“Breaking the Silence”. Marcella Polain: Turkey acts like a child who has made a mistake and does not want to accept it

In 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.

Today we have talked to Australian poet, writer Marcella Polain, whose  mother is Armenian and she is the author of “ The Edge of the World” novel which is about the Armenian Genocide. Marcella Polain was in Armenia within the "Literary Ark. April" annual international festival.

- Mrs. Polain, you always say that you're half Armenian. It is interesting to know your family history.

- Yes, my mother is from Western Armenia. She is born in 1923, with her family members she has been saved and moved to Jerusalem, where she has been grown up. I remember when I was a child I had a lot of questions about Armenia, exile, genocide. She told me almost nothing. I felt it was difficult for her to speak out. Yet over the years we've had this conversation.

- And what did she tell you? What part of Western Armenia was she from?

- I have to start from my grandparents. My grandmother's name was Ovsanna Kalejyan. She was from Hasanbeyli village. My grandfather's name was Benjamin Vardeveryan.  My grandfather was a businessman.

My mother was born in 1923 and was the youngest of 10 children. My grandfather died in the same year, even not seeing the girl. After her husband’s death my grandmother had to leave with other women. They managed to escape and settle in Jerusalem. They lived in very poor social conditions. I remember my mother telling that her mother also told nothing to her about the genocide, but she was cunning. Sometimes my mother pretended that she was doing homework with other older women, in order to listen and understand what they were talking about the migration.

- Is “ The Edge of the World” about your family?

- Yes, a novel based on my family history. I have to say that there is also a Turkish family that helped my family to be saved after the death of my grandfather. In 1923, when my grandmother, her mother, sisters, children and other women have been gathered in the same place in order to be killed, a Turk came to her. The Turk asked who Ovsanna Vardeveryan was. My grandmother did not know what to do... Her mother and sisters order was not to respond. But all the women who knew my grandmother looked at her and keeping silence became meaningless. My grandmother said that it was she and Turkish man told to follow him. Likewise, the Turkish man and his family saved by my grandmother and her children hiding them for 6 months.

My mother says that he is probably one of my grandfather’s Turkish colleagues or friends, who, after my grandfather’s death wants to be grateful for saving his family.

- So you have been directly contacted with Genocide. Today people say that the 100th anniversary could be a threshold, a watershed. It can bring changes. What are your expectations, not only as a writer but also a person whose family has lived through all this?

- You know, I held discussions with the Armenian community, especially with young people before coming here from Australia. They have very high expectations. I'm older and I have already managed to be disappointed many times (smiling). Therefore, I am not very optimistic, but at the same time, I hope that they will be right.

I think that Turkey's conduct harms not only Armenians and Armenia, but, above all, harms Turks and their country. This country acts like a child who has made a mistake and does not want to accept it. Turkey wants to stand in front of the world like a child character...

I think Armenians should have to continue the struggle, because the denial can not last forever. The reality is obvious to any reasonable person, another question it that there is a policy. For example Australia: in this case, everything is complicated, especially as Australia and Turkey have a very good relationship during the past 10 years.

I know Turkey may warn this country to stop engaging with the Genocide process. But, nevertheless, I want to believe that everything will take place on one day. I expect and hope so.

Perhaps it will come soon, because I've already seen changes in my life that take place too quickly. For example, just as the Berlin Wall fell in one day.