Aharon Manukyan was born on March 20, 1914 in the Kendananc village in Van. Aharon was only one year old when his family had to leave home. He has no memories of those days, but his mother Mariam told him that she had managed to escape with her three sons: Aharon, Meliqset and Vahram.
Aharon’s father died during the battle for Van. “When we were crossing the river, the water was bright red and the torrent carried corpses,” Aharon’s mother told him. Mariam hid the family’s valuables in her father’s grave in Van and set out on foot for Etchmiadzin with her three children. There, she had to beg for food to keep the children alive. Soon she had to take her children to an orphanage in Alexandropol (now Gyumri) and return to Etchmiadzin to look for work. The orphanage was run by an American couple who wanted to adopt Aharon and his brothers with the intention of taking them to the United States. His mother was offered gold in exchange for letting Aharon go, but she refused. Mariam found a job and brought her children back home.
Aharon’s mother always wanted him to become a hunter so he would have legal grounds to own a gun. She thought that in case of danger, he would thus be able to protect the family. Aharon Manukyan, 101, has four children, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and lives in Yerevan, Armenia.
Outside the house where the Genocide survivor Aharon Manukyan lives.
Aharon Manukyan spends most of his days watching television. He doesn’t like speaking about the past.
Aharon's shotgun. He did become a hunter, fulfilling his mother’s wish.
Aharon Manukyan holds his passport. He was born in Turkey.
A portrait of Aharon's mother, Mariam, who hid the family's valuables in her father's grave in Van.
Aharon makes his way to his bedroom with the help of his daughter Gayane.
Aharon in his bedroom just before he goes to sleep.
Aharon Manukyan in his bedroom.
Inside the Manukyans’ apartment, which Aharon shares with his wife Hripsime and their daughter Gayane.
Photography by Diana Markosian and Karen Mirzoyan