The Melkonian is not for sale’

AGBU action will be seen as “hostile”, says Education Committee Chairman, as Alumni prepare for legal battle

Phileleftheros daily – Thursday, March 25, 2004

NICOSIA – Marie Somakian is 75 years old. 58 years ago, in 1946, she graduated from the Melkonian. Yesterday, she found herself in the school grounds once again, to express her opposition to the decision of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) to shut down the historical school. Elizabeth Torossian is barely 16. She should normally graduate in 2006. By then, however, there will be no Melkonian, unless the AGBU revises its plans.

Old graduates, students, parents and teaching staff, gathered yesterday afternoon in the school’s grounds. “Melkonian is not for sale” was the main theme of the demonstrators, as most, if not all of those present, did not hesitate to say that the only reason the AGBU decided to close the school, is to be able to sell the land that belongs to it [the school].

The same opinion is shared by most political parties, as well as the House Education Committee. All the parliamentarians present, seem to have been convinced that the Melkonian will shut its doors for financial reasons.

“Education and culture are being sacrificed at the altar of money,” was a characteristic statement by the MP for AKEL, Andros Kyprianou. As he said, “we are on the side of the Armenians,” emphasizing that the school has bonded with the traditions of the country.

For his part, the chairman of the parliamentary committee for Education and DISY (Democratic Rally) MP Prodromos Prodromou, noted that the House [of Representatives] is preparing a resolution, through which it will express its opposition to the AGBU’s decision. He furthermore added that in case the Union either persists on this decision, or otherwise attempts to change the school’s property, then this action will be regarded as hostile by all parliamentarians of his committee. Mr. Prodromou added that his committee will ask the government to speed up the process to ratify the Melkonian buildings as protected national heritage monuments, and at the same time declare all the the land as one of national historical importance.

Expressing his support to the Armenian people, Michalis Papapetrou of the United Democrats stated that the aim is for the AGBU to reconsider its “unreasonable decision.”

The Armenian representative in parliament too, Bedros Kalaydjian, added that the said decision is condemnatory.

After the brief speeches, the participants of the protest demonstration laid flowers at the mausoleum of the Melkonian brothers. Holding placards that said “78 year culture for sale”, “second genocide” and “Melkonian is ours” all present wished that the school not be closed.

In the meantime and according to the Vice Chairman of the Alumni Association, Masis der Parthogh, a legal battle is expected to start soon against the AGBU, both here in Cyprus as well as in New York (where it is based).

(Translated from Greek)