Chicago Hamazkayin’s Literary Afternoon

On Nov. 28, Murad A. Meneshian presented a talk and readings from his newly released book, Raffi: The Prophet from Payajuk, with a simultaneous slideshow at the Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church and Community Center hall in Glenview, Ill.

Artin Mikaelian, chairman of the Chicago chapter of the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Association, welcomed the audience to the Sunday afternoon event. He invited Dr. Berj Gueyikian to present the opening remarks and overview of Raffi’s life and works, followed by Vasken Aivazian’s reading a segment from Raffi’s Jelaleddin. Haroutiun Kendimian, accompanied by his daughter Lucine Tokmakjian on the piano, sang the song “Tzayn Dur Ov Tzovag,” a literary piece written by Raffi and put to music by Gomidas Vartapet.

Meneshian commenced his presentation with the statement: “In 1938, the Chicago ARF community celebrated the 100^th anniversary of Raffi’s birth (born 1835). Now, 72 years later, we are in a way celebrating his 175^th anniversary. It is perhaps the only city where this anniversary is being commemorated, albeit unofficially. It would be a great occasion to commemorate this anniversary worldwide, because we must not forget this man.”

Along with reading selected passages from his book, Meneshian outlined the renowned author’s life and struggles, and his vision for his nation, which had suffered and lost so much at the hands of merciless invaders who time and again had conquered, ravaged, and oppressed the ancient Christian nation. Through Raffi’s bold and daring works, he was able to breathe courage, defiance, and self-determination into a downtrodden people. Despite the author’s extreme poverty, innumerable hardships, and failing health, Raffi drew strength and determination to persevere through his poignant and oftentimes fiery pen for his beloved people and nation.

Meneshian’s book, Raffi: The Prophet from Payajuk, is a fitting tribute to this giant in Armenian literature and history. The afternoon culminated with the traditional book Ginedzon, the Armenian custom of pouring wine over a newly published book.

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Knarik O. Meneshian

Knarik O. Meneshian was born in Austria. Her father was Armenian and her mother was Austrian. She received her degree in literature and secondary education in Chicago, Ill. In 1988, she served on the Selection Committee of the McDougal, Littell “Young Writers” Collection—Grades 1–8, an anthology of exemplary writing by students across the country.” In 1991, Knarik taught English in the earthquake devastated village of Jrashen (Spitak Region), Armenia. In 2002–2003, she and her late husband (Murad A. Meneshian), lived and worked as volunteers in Armenia for a year teaching English and computer courses in Gyumri and Tsaghgadzor. Meneshian’s works have been published in "Teachers As Writers, American Poetry Anthology" and other American publications, as well as Armenian publications in the U.S. and Armenia. Knarik is the author of A Place Called Gyumri: Life in the Armenian Mountains. She has also authored a book of poems titled Reflections, and translated from Armenian to English Reverend D. Antreassian’s book titled "The Banishment of Zeitoun" and "Suedia’s Revolt" She began writing at the age of 12 and has contributed pieces to The Armenian Weekly since her early teens.

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