Dr Rupen SEVAG

Sevag 1915,Salerioan A J oil pastel

Dr.Sevag  began   treating  the  daughter of  the chief of Ittihad  party in Cankiri-when  she fell in love with him. “I would like to save your life you will soon be killed,  marry my daughter  and  adopt Islam” this  man of influence   said to the doctor.

 The doctor came to our house, father Hovnan ,Kelekyan and  all of us  suggested that he must become Islam and marry her. In the future we said things   might change, your death will not solve anything not help your family or your nation.

“ I cannot be convinced that, my fear of death could justify  denial of my family and roots. I prefer death”Dr Sevag said..

hrant and i

Sevag-Saleri museum , Istanbul 2007

  Hrant and  I had a beautiful dream: a  family museum  in Istanbul  celebrating  the magnificent contributions of    Armenians   in Turkey  dating back to the days  of  the Ottoman Empire  and beyond.

 Neither the cerebro genocide of   some 250 Armenian intellectuals  in 1915  nor the deaths of  1.5 million  civilians including  some 10,000  Armenian clergy  reflected the complexities of  the relationship between Armenians  and the  Ottoman empire that ruled  a significant percentage of land and people  on three continents over  six centuries .

 Some historians may view  various Ottoman customs and laws as evidence for the second-class status of   Armenians and  other  ethnic  minorities. It is true that  the powers in Istanbul, the residents of the Ottoman palaces  from Topkapi to Dolmabahce  enjoyed  absolute executive powers over  the fate of anyone . The empire also selectively  converted to Islam the oldest  boys from Armenian families  to serve in  a special  military unit (yeniceri).

 The obvious  shortcomings of  the Ottoman system  should  not minimize or  distort  the big picture of Armenians under  Ottoman and  Turkish rule for Armenians have also prospered  and  benefited from the  Ottoman system

 And made significant contributions  artistically business wise and scientifically  leaving  their marks  on land and in history.

Hrant Talked To Me This Morning

Hrant Talked To Me This Morning              

Hrant talked to me this morning

When the wind blew

The wind

From Kinali

Brisk

Refreshing

Melodic

Gentle fugues

Ali , Ara sounds

Brothers joy….

Hrant talked to me this morning

Love not pink, red ,yellow, tall, short ,Muslim ,or Jew

Love  no jungle;

An odyssey

Bonding

Hearing  winds

Healing wounds

Volcanic, pent-up pain

Not Kurdish Turkish Greek Laz or Armenian

Ancient blood

Floods  of Van , Kars, Malatya   

Old , fresh sores 

And salt.

I talked to Hrant this morning

Is magic Ali chanting Hrant?

Love  red, pink, orange , Dora, Metin sipping coffee?

Sinan watching  Hovsep and azaleas bloom

On  shoulders of Bosporus?

I smiled this morning

When the wind blew

Smell of Istanbul

Sense of  you

Illusion?

Delusion?

Chimes of wind bells

Robust scent of “cay”

I heard yu whisper ,

Merhaba Hrant

Hrant Yu” kardes”

Don't part

Stay

Help

Till  jungle  calms .

Hrant talked to me this morning

The chimes of wind bells

Squirrels ran

I listened …..

“Love is life, love sand, pebbles, swimming in clouds

Love is heat, heart ,pain ,pink, red, gypsy and plenty of wind

And wind is human

Forgiveness divine

I’m the wind I’ll always