Karel Hansa: the Czechoslovak Traveller in Syria and Lebanon in 1922 and His Work for the Benefit of Armenian Genocide Survivors

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51442/ijags.0006

Keywords:

Karel Hansa, Armenian Genocide, survivors, humanitarianism, Czechoslovakia, Syria, Lebanon

Abstract

In 1922, the Czechoslovak traveller Karel Hansa visited the French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon, where he became acquainted with the lamentable living conditions and pitiful experiences of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. He was deeply impressed by the work of Western humanitarian organizations, especially the American Near East Relief. This experience led Hansa to decide to write, lecture and try to organise humanitarian aid for Armenian orphans in Czechoslovakia, although his humanitarian efforts had only limited success.

Author Biographies

Jiří Cukr

PhD Jiří Cukr is an archivist, a chronicler and a local historian in České Budějovice, Czech Republic. He wrote a number of books and articles on historical and regional themes.
Email: jiri.cukr@ceskearchivy.cz

Marek Jandák, Charles University

Mgr. Marek Jandák is a historian and a PhD student at the Charles University in Prague. He is a member of The Centre for the Transdisciplinary Research of Violence, Trauma and Justice at the same institution. He published a monograph in 2018 on the Armenian Genocide and its reflection in the Bohemian lands.
Email: marek.jandak@ff.cuni.cz

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Published

2020-11-25

How to Cite

Cukr, J., & Jandák, M. (2020). Karel Hansa: the Czechoslovak Traveller in Syria and Lebanon in 1922 and His Work for the Benefit of Armenian Genocide Survivors. International Journal of Armenian Genocide Studies, 5(1), 6–31. https://doi.org/10.51442/ijags.0006