Akabe Kehyaian Saryian - Armenian Genocide Survivor
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- čas přidán 25. 01. 2012
- In 1996, shortly after my daughter was born, I knew I had to memorialize at least a small portion of my grandmother's experience as an Armenian Genocide survivor. This is Akabe Kehyaian Saryian's story of family separation, death, homelessness, survival in Ottoman Turkey and the eventual reunion with her Father in America. I personally shot this video with a camcorder inside my living room in Staten Island, New York City. My grandmother loved listening to Al Jolson music. So, in order to set the right mood for memories, I played some of her favorite music while I conducted this interview.
The story begins in 1913 when my grandmother was 3 years old and my great-grandfather, Boghos "Paul" Kehyaian, who was 31 at the time, travelled to the U.S. from Turkey. By the time my grandmother was 6 or 7, her mother had died and she became homeless - forced to live on the streets of her hometown in Kayseri, Turkey. She survived on scraps of discarded food and the carcasses of dead animals. She also recalls singing and dancing on the streets for coins people with give her.
My grandparents were both survivors of the Armenian Genocide. For those of you who do not believe or know the truth, you should do your research. When you slaughter 1.5 million people of only 2 million it is a genocide. When you slaughter, rape, and send thousands of men, women and children into the desert without water or food, it is not a war, it is a genocide..My grandmother's story was pathetically sad and unimaginable. When you put hundreds of children into a cave and set the entrance on fire, only to suffocate the children, that is NOT a war.
people who did that to children were nothing but cowards. Shame on them for eternity.
I am also from Kayseri. I am deeply saddened. Thanks for sharing. 🙏
Phenomenal video. So glad to have stumbled upon it -- so glad to find it posted on CZcams. Thanks so much.
Very brave Girl- Lady -
Honest Speech...
Worth to hear...
Very clever and clear speech ...!!!
She is still young with her suffering memories...!!!
How terrible the way the Christian Armenians were treated, and murdered. But I am so happy some survived, including your grandmother.
So good you recorded this story and such a beautiful women she had a great spirit
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
Very brave Girl- Lady -
Honest Speech...
Worth to hear...
Very clever and clear speech ...!!!
She is still young with her suffering memories...!!!
Very Touching Story. I felt so sorry for her. She suffered alot. May god give her perfect peace. Greetings to the Family from Turkey, who made with this Video her not forgetable...
thank you for this video, thank you for being so wonderfully supportive.
Although she is so old, she is so clear and remembers everything and the grandson gives me the feeling as if he was not really listening to her; asking questions about stuff she has already told and not following her timeline.
I want to express my gratitude to all of you who took the time to watch this very important testament from someone who lived through one of history's greatest tragedy known as the Armenian Genocide. If we forget the past, we are doomed to repeat it. May God's hand help those who today continue to suffer from the scourge of war.
+Paul Saryian Thank you for sharing your grand-mother's story. What a strong woman. God bless all of our brave aunties and uncles who never gave up and to whom we owe thanks to. If it weren't for strong people like your grand-mother, we wouldn't be here today. My great grand-father was also from Kayseri (from the city of Talas to be more specific, where most Armenians lived). My grand-father had very similar features to your grand-
mother, it's incredible. They look so similar that you would think they were brother and sister. The eyes, the nose, the lips, the shape of the face - everything.
Thank you. I pray that history does not repeat itself.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Akabe .. Thank you for sharing your story. you are a part of our history. We are blessed to hear your story .. God bless your journey in life... Thank you again.
Joyce Hekimian
Thank you for sharing the story. It is quite touching. I am Iranian-Armenian who desperately need help to be reunited with my Armenian origin. My ancestors had hidden my identity.
Akabe is eyewitness and talking about her life, unfortunately why as reporter you didn't shut down the sound of the music while she is talking. The music with the song is very disturbing.
I recall my mother telling me the family history. Always extremely interesting to listen(and not interrupt at all). Never to say, "Oh, Mother you have told me that story before so many times." LOL Actually, her stories, oft repeated, were always interesting despite the repetition! From Canada..
she's still pretty
bless her! greetings from Turkey
look how beautiful she is! even at that age :)
Happiness is the best revenge.
Thank you so much for documenting this and posting it here CZcams for everyone to share I think it's important for everyone from Every culture to pay attention to stories like these so that we can have a love and respect for everyone and have a wish for equality and respect for everyone we are all human and no matter our background we are all the same at the most very basic. She was such a beautiful woman and tells her story so well she's so clever and articulate and I I'm sure that your daughter is thrilled that you took the time to make this video for her and also for all to see it's so important to document the true history of all people, the truth needs to be told and appreciated and documented.
🙏 God bless you 🙏
Thats a very touching story but can someone tell me how is it related to genocide?
indeed that music is very irritant!!!!
The music was provided only to serve as a way to have my grandmother transport her mind and memories back in time. She loved Al Jolson and I think it worked. But I do understand your concern.
Teach everyschool kid HISTORY ! Raw brutal unabashed what humans have done to one another for WHATEVER Reason throughout history !! Especially the horrible Armenian gencoide !
Why with music?
Ah.. The first time I cried so much to an Armenian story. She is still telling the Turkish words with a Kayseri dialect, also talking English with a Kayseri mouth. I don't believe an orchestrated genocide but personal stories are so dramatic :( The places this lady telling are correct; Kayseri, Boğazlıyan Orphanage etc.
It was organized. There is a telegram sent by Talat Pasha saying that the plan is to kill Armenians without mercy
L
ya bunu türkçe alt yazı olarakta yazın ne dedğini bizde anlayalaım
What
The Armenian genocide was a Jew job The young Turks were Jews not mulims. Wise up Armenians.
No, they were Muslim. Please keep your antisemitism to yourself. Some of my best friends in this life have been Jewish people
Not true. Read Aurora Mardiganian's book.
"Armenians
hi :D "
Enver Pasha said in 1915 :D :D
Enver Pasha
May your shitty country get nuked one day! By Russia!!
@@eBestWayToLoseWeight lol no you must be 9 year old
1-is not allowed to use nukes
2-why would russia nuke us where freind
@@eBestWayToLoseWeight triggered turkish boi
@@eBestWayToLoseWeight turkeys land belong to us and greece if whe still had this land turkey whould be a shit country our country is getting stronger everyday armenia is 3000 years old so whr sn everlasting country why because jesus God is helping us
@@k.ngaming7552 is that why your genius friends were threatening to nuke Armenia? 🤔🤔
This is priceless!
Very Touching Story. I felt so sorry for her. She suffered alot. May god give her perfect peace. Greetings to the Family from Turkey, who made with this Video her not forgetable...