The Hamazkayin Anjar Baruyr Sevag Chapter Executive Board held a book launch for Varouj Chilingirian’s Can't Believe I'm Alive, on February 7, 2026, at the Musa Ler Hall of the National Haratch School in the presence of a large crowd of book lovers.
Opening the event, Sebuh Boyadjian reflected on the pleasure found in reading and emphasized the importance of books and the irreplaceable accumulation of knowledge derived from them. After presenting the biography of Varouj Chilingirian, a son of Anjar, he invited Yesayi Havatian to discuss the substance of the book.
Havatian spoke in depth about the book's narrative, suggesting that this series of very interesting real-life events could easily be converted into a film. The story of the book centers on an unexpected meeting and clash between the author and a radical Islamist, and the continuation of a dialogue that reveals endless surprising events. While these events are linked, on one hand, to human psychology, they depict, on the other hand, daily life in the midst of regional social, economic, and political chaos. Noting that the guarantee of a book's success is its ability to captivate the reader, Yesayi Havatian congratulated the author.
Zakar Keshishian, chairperson of the Hamazkayin Central Executive Board, also shared a testimonial. Highlighting both the substantive and educational nature of the book—written in accessible English—he considered it a novel that rivals the work of many authors of international renown. He remarked that the book is not merely easy to adapt into a film, but feels as though it were written as a ready-made screenplay.
A book-blessing ceremony then took place, led by Father Varoujan Hergelian and in the presence of Father Ezekyel Sellumian, the mayor of Anjar, and the representative of the Anjar “Garmir Ler” Gomideh.
The author, Varouj Chilingirian, shared heartfelt remarks. Reflecting on the importance of the Armenian village of Anjar, where he passed the most important formative stage of his life, he expressed his gratitude first to all the organizations and communities that preserve this beautiful village, and then to all those who contributed to the event celebrating his book.
The event concluded with a reception. The entire proceeds from the book sales were donated to the cultural work of Hamazkayin.
