My object is a Balian flower vase from Armenia. Balian pottery is made by quickly dunking wood into water filled with dye, giving it a distinctive swirl pattern. It was used by my great-grandparents during the Armenian genocide of the early 1900s, and was one of the few heirlooms they were able to keep when they escaped Armenia and immigrated to France. Since then, it has been passed down to my French grandmother, Angel, and to my French mother, Marie. This vase is the only remaining link I have to my great-grandparents and to my Armenian heritage, and also serves as a reminder to the atrocities of the Armenian genocide.

– Jean Werner

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant