In honoring their ancestry to historic Keghi in Turkish-occupied Western Armenia, Detroit Armenians took another giant step on Oct. 25 to strengthen linkage to Nor Keghi in the Republic of Armenia.
More than 350 area Armenians joined hands at St. John Armenian Church Cultural Hall to celebrate “Kef Time Keghi II” while feasting on traditional Keghetsi pagharch—spirited by continuous dance music provided by 22 Armenian musicians who donated their talented services to support the local Nor Keghi Association mission launched last year.
Richard Norsigian, chair of the association’s steering committee, drew applause when he told the celebrants, “Our fellow Hyes of present-day Armenia need our support to confront a challenging future. We thank you and members of our four churches for joining hands in a noble cause. We will succeed.”
He also announced that the committee will hold an open meeting on Jan. 18 at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, where the committee “plans to outline its goal to renovate some of Nor Keghi’s public schools now in need of health and structural improvements.”
“We welcome your help in supporting our mission,” he said, “especially as our people throughout the world community in 2015 join together to seek justice for our people massacred during the Turkish genocide of 1915, killing more than 1.5 million fellow Armenians. And the Turkish government still denies it was genocide, even after 100 years.”
Highlights of the “pagharch celebration” included the lighting of candles on a huge, decorated Armenian tricolor sheet cake in honor of the villages in the old Keghi district. Nor Keghi was formerly known as Pazmavan until 1962, when it was renamed by the Soviet Armenian government.
The cake lighting ceremony, headed by community activist Marty Shoushanian, then expanded to include other districts in Western Armenia, including Sepastia, Erzerum, Van, Bitlis, Moush, and Kharpert.
“We all share a rich heritage,” he stressed.
As the steaming Keghetsi pagharch-es were brought into the dining hall as guests danced and applauded, Detroit Hyes were reminded of William Saroyan’s stirring words: “Go ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing, and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.”
Mitch Kehetian
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