By Kit Kaolian
TRUMBULL, Conn.—At Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension on Nov. 3, Dr. Richard Hovannisian’s presentation on the people and culture remaining in historic Western Armenia left the more than 50 attendees from New York and Connecticut wanting more.
Dr. Richard Hovannisian has just blown out his birthday cake candles and receives a well-deserved applause from the approximately 50 attendees. In the background: Dn. Tom Dabakian and (seated next to Hovannisian) Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, pastor at Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension in Trumbull.
After a luncheon and a surprise birthday cake and wishes for Hovannisian, he embarked on a fantastic journey through his multi-media presentation. He opened with Smyrna and showed a brief video, which was a collage of old photos and footage of life up to and including the burning of Smyrna in September 1922. Smyrna was a port for much trade and was in the vanguard: In as early as the 1840′s the Armenians in Smyrna had a newspaper, something relatively unheard of in the Ottoman Empire. A discussion of many of the provinces of historic Western Armenia followed with engaging discussion and photos.
Dr. Hovannisian outlines the journey of his special presentation in Trumbull, a consolidation of three other presentations.
Near the end of Hovannisian’s June 2013 trip to Turkey, his group headed north to the Black Sea into the mountains in search of the Hamshens. The video of the discussions with the Hamshen people was intriguing. The video footage of the interactions with some of the last few remaining Armenians in Dikranagerd/Diyarabkir was enlightening and humorous at times.
Hovannisian is UCLA emeritus professor of Armenian and Near Eastern history and has authored or edited more than 20 books. He sold and autographed some of his books after the presentation and Q&A session in the church hall. One can look forward to his next volume, which will focus on Asia Minor. The event was hosted by the Men’s Club at Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension.