One hundred and three-year-old Knyaz Shirinyan is from the Alashkert district (now Eleshkirt in North-Eastern Turkey). He is the firstborn of his parents: Abraham and Khanum. The family escaped from Zrchi and crossed the Arax River in 1918.
Nothing is known about how they survived in 1915-1918, because Knyaz was still a little boy and doesn’t remember the detail. He now lives in the Janfida village in Eastern Armenia, cared for by his son Manvel. Knyaz Shirinyan has six children, 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Inside the home of Genocide survivor Knyaz Shirinyan in the Janfida village, Armenia.
Knyaz Shirinyan, 103, was born in Alashkert, Turkey. Shirinyan remembers crossing the Arax River in 1918. Very few details are known about how his family survived.
Shirinyan's great granddaughter in their house, which also has a lovely garden.
Shirinyan has six children and his descendants span four generations, including one great-great-grandchild.
A family member draws the Shirinyan family tree in their home in Janfida, Armenia.
A coffee break at the home of Knyaz Shirinyan.
Knyaz Shirinyan's grandchildren play in their home in Janfida, Armenia.
Knyaz Shirinyan, 103, makes his way back home after having his picture taken in the garden.
Shirinyan's daughter Qnarik adjusts her father's shirt.
The family portrait with the Shirinyan family tree.
Photography by Diana Markosian and Karen Mirzoyan