Terrible news from Armenia

[Janis Ruksans]

Horrible news. I was planning trip to Armenia this autumn to visit Zhirair who promised for me white reticulate iris and virus-free clone of crocus Carpathian Wonder - both grown by him. I sent him many crocuses this autumn and he was very happy for them, but suddenly stopped to reply to my mails and telephone calls.
Just got mail from Dima that Zhirair's wife Alla informed him that Zhirair was killed in his summer-house garden and burnt there. He was so friendly to everyone, peaceful, quiet man and so diligent gardener. I'm so shocked, that can't even write this information. Oh this horrible world. He was not a rich man, why, why, why... is the question. I was many times with him, he accompanied me in any travel there, his nice son, beautiful wife. My heart is broken.

[Yann]

Damn i'm shocked what to say about such horrible thing. Him such nice guy no it's not possible...

[David Nicholson]

How very, very sad to hear this Janis. There is very little we can do, regretfully, but it would be nice if we could find a way to at least arrange a collection the proceeds of which might be put to aid Zhirair's son in the memory of his father.

[Maggi Young]

I am both astonished  and  distressed. Zhirair, such a  charming and  gentle person who was  so interested  in his  fine  collection of  vintage  tulips and  other  bulbs, was just over forty  years  old  and  has  a  young  family. It  seems  impossible that  he  should  have  suffered  this  violence. His  family  must  be  distraught.  I have not had emails from him recently and hoped he was just busy - I never expected such terrible news. It was always a pleasure to help him and he was a delight to know.

Many other  members  here  know  Zhirair  and  had  visited  and  travelled with him -Kenton Seth in America will be another who knew Zhirair Basmajyan and will be shocked to learn this.  This is awful - Jānis Rukšāns' news is a nightmare. I hope Zhirair's family will be safe and recover somehow from this tragedy.

[Arda Takan]

I am shocked. So sad for him. I hope patience for his family

[fermi de Sousa]

Absolutely shocking news 
Condolences to his friends and family

fermi

[Arda Takan]

... Zhirair was killed in his summer-house garden and burnt there..

Do you mean the killers burned him? If so even more horrible.

[Yann]

https://yelaket.am/?p=53613&l=am

[Maggi Young]

Kenton Seth has  written a truly  touching  tribute  to Zhirair - read  it  here  : https://kentonjseth.blogspot.com/2019/09/in-memory-of-zhirair-basmajyan.html?fbclid=IwAR28nR0oKMEx3XmS65a-XBcUxwyc7I9Q-293ZDTqrw5Kp-IWvvaYZIrbd7o


Zhirair in his  garden  with  Darwin Hybrid  Tulips 'Holland's  Glorie' (left) and  its  sport 'My  Lady' (right)


Zhirair and  his  wife, Alla


His  son  Alen - showing  off  a  snazzy  haircut!


Zhirair - known in the  forum as  Boyed - in 2014

[Armin]

My sincere condolences and sympathy to the family and friends - what an incredible tragedy, so sad.

[annew]

This is a horrific and tragic thing to happen.
I'm with David, hoping we can arrange a collection to help his family.

[maulgryve]

Condolences to his family...