KESHISHIAN
Artin, Keshishian
Artin, Keshishian
My grandfather, Artin (Harutyun) Keshishian was born around the turn of the 20th century in the central Turkish city of Kayseri. I have not been able to find independent confirmation of this fact, so if you have this information, and background about his siblings, parents, grandparents and uncles, please let me know.
When he was still very young, Artin lost both parents and was raised by his wealthy uncles who were successful textile (rug) merchants and owned a butchering company. Unfortunately, these men treated him roughly and insisted that the young boy Artin only be allowed to eat if he worked. He was made to feel like the he didn’t belong to the family.
Although Artin was not a particularly tall man, in his youth was strong and wiry. His son, Garabed, often remarked to his family that there weren’t many people in Cyprus who would dare to pick a fight with his father for fear of being put into hospital. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
When he was still very young, Artin lost both parents and was raised by his wealthy uncles who were successful textile (rug) merchants and owned a butchering company. Unfortunately, these men treated him roughly and insisted that the young boy Artin only be allowed to eat if he worked. He was made to feel like the he didn’t belong to the family.
Although Artin was not a particularly tall man, in his youth was strong and wiry. His son, Garabed, often remarked to his family that there weren’t many people in Cyprus who would dare to pick a fight with his father for fear of being put into hospital. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
FLEEING THE GENOCIDE
Artin’s quick temper and slight paranoia can be attributed to losing his parents at a young age, being mistreated by his uncles and witnessing the genocide of the Armenians before fleeing to safety.
Around 1915, Artin fled Turkey, working and making his way towards Egypt. While living in Egypt (prob. from 1916 to 1918) he learned how to become a photographer, probably starting as an apprentice. His brother _____ also fled to Egypt, and Artin probably stayed with him.
CYPRUS YEARS
Artin moved to Cyprus, probably soon after the end of WWI.
He became an itinerant photographer and was probably one of the first professionals in Cyprus to use the early version of the Polaroid (with a tripod, black curtain and developing all encased within the camera – contains no film, just the negative that is developed there on the spot into a picture).
When Artin was in his 30s he sought to marry the shy but lovely Liya Boursalian. In those days, the tradition was that the man goes to visit the family home of the girl he wishes to marry, and then ask permission from the girl's father.
Artin’s quick temper and slight paranoia can be attributed to losing his parents at a young age, being mistreated by his uncles and witnessing the genocide of the Armenians before fleeing to safety.
Around 1915, Artin fled Turkey, working and making his way towards Egypt. While living in Egypt (prob. from 1916 to 1918) he learned how to become a photographer, probably starting as an apprentice. His brother _____ also fled to Egypt, and Artin probably stayed with him.
CYPRUS YEARS
Artin moved to Cyprus, probably soon after the end of WWI.
He became an itinerant photographer and was probably one of the first professionals in Cyprus to use the early version of the Polaroid (with a tripod, black curtain and developing all encased within the camera – contains no film, just the negative that is developed there on the spot into a picture).
When Artin was in his 30s he sought to marry the shy but lovely Liya Boursalian. In those days, the tradition was that the man goes to visit the family home of the girl he wishes to marry, and then ask permission from the girl's father.
Unfortunately, Liya's father, Movses, had died a few years prior to this, so instead, Artin had to ask permission from Marta Boursalian, the matriarch of the family. Liya either absented herself or was asked not to be present in the room when Artin came to visit. Marta agreed to the match.
Years later, Liya told her children and grandchildren that she was the apple of her daddy's eye, and if her father had been alive, he would never have coerced her into marriage against her will.
On the day of wedding, Liya walked into the room where the ceremony was being held, but during the ceremony was so shy that she could not look her groom in the eye. Instead, she found herself looking down at his shiny black boots and saw his face reflected therein. Years later she described what she saw, "It was like I was looking at a black devil."
But Liya went through with the ceremony and in 1938 the couple had their first healthy child: a bouncing baby boy who they named Garabed. After WWII, Artin became the first flash photographer in Cyprus earning the title Photo Flash.
Years later, Liya told her children and grandchildren that she was the apple of her daddy's eye, and if her father had been alive, he would never have coerced her into marriage against her will.
On the day of wedding, Liya walked into the room where the ceremony was being held, but during the ceremony was so shy that she could not look her groom in the eye. Instead, she found herself looking down at his shiny black boots and saw his face reflected therein. Years later she described what she saw, "It was like I was looking at a black devil."
But Liya went through with the ceremony and in 1938 the couple had their first healthy child: a bouncing baby boy who they named Garabed. After WWII, Artin became the first flash photographer in Cyprus earning the title Photo Flash.
From Colony to Commonwealth
In ____ Britain gave up its colonial hold over Cyprus and granted the island independence. It's citizens were allowed to choose whether to be Cypriot or retain British nationality. Artin very wisely chose the latter for himself and his family. His decision was to prove to be a wise one when in only a short few years later, the family needed a safe country to which to flee. Civil War In 1964 Cyprus broke out in civil war with Greek Cypriots fighting against Turkish Cypriots. As Armenians, the Keshishians did not want to risk getting caught in the crossfire. So in a fit of panic, Hasmig and her parents flew to mother England and found a flat in London, all the while begging the rest of the family to join them. Very reluctantly, Gary moved his wife and baby son to London, leaving behind his beloved, wartorn yet sunny island of Cyprus behind. |
THE LONDON YEARS
In 1964 Artin and Liya settled in their son and daughter-in-law's home.
At first, Artin tried to get a job but was told by a doctor that at the age of around 64 he was already too old and worn out to think about working. So he stayed at home, occasionally got into heated arguments with his wife and, from time to time, accused his daughter-in-law, Araxi, of poisoning him at meal times. He was a cantankerous old man towards adults (think of Alf Garnett, from British TV's Till Death Us Do Part) but a doting grandfather to his four grandchildren: Arto, Vasken, Sylva and Alice.
The London years were a time of rest for Artin. No more running from wars, no more fleeing from genocide.
My cousin Alice remembers him teaching her to walk, and I remember him leading me into the back garden saying to me in Armenian, "Come my girl, let's go to the woods." He would reach down his old gnarled hand to my chubby little one, while in his other hand he would be holding a knife and cucumber. And down we would go to the bottom of the garden which, he would make believe were the woods, and we would sit on a bench and he would tell me stories while handing me slices of cucumber to eat. Beautiful memories.
In 1964 Artin and Liya settled in their son and daughter-in-law's home.
At first, Artin tried to get a job but was told by a doctor that at the age of around 64 he was already too old and worn out to think about working. So he stayed at home, occasionally got into heated arguments with his wife and, from time to time, accused his daughter-in-law, Araxi, of poisoning him at meal times. He was a cantankerous old man towards adults (think of Alf Garnett, from British TV's Till Death Us Do Part) but a doting grandfather to his four grandchildren: Arto, Vasken, Sylva and Alice.
The London years were a time of rest for Artin. No more running from wars, no more fleeing from genocide.
My cousin Alice remembers him teaching her to walk, and I remember him leading me into the back garden saying to me in Armenian, "Come my girl, let's go to the woods." He would reach down his old gnarled hand to my chubby little one, while in his other hand he would be holding a knife and cucumber. And down we would go to the bottom of the garden which, he would make believe were the woods, and we would sit on a bench and he would tell me stories while handing me slices of cucumber to eat. Beautiful memories.
In the early 1970s, Artin became sick. He had diverticulitis and in his last days fell prey to complications arising from pneumonia. My last memory of my grandfather was visiting him at his hospital bed. As he lay there, weak from disease, he was still the doting grandpa, and lovingly handed me a packet of fruit polos (called Lifesavers in the U.S.).
Artin Keshishian died on _____, ___, 1974 at the estimated age of 74.
Artin Keshishian died on _____, ___, 1974 at the estimated age of 74.