FeaturedMemoir

Reunion with My Armenian DP Camp Playmate

“Armenian grief is a sea…
In that dark expanse drifts my soul…
In the sea of Armenian sorrows—
My soul languishes evermore.”     

Hovhaness Tumanyan, 1903
Armenian poet and writer (1869-1923)

Already a subscriber?Log in here

This story is FREE for you...

Create a free account to access this and four more articles, and get more sent to you with our e-newsletter.

Or, subscribe now for unlimited access
By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.

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.

6 Comments

  1. Knarik, 73 years ago, you and Anusch may have been considered ‘star-crossed playmates’, but as fate would have it, you were blessed to beat the odds, and be reunited in 2023!
    Your story is extraordinary in so many different ways. The simplicity, honesty, and directness, in which you tell it, in both words, and photos, is informative, insightful, and inspiring. You remind us that despite the horrific challenges faced by the Armenian DPs, the majority of them moved forward with their lives, and with determination, commitment, hard work, and personal sacrifice, were able to honor and preserve their Armenian identity, a tribute to their Armenian spirit! Thank you for your powerful story!

    1. Dear Mrs. Barsamian, Would you happen to be a former teacher at James Monroe Elementary in Chicago? If so, I’d like to thank you. I often think of my teachers with gratitude, and (if you are in fact the Mrs. Barsamian I remember so fondly) you stand head and shoulders above the rest. I’d like to express how your teaching helped open up the world to a young me. Thank you very much.
      Phyllis Cohen
      (You’re welcome to contact me if you wish. My email is my full name at gmail)

  2. Thank you, Knarik, for preserving a slice of history that many know so little about. Your story was sensitively told and very moving and now it is part of our collective history. Gratitude.

Back to top button