“LET’S SIT AT THE TABLE WITH AT LEAST THREE SONS”
“ARMENIANS WITHOUT CIGARETTES”
“ARMENIA IS THE HOMELAND OF ALL ARMENIANS, LET’S MAKE IT STRONG!”
“AN ARMENIAN IS HE WHO FEELS ARMENIAN”
“ARMENIANS MUSTNOT ONLY SERVE THE HOMELAND, BUT ALSO GAIN PROFIT”
“BECOME THE INHERITOR, OWNERAND DEFENDER OF ARMENIAN CULTURE EVERYWHERE!”
“RETURN A PART OF YOUR TALENT AND GIFTS TO YOUR HOMELAND”
“SPEAK ARMENIAN AT HOME!”
“SPEND YOUR VACATION IN THE HOMELAND ONCE EVERY 3 YEARS!”
“DRAW YOUR FAMILY TREE!”
“MARRIAGE WITH THE BLESSING OF MY HOMELAND”
“ARMENIAN NAME AND THE “YAN” IS YOUR IDENTITY IN THE WORLD”
“OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT IN THE HOMELAND”
“EVERY ARMENIAN MUST SEE ARMENIA”
“WE EXIST, WE MUST EXIST AND WE MUST GROW IN NUMBER” P. SEVAK
“OH! ARMENIAN PEOPLE, YOUR ONLY SALVATION LIES IN YOUR COLLECTIVE FORCE” Y. CHARENTS

Ara Halajian: “We are bequeathing patriotism and the love for Armenians to our children”

Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with Lebanese-Armenian graphic designer Ara Halajian and his son, student of the Hripsimyats Armenian School of Beirut Mher Halajian, who were hosted at the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Halajian, I was told that the purpose of your visit to Armenia is to especially tour the country. Did you manage to tour the country during your 10-day visit?

Ara Halajian: I visit Armenia once a year or once every two years. This time I am here with my family. My son, Mher, who is an 11th grade student of the Hripsimyats Armenian School of Beirut, has always come with me. Another reason for my visit was to be in Armenia during the pilgrimage of Pope Francis to Armenia and to attend his Ecumenical Ceremony.

Hayern Aysor: What do you do in Beirut?

A. H.: I have been a graphic designer for about 20 years. I have my office and also perform print-related tasks. Many people visit our office.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Halajian, what do you do within the community?

A. H.: I used to be a member of the board of the community’s Hripsimyats Armenian School. Our board always supports the school and does everything it can to help. Last year, we managed to take an Armenian khachkar (cross-stone) from Armenia and place it near the school on the occasion of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. We also placed a monument, beautiful candlesticks, and 100 students lit 100 candles. That cross-stone and monument will always give the schoolchildren something to think about and remind them about the crime that was committed against the Armenians in 1915 so that the memory of our innocent victims always stays alive in their souls and so that Armenian youth and schoolchildren pay their respects near the cross-stone commemorating the victims. I think this is also a unique lesson.

I established contacts with the RA Ministry of Diaspora on the occasion of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide last year when the Minister of Diaspora was hosted at the Armenian embassy in Lebanon. Minister Hranush Hakobyan had sent a video message on the day the cross-stone was unveiled, and it made everyone very excited. The year 2015 was special in that it was the first time that all schools of Lebanon were closed on April 24th by the decision of the Minister of Education and all schoolchildren learned about the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and that the Turks had brutally killed Armenian intellectuals.

Hayern Aysor: What, are there Armenians in Lebanon who don’t know about the Armenian Genocide?

A. H.: Many people didn’t know. There are areas in Lebanon where there are no Armenians. Most of the people of the new generation might not have known about it, but the closure of all the schools sparked many people’s interest, and they started asking about the events of 1915. On April 24th, the schoolchildren laid flowers and placed 100 candles near the cross-stone. Among the attendees of the opening ceremony were Armenia’s Ambassador to Lebanon, representatives of all the communities, the late Catholicos Nerses Bedros of the Armenian Catholic Church and representative of the Pope, Cardinal Nos.

Hayern Aysor: Who sculpted the cross-stone? Who sponsored?

A. H.: The cross-stone was sculpted by Zaven Paligian, and the sponsor was my friend, benefactor Shaheh Boyajian.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Halajian, let’s talk about the Hripsimyats Armenian School.

A. H.: The Hripsimyats Armenian School is a 12-year school that was founded in 1922 by the Congregation of Armenian Catholic Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. It was initially an all-girls’ pre-school, but later it included middle and secondary schools. In 1980, it became a co-ed educational institution. It has been moved to different buildings many times, and the area has always been expanded. The number of schoolchildren fell due to the war in Lebanon. The school has a good reputation and provides children with a high level of education. The level of education is so high that any alumnus can receive a higher education at any top university in the world.

Hayern Aysor: How would you describe Armenia?

A. H.: A wonder! Armenia is our home. We are proud to have a Homeland. Today we were lucky to attend the opening ceremony of the third stage of the 2016 “Ari Tun” Program. The Diaspora Armenian youth of today are lucky. There was no such initiative in my prime. We recently visited the Zvartnots Camp of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, which was located next to the “Ari Tun” Camp. By coincidence, we also attended the closing ceremony of the second stage of the program.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Halajian, isn’t your son participating in the “Ari Tun” Program?

A. H.: We hope he participates next year. He really wants to.

Hayern Aysor: Mher, did you want to visit Armenia, or was it your father’s wish?

Mher Halajian: No, I have always wanted to visit the Homeland, and this time we came as a family. I have great impressions. Everything is great here. We visited distant villages. I love Etchmiadzin where the Pope was visiting. The Armenia of my dreams is much more beautiful in reality.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Halajian, what is your desire for Armenia and the Armenian language?

A. H.: I want us Armenians to have one unified language and not lose our beautiful Western Armenian. It has not been too easy for us Diaspora Armenians to preserve our Armenian identity abroad. We preserve our identity thanks to the Armenian language, faith and culture. For 100 years, we have managed to preserve the national identity abroad. Unfortunately, the new generation tries to send children to foreign schools with the wrong thought that Armenian schools can’t provide a high level of education. We need to strive to preserve our Armenian blood, our identity and our language.

…Getting back to the cross-stone, I must say that we took six cross-stones from Armenia, one of which hasn’t been placed yet since the place has not been determined. The only thing we need to do is to determine the date and organize the event. We have done this on our own, transmitting the message to the future generation. We are bequeathing patriotism and the love for Armenians to our children.

Hayern Aysor: Thank you, father and son Halajian! May the fire of patriotism always burn in your family, and God willing, may you visit your home Armenia every year!

Karine Avagyan

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