PROHLA, a volunteer group under the Haigazian University-based Armenian Diaspora Research Center (ADRC), launched its first public event on Tuesday, May 20, marking the 100th anniversary of the Ghazir Armenian Orphanage for the Blind.
In his welcome, ADRC Director Dr. Antranik Dakessian described the event as an “act of gratitude to all those who contributed to the improvement of the orphans and granted them the privilege of dreaming about their future.” He emphasized that the Ghazir orphanage symbolizes the great exodus of orphans following the Armenian Genocide and their reconnection to their homeland, calling it a “heroic account of reconstructing a nation from the remnants of its orphans.”
PROHLA member Maestro Krikor Allozian introduced 10 posters depicting various aspects of Ghazir village and its orphanage. Mrs. Maria Bakalian displayed a small rug inscribed with “Pari Yegak (you are welcome)” and shared its journey from Ghazir to Beirut, Canada, the USA, and back to Beirut. She noted that it had been passed down through generations and always held a place in the home.
Dr. Rima Nasrallah, academic dean of the Near East School of Theology, highlighted the transformative role of orphanages. Quoting James Barton, she recalled the “hollow look” in the eyes of the 132,000 orphans, contrasting the Turkish policy of assimilation with Near East Relief’s (NER) focus on empowerment-education, character building, social development, and vocational training. She noted that 1,400 orphans were trained in rug weaving, producing 3,240 rugs in six years. “Each rug contained millions of knots,” she said, “connecting the girls to their culture, to each other, and giving them pride and dignity. These knots are their history-written in rugs.”
A five-minute documentary followed, depicting life in the orphanage. PROHLA member Maitre Alex Karabadjakian then presented a leaflet titled “Orphanages and school-like institutions in Lebanon that housed Armenian orphans (1880s–1930s),” and announced plans to create a comprehensive database on legacy of the Lebanese Armenian community, urging public contributions.
In closing, HU President Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian thanked the organizers and stressed the need for continued archival work: “Much of the archive remains unrecorded and undiscussed. Collaboration among all stakeholders is essential-it begins with each of us and extends to the institutions that ran the orphanages.”