103-year-old Armenian Genocide survivor calls for recognition

PanARMENIAN.Net - Heghine Minasian considers her life miraculous on two accounts. First, that she survived a horrific genocide in her village of Kharpet. And second, that she’s still alive and kicking at the ripe age of 103, The Armenian Weekly reports.

Heghine doesn’t look upon herself as a poster child of her generation. Nor any great geriatric wonder as the city’s oldest Genocide survivor. Instead, she prefers a more subtle role, away from unnecessary fanfare, the report says.

She’s content living an independent lifestyle in the comfort of her own home, but when it comes time to speak her piece about the massacre, Heghine is most opinionated. If President Obama is in the area, this is one person he may want to avoid.

“Obama promised us recognition and delivered us empty words,” she says. “It bothers me and all other Armenians, too. He failed to live up to his promises.”

In the background is daughter Alice Kanaley, who is not surprised by her mother’s actions. She’s heard this before, including publicly two years ago when Heghine was given the keys to the city by the Worcester mayor. A TV station was on hand to document the event and interviewed the woman.

In accepting the honor, Heghine used the moment to remind everyone about her feelings and how Armenians should band together in the name of unity for greater impact.

As the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide rolls around in three years, Heghine may not live to see 106. But she offers this message to those who will.

“Stick together,” she says with conviction. “Remain strong and fight for recognition. Above all, keep our culture and history alive by practicing it every day.”