Parrhesia Collective 2023 in Retrospect
ARAZ KOJAYAN
The arrival of each New Year provides us with opportunities to reflect on the past and step into the upcoming year with revitalized dreams and goals.
In 2023, Armenians faced considerable challenges worldwide. The earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria, lands rich in Armenian history, had a profound effect on us. Additionally, the forced displacement of indigenous Armenians from their ancestral lands in Artsakh was particularly disheartening. In response to these events, we took to our Facebook page, stating, "It is not history that repeats itself, but the violence of the colonizer," summarizing insights on temporality and expropriation derived from various readings and discussions within the Parrhesia Collective. We also brought attention to the deliberate attempt to destroy Hatay's construction archives, using the pretext of earthquakes, emphasizing the idea that "denial is the basis of statehood." Understanding the varied aspects of the colonizer across different times and cultures became imperative, leading us to explore the Kavar literature.
Kavar, translated as "province," encapsulates more than just a locality outside the city; it embodies the homeland, nature, and the relationship between human beings and the land. Our exploration of Kavar Literature began with Hamasdegh, and the ideas that emerged during our discussions formed the foundation for our future initiatives. We not only delved into Kavar Literature but also broadened our investigation by drawing comparisons with world literature. Additionally, we delved into Khrimian Hayrig's works, "Babig Yev Tornig'' and "Khosk Hrazharman." Currently, we are engrossed in reading Raffi's "Khent." You are welcome to join the conversation by sending an email to us at [email protected].
Agos Newspaper and Radio Agos provided increased visibility for the Parrhesia Collective. Since April 2023, we have been writing trilingual articles for Agos every two weeks, for Parrhesiapar column. Additionally, you can catch us every month on Radio Agos in Turkish.
We explored diverse and contemporary subjects in the Parrhesiapar column alongside our reflections on Kavar Literature. Topics ranged from the challenges of confronting the truth, particularly in April, to sharing our impressions and experiences with various artistic initiatives within our communities. Our writings touched upon the role of women in literature, the obstacles, and inventive approaches to using the Armenian language. We delved into the intersection of art, pedagogy, and language and gained insights into the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral in Antep, among other subjects.
Throughout the year, we organized webinars featuring various prominent figures. Psychiatrist Arşaluys Kayır shared her insights on survival and women, historian Nazan Maksudian delved into the topic of Armenian orphans, and one of our collective members, artist Lerna Babikyan explored creative dance as a medium for mental and physical liberation and equality.
This year, we established a prose writing prize exclusively for teenage schoolgirls named "Hasmigian Bduydner." The award was dedicated to the memory of Hasmik Suciyan, aiming to encourage young girls to articulate their experiences during trips or travels through literary compositions. We are grateful to Getronagan High School for hosting the award ceremony of this competition on December 6th.
We collaborated with various platforms and organizations, undertaking several projects. For instance, we offered a unique interpretation of Hagop Mntsuri's novella "The Second Marriage," exploring the theme of non-contemporaneity within the Ottoman Empire for Reflektive Journal’s podcast. Additionally, our reflections on Zaven Biberyan's works in 2021 were shared through a paper published in GAM magazine, an Armenian analytical publication. Additionally, Talin Suciyan conducted a hybrid lecture/workshop focusing on Armenian-Greek relations in the Ottoman provinces during the 19th century, in collaboration with the Armenika periodical.
The year unfolded, bringing forth a trail of endeavors. Despite collective challenges, we, as the Parrhesia Collective, persisted in having the courage to speak the truth, guided by the principle of ‘parrhesia’. We aspire to continue taking resolute steps in a "parrhesialike" manner throughout the upcoming year. On this note, we are pleased to announce our inaugural webinar featuring Talin Suciyan, discussing her latest publication "Outcasting Armenians: Tanzimat of the Provinces," and the first online seminar on Armenian literature with Marc Nichanian in Armenian, starting on February 14th.
The Parrheisa Collective extends its sincere appreciation to the Gulbenkian Foundation for its generous support.
