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Merrimack Valley Genocide Committee
Honors Playwright Herand Markarian
 NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—Given a choice between recognition and
a dentist, Dr. Herand Markarian would rather have a root
canal.
But the veteran playwright had little choice April 20 as he
humbly stood on a stage at North Andover Middle School and
was showered with praise by members of the Armenian Genocide
Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley (ACCMV).
Markarian had just premiered his 25th work in New England—a
factual account of “The Georgetown Boys”—based upon the
recollections of one remaining survivor.
 The play recounts the experiences of 109 children, ages 8 to
12, who were brought from Western Armenia to Canada after
the Armenian Genocide with the intent of training them as
farmers.
The boys were trained on a farm in Georgetown, a suburb of
Toronto, until they became of working age.
Markarian spent months working on the script in Yerevan,
where he spends six months of the year. It’s a story well
documented and well portrayed on stage by a cast from the
Hamazkayin Youth Theater Company of New Jersey.
“I wrote this so that orphans won’t be orphans anymore,” he
said. “They’ve been neglected enough. It’s only one fragment
of the many who dig in order to bring the truth to the
world. We are all with the orphans.”
Markarian’s contributions to the performing arts are vast
and prolific. His career as an actor, producer, director,
and playwright dates back 50 years. His plays number 25
(unmatched by any Armenian playwright). He has directed 20
premier Armenian plays (a diaspora record) and has had four
decades of uninterrupted annual theatrical productions,
dating back to 1967.
He’s been recognized with every conceivable award in the
medium. Of equal merit to the New Yorker are his 50 roles,
including that of Yohann Lepsius in Toukhanian’s feature
film “Assignment Berlin.”
To say he has been actively involved in Armenian cultural
and national life is an understatement. He has held
prominent Hamazkayin executive posts and remains a
missionary in the homeland for his work with orphanages and
schools.
“For those of us in the arts, Dr. Markarian remains an
inspiration,” said ACCMV chairlady Sossy Jeknavorian, who
has conducted Armenian School hantes-es for 25 years. “His
intent is to preserve and perpetuate the arts. The passion
is obvious.”
The cast of 16 children and six adults pulled into town the
day before, dined on chicken and pilaf, then left
immediately for rehearsal. They were up early the next day,
returned to the stage for more rehearsing before staging the
show for more than 300 guests that afternoon.
It turned into a full-blown production with costumes, props,
music, and poignant lighting. Among the adult leads was
Michael Mirakian, whose role as the reminiscing old-timer
was worthy of a Tony. Sylva Kouyoumdjian was also convincing
as Mrs. Framer, the caretaker-homemother for the orphan
boys.
Seated in the front row was Anna Boyadjian with her son
James. The two had come from afar to view the spectacle—and
for good reason. Anna’s late husband Aram was “a Georgetown
boy.”
After being introduced, Dr. Markarian took a bouquet of
flowers from a female lead, pounced off the stage, and
presented it to her with deep emotion.
“It was an unforgettable sight to see that,” said Roger
Hagopian, a Lexington-based videographer with vast credits
of his own. “She was overwhelmed by the attention. I’m sure
she’s heard the stories from her husband.”
Also included in the audience were four genocide survivors:
Ojen Fantazian, Eva Loosigian, Mark Garavanian, and Carl
Mootafian, the eldest at 98 with an operatic voice. Each was
presented a crystal piece with words to the “Hayr Mer.”
Seven other remaining survivors in Merrimack Valley were
also acknowledged: Verjin Chilingirian, Arpine Hamamjian,
Thomas Magarian, Nellie Nazarian, Satenig Sarkisian, Jennie
Vartabedian, and Hmayag Vosgarichian.
The commemoration opened with a requiem service conducted by
area clergy and deacons, joined by a combined choral group
under the direction of Paul Ketchoyian and accompanist Arsen
Russian.
Prayers were offered by Rev. Ara Heghinian, pastor of the
Ararat Congregational Church in Salem, N.H., and Rev. Vartan
Kassabian, pastor of the St. Gregory Church of North
Andover.
Winners of an essay contest were announced. First place went
to Megerdich “Mgo” Kassabian, a senior at Methuen High
School, followed by Jill Kublbeck, second, and Aghavny
Bebirian, third. The subject was: “What Is a Good Armenian?”
The contest was conducted for the second year in an effort
to get the youth of the community better acquainted with the
genocide and their own heritage.
Net proceeds from the event will be donated to worthy
charities in Armenia. Since its inception in 1990, close to
$60,000 has been disbursed by the committee.
A reception followed where the crowd got to meet the cast
and express its gratitude for a job well done.
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