Death of the last survivor of the genocide in Italy

On Saturday, February 16, died at 98 years old, Sergio ( Sarkis ) Musceghian, the last survivor of the Armenian Genocide in Cerchiara (Calabria), Italy. Born on November 4, 1916, Sergio was taken and raised by Italian missionaries in an institute in Rhodes while walking in the streets of Constantinople at the age of four years old. he lived much of his life between Puglia and Calabria where he ended his days. In his eulogy to Sarkis, Cerchiara Mayor Antonio Carlomagno, paid tribute to the man "of great dignity and moral rectitude".

"Community of Cerchiara di Calabria had the pleasure and honor of meeting during memorial moments of this great tragedy of the Armenian people, still waiting for justice in history and men. We were honored to meet with him and the history of his people. Sarkis thank you, "said Mayor Antonio Carlomagno.

In the last years of his life, Sarkis Musceghian, devoted much of his time to discuss the fate of the Armenian people, especially during the commemorations of the 24th April. "I can not miss an opportunity when we speak of the fate of my people." he said.

After living in the village "Nor Arax (Bari), he directed his wife Maryam and her daughter Varthui, plant oriental rugs (1952-1982).

Bari inaugurated in January 2013, a monument (Khatckar) in tribute to the victims of the Young Turk government in 1915.

Jean Eckian / Paris  /   jeaneckian@gmail.com