“God left me alive so I could tell the story” These words whispered by Ovsanna Kaloustian echo down this very alley bearing her name. Allée Ovsanna Kaloustian. A quiet lane in Marseille a testament to a life lived through unimaginable hardship.
This unassuming alleyway tells a story of resilience. It’s a tribute to Ovsanna Kaloustian a 106-year-old woman one of the last survivors of the Armenian genocide of 1915. Her life a harrowing journey from Adabazar near Istanbul to finding refuge here in Marseille.
Imagine young Ovsanna eight years old. A Sunday morning. Her mother returns from church. The priest’s announcement shatters their world: the city will be emptied in three days. Forced deportation. A journey on foot south and east. Cattle cars. The Syrian desert. Years spent in makeshift camps and hiding in the countryside. A childhood stolen. A family scattered.
After the armistice in 1918 her family tried to return home. Their house was burned to the ground. More displacement. Istanbul was a brief respite. In 1924 some family members sailed to the United States. Four years later Ovsanna arrived in Marseille. Under a December snow she started a new life. She worked as a seamstress supporting herself. She married Zave Kaloustian another survivor. They opened a small grocery store. They built a life.
But the memories never faded. The horrors of the genocide remained deeply etched in her soul. Allée Ovsanna Kaloustian is more than just a street name. It’s a reminder of the strength she embodied. A symbol of hope for the Armenian community in Marseille. Ten percent of this city’s population descends from survivors of that genocide. Ovsanna’s legacy lives on. Her tireless fight against the denial of the genocide continues to inspire.
She shared her story until the very end. Her words a powerful testament. The stories she told are a living history. They ensure that the horrors of the past are never forgotten. As you stand here remember Ovsanna. Remember her life. Remember her resilience. Remember the weight of her words. Remember the profound impact of the Armenian genocide. Remember the countless lives lost. Allée Ovsanna Kaloustian is a powerful symbol. It stands as a testament to her unwavering spirit. A symbol of survival hope and remembrance.