Piet's First Jazz, acrylic painting by Berge Missakian

I always say with a smile, that I was born by "accident" in 1933 in Alexandria, Egypt. My parents came to Egypt because of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 making me an Egyptian of Armenian Christian origin. Since 1962, I have lived in Montreal, Canada, thus making me a Canadian of Armenian origin born in Alexandria. My primary education was in a British school: later my university studies in the US were at Cornell. So there are many influences in me - British, American, Armenian and Egyptian.

I spent my youth in Alexandria, a beautiful Mediterranean city made up at that time of many communities including French, British, Maltese, Greeks, Jews, Armenians, Germans and Egyptians. Yes! Moslems, Christians and Jews, all living and working in harmony with each other.

In the mid 1950's, Nasser organized a revolt overthrowing the Government and ending 72 years of British presence. Many businesses were taken away by the new regime - including our family's which was established by my father, a successful businessman with no formal education. I do not discuss the politics behind these moves which are the foundations of today's Egypt; after Nasser, came Sadat followed by 30 years of Mubarak. Our family, as many others, left Egypt in 1962.

Egyptians are wonderful people - gentle, hospitable and kind. I hold very fond memories of the years I spent in Alexandria with eight months a year of Mediterranean summer. My friends and teachers in school were Christians, Jews and Moslems; one of my schoolmates was the grandson of the king of Jordan - he later became His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan. I had the pleasure of meeting him again in the 1980's during his visit to Ottawa when one of my paintings was given to him.

Every morning upon waking up, I thank the Lord that I am a Canadian. I always say to each and every American and Canadian, you should do the same; we are blessed! The people of Egypt also deserve better. Sometimes fundamentalists stir the poor toward violence; I hope that this will never happen to the wonderful and peaceful people of Egypt.

Alexandria - I love you - I cherish the beautiful memories of you! by Berge Missakian 

You can read more about this artist and see a video of him in his studio at Missakian. His paintings can be seen by clicking on Art.