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KESSAB AND THE KESSABTSIS.
Vahe H. Apelian
http://www.keghart.com/V-Apelian-KessabReview
20 November 2011
The Kessab Educational Association (K.E,A) of Los Angeles held a
banquet on Saturday October 29, 2011 to celebrate the centennial of the
founding of the Kessab Educational Association - Kessab Ousumnasirats -
in 1910. During the banquet Missak Apelian, the editor, unveiled the
centennial commemorative book titled Kessab and the Kessabtsis and
then ceremoniously presented the first signed copy to Mrs. Sarah,
Vahan Churukian's widow.
The book is a labor of love and is the culmination of over two years
of efforts to archive the centennial of Ousumnasirats Association
and is dedicated to its founding members who had the vision to
establish it in 1910 at the aftermath of the 1909 progrom. Likewise
it is dedicated to Mr. Vahan Churukian who is the founding member of
the K.E.A. of LA in 1957. Kessab and the Kessabtsis will provide,
especially to the English speaking Kessabtsis (People of Kessab),
a glimpse of history of Kessab and its traditional way of life.
The Book is in 8x10 inches white page with color imprint. It is hard
cover and is 314 pages long. The artwork of the cover is designed and
gifted by Richard Taminossian. It contains 87 articles of which 40
are in English and the rest in Armenian. The first section is devoted
to the English articles that are presented in a columnar layout. The
next section is devoted to Armenian articles that are presented in
a textual layout. Forty-five authors from Australia, Canada, Italy,
Lebanon, Syria, United Arab Emirates and United States of America
have contributed articles. It contains 207 black and white and colored
pictures depicting Kessab and the Kessabtsis through the past century.
Two editorials, one in English the other in Armenian precede the rest
of the contents of this beautifully rendered centennial commemorative
book.
Both the English and Armenian articles are presented in 8 sections that
are titled as follows: Kessab and its History, Kessab Ousoumnasirats
Association and the Kessabtsis in Kessab, Kessabtsis in the Diaspora,
K.E.A. of LA, We Remember With Gratitude, Kessab and its surrounding
Villages, Articles about Kessab and Kessabtsis, Kessabtsis Celebrating
their 100th Birthday, Pictures of Bygone Days.
This centennial commemorative book is the first bilingual book about
Kessab and its people. Its purpose is to bridge the big divide and
to acquaint Kessab's past and present to a new generation, who do
not read Armenian, especially to those born to Kessabtsi parents in
the Western Hemisphere. However, it is not an exhaustive study, but a
rendering of a sentimental journey at this junction of crossroad where
so much has changed in Kessab especially during the last two decades.
A way of life the Kessabtsis knew is now relegated to memory or
at best within covers of books such as this one. As the English
editorial notes that the once secluded Armenian enclave that is
a remnant of the historical Cilicia, has become a bustling summer
resort that attracts tens of thousands visitors during summer. Its
cherished dialect is endangered as fewer and fewer people speak it
nowadays. However, Kessab still maintains a sizable all year around
Armenians who constitute the majority of its non-transient population.
Anatole France is quoted to have said, "All changes, even the most
longed for, has its melancholy; for what we leave behind is part of
ourselves". This centennial book is a very readable, picturesque coffee
table book presentation to capture what is now left behind in the
annals of Kessab history and a way of life that is no more. It makes
for a very informative and entertaining leisurely reading. It is a must
especially to those born to Kessabtsi parents who left their village
behind to start a new life elsewhere and provide further opportunities
for their children. The book may be purchased from K.E.A. of LA
by requesting a copy or copies through the address: K.E.A. of LA,
P.O. Box 1507, Reseda, CA 91335. The book retails for $35.
Vahe H. Apelian
http://www.keghart.com/V-Apelian-KessabReview
20 November 2011
The Kessab Educational Association (K.E,A) of Los Angeles held a
banquet on Saturday October 29, 2011 to celebrate the centennial of the
founding of the Kessab Educational Association - Kessab Ousumnasirats -
in 1910. During the banquet Missak Apelian, the editor, unveiled the
centennial commemorative book titled Kessab and the Kessabtsis and
then ceremoniously presented the first signed copy to Mrs. Sarah,
Vahan Churukian's widow.
The book is a labor of love and is the culmination of over two years
of efforts to archive the centennial of Ousumnasirats Association
and is dedicated to its founding members who had the vision to
establish it in 1910 at the aftermath of the 1909 progrom. Likewise
it is dedicated to Mr. Vahan Churukian who is the founding member of
the K.E.A. of LA in 1957. Kessab and the Kessabtsis will provide,
especially to the English speaking Kessabtsis (People of Kessab),
a glimpse of history of Kessab and its traditional way of life.
The Book is in 8x10 inches white page with color imprint. It is hard
cover and is 314 pages long. The artwork of the cover is designed and
gifted by Richard Taminossian. It contains 87 articles of which 40
are in English and the rest in Armenian. The first section is devoted
to the English articles that are presented in a columnar layout. The
next section is devoted to Armenian articles that are presented in
a textual layout. Forty-five authors from Australia, Canada, Italy,
Lebanon, Syria, United Arab Emirates and United States of America
have contributed articles. It contains 207 black and white and colored
pictures depicting Kessab and the Kessabtsis through the past century.
Two editorials, one in English the other in Armenian precede the rest
of the contents of this beautifully rendered centennial commemorative
book.
Both the English and Armenian articles are presented in 8 sections that
are titled as follows: Kessab and its History, Kessab Ousoumnasirats
Association and the Kessabtsis in Kessab, Kessabtsis in the Diaspora,
K.E.A. of LA, We Remember With Gratitude, Kessab and its surrounding
Villages, Articles about Kessab and Kessabtsis, Kessabtsis Celebrating
their 100th Birthday, Pictures of Bygone Days.
This centennial commemorative book is the first bilingual book about
Kessab and its people. Its purpose is to bridge the big divide and
to acquaint Kessab's past and present to a new generation, who do
not read Armenian, especially to those born to Kessabtsi parents in
the Western Hemisphere. However, it is not an exhaustive study, but a
rendering of a sentimental journey at this junction of crossroad where
so much has changed in Kessab especially during the last two decades.
A way of life the Kessabtsis knew is now relegated to memory or
at best within covers of books such as this one. As the English
editorial notes that the once secluded Armenian enclave that is
a remnant of the historical Cilicia, has become a bustling summer
resort that attracts tens of thousands visitors during summer. Its
cherished dialect is endangered as fewer and fewer people speak it
nowadays. However, Kessab still maintains a sizable all year around
Armenians who constitute the majority of its non-transient population.
Anatole France is quoted to have said, "All changes, even the most
longed for, has its melancholy; for what we leave behind is part of
ourselves". This centennial book is a very readable, picturesque coffee
table book presentation to capture what is now left behind in the
annals of Kessab history and a way of life that is no more. It makes
for a very informative and entertaining leisurely reading. It is a must
especially to those born to Kessabtsi parents who left their village
behind to start a new life elsewhere and provide further opportunities
for their children. The book may be purchased from K.E.A. of LA
by requesting a copy or copies through the address: K.E.A. of LA,
P.O. Box 1507, Reseda, CA 91335. The book retails for $35.