Brantford Expositor (Ontario)
May 8, 2008 Thursday
Armenian refugee story takes stage
by Elizabeth Yates, expositor staff
Seeing his dad’s story in print was a huge thrill for Brantford’s Carl
Georgian.
Watching it come to life on stage will be unimaginably exciting, says
Georgian, who heads off to a special gala performance of The
Georgetown Boys on May 14.
The play is based on two books by Brantford author Marsha Skrypuch:
Aram’s Choice, which came out in 2006, and a sequel called Call Me
Aram, due this fall.
Both draw upon the life of Kevork Kevorkian, who was 11 in 1923 when
he left an orphanage in Greece for a new life in Georgetown,
Ont. Kevorkian was among the first 50 youngsters rescued by the
Armenian Relief Association of Canada, thus escaping a brutal massacre
that killed more than one million of his fellow Armenians.
After five years in Georgetown, he went to a farm near Hagersville as
a foster child. Eventually, Kevorkian, who changed his named to George
Georgian, settled in Dunnville, becoming a popular figure in the
community as the town milkman.
But he still went back to visit his foster parents, the Wodskows, in
Hagersville. And, on the 14th, Carl Georgian will bring his dad’s
foster brother, George Wodskow, and his wife, Odeyne, to the
gala. He’ll also watch the show with daughters Susan Georgian and
Kelly Lee.
They’ll be among a large contingent of area Armenian descendants
watching their history portrayed by 25 members of the Georgetown
Little Theatre Youth Company.
"I just think it’s wonderful," says Georgian. "I’m really excited and
so is my family. I can’t wait to go."
Naturally, Skrypuch will also be on hand for the gala, along with a
limo full of friends and family.
The adaptation of her books is "stunning," says Skrypuch, adding that
the script by Sam Hancock nicely widens the scope of the story.
Hancock, a native of Georgetown, had always been intrigued by the
history of Cedar Vale Farm, but never tracked down any firm details –
until he happened upon the story of the Georgetown Boys.
In 1923, 110 young Armenian boys aged eight to 12 where brought to
Cedar Vale Farm as part of Canada’s first international humanitarian
effort. They were taught English and trained as farmers before leaving
to carve out their own lives.
"It’s not a negative story," says Hancock, a theatre veteran who works
by day as a writer for the Ministry of Transportation. "It’s so bright
and optimistic, I can’t believe it’s not celebrated more."
He proposed a play after moving back to Georgetown and, last fall,
Georgetown Little Theatre jumped on board. Skrypuch’s books proved a
helpful base for the script, says Hancock, who also incorporated
original letters and telegrams.
The Georgetown Boys opened on May 1 and response has been
overwhelmingly positive, with local residents "stunned" to discover
the history of their community. As well, busloads of Armenian students
have come from the Toronto area to watch.
"They were really moved. They said it is nice to see Canadians telling
the Armenians’ story."
Up to 1.5 million Armenians living in the then-Ottoman Empire were
killed during and after the First World War in a genocidal campaign
mounted by the new revolutionary Turkish government. They died in
massacres and forced marches under inhumane conditions. Rape was also
commonplace.
While Georgian’s grandparents survived the massacre, two of his great
aunts did not: they were bayoneted on the street.
But, until recently, their story was largely absent from historical
record. When Skrypuch met Georgian in 1989 and set out to research his
story, she found scant mention of the massacre in any books.
Now, she has written more historical fiction about the genocide than
any other North American writer. Daughter of War, released in May,
follows the stories of Armenian teenagers Kevork and his betrothed,
Marta, who survive the genocide and live disguised as Muslims. But
Kevork is living as an Arab in Syria while Marta remains in Turkey,
pregnant with another man’s child. Marta’s sister, Mariam, meanwhile,
has been sold into slavery. Daughter of War is a sequel to 2003’s
Nobody’s Child, which was nominated for several writing awards.
The new novel is being launched with a series of events, including
receptions at the Armenian embassy in Ottawa and at community centres
in North York and Montreal.
It’s all part of a rising wave of awareness about the genocide, which
was officially recognized by the Canadian government last fall.
"Now, you cannot pick up a newspaper without reading about it," says
the author. "It’s within the public consciousness."
Skrypuch’s books have been invaluable in educating people, says
Georgian, who hopes the play becomes another way of spreading the
message.
"A lot of people don’t even know what an Armenian is. We are happy
when anybody helps tell our history."
To that end, Georgian has been working to locate Georgetown Boy
descendants and invite them to the play. It’s a tough job, as the
Armenians spread all over the globe after leaving Cedar Vale.
He also helped the play secure a donation from Armenian-owned
Alexanian Carpets. And, on the 14th, he’ll present cast members with a
special token: pins emblazoned with the flag of Armenia.
"They’ll remember this story for the rest of their lives."
ó What: The Georgetown Boys, a play based on books by Brantford author
Marsha Skrypuch
ó When: tonight through Saturday, 8 p.m., also a 2 p.m. matinee on
Saturday.
ó Where: Georgetown Little Theatre, Stewarttown, Ont.
Tickets: $10; call 905-977-3422
GALA NIGHT PERFORMANCE
ó When: May 14, 6:30 p.m. reception, performance at 8 p.m.
ó Where: John Elliot Theatre, Georgetown
Tickets: $25; call 1-905-877-3700; quote number 1923 when ordering.
The Georgetown Boys will also be mounted at the John Elliot Theatre in
Georgetown on Sept. 12-13.