Due to the war in Syria, many Syrian-Armenians families settled in the Homeland, and one of those families is the family of Lena Haladjian, who is the director of the Center for Coordination of Syrian-Armenians’ Issues non-governmental organization.

 “Hayern Aysor”: Mrs. Haladjian, during our interview last year, we mainly talked about the coordination of Syrian-Armenians’ issues. This time the topic is repatriation. When did you decide to repatriate and what made you make that decision?

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Lena Haladjian: The reason for our repatriation was directly linked to the war, but until then, my husband would often visit Armenia for business purposes. He would bring necessary products from Syria to Armenia and would take from Armenia various types of threads that we would use to make clothes and send them to Armenia. We loved Armenia from a distance and took pride in our Homeland (I’m sure you know how patriotic the Syrian-Armenians are), but we weren’t thinking of repatriating because the country was in peace and we were doing well. One person could take care of a multi-member family. I must also say that we couldn’t even think of moving because of our elders. It would be very hard for them to leave the place where they were born…The reason for repatriating was the war. To this day, my husband’s 92-year old mother always asks me: “Garo, is there any news? What has happened to our homes? Are they safe? When are we going to go back and defend our home?” My four children were already studying in the USA prior to the war. My elder son graduated in America and had just returned to Aleppo when the war broke out. We moved to Armenia, and now he’s with us. We repatriated in the summer of 2012. We were well received, and we can never forget that.

“Hayern Aysor”: What were you doing in Syria before moving to Armenia?

L. H.: I was the advisor to the RA Minister of Diaspora in the Syrian-Armenian community and was always in touch with the Ministry of Diaspora. We were aware of the ministry’s programs and would present those programs to the communities and ensure their participation in various kinds of events. When we moved to Armenia, we would always visit the Ministry of Diaspora and try to help carry out different kinds of programs. Our group went on to become the core of this Center. We have three main employees, including an accountant, a lawyer and a secretary. The others work on a voluntary basis.

“Hayern Aysor”: You have a house, a job, friends, relatives and acquaintances in the homeland. Don’t you ever suffer from the feeling of longing?

L. H.: In Aleppo we were living in the Azizieh District. We had a house, and thank God, it’s still standing, as well as jobs and relatives…We have a home here as well (before the move, my husband had already purchased land, we rented it for two years, built our home and moved there), but, of course, we often feel longing and melancholy. We not only see our hometown in our dreams, but also picture it in our minds when we’re awake.

“Hayern Aysor”: When the war ends and peace is fully established in your hometown, will you return to Syria, or will you stay in Armenia?

L. H.: I don’t have any complaints here, but I think the Syrian-Armenians living in the Homeland will want to return to Syria someday. After all, they left their homes and belongings there and have memories…

“Hayern Aysor”: Do you think the main purpose of return is merely longing for the hometown, or the fear of losing the large, well-established Syrian-Armenian community rich in traditions and with its schools and cultural institutions?

L. H.: Frankly, the first purpose is the longing for the hometown, and then (God forbid) the fear of losing the community. It all depends on the political solution to the issue. If peace is not established, who would want to live in danger and with the fear of death?

“Hayern Aysor”: Mrs. Haladjian, what is your profession? Have you ever worked by your profession?

L. H.: I’m a philologist. I graduated from the English Literature Department of Aleppo State University. I haven’t worked by my profession since I’ve mainly been involved in community service. I’m a two-time veteran member of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (almost 43-44 years) and have dedicated my entire life to the Union and the AGBU Lazar Najarian and Calouste Gulbenkian Secondary School. I have served as the secretary of that school’s education committee and have also been a member of the AGBU youth wing’s executive body and chairwoman of the Women’s Committee.

“Hayern Aysor”: Would you like to teach? After all, you are an expert in English literature.

L. H.: I don’t see myself in that field. I have preferred and still prefer journalism more. Syria has never had free press, but Armenia does. However, the important thing for me is to not go over the limit because that may put national interests at risk. Freedom should not be confused with tolerance.

“Hayern Aysor”: Where do your roots trace back to? What traditions has your family preserved?

L. H.: My parents are originally from Ayntap. My husband’s father’s side is also from Ayntap. Syrian-Armenian families mainly preserve the ancient traditions. I attach great importance to respect for elders, and my family also preserves that tradition. I have taken care of my parents, my father-in-law and now my 92-year old mother-in-law who really needs to be taken care of.

“Hayern Aysor”: The Armenians in the Near East are very patriotic, conventional and have great faith. Do the Syrian-Armenians in Armenia go to church and participate in masses?

L. H.: If you go to Etchmiadzin on Sundays, you will see many Syrian-Armenians who participate in the mass with excitement. The Syrian-Armenians have a special kind of love for Etchmiadzin. I must say that this community of faithful Armenians may even help the Church fight against sects.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mrs. Haladjian, which word or phrase do you say out loud or think about when you remember Aleppo?

L. H.: “Poor Aleppo, Poor Syria…” this is what I say and remember, and I have heard it from thousands of Syrian-Armenians.

“Hayern Aysor”: Have you ever received any kind of award for your active efforts for the community?

L. H.: The appreciation of our conscience is the greatest award. We don’t expect any awards or medals, but I must say with gratitude that we have received a medal and letter of gratitude from the RA Minister of Diaspora.

“Hayern Aysor”: Will there be any New Year’s event for Syrian-Armenian children in Armenia this year?

L. H.: For the past three years, Syrian-Armenian children have been hosted at the presidential residence and have been given gifts and pastry, and the tradition continues. There is also a new initiative. This year, the staff of “Hayern Aysor” electronic newspaper of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and our non-governmental organization will be carrying out the 100 Celebrities for 100 Syrian-Armenian Children ahead of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Through this program, the celebrities will help the children of socially disadvantaged Syrian-Armenian families living in Armenia’s provinces and in the outskirts of Yerevan and will wish them a Happy New Year.

“Hayern Aysor”: How do you envision the future of Armenia?

L. H.: First, I would like to wish Armenia the best. Not everything depends on Armenia. There are other political upheavals and global interests. Thus, I wouldn’t like to see the interests of super powers put Armenia at risk, like in the case of Syria. The issue of Syria is a crisis for all Armenians around the world. The crisis hit the major Armenian community. The war has been going on for the past three years, but unfortunately, we don’t have a vision and aren’t taking rapid steps.

“Hayern Aysor”: And the last question that I always ask my interlocutors: What does the Homeland mean to you?

L. H.: For me, the Homeland is sacred and it must be preserved at all costs. We have already lost a part of Armenia. We don’t have the right to lose the other part.

Karine Avagyan