Many Diaspora Armenians having settled in the Homeland continue their pro-national activities in various spheres. For them, every task for the Homeland and their compatriots is a unique way of showing their devotion to maintaining the harmony of their mind, heart and soul. One of those devoted Armenians is wonderful intellectual Shakeh Ardzivian, who repatriated from Iraq in 2011 and who gave an interview to Hayern Aysor.  

Karine Avagyan: Mrs. Ardzivian, as I was previewed to your substantial biography, I was amazed at your long career and patriotic activities. Wasn’t it hard for you to be so busy and take care of a family at the same time?

Shakeh Ardzivian: I have been interested in Armenia, the Armenians, their values and great and painful past for a long time. I was encouraged by my parents and later my husband. Sometimes it was hard to satisfy all my interests, but I managed to satisfy them through willpower and dedication because they have spiritually and ideologically satisfied me, and I have felt that my life is valuable and that I can share it with my environment and the new generation.

Karine Avagyan: You have specialized in English language and literature at the University of Baghdad, obtained a Master’s Degree, written a textbook, taught, conducted several studies in the English language, recited poems, been a public speaker and been a member of the Armenian Women’s Cultural Society of Iraq. From 1982 to 2011, you have the chairwoman of that Society. Out of all these tasks, which has been the closest to your heart?

Shakeh Ardzivian: I have tried to satisfy all my interests with great pleasure. What inspired me the most was perhaps the Armenian Women’s Cultural Society because I am certain that Armenian women are the focal point for the development of an Armenian society and that enhancement of their mental and spiritual levels is the guarantee for the bright future of the Armenian nation.

Karine Avagyan: You are also the founder of the Sunday Club of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq and have taught Armenian. I believe the school is no longer operating. What is the main reason?

Shakeh Ardzivian: The Armenian school tried to teach Armenian language, history, history of the Armenian Church and Armenian culture for years in the remote Armenian community of Iraq. When national and private schools turned into public schools in 1974, the children of the community were deprived of all that the school had to offer. His Holiness believed the creation of a Sunday Club would be the best solution. The Armenian Women’s Cultural Society of Iraq assumed this great task, developed a plan and took action. The initiative was a success, and over time, we enrolled about 400 students, who raised the level of proficiency of Armenian and were provided with an Armenian education.

Unfortunately, after the war in 2003, the Sunday Club was closed down after 17 years of prolific activities due to the danger and insecurity in the country. This led to the start of emigration of the Armenians.

Karine Avagyan: When did you move to Armenia? What are you doing now?

Shakeh Ardzivian: I moved to Armenia after I went on pension at the University of Baghdad in 2011. I am not a public servant and don’t have my own business. I have joined the Armenian Relief Society and am the chairwoman of the ARS “Mgro” Chapter of Arabkir Administrative District.

Karine Avagyan: What awards have you received for your longstanding pro-national activities? What do they mean to you?

Shakeh Ardzivian: I have studied at the secondary school of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, graduated from the English Language Department at the University of Baghdad with honors and continued my studies with funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. I have defended my thesis for a Master’s Degree at the American University in Beirut with honors, served as a graduate assistant in the English Language Department at AUB and have been awarded with the Sahak Mesrop condac order by the Supreme Patriarch.

And that is all that I consider awards that I have received by fate and awards that have served as an impetus for me to continue to carry out my pro-national activities with more motivation and dedication until the last day of my life.

Karine Avagyan: Mrs. Ardzivian, what does the homeland mean to you? What do you feel when you say “Armenia”?

Shakeh Ardzivian: The homeland has always been the axis of my life, and loving and serving it is an absolute value and purpose for me.

Interview by Karine Avagyan