In an article published on April 24, 2026, the memories of the grandfather of legendary singer and songwriter Elvina Makaryan, Tigran Makaryan, are presented for the first time in the Armenian press. The work “Memories of Deir Zor-Gulag” is a unique testimony of the years of the genocide committed against Armenians, presenting the experiences and memories of an eyewitness.

Tigran Makaryan, originally from the village of Albistan in the Marash province, was only 13 years old during the genocide. His memoirs detail the deportation routes from Marash to Deir Zor, the death marches through the desert. He describes constantly moving caravans heading toward the desert with uncertain fate, which in reality meant mass extermination.

The memoirs reflect the atmosphere among the Armenian population: fear, uncertainty, and false hope that deportation would not affect everyone. However, it soon becomes clear that the goal was total annihilation.

Particularly touching are the family scenes: the author recalls meeting his uncle, whose silent tears foretold the coming tragedy. Later, he witnesses the arrest of his father and relatives on false charges, further evidence of the organized nature of the genocide.

Tigran Makaryan’s testimony also reveals how the Ottoman authorities deliberately destroyed the Armenian intelligentsia using slander and extraordinary judicial bodies.

These memoirs are not only a historical record but also an important reminder of human tragedy, resistance, and the necessity of preserving memory.