“Honourable” Board of Directors of the Melkonian Educational Institute,

If someone had told me 30 years ago that Melkonian would not be any more, or that, at best, it only had 30 years’ life, I would as a graduate that year, say that it was an unimaginable concept. 

A world without Melkonian?  The Middle East without Melkonian?  How would our future generations learn about our language, history, culture, traditions?  How would they know about Gomidass’ compositions which musical experts still can’t explain, they are so unique. How would they know about Ganachian, Hekimian, Bedelian, Apkarian, to name a few of the unending row of musical geniuses who were the privilege of a few decades of students to study, absorb and enjoy. (Ask anyone who has sung in Bedelian’s or Apkarian’s choirs to recount their experiences.  Ask them mostly to recount the number of encores we used to get at both Armenian and non-Armenian audience concerts.  A choir composed of schoolchildren.  A choir Greek Cypriots still talk about).

No, I would have told them that Armenians all over the world would not allow it.   I would have said that 30 years was a long time and anything could happen till then.

Has the world changed so much in 30 years that now it is a bunch of money grabbing, gold digging ARMENIANS  half-way across the globe (one of them a Melkoniantsi – shame on him!) that are closing this sacred hub of Armenian Hope?  I really cannot understand how people can be so greedy that not only will they not hesitate to compromise the academic future (their beloved expression, by the way, by which they excuse everything they do) of the current students, but that of the many future potential candidates as well.

Do you, greedy Herods, think that the Melkonian Brothers would have been happy with the bloody mess you have created, covering up one lie with another, one botched up job with another, just to reach your goal – close Melkonian, sell it off and get your share?  Is this why they entrusted you with it?  You shameless vultures!  You think getting filthy rich at the cost of ruining so many young Armenian’s futures is okay?  Hey, if Bush can bombard Iraq claiming he is ridding the world of terrorism, so can you do this! Right?  Well, it hasn’t taken people like Berj Setrakian, who aren’t even second generation Americans, to convert to that “great”, all engulfing American dream – suck the rest of the world dry, forgetting your roots and where you really come from.  How many more cars can you own and drive Mr. Setrakian?  How many houses more? How much more fine clothing can you wear? How about the rest of the “honourable” Board? How long do you think you are going to live?  Is it worth “blood staining” your reputation?

In one single stroke, you, "distinguished” ladies and gentlemen, have managed to defile and soil that most noble of institutions – the Armenian General Benevolent Union.  Parekordzagan has become Charekordzagan!

If the curse of the Melkonian Brothers souls does not get you, I am sure at least, that the collective negative energy of the parents of the Melkonian students, the students themselves, past Melkoniantsis and sympathizers will!

Sleep well shameless hyenas!