The Armenian Genocide initiated in the Ottoman Empire during the World War I in the beginning of the previous century is one of the biggest crimes against humanity. Advancing the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide the new project introduced by "Armenpress" news agency is dedicated to the story of the eyewitnesses and survivors of the calamity to prove the world one more time that our demand for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is fair and justified. This time the project is dedicated to the story of 98-year old Nvard Sujyan.  

YEREVAN, JUNE 11, ARMENPRESS. Stories about "stinginess" attributed to the people from Van are very popular among us even in the form of humor, notwithstanding after listening to the story of 98-year old Nvard Sujyan one will not consider their modest lifestyle and traditions as stinginess. Nvard Sujyan was but two years old, when her family left Van and migrated to Yerevan, but it has never become an obstacle for Nvard to consider herself a true descendant of Van.

Among other things Nvard Sujyan underscored: "I was a little child, when our family – my father Mkrtich and mother Vardanush left Van." Her family was among those lucky exceptions, which did not record any casualty during the 1915 struggle of the Van people against the Turkish conquerors.

Nvard Sujyan's daughter-in-law – Donara, stated: "One of Turkish acquaintances of Nvrad's father – Mkrtich, told them about the start of the massacres and they took whatever they had and migrated." After, the family settled in Yerevan's Abovyan Street, where Nvard lives till now.

Also Nvard Sujyan emphasized that actually people of Van are very hospitable and care about their future. In addition she highlighted that the stereotype introducing them as stingy people does not correspond the reality at all.

Today Nvard Sujyan has two grandsons, four great grandsons, and soon her first great-great grandson will be born.

Nvard has always cherished a hope to see her birthplace again, but that desire has remained unrealized. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Article by Tatevik Grigoryan

Photos by Samvel Berkibekyan