The Araradian orphanage was directed by Yeghishe Vartanian. It was fitted out with a shoemaking workshop in which thirty apprentices learned the trade. The orphans over sixteen were apprenticed to tradesmen in the city (woodworkers, photographers, etc.) during the day, but spent their nights in the institution. Special evening courses were organized for them. In May 1923, the orphanage created its own brass band, conducted by Lutfik Ohanian and Kevork Nalbandian. In 1924, one hundred forty-five orphans over sixteen were sent to live in Soviet Armenia; fifty-two others were admitted to Aleppo’s Giligian orphanage; as for the forty members of the brass band, they left for Ethiopia, accompanied by Nalbandian and Father Hovhannes Simeonian.52 For when the heir to the Ethiopian throne, Ras Tafari, had visited Jerusalem, he had been much impressed by the Araradian brass band, which had given a concert in his honor. He therefore suggested to both the AGBU and the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Yeghishe Turian, that the children and their professors enter his country’s service.53 Some time after they arrived in Ethiopia, however, ... Read all
The AGBU's Orphanages in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Cyprus
Brass band of the Araradian orphanage shortly before the band's departure for Ethiopia, with Patriarch Yeghishe Turian, Monastery of Saint James, 13 September 1924
(Coll. Bibl. Nubar/Paris).
Members of the Araradian orphanage's brass band, later the Ethiopian Imperial Brass Band, with the band leader, K. Nalbandian (Coll. Bibl. Nubar/Paris).
Identification cards bearing Levon Asadur's signature, issued to Mariam Torosian, 9, from Marash, wards of the Araradian orphanage (Coll. Bibl. Nubar/Paris).
Identification cards bearing Levon Asadur's signature, issued to Tavit Hayrigian, 9, from Siirt, wards of the Araradian orphanage (Coll. Bibl. Nubar/Paris).