SOGHOMON’S WORDS & HIS SON’S MEMORIES
Soghomon documented his extraordinary experiences in the decades following the events. From its first printing in 1953, his memoir could only be read in Soghomon's native tongue (Armenian). But Soghomon knew the importance of his story and hoped to find a translator to bring it to the English-speaking world. Sadly, he did not see it happen before his passing in 1960, but today through the efforts of Project Justice, his wishes have been fulfilled. The only authorized English translation of the Soghomon Tehlirian memoir has been completed and is being prepared for mass distribution with the blessing of his heirs.
On March 15th, 2021, exactly 100 years to the day after Soghomon pulled that trigger, I sat across from his only surviving son (now 93) to get insights into his famous father. The following is a brief excerpt that will be included in the English translation of the memoir.
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MICHAEL: "What did your father think of Turks?"
In the few years I had known him, the matter had come up a number of times. For this interview, on this special occasion, I decided to draw it out of him once again. In a Serbian-Armenian accented English, he ardently articulated:
ZAVEN: “I never heard— he spoke Turkish you know— I never heard my father say one bad thing about Turks. He never said he hates Turks. My father didn't hate anybody. And I don't hate Turks. Why should I? This is like four generations later.... [T]he only thing I hold against Turks, not what they did to my people, because the Turks didn't do it. Talât Pasha did it.... The only thing I resent is that up till today, they say it didn't happen. I mean, what kind of a nerve do you have to have to say something that is proven time and time again, with no doubt. ‘Because it was a civil war!?’ It's not even a joke. That I hold against them, period. Hate them? No. I don't hate anybody."
MICHAEL: “And those are your father's values, how he raised you?"
ZAVEN: “Exactly. That's the way he was."
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WHAT WOULD SOGHOMON WANT?
It’s the question that drives our every decision. Project Justice, LLC is designated by the Tehlirian family, as the only entity authorized to tell Soghomon’s story. The English translation of Soghomon Tehlirian's family-authorized memoir is being produced. Please complete the contact form to be updated when available.
