Nvard Sudjyan is from Van (modern day Turkey). According to her documents, she was born in 1915, but she insists that she was in fact born two years earlier, in 1913. 

Nvard's father Mkrtich was a cook who worked for rich families. A Turk warned her father about the planned massacres and the family had time to plan an escape. They were quite wealthy, as Nvard recalls. The family used the gold they had to move to Etchmiadzin and survive the Genocide. Now Nvard Sudjyan lives in Yerevan, Armenia. She has three children, two grandchildren, four great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

A portrait of Nvard Sudjyan in her home. Sudjyan was born in Van in 1913. 

Nvard Sudjyan was two years old when the genocide occurred. Her family fled to Etchmiadzin.

Sudjyan lives with her son and her daughter-in-law in their apartment in Yerevan. Her daughter-in-law, Donora, takes care of both her husband who suffered from a stroke, and Nvard. 

Nvard Sudjyan with her daughter-in-law, Donora, 70, in their home.

A portrait of Nvard Sudjyan. Sudjyan says she still remembers the stray cats in Van. Whenever she sees one on television, she remembers her childhood. 

It is mostly Nvard’s daughter-in-law Donora who takes care of her now. 

Nvard Sudjyan at the dinner table with family.

Photography by Diana Markosian and Karen Mirzoyan