

Our interview ends with the definite words of 12-year-old Gevorg, and feeling very impressed, I say good-bye to the beautiful family, the doggy running around me, Mr. Keivanian’s garden of fruit trees, Jack’s small art studio in the back of the garden where Jack keeps his beautiful handmade items and the sweet voice of Sevan (in fact, the day of  my visit coincided with her birthday) as she spontaneously sang the famous Armenian song “Tspum Eh Sevane, Zhptum Eh Sevane…Tsaghikner, Tsaghikner…” (Lake Sevan is swashing, Lake Sevan is smiling…Flowers, Flowers…)

Karine Avagyan