Mary Terzian's recent book

Author: Mary Terzian                                           

E-mail: Nayri@aol.com                

Web:    www.authorsden/maryterzian

Social circles: Facebook, Linkedin

 The Hybrid generation

Los Angeles –10 July 2015 - According the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ 2013 Report, “More people live outside their country of birth today than at any time in history, and the numbers of people who move across international borders are expected to continue to rise in the future.” Such reports present valuable statistics of historical facts. However, the individual emotional and physical hurdles endured by transplanted immigrants remain undisclosed unless expressed through stories which are usually painful, diaries that are kept hidden, or through written memoirs to lend voice to the integration process.

Terzian’s Memoir, “Politically Homeless: A Five-year Odyssey across Three Continents” - published by Author House, depicts the universal struggles of immigrants through Terzian’s personal story. She is one of the first generation Armenians born in the diaspora in Cairo, to displaced parents from Turkey. A large segment of the community constitutes immigrants, escapees from the genocide taking place in the Ottoman Empire, during and after World War I. Egypt was hospitable to the refugees. She grows up in an Armenian environment of school, church and community, and in a family strictly abiding by ethnic traditions. The oncoming World War II, with midnight alerts to rush to the shelters, then Israel’s independence, the turmoil in internal politics and the transition from Kingdom to Republic bring in a tumultuous era in Egypt’s history. After graduating English High school Terzian is denied access to college. “What does a woman need college education for?” is the prevalent attitude at the time but Terzian knows better. “I can and I will” is a motto she learned in her English high school and adopted for life. 

Soon Arabic is declared the main language for communications, diminishing the need for English and French languages, Terzian’s forte. Her Arabic knowledge is scant. Consequently her career aspirations shrink. A mass exodus starts. Most Europeans return to their countries of origin. Armenians do not have a homeland to go to. Terzian secures employment with the United Nations World Health Organization in Alexandria, where English is still in use. Her resistance to change gradually melts in that multicultural environment. Her French knowledge facilitates her expatriate assignments to Congo and Togo. Her epic journey, through eighteen countries for fun, family visits and search for a niche, reinforce her appreciation of other cultures and her desire for higher education. She realizes her dreams of attending college in the United States. She eventually becomes a hybrid American, with dual allegiance to her ethnic origins and the United States. They are not mutually exclusive.

“Politically Homeless . . .,” published by Author House, offers a peek into the universal struggles of immigrants through Terzian’s personal story. The book is posted at Amazon.com and its affiliates in several countries. The first six chapters of the e-book version can be read online. The author’s web presence includes www.Authorsden.com/maryterzian,  Facebook and Linkedin. Her other involvements, including TV (in Armenian) and interviews online can be picked up with the keyword: Mary Terzian. 

Posted by: Sebouh Baghdoyan <sebouh@baghdoyan.net>