On April 24, Armenian ambassador to Bulgaria Arsen Shoyan, the embassy staff, former MP Katar Khachikian and representatives of the Armenian community laid flowers at the Genocide memorial in Sofia. Ambassador Shoyan delivered a speech, stressing the need for the international recognition of the Genocide and condemning the denial policy. A liturgy was further served in Sofia’s St. Mary’s Church.

The Armenian Genocide commemoration events will also be held in Bulgaria’s other cities such as Varna, Plovdiv, Ruse, Burgas, Dobrich and Sliven.

U.S. President Barack Obama issued a statement on Armenian Remembrance Day, again failing to use the term Genocide.

“Today we commemorate the Meds Yeghern and honor those who perished in one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century. Ninety-eight years ago, 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman Empire. We pause to reflect on the lives extinguished and remember the unspeakable suffering that occurred. In so doing, we are joined by millions across the world and in the United States, where it is solemnly commemorated by our states, institutions, communities, and families. We also remind ourselves of our commitment to ensure that such dark chapters of history are not repeated,” Obama said in his April 24 address to the Armenian community.

“I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view has not changed. A full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts is in all of our interests. Nations grow stronger by acknowledging and reckoning with painful elements of the past, thereby building a foundation for a more just and tolerant future. We appreciate this lesson in the United States, as we strive to reconcile some of the darkest moments in our own history. We recognize those courageous Armenians and Turks who have already taken this path, and encourage more to do so, with the backing of their governments, and mine,” he said.

“The history and legacy of the Armenian people is marked by an indomitable spirit, and a great resiliency in the face of tremendous adversity and suffering. The United States is stronger for the contributions Armenian-Americans have made to our society, our culture, and our communities. In small measure we return that contribution by supporting the Armenian people as they work toward building a nation that would make their ancestors proud: one that cherishes democracy and respect for human liberty and dignity.

Today we stand with Armenians everywhere in recalling the horror of the Meds Yeghern, honoring the memory of those lost, and affirming our enduring commitment to the people of Armenia,” he concluded

This report was filed by the  Armenian Weekly’s Diyarbakir correspondent, Gulisor Akkum.

The event, commemorating the 98^th anniversary of the destruction of the Armenian community in the city, was organized by the Diyarbakir Bar Association (DBA) and the Diyarbakir Municipality, and featured a panel discussion with historian Ara Sarafian and the head of the DBA, Tahir Elci.

In his opening remarks, Elci noted that as Armenian intellectuals and community leaders were being rounded up in Istanbul on April 24, 1915 and during the weeks that followed, a similar process unfolded in Diyarbakir.

Stressing Kurdish participation in the genocide in Diyarbakir, Elci said that confronting the reality of the genocide by Kurds today is inevitable. Moreover, he argued that Kurds should support Armenians in the struggle against the state’s ideology and denialism.

“We grew up with the stories of our grandparents about the massacres of the Armenians. Denialist discourse does not withstand legal and historic scrutiny,” he said.

“Today, we commemorate the genocide in Diyarbakir for the first time. This is a very important day for us. We bow respectfully before the memory of our Armenian brothers who were murdered in 1915, and condemn the genocide,” Elci concluded.

Sarafian focused on the process of the destruction of the Armenians in Diyarbakir in 1915. He noted that he had come to Diyarbakir to conduct research on the genocide, and that locals had been very helpful.

After the meeting, members of the audience headed to the banks of the Tigris River and threw flowers in the water in memory of the Armenians killed there during the genocide.

On Wednesday, April 24, Armenian-Canadians will gather in Ottawa to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, with its annual noontime Parliament Hill observance and subsequent demonstration in front of the embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Canada.

Some 1,500 Armenian-Canadians from across the nation are expected to gather on Parliament Hill to hear Members of Parliament, dignitaries, and community leaders honor the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians that systematically perished at the hands of the Ottoman Turks beginning in 1915.

The observance will be followed by a planned march toward the Turkish embassy for a peaceful demonstration against Turkey’s decades-old campaign of denial. “Armenians are resolved to pursue justice for the horrendous genocide committed by the Turks against the Armenian people,” stated Dr. Girair Basmadjian, president of the Armenian National Committee of Canada. “The government of Turkey will never succeed in its constant attempts to rewrite history. The world will never forget. Canadians will never forget. We are fortunate that, in Canada, both Houses of Parliament, the government of Canada, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. We commend the efforts of our government and parliamentarians in ensuring that truth and justice prevail.”

For decades, successive governments of the Republic of Turkey have embarked upon an active campaign of denial, fabrication, and misrepresentation as it attempted, and continues to attempt, to cover-up its crimes against humanity. In its attempts to rewrite history, Turkey has consistently employed some of the world’s leading lobbyists and public relations firms, having spent tens of millions of dollars over the years. In Canada, Turkey has in the past retained the services of Fleishman-Hilliard and other lobbyists.

“Armenian-Canadians are asking their government to encourage Turkey to stop its denials and come to terms with its past,” stated Dr. Basmadjian. “All Canadians should be proud of their parliamentarians for standing firm against Turkish pressure to change Canada’s position regarding the Armenian Genocide.”

By Arutz Sheva

MK Rivlin: “We cannot ignore the catastrophes of others because of diplomatic considerations

The Knesset will hold a ceremony to mark the memory of the Turkish genocide of Armenians, almost 100 years ago, on Tuesday.

MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud) said before the ceremony that he believes that “as human beings and as Jews, we must not ignore the catastrophe of another nation for any reason, including diplomatic considerations, important as they may be.”

“We will mark the annual memorial day for the massacre of the Armenian people regardless of the relations with today’s Turkey, which is an ally.”

Turkey is highly displeased with the Knesset’s decision to mark the day, as relations between the countries continue to be tense, despite a recent rapprochement brokered by U.S. President Barack Obama.

The genocide of the Armenians took place in the course of World War 1, and it is generally estimated that between 1 and 1.5 million Armenians were murdered, making up about one third of the entire Armenian people.

The massacre began when about 250 Armenian leaders in Istanbul were shot to death, on orders from the Turkish government. Later on, men, women and children were put to death on a daily basis in various ways, including forced marches that ended in their death from exhaustion, cold and hunger. Women and children were placed on boats and drowned at sea, or crucified. There is also evidence that children were put to death with poison gas in schools that were converted to death camps.

Turkey has consistently denied responsibility for the genocide, which is sometimes referred to as the Armenian Holocaust. Various events devoted to the subject, which were supposed to be held at the Knesset, were cancelled in recent years because of Turkish pressure.

Published on Apr 19, 2013 by Communications Department

On April 24, Armenians around the world will commemorate the 98^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Armenian Martyrs’ Day will be observed at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at 6:30 pm. “April 24, 1915, has been our people’s woeful path to Golgotha. However, April 24^th is also the Armenian people’s vision of the nation’s Resurrection,” said His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.

The solemn celebration of the Divine Liturgy will be followed by a Requiem Service and a flower-laying ceremony at the memorial cross-stone in the Turpanjian Plaza in honor of those who perished during the first Genocide of the 20^th century.

Other commemorative events will include a candlelight vigil and a commemoration march for justice.