ANCA-SGV Genocide Commemoration set for April 23

April 22, 2014 By administrator

The Armenian National Committee of America-San Gabriel Valley will host the annual Armenian Genocide Rally and Vigil on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Bicknell Park, 901 Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA 90640, Asbarez reports.

The speakers for the event will be Father Vazken Movsesian and Dr. Levon Marashlian.

Rep. Christopher Wright, D-Bristol, announced that Ruth Thomasian will be the keynote speaker at the annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration on April 26 at the state Capitol, The Hartford Courant reports.

“The April 26th ceremony will be held to remember our martyrs and honor our survivors,” Rep. Wright said. “We invite everyone to join us and following the commemoration event all participants are invited to gather in the Hall of the Flags for refreshments.”

Turkish historians will discuss claims about the genocide and forced deportation of Armenians in 1915, at a symposium on Thursday, according to Daily Sabah.

The chairman of the Turkish Historical Society said the historians will study documents obtained from British, American and German archives during the two-day event.

Fresno State to Host Weeklong Genocide Commemoration

April 22, 2014 By administrator

FRESNO—April 24th marks the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. To commemorate this tragic event and honor the 1.5 million victims, their families, and the survivors of the atrocities committed by the Turkish government, the Armenian Students Organization of Fresno State will hold several events, listed below.

Monday, April 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Genocides Around the World”
Campus awareness activity about the Armenian Genocide.
Memorial Garden, in front of the Kennel Bookstore, Fresno State

Tuesday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.
Screening of the documentary movies “My Mother’s Voice” and “20Voices”
The movies highlight the voices of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Director Kay Mouradian will discuss her movie, “My Mother’s Voice.”
McLane Hall, Room 161, Fresno State
7:30p.m.: Walk to the Free Speech Area and a Candle-Light Vigil.

Thursday, April 24, noon to 1 p.m.
“Silent Protest: The Armenian Genocide”
A silent protest in the Free Speech Area to raise awareness of the Genocide and of the campaign of Turkish denial.

1 to 2 p.m.: 99th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
A commemorative event will be held, featuring presentations of poems, songs, dances, and reading of Genocide memoirs by ASO members, students of the Charlie Keyan Armenian School, and guest speakers Congressman Jim Costa and Judge Houry Sanderson.
Free Speech Area, Fresno State

Friday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.
“The Armenians of Gesaria” by Dr. Richard G. Hovannisian, UCLA
A talk on one of the historic regions of Armenia.
Industrial Technology Building, Room 101, Fresno State
Free parking in Lots P23 or P24. Free admission.

All students, faculty, and staff are urged to join in the activities being held on campus and in the community. All events are open to the community and the public is welcome.

Genocide commemoration events to be held in Armenia, U.S.

April 21, 2014 By administrator

April 21, 2014 – 18:04 AMT

Less than a week remains until this year’s Silence the Lies, Rock the Truth! performance, which commemorates the 99th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This is the concert’s 6th year bringing artists, the community and human rights organizations together in solidarity to honor the past and make a statement to the world about the strength of the Armenian spirit, Asbarez reports.

“We’ve been preparing for this special show and have a great lineup,” stated Viza oud player Andrew Kzirian.

“It’s been inspiring reaching out to our youth this year in an unprecedented way to encourage participation in what is a great cause. With all the recent headlines and trouble in Kessab and Syria overall, Armenians — and honestly people all over the world — are very concerned with what’s going on. And with this being the 99th year of denial really highlights how important recognition of the Armenian Genocide is today,” he remarked.

“Prime Minister Erdogan has once again show the world that it’s better to sweep things under the rug rather than face the consequences of the past, hence the social media blackout and continued implosion to the truth,” added Viza singer K’noup Tomopoulos.

Silence the Lies, Rock the Truth! is a social justice concert dedicated to raising awareness of the Armenian Genocide. For the past 5 years, socially conscious artists in the Los Angeles area have come together to work with the community through music, activism and commemoration. This year’s concert features headliner Viza, Armenian Public Radio, R-Mean, Wild Betsy, Sam Babayan (from the Dirty Diamond) and Maria Cozette, with music spun throughout the night by DJ HYE FX.

This year, proceeds from the concert will be donated to two needy organizational projects. The Armenian Youth Federation’s Youth Corps 6-week program provides a memorable and productive opportunity for youth to establish and strengthen ties with the homeland, consisting of 4 weeks of volunteer work and 2 weeks of touring. Beginning in 1994, volunteers first came to NKR to help rebuild war-torn villages after the cease-fire. In 2008, the AYF opened a summer camp in Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city, and continued to empower Diaspora Armenians with more direct roles in nation-building.

On April 23, filmmakers Nubar and Abby Alexanian will present their documentary “Scars Of Silence” at the Worcester Public Library. The screening will be part of a commemoration program observing the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, according to The Telegram.

The documentary focuses on how a father and daughter transcend a century of silence and denial to make peace with the tragic past of their family.

Nubar Alexanian, a native of Worcester now living in Gloucester, is an acclaimed and prolific photojournalist and filmmaker. Abby Alexanian has worked on many of her father’s still photography and film projects. She is currently an advocate and program developer in a domestic violence shelter in Ann Arbor, Mich. Nubar and Abby Alexanian will introduce the film and take questions after the screening.

Pasadena will host a vigil in memory of the Genocide victims while the Armenian community of Los Angeles will organize a protest in front of the Turkish Consulate.

In Yerevan, the youth wing of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun will hold traditional torch procession that will start from Freedom Square.The participants will also urge Armenian President to recall signature from the protocols on normalization of relations with Turkey.

Source: PanARMENIAN.Net

Russia: April 24 may become Genocide commemoration day in St. Petersburg

April 17, 2014 By administrator

pril 17, 2014 – 15:37 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Draft laws proposing to mark the Armenian Genocide and Holocaust commemoration days in St. Petersburg have been introduced to the city’s legislative assembly. Suggestion to make amendments to the regional law on holidays and memorial days was initiated by MP Vitaliy Milonov, according to ITAR-TASS.

The issue will be studied at the coming session of the city parliament’s legislative committee Friday, April 18.

If approved, the law will declare January 27 and April 24 commemoration days of the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide respectively, starting from the year 2015.

For the first time in nearly a quarter century, a U.S. Senate committee on April 10, adopted an Armenian Genocide Resolution, calling upon the Senate to commemorate this crime and encouraging the President to ensure that America’s foreign policy reflects and reinforces the lessons, documented in the U.S. record, of the still-unpunished genocide.

With a vote of 12 to 5, the Committee voted to condemn and commemorate the Armenian Genocide.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) spearheaded the effort to have this influential foreign policy panel speak clearly regarding the Ottoman Turkish Government’s centrally planned and systematically carried out campaign of genocide from 1915-1923, which resulted in the deaths of over 1.5 million men, women and children.
Photo: assembly.spb.ru

Genocide Commemoration in Burbank to Be Held on April 22

April 17, 2014 By administrator

BURBANK—The annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration event in Burbank will be held on Tuesday, April 22, at Burbank City Hall (275 E. Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91502) and at the ACF Burbank Youth Center (75 E. Santa Anita Ave, Burbank, CA 91502). The event is organized by the Armenian Youth Federation Burbank “Varak” Chapter, in conjunction with the Armenian National Committee of America, Burbank.

The remembrance program will begin at 6 p.m. inside the Burbank City Council Chambers, during which the Burbank City Council will present its proclamation in recognition of the Armenian Genocide. This proclamation has become a Burbank tradition wherein the City Council demonstrates its support for the concerns and aspirations of its large Armenian community.

Immediately following the remembrance program, a candle-light walk will commence at 7 p.m. from Burbank City Hall to the Burbank Youth Center, where a commemoration program will follow.

The program will include the presentation of the colors by the Homenetmen Burbank “Sipan” Chapter, as well as poetry, music and performances by Karavan Dance Studio. The artistic performances represent the resilience of the Armenian people despite the Turkish government’s attempt to annihilate them almost a century ago.

Transportation will be provided back to Burbank City Hall. For more information please contact the AYF Burbank “Varak” Chapter at varak@ayfwest.org.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank advances the social, economic, cultural and political rights of the area’s Armenian community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the United States, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.