The RA Ministry of Diaspora hosted distinguished academic, principal Zaven Messerlian, who had a lot to share and present. Our interview was sometimes like a monologue because the longstanding principal of the Armenian Evangelical College in Beirut and the historian wanted to talk about the people who have made contributions to the development of the College throughout the years and who continue to make financial contributions to the College…

“Hayern Aysor”: Mr. Messerlian, I am pleased to meet you at the RA Ministry of Diaspora. I know you and have always followed your activities in academics. Nevertheless, I would like you to present the institution that you have been the principal of for many years.

Zaven Messerlian: The number of Armenian educational institutions established and active in the Diaspora is on the rise due to the growing number of Armenian Sunday schools, but there are traditionally established educational institutions that provide fundamental education and have gone down in our contemporary history. One of those educational institutions is the Armenian Evangelical College in Beirut, which is marking its 91^st anniversary. It is one of the oldest educational institutions in the Diaspora. It was founded in Lebanon’s capital and is one of the most important educational landmarks of the country. It is the first institution of higher learning in the Armenian Diaspora, and its establishment led to the establishment of other highly recognized educational institutions. The children of families that survived the Armenian Genocide gathered here, and Armenian education became primary for them. Before 1933, our College was called the High School for Armenian Children, and in 1933, it joined the American High School for Armenians and was called the Armenian Evangelical Co-Ed High School. In 1952, it was moved to Kantar district of Beirut. It has all the conditions and offers a Bachelor’s program. It was accommodated in the Yeprem and Martha Pilibosian Building in 1971.

“Hayern Aysor”: Does the College have many graduates? Do they have their places in Lebanon’s society, politics, science and business?

Z. M.: We take pride in most of our graduates. Throughout the years, we have had 1,500 graduates. This is a large number for the Armenian Diaspora, particularly Lebanon because in the wake of the civil war in Lebanon, many left the country, and the devastating life in the country caused obstacles for the College, but we continued to carry out the mission of providing an education. Most of our graduates have held important posts within the Lebanese government. We have had state ministers and deputies, generals, as well as remarkable artists and literary figures. Today, our alumni are involved in every sphere in Lebanon.

“Hayern Aysor”: Emigration is noticeable in the Near East and in Lebanon. Many Armenian families are leaving the traditional community and choosing to live in Europe or the United States. Doesn’t this have an impact on the learners? Doesn’t it lead to distorsion?

Z. M.: That’s a good question. The military operations in the Near East and the war in Lebanon caused severe harm to the community. There was a year when we had more than 700 students, but we have even had 70 students. There has been some proportion over the past couple of years. Currently, there are 110-150 students. Of course, most of our students are from the districts and drive. The emigration of the Armenians from the districts had a negative impact on attendance. Let us add the fact that most of the learners are from socially disadvantaged families, and so tuition is a problem for some learners. The war had an impact on the College. It was seized 10 times due to its strategic position. The College is located in the west of Beirut, which was emptied of Armenians due to the war. Currently, there are rarely 2,000 Armenians living in that part of Beirut. Obviously, there are few schoolchildren (nearly 100). Overall, there are 70-120,000 Armenians in the community, compared to 200-225,000 prior to the war. Schools especially focus on preservation of the Armenian identity. The school has courses on Armenian language, history and religion, clubs (sports, Armenian history, theater, etc.), which are aimed at preserving the moral, spiritual and national spirit in the schoolchildren. The school also publishes annual newspapers (“Garni”, “Ani”), as well as the “Sipan” Yearbook. Students receive the books in English and Arabic.

“Hayern Aysor”: During my visit to the Haigazian University in Beirut two years ago, I was told that Haigazian University and your College also have foreign students. Doesn’t this change the national image of the educational institution?

Z. M.: You’re right. Today, the College has nearly 15 foreign students who study Armenian language and history. This is motivating because they participate in our events and competitions, the traditional cultural and educational events and prepare reports on episodes in Armenian history. With this, we contribute to the dissemination of Armenian history and culture. The College also becomes a center for preservation of the Armenian identity and advocacy of Armenians and Armenia.

“Hayern Aysor”: Has the College solved its financial problems? Aren’t there difficulties with maintenance?

Z. M.: Our College ensures its existence through tuitions and donations from alumni. There are many people who support our College with their charity acts. Our College initially carried out its activities through donations from the members of the Armenian Evangelical Association. It’s a tradition, and our successful alumni and the friends of our College, who are mainly from England and the United States, make their donations to the College with responsibility. I must thank all them because they have truly carried out pro-national initiatives. They highly appreciate the significance of an Armenian education and do everything possible to ensure the College’s existence.

“Hayern Aysor”: How would you evaluate the Homeland-Diaspora relations? Do you receive enough support from the Homeland?

Z. M.: Today, the Homeland-Diaspora relations are strong and unbreakable. In the past couple of years, we have been receiving a lot of support from the Ministry of Diaspora, which collaborates with the Ministry of Education and Science and provides us with beautiful maps, demonstrative materials and textbooks. However, I must say that we need maps of historical Armenia and materials devoted to that. The maps and materials at our disposal are very old and don’t include Cilician Armenia, Great Hayk (Mets Hayk), Small Hayk (Pokr Hayk) and more. Armenia’s educators have a lot to do in this regard. It gives me pleasure to say that the “Ari Tun” and “Diaspora Summer School” Programs of the Ministry of Diaspora have been very well received in our community. Our students’ visits to Armenia are inspiring, and many teachers have participated in the “Diaspora Summer School” Program, but there are problems with this as well. The low salaries of the teachers don’t allow all the teachers to participate in the program and cover airfare and pay for accommodations. I would like to see solutions to help the teachers cover their expenses for participation. We have demands from the Armenian government, but perhaps it could create a fund that would help those wishing to participate in the “Diaspora Summer School” Program achieve their goals.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mr. Messerlian, you are also an unwavering academic and historian. Since 1967, you have been the head of the College, but have also found time for academics. What are your issues of interest?

Z. M.: You’re right, I’m a historian. To this day, I have published eight books. I consider myself a genocide expert because Genocide is in my focus. I study the period prior to the Genocide and after the Genocide. Armenian historians view the “space” of the Genocide as the years before 1923, but there was also much ethnic cleansing in 1927-1929. Many Armenians were forced to leave their homes in Turkey. I have also studied those issues. I’m consistent with the Armenian Cause and have received the title of Honorable Doctor of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia for my merit.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mr. Messerlian, thank you for this interview. I hope the College has more students and that Armenian language is always spoken there.

Z. M. Thank you.

Interview by Levon Mutafyan