Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Azerbaijan’s demand to replace Lachin corridor with another route is not legitimate – Armenia Security Council Secretary

August 4, 2022March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

12:49, 3 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan states that Azerbaijan’s demand to organize the traffic connecting Artsakh with Armenia through a different route instead of the Lachin corridor is not legitimate.

ARMENPRESS: Mr. Grigoryan, yesterday, during the extended session of the Security Council, the President of Nagorno Karabakh said that Azerbaijan, through the commanding staff of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, has presented a demand to them to organize the traffic connecting with Armenia by another route. How would you comment on this statement?

Grigoryan: Point 6th of the 2020 trilateral statement of the Armenian Prime Minister, the Russian President and the President of Azerbaijan, which defines issues relating to the creation and activity of the Lachin corridor connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia, says the following: “The Parties (Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan) have agreed that a plan for the construction of a new route along the Lachin corridor shall be determined within the next three years, providing communication between Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, with the subsequent redeployment of Russian peacekeeping troops to protect this route”. During this period, of course, some work has been done on this direction, but as of this moment there is no agreed plan. In any case, Armenia has not approved any plan, therefore, Azerbaijan’s demand is not legitimate.

ARMENPRESS: But you have stated that Armenia is starting the reconstruction of the Kornidzor-Tegh-M12 road which is supposed to join the new route of the Lachin corridor.

GRIGORYAN: Yes, that construction has already started, but notice that the trilateral statement mentions about the plan for the construction of a new route. No such agreed upon plan exists. The Republic of Armenia has already proposed to agree over and sign the plan in a trilateral format and move forward with an agreed schedule and roadmap. This is what is envisaged by the 2020 November 9 trilateral statement.

Russia records 14,638 daily COVID-19 cases

August 4, 2022March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

15:30, 3 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. Russia’s COVID-19 case tally rose by 14,638 over the past day to 18,636,741, TASS reports citing the anti-coronavirus crisis center.

In absolute terms, the growth rate has been the highest since April 6, when 14,661 cases were recorded.

Russia’s COVID-19 recoveries rose by 10,266 over the past day, reaching 18,000,314.

A day earlier some 8,573 patients recovered.

Russia’s COVID-19 death toll rose by 43 over the past day, reaching 382,560.

A day earlier 48 COVID-19 deaths were registered.

Armenpress: The European Union calls for an immediate end to hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh

August 4, 2022August 4, 2022 Emil Lazarian

The European Union calls for an immediate end to hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh

21:57, 3 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. The European Union called on the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides to immediately stop the military operations around the Lachin Corridor and other parts of the contact line, to defuse the tension and return to the negotiating table, ARMENPRESS reports the EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy announced.

“The European Union calls for an immediate end of hostilities that have erupted between Azerbaijani and Armenian armed forces around the Lachin Corridor and other parts of the contact line. Unfortunately, these clashes have already resulted in loss of life and injuries. There is a need to defuse tensions, fully respect the ceasefire and return to the negotiating table to seek negotiated solutions. The European Union remains committed to help overcome tensions and continue its participation in the process of establishing lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus,” the EU statement said.

The tension in Nagorno-Karabakh started on August 1, when, according to the Artsakh Defense Army, Azerbaijani units resorted to provocation in a number of parts of the northern and northwestern border zone of the Artsakh Republic starting at 09:00 in the morning, trying to cross the contact line. As a result of the Azerbaijani provocation, the serviceman Albert Bakhshiyan was injured. Aggressive actions of the Azerbaijani side continued in the following days. On August 3, around 3:00 p.m., Azerbaijani units launched a new attack in the northwestern direction of the contact line, using attack drones, as a result of which two servicemen of the Artsakh Defense Army were killed, and 14 more servicemen were wounded in various degrees.

Hamazkayin Eastern Regional Executive announces the 2022 Minas and Kohar Tölölyan Prize in Contemporary Literature

August 4, 2022March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

August 3, 2022 Hamazkayin Eastern U.S. Announcements 0

The Regional Executive of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of the Eastern United States is pleased to solicit submissions for the Minas and Kohar Tölölyan Prize in Contemporary Literature. As in previous years, two prizes will be awarded to the winners of the Prize: one for a submission in Armenian and one for a submission in the English language.

Named after one of the major Armenian literary critics of the second half of the 20th century and his wife, a devoted and acclaimed teacher of literature, the annually awarded prize will recognize the work produced by talented writers working in North America. The prize is intended to encourage new work in all the major genres of literary production, as they are currently understood in North America. In this expanded understanding, poetry, short stories, novels and drama are all included, but so are works of creative nonfiction, a genre that includes memoirs, as well as personal, descriptive, literary and critical essays. Writers in all these genres may be considered as candidates for the prize, as long as the authors are of Armenian ancestry, or the work has an Armenian theme or revolves around an Armenian topic.

The primary purpose of the prizes is to encourage and offer recognition through the award and through the ensuing publicity for those who wish to write about Armenian subjects and topics. There will also be a modest financial award of $1,500 for each of the two winners.

Members of the jury are: Dr. Sima Aprahamian-Hovhannessian (Canada)

Anouche Agnerian (Canada), Dr. Vartan Matiossian (New York/New Jersey), Karen [Káren] Jallatyan, Ph.D. (California), Dr. Myrna Douzjian (California).

Hamazkayin Regional Executive Committee of Eastern USA is grateful to all members of the jury and Dr. Tölölyan for his stewardship of the prize over the past several years. Dr. Aprahamian-Hovhannessian gracefully agreed to assume the operational responsibilities of the committee, to which she has been a key contributor for the past several years.

Winners will be announced in December 2022. All submissions must be sent electronically to [email protected] as a PDF file by October 15, 2022. Submissions must be accompanied by the Tololyan Prize Application form, found online

Submissions may consist of works published in 2020 or 2021, as well as recent, yet unpublished works.

This award has been made possible by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Vergine Misserlian of San Francisco, CA.

Bio
Latest Posts

The Eastern USA region of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, consisting of nine chapters, constitutes one of the branches of the worldwide Hamazkayin family, founded in 1928.

Asbarez: Through Use of Force, Azerbaijan is Forcing Concessions from Artsakh, Says Human Rights Defender

August 4, 2022March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

by Asbarez Staff

August 3, 2022

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Gegham Stepanyan in Artsakh’s Human Rights Defender

Azerbaijan is altering the provisions of previously reached agreements through the use or threat of military aggression, forcing Artsakh to make concessions and severely violating the people’s basic rights, warned Artsakh’s Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanayan in a statement regarding the escalating situation in Artsakh.

“Since August 1, 2022, Azerbaijan has conducted aggressive military operations in various directions of the Republic of Artsakh, using weapons of various calibers, grenade launchers, and attack drones. All this is happening despite the ceasefire that was established by the agreement of the parties in November 2020, when Russian peacekeeping forces were deployed to Artsakh to ensure the security of the people of Artsakh,” said Stepanyan in his statement.

“This indicates that security has not been properly established in Artsakh, and the Azerbaijani side does not fulfill the obligations it has assumed under the agreements and uses every opportunity to force concessions on one or another issue,” he wrote.

The Human Rights Defender said that throughout negotiations on various issues, the Armenian side is forced to make concessions, as a result of which the most basic rights of people, including the right to life, are violated in the most egregious manner.

“Due to the unspecified mandate and very limited number of Russian peacekeepers, the fragile and relative peace is regularly endangered, and the people of Artsakh are once again fighting alone for the protection of their rights. Statements supporting the establishment of peace are regularly made by various international actors. Where is that support? Where are the concrete steps taken by the co-chairing countries to protect people’s rights—save people’s lives—and ensure people’s peaceful existence? Where are the UN, EU or OSCE efforts? Or, are those just empty promises?” Stepanyan asked, voicing his anger.

He emphasized that the international media has not been silent “for one minute” regarding conflicts taking place in other parts of the world, as international organizations are making statements, providing unspeakable amount of support, and the people of Artsakh, who have been directly fighting against the Azerbaijani dictatorship for decades, are being ignored.

“Dear international partners, as a result of your inconsistent actions that do not go beyond assessing the conflict through expert analysis, Azerbaijan feels that it will go unpunished and resorts to all sorts of callous measures. How is it possible to guided by such overt double standards? How is it possible to be blinded by political interests and ignore people and their rights?” concluded Stepanyan.

Energy salvation won’t come from the Potemkin petrostate of Azerbaijan

August 4, 2022March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

Nerses Kopalyan

Jul 28

5 min read

Russia’s war against Ukraine has roiled global energy markets, fueled inflation, and prompted the European Union to seek alternatives to Russian natural gas. Hat in undignified hand, it looks to the kleptocracy in Azerbaijan. It should look further, fast. Here’s why.

First, replacing reliance on Vladimir Putin’s Russia with reliance on Ilham Aliyev’s Azerbaijan is nothing more than another Faustian deal(moreover, the two regimes signed a far-reaching alliance just days before the invasion). Second, this undermines sanctions imposed against Russia because Russia’s Lukoil now owns some 20% of Azerbaijan’s crucial Shah Deniz pipeline after a sale earlier this year.

Regrets over two decades of enabling Putin should have given this kind of cynicism a bad enough name that Europe, a union founded on values, should not rush to repeat it.

But the main reason Europe should cool its jets is practical: it is highly unlikely that Azerbaijan can actually deliver much, despite considerable fanfare about its supposed abilities.

Indeed, that is rather evident in the deal inked in recent days in Baku in which Azerbaijan promised to double its delivery of natural gas to Europe — to 20 billion cubic meters a year. Visiting European commission president Ursula von der Leyen called it “a new chapter in our energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, a key partner in our efforts to move away from Russian fossil fuels.”

How key a partner? How significant are the additional 10 billion cubic meters? The number sounds large, but here’s the context: Europe’s annual natural gas consumption is around 400 billion cubic meters, and Russia has supplied between a third and half of that. Moreover, even this modest (but prettily packaged) goal is presented in the context of a target date 15 years a way — a time when today’s troubles will have been replaced by new ones unrelated to Ukraine.

Idealists may ask why Europe would aid and abet another a dictator for so little return. But even the more cynical may wonder why Azerbaijan, whose ruling family is embroiled in a series of international and domestic corruption scandals, would not want to do more to further its rehabilitation. Why would Aliyev not give Europe its due?

Because he cannot — as recent studies of Azerbaijan’s energy economy produced by respected global institutions demonstrate. It is something of a Potemkin petrostate.

According to a report by the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Azerbaijan has very limited capacity to produce more gas for Europe, and certainly cannot deliver it economically. It cites the “high cost of delivering Azeri gas to Europe (and) of expanding the Southern Gas Corridor” as well as the complications of the required exploration and development in the Caspian Sea.

Natural gas already being delivered to Italy, for example, comes at nearly twice the cost of delivering gas from Russia — and three times that of delivery from Algeria. Though Azerbaijani gas has been competitive in Turkey, it is not competitive in the European market.

The Oxford report concludes that “even the most optimistic assumptions about upstream development do not suggest that substantial quantities of additional gas will be available in the 2020s. There are no plausible scenarios under which the transport infrastructure expansion will be completed in this decade.” And the International Crisis Group notes in its country summary that “oil revenues are levelling off and are projected to gradually decline within a few years, which could lead to economic problems and growing public frustration.”

Azerbaijan’s flaunting of oil wealth is essentially a public relations stunt. What wealth there is has propped up a dictatorial regime, enabling the Aliyev family to consolidate power over the past decade by means of brutal repression.

Freedom House’s Democracy Index judges Azerbaijan to be one of the most repressive countries on earth (ranking 141 out of 167), noting that “authorities have carried out an extensive crackdown on civil liberties in recent years, leaving little room for independent _expression_ or activism.” Bertelsmann’s Transformation Index similarly ranked Azerbaijan very near the bottom of the world class, noting in its most recent report that in the past year “the consolidation of authoritarian rule continued.”

The IMF affirms that an expected decline in oil production is projected to lead to Azerbaijan becoming a net debtor nation by 2030. Since Azerbaijan has not saved oil revenues to mitigate for the transition to a post-oil future, its state expenditure remains primarily reliant on oil revenues. Indeed, Azerbaijan ranks near the bottom of oil-producing countries in over-reliance on oil for state expenditures (see chart).

A continuous axiom within rentier states, and specifically with those that have very little economic diversification, is the relationship between economic decline and domestic instability. In this context, Azerbaijan becomes extremely vulnerable to economic shocks, and by extension, domestic shocks.

Indeed, forecasting models from the IMF suggest there is the considerable risk of domestic instability in Azerbaijan. The World Bank has consistently downgraded Azerbaijan’s political stability rating as well — giving it a -0.75 score on a scale of -2.5 to 2.5. It is a remarkable feat for a country whose dictatorship is specifically laser-focused on creating stability at all cost.

Of course, the Aliyev regime is a menace not just to its people but to the neighboring country of Armenia, which was attacked by Azerbaijan in 2020. There is every reason to believe that the Aliyevs will lash out at Armenia again should they need to divert attention from domestic dissatisfactions. Therefore the world — and Azerbaijan’s neighbors — should monitor carefully the fluctuations in level and degree of both repression and public unrest in Azerbaijan.

And meanwhile, the Aliyevs’ facade of building a strong state and economy should fool no one.

Certainly there is no reason for Europe to cozy up to such an odious actor on the world stage. There are more promising pathways to bringing in new oil — whether by pipeline or by liquefied natural gas delivered by sea — from North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf and other places.

Europe may be able to extract a bit more natural gas from Azerbaijan — but this is so far from a panacea that the excruciating immorality of it cannot possibly be worth selling Europe’s already tormented soul.

(This article was published in Le Figaro)

Russia confirms it was Azerbaijan who violated the ceasefire on August 1

August 3, 2022March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

21:17, 2 August 2022

YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, ARMENPRESS. During the past day, three cases of violation of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani armed forces were registered in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping troops, as a result of which a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Nagorno Karabakh was injured, ARMENPRESS informs, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has issued a message about this.

“During the past day, three cases of violation of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani armed forces were registered in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping troops, as a result of which the representative of the Armed Forces of Nagorno Karabakh was injured.

The command of the Russian peacekeepers resolved the situation together with the representatives of the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides,” reads the message.

AW: “Write what should not be forgotten.”

August 3, 2022March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

August 2, 2022 Melody Seraydarian Hye Key, Columns 1

Write what should not be forgotten.
— Isabel Allende

The Armenian community deals with its fair share of bad news. I wanted my column to tell the stories of our triumphs.

Last month marked the one year anniversary of my Armenian Weekly column, Hye Key. To say that this has been a life-changing experience would be an understatement. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to work in journalism in any capacity. I combined my passion for journalism and my inextinguishable fire for Armenian issues and took on an opportunity to be a blip in the legacy of this historic publication. My role as a Weekly columnist has been an honor and something I hope to do for a long time.

Over the course of this past year, I have had the pleasure of personally speaking to:

Darone Sassounian – Armenian DJ, selector and producer
Sonia Maral Ohan – Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and mixing engineer
Lara Karamardian – Founder of Achki Chop
Hovig Kazandjian – Director and creative producer
Nora Martirosyan – Director and writer
Bedouine – Musician
Raz and Shaunt Tchakmak – Founders of Vokee
Justin Mayfield – Musician and audio engineer
Arno Yeretzian – Owner of Abril Books
Michael Srourian – Founder of armenia.jpg
Stella Grigoryan – Founder of Yerevan Café and Market

Each of their unique stories has impacted my life in more ways than one. With a variety of skill sets and personalities, I found myself astounded at the wide range of diversity within the Armenian people and simultaneously, the interconnected nature of it all. We all know that the Armenian community is rich with intellect and creativity. All I wanted to do is provide a platform, a place for their work to be appreciated by a broader audience.

I wholly resonate with the quote by Allende that appears at the beginning of this article, especially in connection to this newspaper. A country with a history so well documented on and off the pages of the Armenian Weekly, telling the tales of the modern Armenian and ensuring its preservation is vital. This newspaper is a patchwork quilt of who we have been, who we are and what we are becoming.

I also wanted to make sure that I recognize the strong women behind this operation. Editor Pauline Getzoyan and assistant editor Leeza Arakelian graciously welcomed me with open arms to this publication all the way from California and have constantly and consistently pushed me out of my comfort zone, whether it be attending the multimedia performance Azad and taking notes or touching on controversial topics within our community and in the grander political sphere. The lessons I have learned are incalculable. Thank you Pauline and Leeza – from the bottom of my heart.

And finally, thank you all for reading!

Bio
Latest Posts

Melody Seraydarian is a writer from Los Angeles, California. She is an active member of the AYF Hollywood “Musa Ler” Chapter. Melody also interns for the Armenian Bar Association and volunteers for various political causes and campaigns, while working on other writing and design projects.

Our Karen (Gahren)

August 3, 2022March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

August 2, 2022 Talar Keoseyan 2

Karen (Gahren) Stepani Hovanissyan (1996-2020)

Karen (Gahren) Stepani Hovanissyan was a proud soldier who loved his homeland. He had already served his nation, but he volunteered his expertise to defend her again during the 44-Day War.

Hovanissyan was born on May 17, 1996 in Yerevan, Armenia. His childhood was filled with love and warmth. His older brother Mikhayel was two years his senior. He was a stellar student and beloved by all of his teachers.

Karen (Gahren) Stepani Hovanissyan as a young boy

His smile would brighten everyone’s days. He was dedicated to his family and very close to his father. When he was 11 years old, he experienced the devastating loss of his father. Both boys, ages 11 and 13 then, had to mature rather quickly. Their mother Melania raised her children to be strong and valiant Armenian men. Her eldest is 28 years old now and has two beautiful children of his own—a daughter named Melania (Karen chose her name) and a one-year-old son named after our hero, Karen (Gahren). Baby number three is on the way.

Melania and her son Karen (Gahren)

Hovanissyan graduated with a degree in architecture. He was a kind and sweet son. He loved to play soccer and swim. He had a love of learning and was enamored by Armenian writers like Sevak, Charents and Komitas. He served in Armenia’s Armed Forces from 2015 to 2017 in Armavir and then Vayk. He was known for his discipline, dedication and service and received many honors and medals.

Karen (Gahren) Stepani Hovanissyan with his older brother Mikhayel

On September 29, 2020, he began his service in Artsakh. He fought heroically for his homeland and its people. He was martyred on October 2, 2020 and posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor (Ariootion) and Medal of Service.

Melania visiting her son’s grave

In his honor, there is a khachkar in the courtyard of his home, where people visit to pay their respects to the brave soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Inscription on the khachkar dedicated to Karen (Gahren) Stepani Hovanissyan

Brave, kind son of Armenia, may you rest in peace. We will never forget you and will continue your mission for the homeland.

Bio
Latest Posts

Talar Keoseyan is a mother, educator and writer. Talar’s book called Mom and Dad, Why Do I Need to Know My Armenian Heritage? is available on Amazon. Tigran’s Song is available at Abril Bookstore. She has been an educator for 25 years and resides in Los Angeles, CA. She can be reached at

Turkish Delight

August 3, 2022March 12, 2026 Emil Lazarian

August 2, 2022 Adrian David Literary Corner 8

Constantinople, Republic of Turkey — 1924

The call of the muezzin slowly fades into the evening breeze; the minarets of the neighborhood exude a gentle calm. Ahmet rises from his prayer rug and walks to his balcony. His bedroom, situated on the topmost floor of his vacation home, offers the perfect, picturesque view of the beautiful city outside. He pulls out his pocket watch and flips it open. “It is almost time for her to arrive,” he mutters.

Lit candlesticks illuminate his bedroom’s green walls. A framed painting of Sultan Abdul Hamid II and a gallantry medal engraved with the Ottoman insignia — remnants of an imperial past — hang opposite the majestic wooden bed. Beside the portrait, a blood-red Ottoman flag hangs proudly, the star and crescent shining.

Gazing at the azure ribbon of the Marmara Sea, Ahmet lights his hookah and takes a puff, sighing. So many changes had occurred in his beloved country since the previous year when he left the Ottoman gendarmerie and entered the spice trade. Ahmet drifts off in thought, recalling the golden days of the Empire; so many battles, so many triumphs — a legacy spanning 600 glorious years — all reduced to dust after the war. It was unfair of the newly-elected ‘progressive’ leader, Mustafa Kemal, to abolish the Caliphate and shift the capital to Ankara.

Original illustration exclusive to the Armenian Weekly by artist Masha Keryan

Three loud knocks interrupt Ahmet’s thoughts. His lips twist into a smile as he gazes down from the balcony to find a young woman standing in front of his house. Dressed in a maroon abaya, she looks beautifully mysterious. Even though her face is covered in a veil, she catches Ahmet’s fancy.

He heads down to open the door before leading her back to his bedroom. She removes her veil and drops it onto the carpet bag swaying from her right arm. The flickering candles give her olive skin a soft satin glow.

Her hazel eyes, highlighted with dark sormeh, are enticing. An ornate silver hairpin sparkles in her long, raven hair, straining at the bun it holds together. Teardrop earrings dangle from her lobes, gold glinting against her skin. A thin but elaborate chain adorns her neck. The temptress flashes a sultry smile at Ahmet. Her beauty is captivating, a balm on his battle-hardened soul.

Ahmet holds out his right hand, and she plants a gentle kiss on it. His thoughts run wild and‌ he grabs the hookah again, pulling the mouthpiece to his lips. The rosy scent of the attar she wears blends with the smoke, further intoxicating his senses. It had been a long time since he had seen such a fine woman.

“Do you know why I summoned you?” he asks in a commanding tone. Before she can say a word, he holds up a finger to stop her. He exhales a cloud of fragrant smoke. “I have heard tales of your sensual prowess. They say no harlot in Constantinople compares to you when it comes to pleasuring a man.” Smoke wafting from his lips, Ahmet takes a final puff and drops the hose before twirling his imperial mustache. “Is that true?”

She puckers her plump lips, her youthful charm arousing him. “Spend the evening with me, and you will know what the best feels like,” she says. Eyes smoldering, she saunters toward him. “You will experience it all.”

Ahmet yearns to touch her, to taste her. The cotton of his white shirt is sheer against his damp chest. Every inch of him lights up with the burning need to possess her.

“Give yourself over to me, and I will show you passion you have never imagined,” she murmurs and pulls away, teasing him.

“Very well.” Ahmet smirks and strokes his graying beard. He removes his red fez and places it on the bedside table. “I do not often spend so much for my pleasure. You better be worth it.”

“I am worth every lira.” Her flirty eyes beckon him. “Lose yourself in my depths and you will understand why every effendi in this city craves my touch.”

Original illustration exclusive to the Armenian Weekly by artist Masha Keryan

“Let me judge that for myself.” Ahmet walks in a circle around her still form, adoring her hourglass figure. He has high hopes for her, as few can satisfy his carnal fantasies. Despite being fifty-four, he has the drive and desires of a younger man. He is very much a conqueror in bed, as he was a conqueror in his decades-long paramilitary career. So far, he has always taken what he wanted, be it women, villages, or lives. Many faceless women have visited his bedroom over the years. But this one is different. An aura of feistiness surrounds her, a stark contrast to the subservient nature of most harlots.

The seductress removes her earrings and drops them slowly. Ahmet inches closer, eyeing her with lust. “One more thing, güzel kadın.” He touches her shoulder and trails his fingers down her waist. “I want to eat some lokums off your bare back.” He motions to a ceramic bowl of Turkish delights on the bedside table. The rose-flavored chewy cubes dusted with powdered sugar shine in the candlelight.

“As you wish.” She runs her hand over his şalvar trousers. Gliding her painted fingernails, she caresses the stiffening bulge. “But first, you must taste my sweetness. As much as your heart desires. Mind you, most of my customers say I am addictive. Very, very addictive.”

She tugs at his yelek, his waistcoat is wrapped around his sturdy body. Ahmet closes his eyes, fantasizing about the next few minutes, then flicks them slightly open.

The siren slips off her abaya, revealing the emerald green silk lingerie, which clings to her sun-kissed skin. His ravenous gaze travels along her curves, exploring the scars on her body. Her flaws only make her even more alluring.

She cradles his right cheek in her palm. “Come, my sevgili.” The lyrical rhythm of her voice makes him both weak and strong at the same time. She pecks his right ear and whispers, “Tonight is going to be the greatest night of your life.”

Brimming with passion, Ahmet pulls his yelek off and undresses, piling his clothes on the carpeted floor until he is bare. He grabs her waist and pulls her closer. “We have a long night ahead of us. Unlike other men, I am not easy to satisfy.”

She coils her arms around his neck, her silken skin warm against his. Her breath brushes the fine hairs on his face. As he tries to push her toward the bed, she holds his hand and looks into his eyes. “Let me lead.”

Ahmet rubs his chin. Since his days at the gendarmerie, it was he who did the commanding—the one who always dominated. He is reluctant to be controlled by someone else — that too, a woman. Were it any other harlot, he would refuse. But no, not this woman; she is too seductive for him to resist. He gives a nod of approval.

She pushes him onto the bed. “I am going to take you to cennet — a heaven where you will reach the epitome of pleasure.”

He lies spread-eagle, head resting on the pillow. She pulls out a scarf from her carpet bag and pounces on top of Ahmet. She straddles his waist, and with a mischievous smile, starts tying his hand with the scarf.

Ahmet arches a brow and narrows his eyes.

“I am going to ravage your body like no other and do unspeakable things to you,” she purrs with a wink. “You will love it.”

Turned on by her every word, Ahmet prepares himself to devour her lips, her neck, and beyond. Unquenchable lust ripples through him. She coquettishly runs a finger from her luscious, coral-pink lips, down to her collarbone, between the swell of her clothed breasts, all the way to her navel.

Heat settles in between Ahmet’s thighs. His manhood throbs in harmony with his heartbeat.

The vixen’s fingers dance over the pink Turkish delights in the bowl. She grabs the largest piece. A light sweat breaks out above her upper lip as she slowly licks it on the sides and takes a sensual bite.

“I am hungry for you,” Ahmet growls like a tiger.

Biting her bottom lip, she brings the piece closer. Ahmet playfully nips her finger. She laughs and pops the wet confection into his mouth.

Mouth stuffed, Ahmet can only mutter, “This is deli—”

She traces a finger over his lips, hushing the next syllables. “Do not just eat it.” A giggle escapes her. “Close your eyes and savor it.”

Ahmet heeds and rests his head deep on the pillow. He chews the piece with a slow, sinful relish, each bite lasting as long as possible. It melts on his tongue, the smooth texture reminding him of her skin and how eager he is to have her.

***

She slides a hand into the knot of her hair and pulls the ornate silver hairpin free. She shakes her head; free-flowing hair tumbles around her slender shoulders.

Her eyes dart toward Ahmet, who is busy enjoying the delight. Lips curved, she aims and plunges the pointed end of the hairpin into his neck.

Ahmet gapes in horror, nostrils flaring. Blood squirts from his neck as he moans in pain.

She pulls the hairpin out. A sinister grin plays on her face and she thrusts it in again, venting her wrath.

Veins throb on Ahmet’s forehead as he instinctively tries to overpower and strangle her, but the knotted scarf restrains him. He chokes, gasping for breath.

She slides off the bed and steps back. Walking toward the flag, she wipes a swathe of crimson from the dripping hairpin onto the already red fabric. She then drapes herself over the ottoman and picks up the bowl of Turkish delights. She rolls a piece on her tongue and revels in its succulence. “Mmm… this is divine. Truly divine.”

Her lips part into a wicked smile. “Do you know how long I have waited for this very moment? All these years, I have been following you from afar, observing your everyday routine, learning your habits. I have lurked in the shadows alongside harlots, waiting for the time you would call upon one. The harlot you seek is lying drugged back in the whorehouse.” She levels her icy gaze on him. “I am not here to give you pleasure. I am here to make you taste death.”

“What”—Ahmet sputters, struggling through his next words—“did I”—he spits tiny shreds of Turkish delight—“ever do to you?”

Her feigned smile vanishes, replaced by nearly a decade’s worth of rage. She turns and lifts her long hair to reveal the tattoo on her bare back—a richly decorated cross with coiled knots on all sides. The Armenian cross.

She turns back and bangs her fist on the table. “You destroyed my family. You destroyed my people. You destroyed everything we ever had.” Tendons rise in her neck. “You dare ask what you did to me, you vile bastard!”

Ahmet’s eyes redden, and a vein twitches on his forehead.

She picks up another delight from the bowl. As she clenches it in her fist, the gel oozes between her fingers. Bitter memories flash before her eyes. Her tortured brain screams with shrill cries of pain.

Galloping horses. Barbarous gendarmes. A bloodthirsty commander. Her village in flames. A death march into the Syrian desert. Her mother, naked, beaten, and raped. Her infant brother thrown into the Euphrates. A growing pile of bodies. Innocent blood saturating the ground.

Her innocent 14-year-old self was witness to these atrocities. Stabbed and presumed dead, she was left for the vultures. The raw wound of her heart demanded only one thing. Vengeance.

She shoots Ahmet a death stare, rage burning her from the inside. “I still cannot forget the words you spat on my dying mother.” Fighting back the tears, she takes a deep, pained breath and shudders. “Filthy Armenian infidel! We will wipe out every single one of you from our great empire.”

Springing to her feet, she clutches a lit candle from the holder. Slowly, she retraces her steps toward the flag and clenches her jaw. “This flag! This flag is smeared with the innocent blood of millions.” With a flick of her wrist, she sets the fabric on fire. Hot orange flames consume the red banner of oppression.

Her fury burns as fierce as the fire. She turns back to find rivulets of blood flowing down Ahmet’s neck. His legs twitch, life on the verge of leaving him.

“I want you to know my name before you die.” She locks eyes with him for the last time and points to herself. “I am Nane. Nane Hakobyan. And I am here to say that your mission to destroy us failed miserably. We. Will. Never. Be. Overcome.”

Nane watches as every word hits him hard. Unable to hold on anymore, Ahmet lets go. His hands go limp; his breath comes to a standstill. Life extinguishes from his eyes and his head drops on the pillow, his mouth agape, the half-eaten Turkish delight still on his tongue.

Not wasting another moment, Nane dresses again and covers her face with the veil. Carpet bag in hand, she climbs down from the balcony, carefully making her way to the ground. With a furtive glance in each direction, she disappears into the darkness.

Original illustration exclusive to the Armenian Weekly by artist Masha Keryan

***

“Armenia is dying, but it will survive. The little blood that is left is precious blood that will give birth to a heroic generation. A nation that does not want to die, does not die.” ~ Anatole France

sormeh – kohl
attar – fragrant essential oil
effendi – Ottoman title of respect
güzel kadın – beautiful woman
lokum – Turkish delight
yelek – Ottoman waistcoat
sevgili – beloved
cennet – heaven

Bio
Latest Posts

Adrian David writes ads by day and short fiction by night. His work spans across genres including contemporary fiction, psychological thrillers and everything in between, from the mundane to the sublime.