Email a copy of 'Karakashian: In Search of Gorky’s Grave' to a friend

* Required Field






Separate multiple entries with a comma. Maximum 5 entries.



Separate multiple entries with a comma. Maximum 5 entries.


E-Mail Image Verification

Loading ... Loading ...
Meliné Karakashian

Meliné Karakashian

Meliné Karakashian was born in Beirut, Lebanon. After graduating from high school, she immigrated to the U.S., established residence in New Jersey, and continued her education, obtaining an Ed.S. in school and community psychology, a Ph.D. in child clinical psychology, and a practicing psychology license. She has volunteered to help victims of the 1988 Armenian earthquake, the Karabagh War, and September 11. Her work has been recognized by the presidents of Armenia, the American Psychological Association, and the New Jersey Mental Health Association, among others. She is the recipient of two lecturing Fulbrights to Yerevan State University. She has authored numerous articles, book chapters, and two books. Komitas: A Psychological Study is her most recent work.

7 Comments

  1. Vartoosh insisted it was NOT suicide. She, her husband Moira’s, and young Karlen were driving out from Chicago to see him. They had stopped in Long Island to see friends when the learned of his death. Gorky knew they were on their way. Vattoosh was certain he did not kill himself.

  2. What an incredibly beautiful and detailed story about one of the most talented Armenians of the 20th century. Thank you for writing such a well researched and lovely piece and for discovering Gorky’s gravesite.

  3. Hi Arpi, I find your comment interesting. Can you name the source where Vartoush states her belief that Gorki did not commit suicide? All the sources I consulted state otherwise. Thanks! Meline’

  4. My opera GORKY’S DREAM GARDEN—now in production for premieres in Yerevan and New York City—will also address Gorky’s death. But, like Arpi who writes above, I am focusing on the bright side of the man during his closing moments. Why dwell now on the suicide issue and make him look like a defeated sad sack? Is that what we want him to be remembered for? He was a dreamer and a courageous and visionary hero for all Armenians, survivors and creative thinkers. And so, with this spoiler alert to the opera’s glorious Grand Finale, he will be posed–not to be hovering around a noose on a lonely hot summer night—but to go out with grace and dignity through the power of his homeland remembrances of brighter times. The tragedy of suicide (and the other dark word ending in “ide:” genocide) will be felt even more strongly in view of the artistic quest for a cathartic and transcendent release. In the preliminary website linked here, you can hear the show’s audio trailer at the LISTEN chapter and some other excerpts: http://www.gorkysdreamgarden.org/

  5. I was standing in front of a painting of his 2004 in Barcelona and fell in love with it. had never heard of him before. I stumbled upon a used paperback copy by his galerist Levitt and got pulled into his live and his work. Who cannot think of van Gogh, almost forced to make the association.
    Meliné took this trip to Sherman(I think) because of the ethnic kinship, that is wonderful, its part of our human DNA, it draws us all the way out to a gravesite somewhere, far away.
    What gives? She is rightfully proud of a great fellow Armenian, who happened to touch my heart deeply 16 years ago and gave me the urge to thank her for her sweet labour of love a few years back.

  6. Thank you for this well-researched piece. I am Arshile’s 1st cousin, 2x removed— Arshile’s father Setrag, was uncle to my Grandmother Lucy Adoian. Her father was Kirkor. He was supposed to immigrate to the States w/Arshile’s father, but did not survive. I am searching for info on Kirkor Adoian. Any help so very much appreciated.

Comments are closed.