Ceramics: Jerusalem's loss could be Canada's gain

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Note*. I have visited Sandrouni ceramics shop in Jerusalem many times- they are truly the face of the Armenian ceramics in the Old City. Its such a pity to see the Armenians flee Jerusalem. Can't help and remember the old Roman proverb: "Inter Arma Silent Musas."

 

CTV Television, Inc.

SHOW: CTV NEWS

December 29, 2001 22:00:00 - 23:00:00 Eastern Time

LISA LAFLAMME

 

LISA LAFLAMME: Middle East violence has severely crippled tourism throughout the holy land this holiday season. Now it's threatening to rob Jerusalem of an artistic tradition. And as CTV's Rodney Palmer reports, Israel's loss could be Canada's gain.

 

RODNEY PALMER [Reporter]: The old walled city of Jerusalem is know for many things, among them its ceramic art. But the designs hanging in these ancient alleyways are neither Palestinian nor Israeli. They're from a little known group of artists called the Armenians. There are only five hundred Armenians in Jerusalem, but they occupy a quarter of the old city, and have done so for centuries. But now the most influential artists among them are starting to leave Jerusalem, for good. The Sandrouni brothers studio has dominated the old city art scene for almost two decades. Their attention to detail has made the three Sandrouni brother's famous. They created a revival of a lost art.

 

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: We work according to what Armenians did a hundred years ago.

 

PALMER: But since the intifada began fifteen months ago, some Armenians feel they no longer belong here.

 

GARO SANDROUNI [Artist]: My father is living 75 years exactly the same way. Every day fighting. Every day killing, this is what you hear around here. I grew up the same way. I don't want my children to continue the same way I did.

 

PALMER: One brother has already left, taking his art to the United States. The other has set up a growing ceramic business in Toronto. Garo Sandrouni is the only one of the trio left in Jerusalem. His passion for the detail in his art keeps him going.

 

SANDROUNI: I like to do such works when I have free time, and now I have a lot.

 

PALMER: Stocks are no longer moving, because business in Jerusalem has dropped dramatically. Despite speaking six languages to service customers from around the world, Garo can't fight the fact that masses of tourists have stopped visiting Israel. Now Garo thinks he will follow his younger brother.

 

SANDROUNI: The same way we brought this art to Jerusalem we will take it with us to Canada. Maybe after twenty years you will see a lot of Canadians doing the same art over there also.

 

PALMER: Jerusalem's loss could be Canada's gain. And by the way business is drifting out the door, it won't be long before Garo Sandrouni closes shop for good on the old city's most famous ceramic studio. Rodney Palmer, CTV News, Jerusalem.

 

[ January 07, 2002: Message edited by: Rouben Malayan ]