The colors, moods and cultures of Yerevan and Aleppo were beautifully and interestingly intertwined at the “Breath of Syrian-Armenian Culture in Yerevan” charity exhibition-sale that kicked off in the vestibule of the Faculty of Armenian Philology of Yerevan State University on the occasion of the Tyarndarach holiday of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church. The charity exhibition-sale is organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the Center for Coordination of Syrian-Armenians’ Issues NGO. The exhibition showcases tasty pastry and spices, handmade silver jewels and silverware, perfumes, care products, delicate samples of embroidery, glass objects and more.

As reports Hayern Aysor, Syrian-Armenian Maida Stambultsian-Demirjian hadn’t prepared her small table yet, but had already made the first ��?sale’ at the exhibition-sale. Her glass candlestick attracted the visiting professor at first sight. “I make glass cups, candlesticks and all kinds of handmade items. People come, see and appreciate my work and express the desire to have such objects in their homes. I hope my customers leave with a feeling of satisfaction. When I see the shine in their eyes and see that they purchase a beautiful object, I fall in love with my craft again. It’s not just a craft. It’s also an art,” Mrs. Maida mentions. She served another customer and went on to talk about herself and her job. “I only participate in such exhibition-sales. I don’t have a stable job, but I’m content. I’m appreciated here. The thought that people will keep my handmade items in their homes and always remember me is already binding and pleasant. Over the past three-and-a-half years, I understood that Armenia is our real homeland, Syria is our birthplace, the land of our memories, but there is only one homeland, and that is the Republic of Armenia.”

Raffi and Yoland Rshtunis are husband and wife. They are representing their Raffi and Yoland Sweets and Food brand. They have brought their pastries, but also accept orders and prepare various dishes. “We have been in Armenia for the past three years already. This is our daily job in Armenia, though we had another job in Aleppo. My husband was a craftsman, but we would prepare the foods, pastry and different kinds of dishes at our house and for our guests. For instance, if we hosted you in Aleppo, we would set this kind of a table for you,” Yoland says, jokingly and seriously and assures that the legends about the hospitality in Aleppo are almost true, if not entirely true. “All Armenian families of Aleppo teach their daughters some kind of craft. With the prudence of the main character in the famous Armenian fairy tale, Anahit, we also thought that all this might be necessary someday, and it turned out to be true,” Raffi mentions. When the war ends in Syria, the spouses wish to sell their assets in Aleppo and invest the money here to help their business grow.

There was a long line of ladies around Sevan Melkonian’s table. She had attracted their attention with her jewels. Sevan is in the homeland with her husband and son. The Syrian-Armenian woman, who has come to Armenia to settle, mentions that she is happy and that the most important thing is that her son can be safe in Armenia.

Levon Koshkalian sells silverware and various kinds of handmade items not far from Sevan’s table. He has been in the homeland for seven months and is trying to settle and continue what he was doing in Aleppo. He had a store and a workshop, but the war destroyed everything. “I didn’t have a job during the war. I was afraid and in danger. Before the war, everything was fine. Silver items were in demand because the Armenians of Aleppo love silver. I still have a problem with settling here because the people here love golden items, but I can still sell. Settling in the homeland is the right thing to do,” Levon mentions.

And so, living far away from Aleppo, the Syrian-Armenians in Yerevan are trying to present the ��?breath’ of their birthplace. Those wishing to feel that ��?breath’ can do so by attending the exhibition-sale tomorrow as well.

Amalya Karapetyan