Since February 2012, the gatherings of the Book Lovers’ Group of the Hamazkayin Klatsor Chapter (Toronto, Canada) have succeeded in presenting us the richness of the Armenian literature, giving us a chance to leave our daily hectic routines behind and revel in the works of our writers.
Thus, previous gatherings organized by the Group have given us the opportunity to admire and get inspired by the writings of such Armenian authors and poets as Vahan Derian, Siamanto, Avetis Aharonian, Antranig Dzarugian, Hagop Baronian, Hamo Sahyan, Vahagn Davtyan, and Hovhannes Tumanyan.
On Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 2:30 p.m., a group of book lovers was gathered to hear Gilda Kebabjian. Gilda had selected her topic from among the works of Armenian female writers, and Sibil (Zabel Asadour, 1863–1934), a native of Sgudar, had drawn her attention.
The event opened by Meghety Mnatsaganian, a member of the Literary Committee and Book Lovers’ Group, who invited her classmate, Gilda Kebabjian, to take the floor.
Born in Beirut, Gilda attended the kindergartens of Armenian National Schools Chatalbashian and Souren Khanamirian. Afterwards, she continued her education at the Armenian Relief Society’s (ARS) Daily School in Toronto. She completed her high-school education at the Senator O’Conner College School. She then received a BBA with honors from the School of Administrative Studies of York University, after which she chose to specialize in accounting and received a CMA certification. She now works as a certified accountant. She is also an active member of youth associations functioning in the Toronto Armenian Center.
Gilda opened her presentation with Arshag Chobanian’s following words on the literature of Zabel Asadour: “She wrote the most delicate and the most harmonious poems in Armenian — lines that have the delicacy of lace and crape, in which the touch of a woman’s fingers is apparent.”
The clear intonation with which Gilda spoke charmed everyone. She presented Sibil’s biography. Born as Zabel Khanjian, Sibil was one of the founders of an association of Armenian women, called “Azkanver Hayuhyats Enkerutiun” (in Armenian), whose goal was to open Armenian girls’ schools in Constantinople and the heavily Armenian populated provinces of the Ottoman Empire. During the Armenian Genocide, the association also provided relief and care for Armenian orphans. Sibil was fluent in French. Following the death of her first husband, Garabed Donelian, a lawyer, Sibil married writer Hrant Asadour. Together, they published “Tankaran” (Museum), a series of textbooks. As a seasoned teacher of Armenian language, Sibil has contributed to the education of several generations. She had started writing at an early age. Her anthology of poems was published with the title “Tsolker” (Glimmers). She has also published the novel “Aghtchgan Meh Sirde” (A Girl’s Heart) and a collection of short stories titled “Gnotch Hokiner” (Souls of Women). Sibil has also a number of translated works and a series of articles on the advancement of women’s rights. She is considered as one of the Armenian Realist writers. Referring to Sibil’s style of writing, Gilda quoted Krikor Zohrab’s following description of the female author: “Her prose is poetry and her poems are like novels.”
Sibil is mostly known as a poet. With great emotions, Gilda recited one of Sibil’s poems, “Dzovoun” (To the Sea), where the delicacy and genuineness of her literary style are evident. Afterwards, Gilda read two excerpts from the poem “Antsnelou Mod” (About to Pass), which convey Sibil’s close bond with nature. Next, Gilda took us back to our school years through the poem “Hay Lezoun” (The Armenian Language), where Sibil extols her “sweet mother tongue.”
Sibil is one of the greatest Armenian female writers. Besides her literary and artistic merits, she has played a great role as an activist, an educator, and a pioneering advocate for the Armenian women’s rights movement, thus continuing and developing the path started by writer and activist Srbouhi (Vahanian) Dussap.
Toward the end of the event, on behalf of the Literary Committee, Meghety Mnatsaganian presented a souvenir to Gilda Kebabjian, thanking her for her high-quality presentation.
Gilda’s presentation increased the attendees’ interest in the works of Armenian female writers. It will hopefully lead many of them to further read and explore their works, especially those of Sibil, who, according to Nazareth Berberian, “did not only create her own works, but also played a pioneering role in the Constantinople-based intellectual and literary movement.”
Tamar Donabedian-Kouzouyian