“The Armenian Genocide: Breaking the Silence”. “Hundred Years of Sin”: a book about return

Ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Aysor.am presents a special project within which we shall consider cultural, scientific and social projects implementing these days.

Recently the presentation of “Hundred years of sin” novel has been hosted, which refers to the Armenian Genocide. This time we talked to writer Mher Beyleryan who is the author of the novel.

-Mher, it seems there are quite a number of works related to this theme. What is the feature of “Hundred years of sin” novel?

-To tell the truth, I have long wanted to refer to the genocide theme, but I couldn’t find the solution, the road by which I should deliver my ideas. A heavy thread, I had to think about. In the end I decided to refer to the issue in magical realism style. I think it worked out.

There are spirits characters in the novel and during the whole time of reading, it is not clear who they are. Only last pages show that the spirits are the massacred Armenians. Initially, the impression is that the spirits are evil forces which constantly disturb the book's human-heroes’ lives.

In the end, they let only one person in the entire village and say to him, “Go and tell your people that we will come out not from the east, south or north, but from our land and return to our homes”.

You know, I have felt the fear of the Turks concerning Armenians’ return. Now the book is being translated into Turkish, I wish that they and Kurds would familiarize themselves with it.

- How long did you work on the book?

- Not very long, probably about a month. When I am thrilled by some theme, I write very quickly. For instance, now I translate "To the gallows" novel by George Haladjian and I am very excited. George has been in a prison in Sebastia in 1925-28 and there he has promoted a very active campaign to Kurds and other national minorities, straining them against Turks.

Besides, a fundraiser has been organized in the prison to help the small number of Armenians remaining there to reach US.

- It is often difficult to regulate the matter in diplomatic and political way. Sometimes you need to look for alternative ways and one of them is the literature. Would you say that literature is another form of struggle?

-Yes, of course. Our main weapon against Turks is the Armenians living in Turkey, whose number is around 3 million according to different sources. Today, they hide their ethnic and religious affiliation. They must be given back with the help of culture, literature and immersion. In my opinion, the cultural factor has a primary role in the acquisition of Western Armenia.

Today Turkey has a deceptive policy, but we need to be vigilant and not to be overpowered by the state Democratic Games. We have to understand, either they completely destroy us, or at least we are weakened and razed the Turkish state.

-Coming back to your literature, on what books have you worked before “Hundred years of sin”?

- Before this, I have published three books. My first corpus of stories is "The Last Day", my second book is the "The Scythians shadows". It about my days in spent in Russia. I was there for a short time and I tried to share my experiences, which were very negative. I hope, at least a part of readers will not go to work in different countries or will come back to Armenia.

My next book is poetry. I have tried to do a little campaigning in it, this time in religious way. Generally, I think that the core of our struggle is the church. So I try to serve both my poetry and the prose to my homeland and church.

- The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide: What will it change here, in world, in Turkey? What is your opinion as a citizen?

- In general, we as well as all thinking nations have two kinds of foreign policy: openly-known and secret. I think what's done openly is done correctly. We must continue to say openly that as neighbours we must normalize relations after the Turks face their history. At the same time we need to lead a secret policy for Western Armenia's liberation.

I think we can completely reduce Turkey and Azerbaijan, if at least a few percent of active Armenians join to this effort.

It’s good, that these days the emphasis is very much on the 100th anniversary and the world focuses on the question.

- We saw the Holy Mass at Vatican dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the European Parliament's resolution. Do you think this is the result of true understanding of reality or by these moves the world is just trying to "cajole" and appease the Armenians?

- I am sure that the Vatican liturgy is not a formality, but as for the European Parliament's resolution, in my opinion, it has an aim to appease. Today Europe and the United States want to wash their hands from Armenians’ blood like Pilate. They are silent now, and were the same before.

The Vatican... glory and honour to Pope! He really seems to be the ambassador of heaven on earth.
I want to mention, that the Vatican has thus returned to politics and I am glad that the strongest Christian Church is again in politics in Europe.

-What are your future plans in the field of literature and in general?

-I do something against Turkishness every day. To love the motherland and serve to it are little bit abstract things for me. It must be shown by real steps. I do anti-Turkish campaign in all possible ways and I urge all Armenians every day before putting their heads on the pillow to think, under the command of Andranik, "What have they done today for the sake of Armenia and against Turkey."

As for the literary sphere, in addition to the translation, as I mentioned above, I’m working on a novel. Its plot is linked to the character of the hero. Today we have a lack of hero character in literature, cinema and general in culture. The hero of my novel has seen the Artsakh war. As a prototype, I have had ASALA fighter Vazgen Sislyan, who is my friend, in front of my eyes. Besides, I have included the features of the living legends Harmik Hovsepyan who has participated in Artsakh war and "Crusaders" detachment co-commander Shahe Achemyan. They stand by us and are our heroes.