Manjikian family home in Kessab, Syria

Araz Manjikian


The day we found out that Kessab had become the latest victim of the Syrian unrest, the feeling of dread and fear was instant. The town where my father grew up, the town where I was baptised, the town where so many of my relatives live, who have created a life for themselves and their families was under attack. Although I was aware of the Syrian civil war, it wasn't until my family was directly in the firing line that it hit home how horrible the situation was.

I have lost track of how many times I've been to Kessab, the beautiful town inhabited mainly by Armenians. No matter where I went, I always felt safe. I could leave my grandparents house at 10am and return at 6pm and nobody would worry, because in such a small town, everyone is family.

I felt heartbroken and shattered when I heard that the town had been attacked. Feeling helpless on the other side of the world, all my family and I could do was spread the word and raise awareness. Not only for Kessab, but for all Syrians. To be displaced from your town, to have strangers living in your home and destroying everything you have worked so hard to achieve is something we in Australia are privileged never to experience.Unfortunately for the “Kessabtsis”, this is not the first time.

Among many others, my grandmother’s home was broken into, shelves emptied, photos destroyed, and personal belongings rummaged through, to find anything of value. My dad's childhood home was destroyed. Luckily for my grandmother, the house is still standing and hadn't been burnt down or bombed. Others weren't so lucky. Theblackened walls and deliberate destruction of their possessions and house will be a constant reminder of the horrible events of that time.

The Christian churches were also targeted. Any visible symbols of Christianity were vandalised and left on show for the towns people to see.

What these rebels did not count on was the fact that the people of Kessab have a fierce passion for their history and roots, and there is no way they were going to give up on their town. Hearing that the military had pushed out the rebels, allowing the townspeople to return home was a huge relief. Although not 100% in the clear just yet, there is still hope for our small yet resilient town, and I hope and pray that it rebuilds stronger than ever.

I know I will go back as soon as I can to show my relatives that the world has not forgotten about them, and we are all fighting for them.

#savekessab

-Written by Araz Manjikian