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Lest We
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Megurdich
Kasparian (Churvej)
(1891 - 1987)
Born in Kharpert in 1891.
At a time when higher education for Armenians was virtually
impossible, Megurdich Kasparian was fortunate to be attending 'Telgadintzi's
Gendronagan Varjaran' (central school) in Kharpert, and graduated
from there in 1910. At 'Gendronagan', Kasparian was a student of
Bedros Manoogian (Doctor Benne, Hunchak intellectual, educator and
activist, who was hanged in 1915 at Constantinople Bayazid Square
with 19 other Hunchak revolutionaries). Benne had a profound
influence on young Megurdich, it was through his lectures that the
latter turned to the Hunchak revolutionary favour for his
intellectual expression.
When M. Kasparian arrived to the United States in 1911, he was
already a devout Hunchak thanks to Benne, and a diligent reader
and researcher thanks to the intellectual discipline that 'Telgadinzi'
is known to have put his students through. He contributed
extensively to the "Eridassard Hayastan" from 1916 until the early
70's under the pen name of 'Churvej' (meaning gush of water), his
writings include poems and analytical articles, all strongly
influenced by his immigrant’s experience and ideological-political
convention.
M. Kasparian met with Avedis Nazarbekian (SDHP co-founder) in New
York in 1922. In 1935 'Churvej' edited and published a special
edition of "Gaidz" (Name of the official publication of the SDHP
youth organisation of Constantinople in the early 1910's). He had
gathered material for publication from various Hunchak party
chapters in the US, while Arsen Gidour had helped him do the same
abroad. His book "Ten Years Under the Influence of Telgadinzi" is
a valuable record on the life and activities of the Hunchaks in
Kharpert, and their influence on students such as himself. 'Churvej'
moved to California from the East Coast in 1940 and settled in
Fresno a few years later. He worked as a printer and publisher
until his death in 1987.
On the inside cover of one of his favorite book (Raffi's "Gaidzer")
Megurdich Kasparian had made the following notation:
"Megurdich Kasparian (Churvej),
graduate of Telgadintzi's Gendronagan Varjaran Kharpert 1910. Gone
to America, 1911. Hunchakian."
That is how he would have wanted to be
remembered.
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