Family of ethnically Armenian Firez Keşişan moved to Serêkaniyê during the Armenian genocide of 1928. Since that day, he is still living in Serêkaniyê and serving as a church priest.

Keşişan spoke to ANF about the war experienced in Serêkaniyê in 2011, and the life in the lands of Rojava, West Kurdistan.

Keşişan stated that their arrival and settlement in Serêkaniyê was because of its location close to the border, and that his ancestors were influenced by the stance of the peoples there, telling the followings:

“With the Armenian genocide of 1928, my grandfather moved to Serêkaniyê. He came here because he did not want to move very far away from the border. When they first came here, my family was greatly influenced by the fraternity of the peoples here, their love for their land and valuing each other. This is why Serêkaniyê is of great value to us. We have been through some difficulties during these recent years but Serêkaniyê is still as valuable and beautiful as how our ancestors told and left it to us. After coming here, my ancestors started building a school and church because they did not want the Armenian people to forget their history and culture. In the meantime, they received much support from the people here. I remember my ancestors say 'all the peoples here were providing us support when we needed anything'. In other words, the people here rushed to help my ancestors yet before they asked for help. Assyrian, Arab, Kurdish, Circassian and all the other peoples living in Serêkaniyê were living this way. They gave all the support for the construction of schools and churches for Armenians.

“THE GOODNESS AND STANCE OF PEOPLES DEFEATED ALL THE EVIL”

Regarding the war that erupted in Serêkaniyê in 2011, Firez Keşişyan said they experienced quite challenging times of battle but stressing that the peoples here manifested a very strong solidarity among each other. He continued as follows:

“I can describe the gangs' entering Serêkaniyê only as 'like pouring cold water on a hot substance'. There was no doctor, no hospital, no bakery or anything else left here. When I went to the church, I saw that gangs had also broken into it.

During all those times here, I have never left the church, I did not go to my shop and my home even. Only once did I have to go to Hesekê to buy medicine for my brother and I took my leave of all the family members before heading to Hesekê. Apart from that, I never left the church and I always stayed in it, even when I had no cigarette to smoke and no food to eat. All the people here started to bring me food and water when they learned about my situation. As I have always said, the people of Serêkaniyê regained their freedom and lands because they are very good people. There were many challenges but that much humanity also emerged here. Despite all the evil, humanity and the goodness of the people has triumphed eventually.”

“THE LEAVE OF OUR FRIENDS HURT US MORE THAN THE DEMOLITION OF HOUSES”

Firaz Keşişan stated that the people of Serêkaniyê regained their lands after YPG came and liberated their city, saying that the only thing left from the gangs were demolished houses and ruins.

Keşişan continued, speaking about the people who left home and headed to other lands in order to save their lives:

“Many of them were afraid and this probably created a perception that the Christians are coward. All human do fear, there exists none that does not. Of course, Christians should not fear as our faith tells us not to fear. Jesus faced the death without fear.

YPG forces finally liberated us and our city. What was left behind from the gangs was just demolished houses and ruins. What hurt us was not that though; it was the leave of our friends one by one. They left everything behind and fled to Europe. They were all very good people whom I will never forget.

Many of those people left the doors of their houses open as they left here. Those remaining here locked all those doors one by one and gave the keys to house owners. If it weren't for those people, many things would have been gone by now.”

Keşîşan noted that they re-built their church despite all the demolition and difficulties, and worshiped there despite all the inadequacies.

“ASSIMILATION IS ALSO A MASSACRE”

Also commenting on the assimilation faced by the displaced migrants, Keşişan said the Armenians had an experience in this regard as they were forced to leave their land and this migration was heavier than physical genocide.

Keşîşan continued: “The Armenians did not only suffer a physical genocide with sword. The assimilation faced by the Armenians in Europe and anywhere else is also a genocide. Our ancestors lived for their children, and I am also living for my children today. This is a tradition of ours. The children of those that migrated to Europe are not theirs. If our children are not ours, why would I ever live in this world then? Each child of those displaced takes form according to the state where they live. Saving your life does not have a much meaning. Jesus says that we will revive once we die.

Many have gone, from Armenians, Syriacs and Kurds. We had gotten used to each other very much. When there occurred a death, we would mourn all together and when there was a celebration, we would celebrate all together. In the event of mourning, we would cancel all the celebrations. This was how we had learned to live. I have some interest in music and I gave training to 15-20 people on it. When the imam recites the azan, I keep dealing with music. This is how we live, we respect each other.

True, we are being through challenges at the moment as we are in a war environment and facing a lack of water, power and other needs. The comfort of Europe does not interest me because it is not mine. These lands are the lands of our ancestors and bear their smell. Despite all the inadequacies and and deficiencies, these lands are more beautiful than everywhere else.

In another place, you may have your food served ready to you but your children are not yours. It has no meaning to save your own life alone.

If you cannot be water, then be a well, if you cannot be a well, then be a bucket, if not that, then be a tie, and if you cannot be anything, then do something for the people.

For instance, if you get ill here, tens of people take care of you and serve you as a doctor. Everyone asks and wonders about your state of health. However, once you leave here, you will have nobody there, and you will never have the comfort you have here, in your own lands.”

Firez Keşişan lastly called on those who left their lands to turn back home, and wished the best for these lands.