Merrimack Valley Genocide Committee Honors Playwright Herand Markarian

"The Armenian Weekly", Volume 74, No. 18, May 3, 2007

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.