Name: Hasmig Topalian
Place of birth: Palestine
Your family roots: Both sets of grandparents and my father were born in Marash, Cilicia. My mother was born in Beirut. My parents were married in Palestine and moved to Cyprus when I was three years old. We lived at the Melkonian School where my father became deputy principal and head of the mathematics/science department, and my mother, the school nurse.
Your occupation/work/profession: Retired. I was a PA for Burmah Castrol in Swindon.
How and why did you get involved with AI? We stored part of Prof Dowsett’s book collection in our house! I like the mission of AI. I was encouraged to join the committee. As I don’t live in London, it took me some time to make up my mind and I have not regretted it.
Tell us a special memory about AI: There are so many but the ‘Exhibition of Treasured Objects: Armenian Daily Life in the Ottoman Empire’ in 2010 at the Brunel Gallery was outstanding. There were so many cherished articles and objects of everyday life, embroideries, old family photographs and documents, all artistically displayed.
What are 2 or 3 of the most memorable AI events you have attended? The Cantorelli Choir Concert at St Sarkis Church was very memorable as I helped to organise it. The presentation and talk about Anjar was fascinating. The Paregentan online party was a great success.
What are your hopes and ambitions for AI; where do you see its future? I would like to see more people get to know the AI, attend its events and support its activities. I would like the AI to become more of a well-established reference library. I would like non-Armenians to be introduced to our culture.
Which languages do you speak? Armenian, English, basic French.
Favourite book: The Crossing Place by Philip Marsden. A journey among the Armenians.
Favourite film: West Side Story.
Favourite music/musician/band: Ara Malikian.
Favourite artwork: The paintings and sketches of Artemis Drentz-Marcarian (nee Topalian). She depicted mainly Egyptian peasant women. She lived in Cairo in the 1950s. Some of her work is displayed at the Mekhitarist Gallery, Vienna.
Best advice you’ve been given: To remain positive. To value friendships.
Your motto: To be honest and true to myself.
Coffee or tea and what kind: Turmeric Latte in the morning and Earl Grey Tea in the afternoon.
Favourite place in London: As I don’t live in London, my favourite place is the Cotswolds. When in London, I like visiting Kew Gardens and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Hasmig has been a steady, supportive and positive presence in the Armenian Institute from the very beginning. She and husband, Armenag (also an exceptionally generous volunteer for AI) have not only attended and helped at events since 2001, but as she mentions, they helped with the transition of the Dowsett Collection from Oxford to London. More recently, Hasmig became a member of AI’s Advisory Committee, has organized events (such as the wonderful Cantorelli choir concert) and currently leads the volunteers in our Befriending Programme, making phone calls to those who are feeling in need of more human contact during the Covid isolation.