April 24 not final day to mark Genocide centennial – official

May 4, 2015 By administrator

April 24 does not mark an end to the commemoration events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide, says Vigen Sargsyan, the chief of the Presidential Staff and the coordinator of the commission arranging the centenary events.
The evidence, according to him, is the events that have been organized across the world since April 24.
“The events – with political, cultural and sporting agenda – will continue until the end of this year,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
The official added that the commission’s website, Armeniangenocide100.org, continues operating after the April 24 Remembrance Day to inform people of events taking place in different parts of the world.

Sargsyan said he finds that the events fully met the task of raising the world’s awareness of the issue and repeating the demand for recognition.
“The events held did, in our estimation, serve the main purposes we had set: raising international awareness of the Armenian Genocide and developing and mobilizing public opinion over the fight against, and condemnation of, genocides as a crime against humanity,” he added.
The official further addressed the comments made at the anti-genocide forum in Yerevan, highlighting particularly a former ICC (International Criminal Court) prosecutor’s call for making Armenia a leader in the world campaign against crimes of genocide.

Sargsyan said he highly appreciates the national unity he saw at the ceremonies in April.
“The peak, in that respect, was the canonization ceremony at the Mother See of St Echmiadzin. It was an important manifestation of national unity. The ringing of bells of not only the Armenian churches but also the sister churches worldwide really signaled the pan-Christian respect for the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims,” he noted.
As another remarkable event reaffirming the nation’s unity and attracting attention to the problem, Sargsyan cited the System of a Down’s open-air concert in central Yerevan.
“Despite the weather conditions, the spirit and unanimity and the youth’s unprecedented participation really demonstrated that the idea and the concert that day was the right decision, so I once again wish to extend my gratitude to the guys for their dedicated and consistent approach,” he added.
Sargsyan said he sees that April 24 really helped attract the world’s attention to Yerevan. “We managed to keep Yerevan on the world media spotlight, with leading international TV channels airing the April 24 event live,” he noted.

At the end, the chief of the Presidential Staff said he is thankful to everybody for dedication and attention to the pan-national issue. “I would like to extend my admiration and gratitude to all the segments of the society, every citizen, the non-governmental organizations, the media and the political parties for the unity and the approach they demonstrated to our events,” he said.

The official added that President Serzh Sargsyan will on Thursday join the Divine Liturgy in Washington Cathedral to pay respect to the victims. He added that commemoration events will continue across the US and many other cities and towns of the world throughout the year.

Montrealers march to mark centennial of Armenian genocide

May 3, 2015 By administrator

Jason Magder, Montreal Gazette
They marched to remember. They marched for recognition.

Federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau joined thousands of people on a march organized by the Armenian Genocide

Thousands of Montrealers wove their way through downtown Montreal on a hot Sunday afternoon in a sombre three-kilometre march from Westmount Park, along Ste-Catherine St. to Place des Arts to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

Held in honour of the estimated 1.5 million people who died, the commemorative walk followed similar marches held in Toronto and Ottawa.

Organizers estimated 10,000 people took part were accompanied by a drum band as they marched in relative silence.

The march commemorated Armenians, as well as Rwandans, Jews and other victims of genocide, and called for an end to genocide worldwide.

However, most of those taking part were from Montreal’s Armenian community, hundreds of them wearing black T-shirts with the message “I remember and demand.”

It has been 100 years, and this is the only genocide from the 20th century that has not been recognized by its perpetrators. It was a systemic massacre of a people. We will never forget. — St-Laurent resident Edward Agopian

The demand is for a recognition by the Turkish government that a genocide took place.

“It has been 100 years, and this is the only genocide from the 20th century that has not been recognized by its perpetrators,” said St-Laurent resident Edward Agopian. “It was a systemic massacre of a people. We will never forget.”

Agopian said although it has been a long time since the genocide occurred, nearly every Armenian in the world has a personal connection to the massacre.

“At the end of the day, there were 2 million Armenians in Ottoman Turkey, and 1.5 million of them disappeared,” he said. “We have 8 million or 9 million worldwide, so every person has at least one story of a family or extended family member that they lost along the way. Both my grandparents were orphaned. Their stories touched me personally.”

Among those who attended were Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, and many other MNAs and city councillors. Among them was Harout Chitilian, vice-president of the city’s executive committee, and a descendant of Armenian genocide survivors.
“My ancestors were driven out from their historic homes. We have cherished this home,” Chitilian said. He added he’s confident the Turkish government will eventually recognize its role in carrying out the genocide.

“I think the process itself is a long one, but I firmly believe the day will come that the perpetrators will recognize it, because I think it’s the only way to turn the page on that part of history that was extremely dark,” Chitilian said.

When they arrived in Place des Festivals, many marchers laid flowers in front of a replica of Dzidzernagapert, a monument to the genocide in the city of Yerevan.

The marchers filled the Place des Festivals, listened to several speeches and watched a broadcast of a commemoration held in Place des Arts.

jmagder@montrealgazette.com
twitter.com/JasonMagder

ANCA Central California and City of Fresno Mark Genocide Centennial

April 28, 2015 By administrator

Armen K. Hovannisian, Chairman of the Armenian Bar Association, speaks in Fresno.

FRESNO, Calif.—Again this April 24th the Armenian National Committee of America Central California with the support of the City of Fresno raised both the United States and Armenian flags in front of City Hall to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. This year, prompted by the Centennial, a march was organized that lead hundreds of demonstrators from the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic church, a distance of approximately 1.5 miles, to Fresno City Hall.

Long time ANCA CC member Paul Jamushian welcomed the crowd of 650 then noted the theme this year was “Never Forget”. The Master of Ceremonies, Debbie Poochigian, known for her strong view on the subject of “չմոռանալ” (“to not forget”) was then introduced. Immediately thereafter, Poochigian, also the Chairman of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors invited local Armenian church priests to start by paying tribute to our martyrs with the Lord’s Prayer in Armenian.

The Armenian flag was raised by the Fresno Sassoon Chapter of the Homenetmen Scouts. The United States flag was raised by the Design Science High School of Fresno Unified. Both national anthems were sang by Hygo Ohannessian with background music performed by the AUSA Sounds of Freedom Band. A seemingly made to order, perfectly timed wind made the flags waive as soon as they were raised.

Fresno Mayor Ashely Swearengin, a longtime supporter of Armenian-American issues said in her speech “We honor you and join you in remembering the events of 100 years ago.” The Mayor attended multiple ceremonies in commemoration of the centennial of the Genocide. “When I think back over just the last twenty four hours and I consider the emotion and the beauty of the commemoration ceremonies that we have seen this year, I am truly overwhelmed and I am not Armenian,” said the Mayor who was visibly touched by the community’s efforts.

MaryAlice Kaloostian, District Director of Senator Tom Berryhill relayed her grandmother’s and great grandmother’s story of survival. “They would steal what was ours and made it theirs,” said Kaloostian referring to the Ottoman Turks. Her family came from Kharpert and her grandmother had a scar on her head and ear. The scar on the ear was from a Turkish girl trying to pull her earring off because she wanted it for herself. “I shouldn’t be here today, if the Turks had been successful, none of us would be here today,” she said.

Congressman Jim Costa, a staunch supporter, also spoke at the commemoration. For many years he has been an advocate for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the United States. Costa, who has many childhood Armenian-American friends, is a part of the Armenian caucus in Washington D.C. and has heard many personal stories of the genocide from his friends. He closed by saying “silence is genocide’s best ally.”

A soon to be observer of the election in Artsakh, County Supervisor Andreas Borgeas was the next speaker. His presentation included the critical future of Artsakh as well as his wife’s grandmother’s personal experience as a survivor.

The keynote speaker for the morning was Armen K. Hovannisian, Chairman of the Armenian Bar Association. In a stirring speech to an audience who interrupted him with repeated applause, Hovannisian began by asking “Is the destruction of an entire national quantifiable? Is the decimation of nearly all of its people measurable? Is what was lost and what was taken recoverable by any stretch of imagination?” His questions immediately got the audience’s attention.

Toward the end of his speech, Hovannisian looked passionately at the crowd and stated, “We must wake up tomorrow with a consciousness that is both rooted in the Armenian Genocide and which raises up above it as well that insists that we Armenians forever more define our identity not by what was done to us but what we do from this day forward.”

Also part of the program was a selection of songs performaned by the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School of Fresno.

Centennial Genocide: Armenia is preparing to hold commemorative events of April 23 and 24

April 18, 2015 By administrator

Next week, Armenia will hold perhaps the biggest events of its post-Soviet history. Delegations from a number of major countries, international personalities will visit the country for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be commemorated with the main events in Yerevan on 23 and 24 April.

Preparations for the commemorative events were held in Yerevan for months and they cover almost all areas of life in the city – the improvement of infrastructure and traffic accommodation, public health and safety Customers visiting the country.

At the beginning of the year, the Chief Vladimir Gasparyan police ordered the establishment of a working group to coordinate the work of the police during the events related to the commemoration of the centenary of the genocide. Police officers who have received special training will do special tests in different places in the capital on April 24, and during the days preceding and following it.

In recent assistant working consultations Yerevan Mayor David Ohanian gave instructions to provide additional conditions in health care facilities in connection with the events of the genocide centennial in order to be able to serve potentially more people seeking medical or professional advice help.

The director of the ambulance service was responsible for ensuring able to serve different parts of Yerevan in first aid in case of need. The service was also responsible for mobilizing more vehicles and ambulance staff than usual before the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial on April 24.

Early March, the municipality of Yerevan began tree pruning activities in the capital, explaining that she is also pursuing aesthetic purposes, as this will provide more visibility to the city and its architectural designs.

The majority of buildings in Yerevan today have posters with messages on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as well as symbols of the commemoration of the genocide centennial. The stickers with this flower can also be seen on many cars in Yerevan these days.

Hotels are also full of preparations in recent days to accommodate thousands of visitors expected in Armenia for the April events. Armhotels.am, an online hotel reservation site, told ArmeniaNow that since mid-March, nearly all rooms in 70 hotels in Yerevan had been reserved for the period from April 20 to 25. At the date of today, there are only a few rooms available and they are in hotels located on the outskirts of the city.

Considering the expected influx of customers, some hotels have even increased their prices. But the big hotels like Best Western Congress, for example, have denied any changes in their pricing policy. The hotel managers said that all their rooms for the period from April 21 to 25 have been reserved there is already a month.

Economists say that in addition to the political, the large number of visitors expected in Armenia will also have its effect in economic affairs. For example, the Armenian national currency, the dram, is likely to gain more ground due to strong foreign exchange inflows expected this month.

“Most likely some changes will be observed in the exchange rate dollar-dram and the Armenian national currency will appreciate for a short period. I think it will last until early May, “said the economist Vilen Khachatryan ArmeniaNow. “Visits to a large number of foreign tourists will also bring greater purchasing power, and there will be some activity especially in the tourism sector.”

GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN

Centennial genocide of billboards placed in California

March 26, 2015 By administrator

Road signs commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will soon be visible throughout the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Coast in California. Large posters recognize victims of all genocides and specifically honor the memory of 1.5 million Armenians killed by the Ottoman Turkish government during the period of 1915-1923.

More than 50 panels will be set up along Highway 99 -the first transport corridor in the San Joaquin Valley – with most billboards concentrated around urban areas such as Fresno and Merced. Other locations include sites along Highway 101 in the central coast and along highways 152 and 198 in the west and the east of the valley.

Cyprus President confirms participation in Armenian Genocide centennial events

March 24, 2015 By administrator

Cyprus President confirms participation in Armenian Genocide centennial events –

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades will visit Armenia April 23-25, Press Office of Vartkes Mahdessian, Member of the Cyprus House of Representatives, informs.

According to the source, “Nicos Anastasiades has accepted the official invitation of the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to visit Armenia from 23 to 25 April to attend the Armenian Genocide centennial commemoration events to be held in Yerevan and confirm the support of the Government of Cyprus to the Armenian people.”

Francois Hollande will be accompanied by big delegation for Yerevan trip

March 23, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN. – President of France Francois Hollande will attend events dedicated to the centennial anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan, French Ambassador to Armenia Jean-François Charpentier said.

The diplomat recalled that the President informed about his intention to attend the events last spring during his visit to Yerevan. The Embassy is engaged in preparations for the visit.

Francois Hollande will lead the delegation of 100-120 comprising also journalists and representatives of the Armenian community of France. The Ambassador said the main message of Hollande’s visit will be commemoration and respect for the killed.

Mexico City Commemorate Genocide Centennial

March 18, 2015 By administrator

Holy liturgy was served in commeoration of the Armenian Genocide at the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral by Archbishop of Mexico, Cardinal Norberto Rivera

MEXICO CITY—An event organized by Armenian communities of Mexico and the US West Coast marked the start of commemorations of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide in Mexico.

Mexican intellectuals, scholars, politicians and public figures, diplomats and journalists participated in the event.

During the event, the Ambassador of Armenia to Mexico Gregor Hovhannisian presented the program of events to be held from March through November, 2015, in Mexico.

On March 15, holy liturgy, dedicated to the memory of innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide was served at the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral by Archbishop of Mexico, Cardinal Norberto Rivera. Archbishop of Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church Hovnan Derderian and Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Catholic Church in Latin America, Bishop Vardan Poghosyan attended at the liturgy.

At the end of the liturgy, on the behalf of the Armenian community of Mexico an Armenian cross-stone was given as a gift to Mexico City, that will become one of the exponents at Mexico’s National Museum of Civilizations from now on. Ambassador Hovhannisyan, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Director of the National Museum of Mexican Culture Carlos Vasquez, as well as member of the Los Angeles City Council Paul Krekorian, who specially arrived from California, took part in the ceremony of cross-stone installation.

The liturgy was widely covered by the Mexican media.

Parliamentary hearings on Armenian Genocide centennial held in People’s Council of Syria

March 5, 2015 By administrator

By ArmGenocide100 report

On March 4, Speaker of the People’s Council of Syria, Dr. Mohammad Jihad al-Laham met with Ambassador of Armenia to Syria Arshak Poladian, leader of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus Bishop Armash Nalbandian, representative of Catholic Community, Archimandrite Kevork Bahi, leaders of political and provincial assemblies of the Armenian community of Damascus, as well as members of the Syrian Centenary Central body. Participants discussed issues related to Armenian-Syrian inter-parliamentary cooperation,RA Foreign Ministry press department reports.

During the meeting, Ambassador Poladian presented the scheduled events, dedicated to the Armenian Genocide centennial. After the meeting, on the initiative of Maria Saade, a member of Human Rights and Foreign Affairs Committees and other parliamentarians, a joint session, dedicated to the Armenian Genocide Centennial was held at the People’s Council of Syria, with participation of the Ambassador, his accompanying delegation and members of Human Rights and Reconciliation Committees.

During the meeting, Ambassador, expressing gratitude to the People’s Council of Syria, highlighted the important fact that Syria became a haven for survived Armenians during the genocide, and today, 100 years later, organized such an event at country’s legislative body. Professor at the University of Damascus Nora Arissian (Ph.D. in Modern History) presented a brief historical report on Armenian Genocide to the members of Committees of the People’s Council.

During the hearings, a number of members of the People’s Council of Syria delivered speeches, expressing their solidarity with the Armenian nation – yet again stressing the role of Armenians in socio-economic and social life of Syria.

Forget-Me-Not: A symbol of Genocide Centennial making its way into Armenians’ life

February 20, 2015 By administrator

Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern

Forget-Me-Not: A symbol of Genocide Centennial

Forget-me-nots, a chosen symbol of commemoration of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, in colors symbolizing the past, the present and the future, the light and the eternity, have increasingly been taking a more prominent place in the life of Armenians in Armenia and around the world in recent days and weeks.

The massacres of Armenians that began in the Ottoman Empire still in the 19th century peaked in 1915 turning into a state genocidal campaign, with 1.5 million Armenians slaughtered in the subsequent few years. In 2015, Armenians in different parts of the world as well as in Armenia itself will be holding many events to commemorate the victims of the Genocide on its 100th anniversary.

Under a decision of the State Committee coordinating these events, the forget-me-not flower has been selected as the official symbol of the commemorations, while “I Remember and Demand” was chosen as the motto for the anniversary, because the flower represents the graphic image of 12 stone slabs of the memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims at Tsitsernakaberd (Swallow Fortress).

The five petals of the flower symbolize five parts of the world where Armenians were scattered after the Genocide and created the Armenian Diaspora.

The flower has four colors – black in the center, symbolizing the Armenian past, then it is surrounded by yellow which pictures the light and the eternity in the form of 12 pillars standing in a circle symbolizing the memorial of Tsitsernakaberd. Light purple is the present and the prevailing purple – the future.

The small flower that contains much notion in it has already managed to become widely popular among Armenians. Reporters of many TV stations appear on screens with a Forget-Me-Not badge.

The idea of the forget-me-not seems to have appealed to the ruling party as well, as both President Serzh Sargsyan and other senior Republican Party members appear in public wearing Forget-Me-Not badges.

Schools will not stay apart from the “Forget-me-nots”; among other events devoted to the Centennial of the Genocide the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science will organize an event in all public educational institutions on March 24, when all schoolchildren of 5-12 grades will prepare the symbol of forget-me-nots – 1.5 million pieces, which later, on April 24, will be handed to visitors of Tsitsernakaberd.

And although the official website of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide says that already in April Forget-Me-Not badges will be provided for free, it did not avoid “business interests”, and those willing to purchase forget-me-nots earlier are offered a bunch of Forget-me-nots – not only badges, but also earrings, key-holders, etc.

According to some media reports, a local businessman has produced fake badges, selling them in his stores for 200 AMD (about 40 cent) a piece.

However, as a symbol the forget-me-not has not unanimously been accepted and has been criticized by some as well.

According to filmmaker Tigran Khzmlyan, who is also a former member of the Pre-parliament civil initiative, the forget-me-not is not a proper symbol for the Genocide Centennial, because according to him, Armenians have long had their symbolic flower.

“The forget-me-not is understandable in an abstract sense, however, it is not now that we are searching for cultural symbols for us, and in our poetry and folklore, in our image system a completely different flower symbolizes the Armenian pain, it is the poppy. In the image of the previous generation a poppy symbolized the blood of the diseased, meaning the beauty of the poor nature of our mountains, it is red, but has black in its heart,” Khzmlyan said.

As for the slogan of the flower – “I Remember and Demand”, according to the film director, it might create a misunderstanding in Turkey.

“If we take a forget-me-not, as a symbol of memory, we appear in a quite ambiguous situation. The thing is we have nothing to remember, we are not looking at it from aside and thus we seem to appear in the Turkish trap. Besides, there is also another unpleasant peculiarity – the forget-me-not, as it turns out, has numerously been used, it is a banal and discredited symbol, which we see in many political parties, religious units and most ridiculously, it is the logo of many trading companies,” Khzmlyan said.

Nevertheless, the symbolic “Forget-me-not” will at least this year be in the center of Armenian attention, and Europe’s biggest pop music contest, Eurovision, will be no exception.

Armenia has decided to unite around Eurovision 2015 the new generation of all Armenians who were scattered around the five continents (Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Australia) in 1915 and five singers of Armenian origin are associated with five petals of the flower. They will be joined by one singer from Armenia who will unite the petals. The group that will be formed for the contest will be called The Genealogy – 6 artists, 6 destinies, one story, and the title of the song is – “Don’t Deny”.