I wonder how often my ancestors in Birecik and Diyarbakır and Kharpert were told to trust in the rule of law as the spring of 1915 gave way to the first bloody summer.
September 23, 2026 at 9:41 PM
I wonder how often my ancestors in Birecik and Diyarbakır and Kharpert were told to trust in the rule of law as the spring of 1915 gave way to the first bloody summer.
Today I translated an article by my great grandfather, who as a US consular employee, helped document the Armenian Genocide. It is 1600 words of horror and grief about Kharpert, 1915-17.
But on the other side of the grief and horror, it occurs to me: that I exist to translate this, means he won.
But on the other side of the grief and horror, it occurs to me: that I exist to translate this, means he won.
January 14, 2024 at 12:41 AM
Today I translated an article by my great grandfather, who as a US consular employee, helped document the Armenian Genocide. It is 1600 words of horror and grief about Kharpert, 1915-17.
But on the other side of the grief and horror, it occurs to me: that I exist to translate this, means he won.
But on the other side of the grief and horror, it occurs to me: that I exist to translate this, means he won.
In that world, Kharpert, Meziré, and Hüsenig are long since wards of a new City of Kharpert, the heart of Hayastan's Capital District.
These stony fastnesses upon which the Old City's terraces were built was the bulwark against which the wave of death crashed and then receded, in 1915.
These stony fastnesses upon which the Old City's terraces were built was the bulwark against which the wave of death crashed and then receded, in 1915.
August 14, 2026 at 10:53 PM
In that world, Kharpert, Meziré, and Hüsenig are long since wards of a new City of Kharpert, the heart of Hayastan's Capital District.
These stony fastnesses upon which the Old City's terraces were built was the bulwark against which the wave of death crashed and then receded, in 1915.
These stony fastnesses upon which the Old City's terraces were built was the bulwark against which the wave of death crashed and then receded, in 1915.
In a slightly kinder world where a massive interconfessional uprising halted the Armenian Genocide in its tracks, I'm sitting in the bay window at home in Kharpert, enjoying the cool air after the sun has slipped westward over the Golden Plain. The lights of Mezire illuminate the valley below.
August 21, 2026 at 2:56 AM
In a slightly kinder world where a massive interconfessional uprising halted the Armenian Genocide in its tracks, I'm sitting in the bay window at home in Kharpert, enjoying the cool air after the sun has slipped westward over the Golden Plain. The lights of Mezire illuminate the valley below.
Two photos from Kharpert, Turkey. Armenian quarter. One from before 1915 the other from the 2010s.
August 6, 2023 at 1:16 PM
Two photos from Kharpert, Turkey. Armenian quarter. One from before 1915 the other from the 2010s.
The pencil sketch blocking for an in memoriam painting titled simply: "Daughter."
The words are from the 5th century Armenian historian Saint Elisaeus the Chronicler: "Death, understood, is immortality."
Յիշատակդ անթառամ, սիրելի աղջիկս:
The words are from the 5th century Armenian historian Saint Elisaeus the Chronicler: "Death, understood, is immortality."
Յիշատակդ անթառամ, սիրելի աղջիկս:
September 11, 2026 at 6:11 PM
The pencil sketch blocking for an in memoriam painting titled simply: "Daughter."
The words are from the 5th century Armenian historian Saint Elisaeus the Chronicler: "Death, understood, is immortality."
Յիշատակդ անթառամ, սիրելի աղջիկս:
The words are from the 5th century Armenian historian Saint Elisaeus the Chronicler: "Death, understood, is immortality."
Յիշատակդ անթառամ, սիրելի աղջիկս:
Someday I will write a screenplay about 1880s-era Kharpert as the Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Kurds, and their Turkish neighbors knew it, and I will title it:
November 10, 2024 at 6:18 AM
Someday I will write a screenplay about 1880s-era Kharpert as the Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Kurds, and their Turkish neighbors knew it, and I will title it:
🇦🇲 Il y a 110 ans débutait le génocide arménien par les autorités turques. Plus de 1,2 millions d’hommes, femmes, enfants et personnes âgées furent alors exterminées parce que arméniens.
Honorons la mémoire des victimes et continuons de lutter pour la reconnaissance internationale de ce génocide.
Honorons la mémoire des victimes et continuons de lutter pour la reconnaissance internationale de ce génocide.
April 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
🇦🇲 Il y a 110 ans débutait le génocide arménien par les autorités turques. Plus de 1,2 millions d’hommes, femmes, enfants et personnes âgées furent alors exterminées parce que arméniens.
Honorons la mémoire des victimes et continuons de lutter pour la reconnaissance internationale de ce génocide.
Honorons la mémoire des victimes et continuons de lutter pour la reconnaissance internationale de ce génocide.
Spent the afternoon in a shared universe writing setting, on the streets of Kharpert, capital of a Republic of Hayastan whose mountains turned back the tide of settler colonialism and death a century ago.
The murmur of my ancestors which lives in my marrow seems strangely pleased.
The murmur of my ancestors which lives in my marrow seems strangely pleased.
November 24, 2024 at 4:56 AM
Spent the afternoon in a shared universe writing setting, on the streets of Kharpert, capital of a Republic of Hayastan whose mountains turned back the tide of settler colonialism and death a century ago.
The murmur of my ancestors which lives in my marrow seems strangely pleased.
The murmur of my ancestors which lives in my marrow seems strangely pleased.
The fact that this article reflecting on the Armenian Genocide in Kharpert was written, and that I exist at all to translate it, is something of a miracle. Read on to learn why.
(cw for genocide and a historical figure's talk of self-harm)
(cw for genocide and a historical figure's talk of self-harm)
“The Closure of the American Consulate in Kharpert: Lest We Forget,” by Harootune Pekmezian
Introductory The fact that I exist at all to translate the words below, is because of the events they describe, and is, itself, a victory of which the author could scarcely have dreamed. The events ar...
riverside-wings.com
June 21, 2024 at 11:32 PM
The fact that this article reflecting on the Armenian Genocide in Kharpert was written, and that I exist at all to translate it, is something of a miracle. Read on to learn why.
(cw for genocide and a historical figure's talk of self-harm)
(cw for genocide and a historical figure's talk of self-harm)
In an alternate universe, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain joined the Blisses, Hamlins, and Riggses in missionary work to the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire, and attained military fame for leading a charge of besieged Armenians and Assyrians at the 1895 Siege of Kharpert.
"Yataghan! Forward!"
"Yataghan! Forward!"
December 11, 2024 at 5:36 PM
In an alternate universe, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain joined the Blisses, Hamlins, and Riggses in missionary work to the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire, and attained military fame for leading a charge of besieged Armenians and Assyrians at the 1895 Siege of Kharpert.
"Yataghan! Forward!"
"Yataghan! Forward!"
The fact that I exist at all, to translate these difficult words, is a victory.
Read on to find out why, in this memoir writing by a survivor and documenter of the Armenian Genocide.
Read on to find out why, in this memoir writing by a survivor and documenter of the Armenian Genocide.
“The Closure of the American Consulate in Kharpert: Lest We Forget,” by Haroutune Pekmezian
CW for genocide and a historical figure’s talk of self harm Introductory The fact that I exist at all to translate the words below, is because of the events they describe, and is, itself, a v…
riverside-wings.com
November 30, 2024 at 9:04 PM
The fact that I exist at all, to translate these difficult words, is a victory.
Read on to find out why, in this memoir writing by a survivor and documenter of the Armenian Genocide.
Read on to find out why, in this memoir writing by a survivor and documenter of the Armenian Genocide.
"Where to in such a hurry, Weaver sister?"
"I have a date with a girl in Mezire and I don't want to keep her waiting. The Kharpert girls make her head spin." #amwriting
"I have a date with a girl in Mezire and I don't want to keep her waiting. The Kharpert girls make her head spin." #amwriting
November 29, 2024 at 6:46 AM
"Where to in such a hurry, Weaver sister?"
"I have a date with a girl in Mezire and I don't want to keep her waiting. The Kharpert girls make her head spin." #amwriting
"I have a date with a girl in Mezire and I don't want to keep her waiting. The Kharpert girls make her head spin." #amwriting
The Hiraizumi summer grass where Basho stood.
The grass and stones in Elazig where once stood Armenian Kharpert.
What do we do about the empty spaces where things used to be?
Start from "why."
#FridayNightHistory Members' Ep. 11: "Summer Grass"
www.patreon.com/posts/friday...
The grass and stones in Elazig where once stood Armenian Kharpert.
What do we do about the empty spaces where things used to be?
Start from "why."
#FridayNightHistory Members' Ep. 11: "Summer Grass"
www.patreon.com/posts/friday...
August 2, 2024 at 3:02 PM
The Hiraizumi summer grass where Basho stood.
The grass and stones in Elazig where once stood Armenian Kharpert.
What do we do about the empty spaces where things used to be?
Start from "why."
#FridayNightHistory Members' Ep. 11: "Summer Grass"
www.patreon.com/posts/friday...
The grass and stones in Elazig where once stood Armenian Kharpert.
What do we do about the empty spaces where things used to be?
Start from "why."
#FridayNightHistory Members' Ep. 11: "Summer Grass"
www.patreon.com/posts/friday...
"The saz music of Husenig
the cold waters of Yozgat
the Kharpert girls make my head spin..."
Look all I'm saying is I want some suitable Armenian dyke to do a cover of Onnik Dinkjian's Oy Canım, because this song has hella sapphic potential.
the cold waters of Yozgat
the Kharpert girls make my head spin..."
Look all I'm saying is I want some suitable Armenian dyke to do a cover of Onnik Dinkjian's Oy Canım, because this song has hella sapphic potential.
Oy Canım
YouTube video by Onnik Dinkjian - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2024 at 9:07 PM
"The saz music of Husenig
the cold waters of Yozgat
the Kharpert girls make my head spin..."
Look all I'm saying is I want some suitable Armenian dyke to do a cover of Onnik Dinkjian's Oy Canım, because this song has hella sapphic potential.
the cold waters of Yozgat
the Kharpert girls make my head spin..."
Look all I'm saying is I want some suitable Armenian dyke to do a cover of Onnik Dinkjian's Oy Canım, because this song has hella sapphic potential.
On May 28, 1918, the Armenian volunteers at Sardadabad held against an Ottoman army under the command of Wehib Pasha, and prevailed.
A few years prior, my great grandfather was forced to teach English to Wehib Pasha. I translated one article of his recollections that tell his side of that story:
A few years prior, my great grandfather was forced to teach English to Wehib Pasha. I translated one article of his recollections that tell his side of that story:
“The Closure of the American Consulate in Kharpert: Lest We Forget,” by Haroutune Pekmezian
CW for genocide and a historical figure’s talk of self harm Introductory The fact that I exist at all to translate the words below, is because of the events they describe, and is, itself, a v…
riverside-wings.com
May 28, 2025 at 2:10 PM
On May 28, 1918, the Armenian volunteers at Sardadabad held against an Ottoman army under the command of Wehib Pasha, and prevailed.
A few years prior, my great grandfather was forced to teach English to Wehib Pasha. I translated one article of his recollections that tell his side of that story:
A few years prior, my great grandfather was forced to teach English to Wehib Pasha. I translated one article of his recollections that tell his side of that story:
Thinking today of my grandmother Haiganoush Bogosian from Kharpert in who survived the Armenian genocide.
April 24, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Thinking today of my grandmother Haiganoush Bogosian from Kharpert in who survived the Armenian genocide.
My great grandfather met someone like Maritza in 1915, an old man who'd been dragged out of his home and forced at gunpoint to butcher Armenians. just an ordinary man dragged into being accessory to unspeakably heinous crimes, who could scarcely bear to tell the tale.
“The Closure of the American Consulate in Kharpert: Lest We Forget,” by Haroutune Pekmezian
CW for genocide and a historical figure’s talk of self harm Introductory The fact that I exist at all to translate the words below, is because of the events they describe, and is, itself, a v…
riverside-wings.com
April 17, 2025 at 9:13 PM
My great grandfather met someone like Maritza in 1915, an old man who'd been dragged out of his home and forced at gunpoint to butcher Armenians. just an ordinary man dragged into being accessory to unspeakably heinous crimes, who could scarcely bear to tell the tale.
Meanwhile, a peek at the next issue of my comic, wherein I make A Statement:
January 25, 2024 at 8:47 AM
Meanwhile, a peek at the next issue of my comic, wherein I make A Statement:
My grandmother came from Elazig, formerly Kharpert/Harpoot.
January 14, 2024 at 1:10 PM
My grandmother came from Elazig, formerly Kharpert/Harpoot.
if you're up to reading a bit of difficult memoir, I translated one of his articles some time ago-- I feel like it was one thing to learn about him by word of mouth, but reading his actual words help those stories make a lot more sense.
“The Closure of the American Consulate in Kharpert: Lest We Forget,” by Haroutune Pekmezian
CW for genocide and a historical figure’s talk of self harm Introductory The fact that I exist at all to translate the words below, is because of the events they describe, and is, itself, a v…
riverside-wings.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:10 PM
if you're up to reading a bit of difficult memoir, I translated one of his articles some time ago-- I feel like it was one thing to learn about him by word of mouth, but reading his actual words help those stories make a lot more sense.
First, to translate (not transliterate) terms from English. e.g. pokhaseragan (transgender), rather than do what Eastern Armenian does and render it "tranzkender." I don't live in Diyarbakir and Kharpert, though they live in me-- so translating the western terms is at least a *start*.
(cont'd)
(cont'd)
February 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
First, to translate (not transliterate) terms from English. e.g. pokhaseragan (transgender), rather than do what Eastern Armenian does and render it "tranzkender." I don't live in Diyarbakir and Kharpert, though they live in me-- so translating the western terms is at least a *start*.
(cont'd)
(cont'd)
CivilNet marked its 15th anniversary on September 18 at the Tufenkian Kharpert Restaurant in Yerevan. The event brought together ambassadors, journalists, representatives of civil society organizations and think tanks, as well as leaders and partners from Armenia’s business community.
September 30, 2026 at 8:43 AM
CivilNet marked its 15th anniversary on September 18 at the Tufenkian Kharpert Restaurant in Yerevan. The event brought together ambassadors, journalists, representatives of civil society organizations and think tanks, as well as leaders and partners from Armenia’s business community.
Sometimes one bears witness and helps save what can be saved, in the face of crimes against humanity. My great grandfather Haroutune Pekmezian did both, and though he nearly lost hope, he never lost his humanity.
I translated his words and offered some historical context:
I translated his words and offered some historical context:
“The Closure of the American Consulate in Kharpert: Lest We Forget,” by Haroutune Pekmezian
CW for genocide and a historical figure's talk of self harm Introductory The fact that I exist at all to translate the words below, is because of the events they describe, and is, itself, a victory of...
riverside-wings.com
August 17, 2024 at 2:54 PM
Sometimes one bears witness and helps save what can be saved, in the face of crimes against humanity. My great grandfather Haroutune Pekmezian did both, and though he nearly lost hope, he never lost his humanity.
I translated his words and offered some historical context:
I translated his words and offered some historical context:
For those who want to see some of my great grandfather's own memoir writing on the subject:
riverside-wings.com/2024/06/21/t...
riverside-wings.com/2024/06/21/t...
“The Closure of the American Consulate in Kharpert: Lest We Forget,” by Haroutune Pekmezian
CW for genocide and a historical figure’s talk of self harm Introductory The fact that I exist at all to translate the words below, is because of the events they describe, and is, itself, a v…
riverside-wings.com
May 1, 2025 at 3:58 PM
For those who want to see some of my great grandfather's own memoir writing on the subject:
riverside-wings.com/2024/06/21/t...
riverside-wings.com/2024/06/21/t...