“The Notebooks of Anzel Kourtian” A theatrical play dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide and the Smyrna Catastrophe under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in New York

After a successful tour across Greece, Generation Y Productions decided that it was time for the New York audience to be given the privilege to see an exquisite play that constitutes a tribute to the history of the Armenian people and Asia Minor’s Hellenism. “The Notebooks of Anzel Kourtian” starring Christina Alexanian is based on a true story and was mounted at the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria, for only three performances, on December 6, 7 and 8.

The real Anzel Kourtian was a small refugee girl who witnessed the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and was, later on, transferred closer to the Asia Minor’s coasts, only to become witness to a second catastrophe, that of Smyrna and the other Greek populated cities of the then Ottoman Empire. Eventually, Kourtian was brought to Greece and settled in Piraeus. She decided to write a book to tell the story through her own excruciating experience, a mark which led her to believe that she needs to “live to tell”.

Actress Christina Alexanian says it all started when Nelly Hanikian, the daughter of Anzel, visited her and presented her with a book penned by her mother. Alexanian thought it was a magnificent opportunity to turn the book into a theatrical play with music and historical archives footage blended naturally with her own monologue.

On December 14th, “The Notebooks of Anzel Kourtian” will travel to Boston for only one performance, while the play will return to New York for one last performance on December 15th, following the request of the New York audience. The play was adapted, directed and performed by Christina Alexanian. It was put in English by Emilia-Alexandra Kritikou and the songs are sung by Maria Spyridonidou.

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