The Vartanian Institute

Author: Ani Voskanyan, 16/11/24 (Last modified 16/11/24) - Translator: Simon Beugekian

In 1867, the prelate of the diocese of Ayntab, Senior Priest Father Krikoris Apartian, led the celebrations of the Vartanants Holiday in the courtyard of the city’s Holy Mother-of-God Church. The event was organized by Hovhanness Kurkdjianoff and the chairman of the neighborhood board of trustees, Nigoghos Agha Nazaretian. To immortalize the memory of this event, it was decided to merge the city’s various Armenian national/educational organizations (the Ousoumnasirats Museum, the Lsaran, etc.) into a single society. This society, in memory of the Vartanants Holiday, was called the Srpots Vartanants Tankaran Ungeroutyun [The Saint Vartanants Museum Society]. Father Krikoris Apartian was chosen as the first president of this new society, Nigoghos Nazaretian as its chairman, and Hovhannes Lousararian as its secretary. [1]

The Saint Vartanants Museum Society was dissolved a short while later and became the Vartanants Society. [2] Its leaders included Garabed Nazarian, Kevork Sulahian, Khachadour Bogharian, Hovhannes Yaghubian, Hagop Terzibashian, Garabed Yaghsuzian, Avedis Der Bedrosian, Avedis Der Melkonian, and others. The organization’s bylaws stipulated the following:

1. a) The payment of at least one coin in membership dues per week.
2. b) The establishment of a night school that would operate at least three nights per week, to teach reading to the illiterate.
3. c) Speaking Armenian would be a condition.
4. d) Members would work to ensure the implementation of the National Constitution and the betterment of the Armenian Church.
5. e) The establishment of a separate girls’ school to provide domestic and family education.
6. f) The establishment of a private school, whenever funds became available, to provide free education to orphaned and indigent children. [3]

According to the Arevelk [Orient] newspaper of Constantinople, the Vartanian Society was created by a group of locals who were “active supporters of education,” with the aim of expanding the teaching of the Armenian language and improving the local educational system. The society’s first public initiative was the founding of the Vartanian Institute in 1882, which was a badge of honor for its founders, as it became “the greatest of the schools in Cilicia.” [4]

The Vartanian Society enjoyed a stellar reputation across Cilicia, and according to the accounts of contemporaries, it fully deserved this reputation. Thanks to its efforts, the instruction of the Armenian language expanded greatly in Ayntab. The theatrical productions that it organized significantly contributed to raising the educational level of the population. Thanks to the society’s efforts, Armenian literature became firmly established in Ayntab, including the periodical press, [5] in addition to the various newspapers written and published by the faculty and pupils of the institute, which were disseminated widely. The society’s activities were truly instrumental in the advancement of the Armenian educational system in Ayntab.

In the late 19th century, Father Ghevont Der Nahabedian described the Vartanian Society as the preeminent Armenian organization in Ayntab. [6]

In 1878, the Vartanian Society launched its Sunday lecture series/lecture hall. It also occasionally organized theatrical performances to generate income. Moreover, the society created the first investment cooperative in Ayntab, called the Personal Society, which operated until 1875. Stocks were sold for a single mejide each, yielding a total capital of 400 Ottoman pounds. Cooperative grocery stores were opened in three neighborhoods of the city (Eblahan, Baluklu, and Kala Altu), where all members of the cooperative could shop. Soon after it was founded, the number of members of the cooperative exceeded 300. In 1892, five members of the Vartanian Society – Nazaret Manoushagian, Sarkis Khachadourian, Hagop Hamalian, Movses Leylegian, and Tavit Barsoumian – founded a new cooperative, which operated until 1895. [7]

The night school envisioned by the Vartanian Society was established quickly, as a continuation of the work of the Tankaranayin [Museum] Society, founded in 1858. This night school offered many tradesmen the opportunity to further their education. In 1874, instead of a girls’ school, the society founded the Vartaniants Mesrobian Wards’ School, which operated as a day school. As the organization did not own a suitable building in which the school could be housed, the neighborhood council [8] arranged for it to operate in the building of the parochial Nersesian School. In its first year of existence, enrollment in the school stood at 30 pupils, each of whom paid 30 mejide as a tuition fee. In the following year, enrollment doubled, and the school operated in the home of Toros Douzdjian, in the church neighborhood. Pilobos Sarkisian, a graduate of the Nubar-Shahnazarian School of Constantinople, was appointed schoolmaster. [9]

The Vartaniants Mesrobian Wards’ School was suitably furnished and equipped with modern desks and seating. Instruction was provided based on a standard educational curriculum. The pupils were taught catechism, mathematics, Armenian, Turkish, French, aesthetics/arts, and scientific subjects. Athletics and physical education were taught for the first time as part of this school’s curriculum, and various forms of punishment were banned. Initially, the pupils of the Wards’ School were taught by the teachers of the city’s Verin [Upper] School, and later, by the teachers of the boarding school, including Vahan Kurkdjian. [10]

The pupils of the Vartaniants Mesrobian Wards’ School (known locally as Vartanas Sanos Varjaran) were relatively proficient Armenian speakers. The names of all pupils were Armenized, following the example of the boarding school of the Catholicos of Cilicia, Mgrdich Kefsizian. The pupils wore uniforms that bore the school’s initials: “V. M. S. V.” (in Armenian). [11]

The Vartaniants Mesrobian Wards’ School closed in 1878. But after a few years, it was revived with entirely new facilities and a new educational program, becoming the Vartanian Institute. [12]

The Vartanian Institute had a unique significance in the history of Armenian education in Ayntab. Many of its graduates became the vanguards of Armenian cultural, educational, and economic progress in the city.

The Vartanian Institute was founded thanks to the financial patronage of Kalousd Ghazarian, the renowned Armenian merchant and philanthropist. The institute’s first headmaster was Vahan Kurkdjian, the celebrated author and intellectual. [13]

The curriculum of the Vartanian Institute was designed in alignment with the standards developed by the Educational Council of the Armenian Central Executive Board (for more on this council, see Ayntab – Schools (Part A)). The school’s five-year curriculum is detailed below.

The curriculum of the Vartanian Institute in 1882: [14]

Year One

Armenian – modern Armenian grammar; translating modern Armenian into Turkish; essay writing.
Ottoman Turkish – reading and orthography.
French – learning letters and words.
English – learning letters and words.
Catechism – history of the Old Testament.
History – national history.
Geography – political geography.
Ousoghoutyun (geometry and mathematics) – conceptual mathematics.
Natural Science – an overview of natural history.
Ethics – the rules of polite behavior.
Calligraphy and drawing. Music. Athletics/physical education.

Year Two

Armenian – classical Armenian grammar; translating classical Armenian into modern Armenian; simple essay writing.
Ottoman Turkish – orthography and translation.
French – translation, dialogue practice.
English – translation, dialogue practice.
Catechism – early Christian priesthood, history of the New Testament.
History – Ottoman history and history of ancient civilizations.
Geography – Ottoman geography.
Ousoghoutyun (geometry and mathematics) – practical mathematics.
Natural Science – anatomy, health.
Ethics – societal duties.
Calligraphy and drawing. Music. Athletics/physical education.

Year Three
Armenian – analysis and interpretation of ancient and modern historical documents.
Ottoman Turkish – grammar and essay writing.
French – grammar, translation.
English – grammar, translation.
Catechism – didactic Christianity.
History – history of the Middle Ages.
Geography – natural and astronomical geography.
Ousoghoutyun (geometry and mathematics) – accountancy.
Natural Science – biology.
Ethics – personal responsibilities.
Calligraphy and drawing. Music. Athletics/physical education.

Year Four

Armenian – literary analysis, essay writing.
Ottoman Turkish – analysis of historical documents.
French – analysis, translation.
English – analysis, translation.
Catechism – history of the Armenian Church.
History – history of modern nations; contemporary history.
Political Economy – basic knowledge.
Ousoghoutyun (geometry and mathematics) – accountancy.
Natural Science – physics.
Jurisprudence – principles of Ottoman law.
Calligraphy and drawing. Music. Athletics/physical education.

Year Five

Armenian – literary analysis, interpretation of ancient and modern historical documents, essay writing.
Ottoman Turkish – analysis, editing of official documents.
French – literary analysis.
English – literary analysis.
History – history of civilization and philosophy.
Philosophy – foundations of psychology, logic, and ethics.
Jurisprudence – principles of Ottoman law; the National Constitution.
Commerce – bookkeeping.
Natural Science – foundations of geology and chemistry.
Calligraphy and drawing. Music. Athletics/physical education.

This five-year curriculum was followed by a “supplemental grade,” consisting of six months of instruction, during which pupils received additional general education and prepared for their final examinations and dissertations. [15]

“The Names of the Students of the Vartanian Institute.” This list of the institute’s students (a total of 54 names) was printed in 1884 in Pounch, Arachin Nver hAshagerdats Vartanian Grtaranin Ayntabi (Constantinople, Nshan G. Berberian Printing House, 1884, pp. 30-32).

Additionally, the pupils of the Vartanian Institute participated in a course called “oratorical exercises,” which aimed to correct mistakes in wording, gestures, and expression while speaking. There was also a program called “educational battle,” in which two teams of pupils, called “examiners” and “examinees,” tested each other on a list of pre-prepared questions. Moreover, the school schedule included a “children’s assembly” – one hour per week, during which conversations were held with the pupils about moral and scientific issues. [16]

Pounch, Arachin Nver hAshagerdats Vartanian Grtaranin Ayntabi [Posy: First Gift to the Students of the Vartanian Institute of Ayntab], an illustrated booklet published by the Vartanian Institute in Armenian and Armenian-lettered Turkish, states that the first academic term of the institute began in February 1882. The booklet also states that in the following school year, the institute planned to teach the students in its upper grades Turkish (Ottoman), Armenian, French, geometry, general history, drawing, and music. Other subjects that were slated to be added to the curriculum included biology, Ottoman history, bookkeeping, commercial geography, and political economy. The graduating class would also be taught natural science, literature, philosophy, and Ottoman law. [17]

In the 1883-1884 school year, the faculty of the Vartanian Institute consisted of: Father Movses Jamgochian, who taught catechism; Hagop Terzibashian, who taught biblical history and also served as the general supervisor; Aram Khacherian, who taught music; Arsen Haroutyunian, who taught physical science, arithmetic, and calligraphy; Krikor Boghosian, who taught Ottoman Turkish; Pilibbos Sarkisian, who taught geometry and accountancy; Nigoghos Simonian, who taught drawing and zoology; Hovsep Svadjian (from Constantinople), who taught Armenian language and history; Yeghia Der Ghazarian, who taught French; and Vahan Kurkdjian, who taught geography, history, and natural sciences. [18]

In 1884, the institute moved into its own building, which contributed to its quick expansion and growth. The new building had a large ground-level hall, seven classrooms, and a relatively large courtyard. Also in 1884, after graduating from the College of Central Turkey in Ayntab, Vahan Kurkdjian was sent to Constantinople with an official letter to Patriarch Nerses Varjabedian, requesting the patriarch’s official approval for the Vartanian Institute and its faculty. The Educational Council of the Armenian Central Executive Board ratified the bylaws of the Vartanian Society; and Kurkdjian was awarded an official teaching certificate from the Ottoman Ministry of Education. [19]

In 1884, enrollment at the school doubled, and the faculty was expanded. Avedis Milletbashian was employed to teach Ottoman political law; and a Turkish teacher taught the Mecelle (the Islamic codex/book of laws). The institute also began teaching English to paying pupils. [20]

In 1884, Arevelyan Mamul reported that the Vartanian Institute had an enrollment of 50 pupils. [21] The Pounch booklet of 1884 includes a list of the names and surnames of 54 pupils – “The Names of the Students of the Vartanian Institute.” According to this list, grade A had an enrollment of 9 pupils; grade B 8 pupils; grade C 16 pupils; grade D 14 pupils; and grade E 7 pupils. [22]

According to an issue of the Arevelk newspaper from 1890, the Vartanian Institute was gradually expanding its scope of activities. The number of past graduates had already reached ten, and in the year 1890, nine more pupils would graduate. The article mentions that most pupils attended the school free of charge, and that approximately 20 pupils had received full scholarships. [23]

In 1888, an issue of the newspaper Araks, published in Saint Petersburg, reported that at that time, there were seven coeducational Armenian schools in Ayntab, and that the Vartanian Institute was the best among them. [24] In 1899, Puzantion of Constantinople reported that in that year, three pupils had graduated from the Vartanian Institute. [25]

The Vartanian Institute, one of the pillars of the Armenian educational system in Ayntab, produced a total of 118 graduates throughout its 33 years of operation. It is important to note that many students attended, but never graduated. [26]

The Vartanian Institute provided ten years of instruction, including the kindergarten, the primary school, and the secondary institute. Total enrollment in all grades varied from 175 to 200, depending on the year. According to figures published in 1914, the yearly number of graduates from the institute was as follows: 6 in 1888, 4 in 1889, 9 in 1890, 8 in 1891, 6 in 1896, 3 in 1898, 3 in 1899, 9 in 1900, 8 in 1903, 8 in 1905, 10 in 1906,  11 in 1908, 8 in 1910, 5 in 1911, 6 in 1912, and 14 in 1913. [27]

Vahan Kurkdjian served as the first schoolmaster of the Vartanian Institute. He was succeeded by Yeghia Der Nazarian, Nigoghos Kuludjian, Armenag Nazaretian (A. N. Nazar; 1896-1906), Nazaret Fustukdjian (1906-1911), Garabed Moughamian (1911-1912), and Armenag Chamichian (visiting schoolmaster; 1912-1915). Armenag A. Kasardjian, a university graduate, was slated to serve as schoolmaster in 1915-1916, but due to the outbreak of World War I, he remained in the United States. [28]

The faculty of the Vartanian Institute, throughout the years, included the following teachers: Minas Khalfe Babayan; Teacher Hampartsoum (from Marash); Soghomon Bastadjian, Sarkis Turabian, Nerses Darazdjian, Hrant Sulahian, Krikor Tavoukdjian (Father Nerses), Avedis Selian, Kevork Levonian, Berdj Momdjian (Father Sahag), Tatul Kupelian, Movses Kazandjian, Vahan Bastadjian, Kevork Sarafian, Haroutyun Nalbandian, Kasbar Pilavdjian, Haroutyun Nashalian, Hagopdjan Yaghoubian, Yenovk Altounian, Habib Tedjirian, Yeghia Demirdjian, Haroutyun Daghlian, Hagop Aroyan, Krikor Kaprielian, Sarkis Der Hagopian, Hovhannes Titoyan, Vartan Der Sarkisian, Smpad Ghazelian, Kapriel Der Bedrosian, and others. [29]

The first philanthropists to support the Vartanian Institute were Nigoghos Nazaretian and Kalousd Ghazarian. The institute’s founders/original trustees were Kalousd Ghazarian, Khachadour Bogharian, Hovhannes Yaghoubian, Hagop Terzibashian, and Vahan Kurkdjian (schoolmaster). In later years, long-serving trustees included Father Karekin Bogharian, who served as the president of the Vartanian Society beginning in 1906; Hagop Hamalian; Hrant Sulahian; Hagop Ghazarian; Sahag Sahagian; Sarkis Saboundjian; Toros Ghazarian; Hovhannes Khashkhashian; and others. [30]

Pounch, Arachin Nver hAshagerdats Vartanian Grtaranin Ayntabi mentions that the institute’s sources of income included the pupils’ tuition fees and a grant of 4,000 kurus per year from Kalousd Ghazarian. This still left a gap in the budget of about 50 Ottoman pounds, which was raised by various means. For example, this booklet itself was published with the aim of generating income. The booklet also mentions that many teachers initially worked without pay, [31] which helped the school establish itself.

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the school’s yearly expenses reached 20,000 kurus. As already mentioned, Kalousd Ghazarian made significant contributions to the school’s budget. Additional funds were donated by Nigoghos Nazaretian to cover construction costs. Many other local merchants made financial contributions, but more funds were always needed. The institute published booklets for the public, such as health books, prayer books, etc. The United Armenian Society also contributed to the school, providing supplies of great value. The organization Alliance Francaise of Paris donated 300 francs per year to support the instruction of the French language; and the British and Foreign School Society of London donated textbooks, maps, etc. Father Khoren Sdepan of Russia provided 10 Ottoman pounds through his “Sahag-Mesrobian” prize. [32]

In 1906, the Vartanian Society’s amended bylaws proposed converting the Vartanian Institute into an intermediate school. Additionally, it was decided that:

1. a) The pupils would be sent to Armenian and foreign secondary schools.
2. b) A fund would be created using bequests, donations, etc.
3. c) Twenty-five percent of the society’s income would be invested. [33]

Graduates of the Vartanian Institute who lived in Ayntab created an alumni association on January 22, 1913. The association’s inaugural executive board consisted of Hrant Sulahian, chairman; Sarkis Topalian, secretary; Hovhannes Der Ghazarian, treasurer; and Avedis Khanzedian, Khoren Varjabedian, and Prof. Armenag Chamichian as advisors. [34]

Plans were made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Vartanian Institute in 1907. A special invitation was sent to Egypt, to the institute’s first schoolmaster, Vahan Kurkdjian. Unfortunately, due to various factors, the event was cancelled. In 1917, the society’s 50th anniversary celebrations were also canceled, due to the ongoing war and the Armenian Genocide.

In 1920-1921, during the battles for the defense of Ayntab, the school’s building served as the headquarters of the supplies committee. The building had been completely renovated and was slated to house the new Central School of Ayntab. After the forced and final expulsion of the city’s Armenians, the building was converted into a textile mill. [35]

The Vartanian Kindergarten was founded in 1899 by the Vartanian Society.

Administrative oversight of the kindergarten was assumed by the board of trustees of the Vartanian Institute, led by Nazaret Manoushagian. Zarouhi Nigoghosian was appointed as the first director of the kindergarten. In its first year, the kindergarten was housed in the Ipekians’ home, which was rented. Thereafter, the kindergarten was housed in a hall in the northeastern corner of a church (probably the Holy Mother-of-God Church). Enrollment initially stood at 50, but rose every year, eventually reaching 100. Educators who served for many years at the Vartanian Kindergarten included Araksia Topdjian (Mrs. G. Atarian), Feride Bastadjian (Mrs. Tanadjian), Hayguhi Guleserian, and others. Hayguhi Guleserian was sent to Constantinople to hone her skills, as she was slated to become the future director of the kindergarten. [36]

Thanks to the quality of the services it provided, the Vartanian Kindergarten earned a stellar reputation among the locals, producing its first graduating class in 1902. The kindergarten continued operating until 1915. After the Armistice of Mudros in 1918, it was not possible to reopen the kindergarten. [37]

The Armenians of Ayntab were bound to make great progress in the field of publishing, too. The newspapers published in the city, often handwritten and occasionally printed as single issues, were proof of Ayntab Armenians’ determination to develop their creativity, strive for high-quality education, and learn throughout their lives.

The only printed Armenian newspaper distributed in Ayntab up to 1908 was Mendor, which the Vartanian Institute published. The newspaper’s official licensee and editor was Vahan Kurkdjian, and its staff consisted of the students of the upper class at the Vartanian Institute – Tatul Kupelian, Berdj Momdjian, Toros Ghazarian, Sisag Arslanian, Armenag Nazaretian, Garabed Der Ghazarian, Nazaret Kechedjian, Tavit Bartsoumian, Garabed M. Hadidian, Varaztad Arslanian, Ardashes Takhtakhdjian, Hrant Sulahian, Movses Leylegian, Haroutyun Djebedjian, and Haroutyun A. Guleserian (Papken I, Coadjutor Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia from 1931 to 1936). Mendor was a bimonthly periodical, published in Armenian and Armenian-lettered Turkish. The manuscript of each issue was sent to Constantinople by courier, where it was printed by the K. Baghdadlian Printing House. A total of 24 issues were published, from January to December 1886. The first 16 issues were published with regularity, and the last 8 were published every other month. The total page count of all issues of Mendor is 350. [38]

In 1877-1878, a handwritten monthly titled Trakhd [Paradise] and subtitled Hantes Hayrenanver [Patriotic Review] was published in Ayntab. It was a two-column periodical, written in Armenian and Armenian-lettered Turkish. This periodical published articles on national, educational, scientific, and health-related topics. It was published by the Saint Vartanants Mesrobian Wards’ Association and was edited by Vahan Kurkdjian. Twenty copies of each issue were published, and the yearly subscription fee was one mejide. [39]

The senior class of the Vartanian Institute published its own handwritten student paper from 1888 to 1914, called Asdghig Vartanian [Starlet of Vartan]. It replaced Mendor, which ceased publication in 1886. From 1890 to 1899, a version of this paper was also published in Armenian-lettered Turkish, called Akhteri Vartanian. [40]

By the late 19th century and early 20th century, the Armenians of Ayntab had created a vital system that functioned seamlessly – the public would contribute funds to support the creation and development of educational institutions; and in exchange, these educational institutions would prepare and train skilled experts who dedicated themselves to serving the nation and community in various capacities, thus safeguarding the local economy.

On the hundredth anniversary of the Vartanian Society, Krikor Bogharian, one of the prominent Armenians of Ayntab, wrote about the society, its members, and its institute, asserting justifiably that the Vartanian Society and Institute had a transformative impact on the national, community, and economic life of Ayntab Armenians. [41]

• [1] Krikor Bogharian, “Educational Life in Ayntab and the History of the Armenian schools of Ayntab,” Badmoutyun Antebi Hayots [History of the Armenians of Ayntab] (hereafter BAH), volume 1, edited and compiled by Kevork A. Sarafian, Los Angeles, 1953, pp. 665-666.
• [2] Generally called “Vartanian Society” in historical sources.
• [3] Krikor Bogharian, “Educational Life in Ayntab and the History of the Armenian schools of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, p. 666.
• [4] “The Vartanian Society of Ayntab,” Arevelk [Orient], Constantinople, number 1809, 24 January/5 February 1890, p. 3.
• [5] Ibid.
• [6] Father Ghevont Der-Nahabedian, “The Provinces,” Yergrakound [Globe], Constantinople, 1887, number 3-4, p. 158.
• [7] Krikor Bogharian, “Educational Life in Ayntab and the History of the Armenian schools of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, p. 668.
• [8] Neighborhood councils consisted of 5 to 12 members, depending on the location. Their role was to oversee the neighborhood’s communal activities, to supervise the boards of trustees of the local church and school, to care for the poor, and to adjudicate disputes among Armenians. Each neighborhood council was elected by the neighborhood’s population (Armenian National Constitution (Nizamnamei Milleti Ermeniyan), Constantinople, 1863, pp. 37-38).
• [9] Krikor Bogharian, “Educational Life in Ayntab and the History of the Armenian schools of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, p. 667.
• [10] Ibid., pp. 667-668.
• [11] Ibid.
• [12] Ibid., p. 668.
• [13] Kevork A. Sarafian, “History of the Vartanian Institute,” BAH, volume 1, p. 714.
• [14] Ibid., pp. 716-718 .
• [15] Ibid., p. 718.
• [16] Ibid.
• [17] Arachin Nver hAshagerdats Vartanian Grtaranin Ayntabi [First Gift to the Students of the Vartanian Institute of Ayntab], Pounch [Posy], Constantinople, Nshan G. Berberian Printing House, 1884, p. 4.
• [18] K. B., “Vartanian Institute (1882-1915),” Hay Ayntab [Armenian Ayntab], Beirut, 1967, number 2 (26), pp. 6-7. Also see Arachin Nver hAshagerdats Vartanian Grtaranin Ayntabi, Pounch, p. 29.
• [19] K. B., “Vartanian Institute (1882-1915),” Hay Ayntab, Beirut, 1967, number 2 (26), p. 7.
• [20] Ibid.
• [21] “The Vartanants Society of Ayntab,” Arevelyan Mamoul [Eastern Press], Smyrna, 1884, number 6, p. 320.
• [22] Arachin Nver hAshagerdats Vartanian Grtaranin Ayntabi, Pounch, pp. 30-32.
• [23] “Vartanian Society of Ayntab,” Arevelk, Constantinople, 24 January/5 February 1890, number 1809, p. 3.
• [24] Mayis Vart, “The City of Ayntab,” Araks, Saint Petersburg, 1888, book B, p. 60.
• [25] Nazar, “Cilician Chronicle,” Puzantion [Byzantium], Constantinople, 3/15 August 1899, number 851, p. 1.
• [26] Bogharian K., “On the Occasion of the Centenary of the Vartanants Society of Ayntab,” Hay Ayntab, Beirut, 1967, number 2 (26), p. 2.
• [27] K. B., “Vartanian Institute,” Hay Ayntab, Beirut, 1967, number 2 (26), p. 10.
• [28] Ibid., p. 9.
• [29] Ibid.
• [30] Ibid.
• [31] Arachin Nver hAshagerdats Vartanian Grtaranin Ayntabi, Pounch, pp. 4-5.
• [32] V. M. Kurkdjian, “National Memories, from Inside and Around the Vartanian Institute,” Hayasdani Gochnag [Clarion of Armenia], New York, 17 November 1928, number 46, pp. 1455-1456.
• [33] K. B., “Vartanian Institute,” Hay Ayntab, Beirut, 1967, number 2 (26), pp. 9-10.
• [34] Ibid., p. 11.
• [35] Ibid.
• [36] Krikor Bogharian, “Vartanian Kindergarten,” BAH, volume 1, pp. 768-769.
• [37] Ibid., p. 769.
• [38] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, Beirut, Atlas Printing House, 1974, pp. 6-7.
• [39] Krikor Bogharian, “Educational Life in Ayntab and the History of the Armenian schools of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, pp. 667-668. Also see Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 9.
• [40] Krikor Bogharian, “Notes on the History of Printing and the Press in Ayntab,” Hay Ayntab, Beirut, 1966, number 3 (23), pp. 36-37. Also see K. B., “Vartanian Institute,” Hay Ayntab, Beirut, 1967, number 2 (26), p. 10.
• [41] Krikor Bogharian, “On the Occasion of the Centenary of the Vartanants Society of Ayntab,” Hay Ayntab, Beirut, 1967, number 2 (26), p. 4.