Herand Markarian’s ‘Dead Poets Society’

“Tonight, the spirits of the dead

In my soul and in my eyes

Are waiting for the dawn to rise.”

–Siamanto (Martyred in 1915)

 

CONGERS, N.Y.—What better tribute for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide than to honor our martyred dead? Whether we do it collectively or individually, it’s become a legacy which we have preserved for the last century.

Dr. Herand Markarian
Dr. Herand Markarian

Dr. Herand Markarian has stepped forward again, but not with another theatrical production (for which he is noted). Instead, he’s compiled a book called, The Rise of the Crimson Dawn, about the martyred Armenian writers of 1915.

The man who brought you “Georgetown Boys,” “Silence,” and “Mirrors” has completed a new project these days, one completely devoid of the theater and stage.

He’s tipping the hourglass over and delving into history, documenting the stories of our literary elite and the price they paid during the genocide years. It’s been a work in progress, amid a dozen other ventures this historian has undertaken.

With “Mirrors,” he took us on a psychological journey through the emotions of three people in the aftermath of the genocide. The play was produced Off-Broadway in 1996 and later performed in California, London, and North Andover, Mass.

Two years later, on came “The Georgetown Boys,” the story of 103 orphans who were brought to Canada and trained as farmers, bringing a new life into the new world.

He followed that up with a gem called “Silence in a Circular Rainbow,” a play commissioned by the New York State Theater Institute.

In between projects, such as another theater production and an endeavor called “Testimonies,” where stories of our ancestors’ ordeals are being documented, the 76-year-old is now off on another tangent. It’s all neatly packaged under a non-profit umbrella called Libra-6 which pursues art, culture, and theater.

“Genocides interrupt the growth of artistic and literary values,” he points out. “In a larger scale, it curtails the growth and progress of humanity. Genocide is a crime against humanity.”

In this book, Markarian has focused solely upon the literary aspect of the Armenian Genocide. He has chosen the most prominent writers who perished over that time period. They ranged in age from 30 to 65. All of them were masters of their craft, unique in their style and approach.

Included are the biographies and literary works of Hrant (Melkon Gyoorjian), Tulgadintsi (Hovhanness Harootyoonian), Krikor Zohrab, Smpad Pyoorad (Der Ghazariantz), Yerookhan (Yervant Srmaskeshkhanlian), Ardashes Harootyoonian, Roopen Zartarian, Diran Chrakian (Indra), Siamanto (Adom Yarjanian), Kegham Parseghian, Taniel Varouzhan, Dikran Chogyoorian, and Roupen Sevag (Chilingirian).

All but Diran Chrakian were martyred in 1915. Chrakian was killed in 1921, shortly after the Independent Republic. He was 46. Youngest of the lot was Sevag who was but 30.

“If you gathered all that wisdom, that intellect, the literature they were deprived of writing, it was merciless,” he tells us.

Markarian took it upon itself to memorialize these treasures. He’s translated two pieces from each of the prose writers and a varied number of poems from the poets.

The book has three distinct parts:

Part 1: Historical Background, Armenians in Ottoman Turkey, Evolution of Armenian Literature and Armenian Literature in the 19th Century.

Part 2: The Path of Martyrdom of Writers and Eyewitness Accounts.

Part 3: Biographies and Literary Works.

“On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, I hope this gives the recognition that they well deserve,” he says. “One can only imagine how much the monetary loss of these 1.5 million victims would amount to today, never mind the centuries-old masterpieces of unique architecture, churches, monasteries, schools, and villages.”

To say Markarian is passionate about the genocide is quite the understatement. He continues to remain a catalyst in the preservation and enhancement of our heritage, whether written, spoken, or staged. He may not be the ultimate answer to the Armenian Question but at least he’s addressing it.

I’ve heard it said many times that if a name or place is out of sight, it becomes out of mind. Markarian reminds us that our literary history is still profound and rich, even after 100 years of oblivion.

He tells us that time may erode our senses but won’t erase the memory of those who put their finest words to paper and bolstered our place in the literary Valhalla. In many ways, we’re so busy planning genocide commemorations and looking for recognition that we’re apt to become mindless of the past.

I did not recognize many of the writers he mentions in his book. It’s good to hear their names and read their stories and poems. It’s nice that they are being remembered.

Tom Vartabedian

Tom Vartabedian

Tom Vartabedian is a retired journalist with the Haverhill Gazette, where he spent 40 years as an award-winning writer and photographer. He has volunteered his services for the past 46 years as a columnist and correspondent with the Armenian Weekly, where his pet project was the publication of a special issue of the AYF Olympics each September.
Tom Vartabedian

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3 Comments

  1. As we commemorate one hundredth anniversary of the Armenian genocide , Dr. markarian’s work is utterly essential to revive and to introduce the works of those highly celebrated, martyred poets, victimized during the Armenian genocide of 1915 to all Armenians

  2. I am one of the survived member of Smpad Pyoorad (Der Ghazariantz).
    Like to get hold of and congratulate Herand Markarian for this book that I just finish reading. I am glad that I publish first time ever book in Armenia for Smpad Pyoorad and Herand used it to translate English again first time ever. Thank you for well done job and work

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