Julfa. Golden Apricot
Wednesday, July 11 2007
Where: Golden Apricot Film Festival
Film: Julfa
Director: T. Karapetian
Reflection on Julfa (pronounced Joo-ghah)
Aleksan, Ara and I accompanied by Hayg and Gagik (2 kids from the neighborhood) visited 4th Annual Yerevan Golden Apricot Film festival. There we saw Julfa the story of a once flourishing region of Armenia, once a center for life for over 60,000 Armenians. Persecuted by the Persians our people were told to evacuate only given a 3 day notice, threatened with death naturally. Surprisingly this movie applied to me more than I expected because after the Persian persecution in 1603, our people were forced to move to. Later settling in a region in Iran calling it Nor Julfa (New Julfa). Here comes the significance, I’m half parskahye, meaning that half of my ancestors hail from Iran. The thing is these 60,000 inhabitants of what once was Julfa moved to Nor Julfa in Iran which became the origin for silk trade for a good amount of time, maybe a century, I’m not sure, the movie moved super fast and there was a lot of information. So bam, it’s super cool knowing where you’re from. My other half is Entepsi, which I just learned was one of the 13 regions lost in The Armenian Genocide. Julfa has great spiritual and cultural significance because for years photographers visited Julfa to see its famous 3 hills covered with over 10,000 Khatchkar grave stones. Khatchkars are truly works of art and characterize a significant amount of importance for the Armenian people and their heritage. Bearing a Cross in the center followed by other engravings surrounding the center, each telling the story of one unique Armenian soul. After the fall of Soviet Union the Soviets wrongfully awarded the Azerbaijanis with the Region of Julfa along with its 10,000 Khatchkars. Naturally, since everyone tries to bring us down, they decided to destroy all 10,000. Not one stands today. If you can’t tell by now Armenians don’t have the greatest neighboring nations. They’ve all threatened us, persecuted us, but they still can’t get it done. So Genatz to this persistent nation whose ways I’m slowly learning, loving and growing more attached to.
The cool thing is, if everyone has a day like I had yesterday where you learn where you came from and how you’re ancestors moved and how your Family survived, lived and grew in other places. You win, and they still lose, whoever they may be at this present time.
PS: I went to work again today after 2 days of being out of it. And it was great being back and learning. I love my job and Armenia is Boss. And I just ate Tumanyan Shaurma, its Boss too.
HooRah,
Vaughn Eyvazian
July 16th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Hi Vaniges.
You are boss also! lol! and many tears reading this. You’re learning so much - your heritage, your ancestory, your internship learnings. What a wonderful blessing! I’m also learning reading your blogs. Keep writing janig vanig.
Thank you CYMA!
Love Ya,
Mom
July 17th, 2007 at 1:16 am
auntie did you just say…”you are boss” …hahahhahaha, you can’t say boss OK.
hahahaha love youuuuuuu
oh yea vaughn ur bLoGgaGgagdgagGE is good. but remember i am number VON.
July 17th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Anoushig Lena
You’re the boss too. Hey, what does that mean?
Love,
Auntie
July 17th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Hey Vaughn,
Carlsbad is becoming an island because of all the happy tears your mother and I are pouring near our computer as we read everyone’s blogs! We are high with joy over all the discoveries you are all making about yourselves, your country, your faith, your people! Just amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Love you always & God Bless you and your friends!
Auntie Hasmik
P.S. to Lena… Seta and Hasmik have been Boss forever…before you and Vaughn were born! heeheehaahaa xoxoxo
July 18th, 2007 at 9:12 am
Your amazing experiences have touched us parents immensely. Your writing takes us where you are; thanks for sharing such priceless thoughts. I must tell you though I couldn’t help but cry with laughter when I read your Auntie Hasmik’s comments above that “Carlsbad becoming an island of happy tears”. It’s so familiar. Vaughn–bless you and your beautiful family.
July 24th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
[…] “…Genatz to this persistent nation whose ways I’m slowly learning, loving and growing more attached to. The cool thing is, if everyone has a day like I had yesterday where you learn where you came from and how you’re ancestors moved and how your Family survived, lived and grew in other places. You win, and they still lose, whoever they may be at this present time.” Vaughn Eyvazian - Julfa. Golden Apricot […]