On March 23, a charity exhibition-sale called “Breath of Syrian-Armenian Culture in Yerevan” was held ahead of Holy Resurrection Day at the initiative of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the Center for Coordination of Syrian-Armenians’ Issues NGO.

The Syrian-Armenians showed Hayern Aysor’s correspondent their items and shared their memories of how they used to celebrate Easter in Aleppo and what kinds of Easter dishes they would make.

Marin Shohmelian left Syria for Armenia in 2013. She still hasn’t found a job in Armenia, but she doesn’t waste her time. She and her daughters make pastries at home and sell them at exhibition-sales. Marin also takes orders.

This is actually the first time that Marin is participating in this exhibition-sale. She has noticed that people in Armenia like Syrian dishes and says the purchases and interesting questions are evidence of that. Marin Shohmelian fondly remembers Easter in Aleppo when everyone would have a good time around the table.

Maida Istamboulian-Demirjian paints beautiful images on glass silverware. To acquire that skill, she attended the courses organized by the ARS Armenia Chapter’s Handwork and Hand Art Committee.

She tries to make theme-based objects to sell them at exhibition-sales. She has noticed that people are interested in all that. Maida often participates in the exhibition-sales held by the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the Center for Coordination of Syrian-Armenians’ Issues NGO with the hope to obtain new customers and become popular.

Silva Melikian recalls that the Armenians of Syria would start preparing for Easter during the Holy Week. They would prepare all the Easter meals in advance so that they could go to church and participate in the Holy Week ceremonies. They would always make the Ejen (egg-parsley-onion dish served with spinach and yogurt), which is considered one of the traditional dishes served on Easter. They would also make a rice soup and serve it with rice, painted eggs and fish on the side. The Chyorek (pastry with raisins) and other pastries made with dates and walnuts. On Easter, they would visit each other’s houses and congratulate each other on the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of the Lord.

Mrs. Melikian is participating in the exhibition-sale for the first time, showcasing pastries and other Syrian sweets in her pavilion, and she has good impressions. She also makes the pastries at home and takes orders.

Araxi and Arpine Keshishians are sisters. They are showcasing small and large handmade items and dishes that seem to be in high demand. They don’t complain, thinking that they’ll succeed over time and that the important thing is to be armed with patience. The sisters informed that women in Armenia ask about their dishes and the recipes with great interest, and they generously reveal the secrets of Syrian cuisine.

They mainly presented Easter dishes at the exhibition-sale, and this sparked great interest among visitors. When they came to Armenia, they didn’t break the tradition of Aleppo. They make traditional dishes not only on Easter, but also on other holidays and preserve their customs.

Hripsime Goliksaian assures that the Syrian-Armenians are active and multitalented people and always aspire to acquire skills in different spheres. Hripsime makes different kinds of wooden objects at home that seem new to people. She also takes orders.

Mrs. Goliksaian believes the guarantee for her success is that she has new customers at the exhibition-sales and says this is what makes her work effective. True, she is participating in the exhibition-sale for the first time and people are passing by her pavilion without paying much attention, but she isn’t desperate and believes that everything will be fine.

Hagop Mahserejian said he would always prepare different ornaments and relevant objects on holidays in Aleppo so that he could set the festive mood at home. Making an Easter tree was especially accepted. He is trying to continue that tradition in Armenia.

He made various types of Easter accessories to showcase at the exhibition-sale, but has noticed that buying such accessories isn’t very much accepted in Armenia.

Sarkis Ghologhsaian used to repair cars in Syria. He is participating in the exhibition-sale for the second time and is content with the results. He says such events serve as the best way for him to present his products to the public at large and that he notices an increase in the number of customers every time.

Sarkis sells his perfumes. He brought the raw material for the perfumes from Syria and assures that he offers his customers high-quality products. According to Sarkis Ghologhsaian, people in Armenia are exquisite and meticulous when it comes to choosing perfumes and that he tries to give them the right advice, offering them new scents that have been introduced in the market.

By Gevorg Chichyan