"City of love in a time of war," a painting by Syrian artist Wissam Al Jazairy
Special for the Armenian Weekly
Two years ago, Ani’s husband committed suicide, leaving behind a 3-year-old son and a 32-year old widow to endure the horrors of Syria on their own. To support her son, Ani started working as a saleswoman. But as the situation in Aleppo disintegrated, she was laid off and forced to survive on her husband’s savings.
Sarkis Balkhian is a contrarian, political, and human rights activist focusing on the Middle East and the South Caucasus regions. He is the advocacy director of the Aleppo Compatriotic Charitable Organization, a group supporting Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons. Balkhian holds a B.A in government and international relations from Clark University and an M.A. in diplomacy and international relations from Yerevan State University. He is based in Yerevan.
9 Comments
Great article!! Bravo
Let’s hope it was only love that motivated her to return to Syria. Syrian Armenians must come to terms that Syria is not their homeland. It is only a transitory place for the Armenians. After 100 years, it is time to move forward and repopulate Armenia, the true homeland.
Shat chisht es Hratch. We all have to come to terms with our Diasporan life. It is our Transit but truly we have to move forward & move to Motherland our only homeland as it is becoming empty.SAD
What a beautiful story. May God give them strength to survive these difficult times and may they be reunited with their loved ones and live a happier life!
That’s all about life. Every body has a different destiny and a different mission.
Hye askin jadakir, “taparagan gyank” ir vartov yev ir pooshov. Hoozich krvatsk, abris, Sarkis
I was born in Iran, & that country is for Iranians, as is Syria for Syrians. And we Armenians belong to Armenia – I have never returned to Iran since 1968 but I always go to Armenia every year & hoping I will die there too
This is indeed a great Armenian love story. Wish both of these girls well and happy life. And yes, we should all go back to Hayastan. Ask the jews where they feel truly at home.
Beautifully written from the heart and mind. Thank you.
Great article!! Bravo
Let’s hope it was only love that motivated her to return to Syria. Syrian Armenians must come to terms that Syria is not their homeland. It is only a transitory place for the Armenians. After 100 years, it is time to move forward and repopulate Armenia, the true homeland.
Shat chisht es Hratch. We all have to come to terms with our Diasporan life. It is our Transit but truly we have to move forward & move to Motherland our only homeland as it is becoming empty.SAD
What a beautiful story. May God give them strength to survive these difficult times and may they be reunited with their loved ones and live a happier life!
That’s all about life. Every body has a different destiny and a different mission.
Hye askin jadakir, “taparagan gyank” ir vartov yev ir pooshov. Hoozich krvatsk, abris, Sarkis
I was born in Iran, & that country is for Iranians, as is Syria for Syrians. And we Armenians belong to Armenia – I have never returned to Iran since 1968 but I always go to Armenia every year & hoping I will die there too
This is indeed a great Armenian love story. Wish both of these girls well and happy life. And yes, we should all go back to Hayastan. Ask the jews where they feel truly at home.
Beautifully written from the heart and mind. Thank you.