Dec. 9 marks int’l day to commemorate victims of genocide

December 9, 2017 By administrator

In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly established 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.

The 9th of December is the anniversary of the adoption of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”), the UN official website reported.

The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the Genocide Convention and its role in combating and preventing the crime of genocide, as defined in the Convention, and to commemorate and honour its victims.

In adopting the resolution, without a vote, the 193-member Assembly reiterated the responsibility of each individual State to protect its populations from genocide, which entails the prevention of such a crime, including incitement to it.

The Genocide of the Greeks in Turkey Massacres of 1920-21

December 7, 2017 By administrator

The Genocide of the Greeks in Turkey

Survivor Testimonies From the Nicomedia (Izmit) Massacres of 1920-21

by Kostas Faltaits

Translated and Edited by Ellene S. Phufas-Jousma and Aris Tsilfidis

With a Prologue by Tessa Hoffman

Kostas Faltaits was a Greek Journalist for the Newspaper Embros and covered the Greek Struggle in

Nicomedia (Izmit) in 1921. What Mr. Faltaits reported on was the systematic extermination of the Greek

population by the Kemalist armies under General Mustafa Kemal. Indeed, surviving witnesses to the

slaughter of civilians in Greek villages stated that Kemal himself presided over some of the massacres.

As with any text that deals with the horror of genocide, it is not easy to read and I found myself stunned by

the various eyewitness accounts documented by Mr. Faltaits. Mothers killing their own children to spare them

from the Kemalist horrors. The raping of Greek women. In one particular case, a Greek Priest named Father

Phillipos Kalokidis was humiliated and degraded before being murdered in cold blood.

This is a historically important work that was originally translated into French. This book was widely distributed

in Greece at the time and was cited as documentary evidence by the Greek Foreign Ministry in making the

case for Greece’s rights in Asia Minor at the time. The book included horrifying details of massacres in Greek

villages throughout Nicomedia. The original title of the book at the time of publication according to the editors

was “These are the Turks”.

This is an important document about the Greek genocide and deserves to be placed alongside other works of the

1920’s such as the Black Book of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, George Horton’s the Blight of Asia, and Edward

Hale Bierstadt’s the Great Betrayal. The book has introduced me to a Greek hero that I knew nothing about.

Mr. Faltaits was a superb journalist who bravely went about reporting on the horrors undertaken by the Kemalist

forces and during a period when Greece was being actively betrayed by alleged western “allies”.

There is a heartbreaking chapter on the Armenian genocide where Mr. Faltaits spoke with the local Bishop

of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Bishop said that out of the 80,000 Armenians in his flock, 70,000

were slaughtered. The Bishop provides graphic details of the torture, rape, and murders of the Armenian

people. A common theme in all the chapters of this book is the sadistic pleasure of the Turks in raping,

torturing, and slaughtering defenseless Armenian and Greek civilians.

A century later, Turkey has still not been punished for its crimes against humanity. A few years ago, when

resolution for the Armenian genocide was introduced in Congress, the Bush administration lobbied against it.

In addition, eight living past and present Secretaries of State actively lobbied to block recognition of the

Armenian genocide. The pro Turkish policies that enabled the rise of Mustafa Kemal to complete the work

begun by the Young Turks remain in effect up to the present day.

Mention is made in the prologue by Tessa Hoffman of Arnold Toynbee. Toynbee was a parodoxical figure. During the

First World War, Toynbee worked for British intelligence and unequivocally condemned the Armenian Genocide

and had published a book “Armenian Atrocities The Murder of a Nation”. Toynbee subsequently turned into a

supporter of the Turks and proceeded to accuse Greece of atrocities while ignoring or diminishing the horrors of

the Kemalists.

This is an excellent historical work on the genocide of the Kemalists. It is also an excellent example of principled journalism.

Mr. Faltaits has done a great service to history and helped to ensure that the victims of Turkish genocide would not

be forgotten.

Vatican releases stamp showing Pope at Armenian Genocide memorial

November 27, 2017 By administrator

The Vatican has released colorful stamp series celebrating Pope’s trips in 2016, among them visits to Mexico, Poland, Greece, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Sweden.

The stamp dedicated to Armenia shows Pope against the background of Tsitsernakaberd – the memorial complex honoring the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The official website of the Vatican noted that the author of the stamp is Daniela Longo.

Armenian Genocide denier Sevket Temiz, barred from Belgium hospital board

November 8, 2017 By administrator

Sevket Temiz, a Socialist member of the parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region since 2014, has been barred from the board of a university hospital in the Belgian capital because he denies the Armenian Genocide, Turkish media publications reveal.

Temiz, 47, was nominated by his party to join the board of Brugmann University Hospital ahead of an election to the post.

A Belgium-based group against genocide crimes sent a letter to Brussels Mayor Philip Close demanding that Temiz unconditionally accept that the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Turkey was Genocide.

The hospital’s board of doctors has also announced that it will protest Temiz’s candidacy if he fails to accept the historical truth.

Some three dozen countries, hundreds of local government bodies and international organizations have so far recognized the killings of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. Turkey denies to this day.

Forced into Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the Ottoman Turkish Army

October 30, 2017 By administrator

The Armenian Assembly of America is pleased to co-sponsor a book presentation of Forced into Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the Ottoman Turkish Army by Adrienne G. Alexanian. The event will take place on Thursday, November 16th in Glendale, CA at Abril Bookstore, with an introduction of the author by Armenian Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan. Click here for the flyer.

There will be a book signing immediately after the book presentation, during the reception. Admission is free and open to the public.

Forced into Genocide is the riveting memoir of Yervant Edward Alexanian, an eye-witness to the massacre and dislocation of his family and countrymen in Ottoman Turkey during World War I. Adrienne G. Alexanian, Yervant’s daughter, has spent years preparing her father’s manuscript for publication.

Armenian Genocide video named among the best at Molodiya Festival

October 18, 2017 By administrator

A video about the Armenian Genocide took the third spot at the Molodiya Festival in Kiev.

The 32-second clip titled “Thank you for the chance to blossom again: Armenians” is authored by animator-directors Andranik Berberyan and Andrew Lidagovsky, Rusarminfo reports citing Gazeta.au.

“With this video we say thank you to the peoples who hosted and supported us at a difficult time,” the directors said.

The video about the Genocide and those who won other prizes will be shown in a number of cities of Ukraine and abroad throughout a year.

Washington: Armenian Genocide deniers introduce “fake” Turkey-Armenia resolution

October 14, 2017 By administrator

Stop Turkifikation of Washington

In a highly offensive political move aimed at derailing H.Res.220, a bipartisan genocide prevention measure drawing upon the lessons of the Armenian Genocide, three of the U.S. House’s remaining enemies of Armenian Genocide remembrance have introduced “fake” legislation on Turkish-Armenian relations, controversially stripped of any mention of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“A sick and cynical ploy: historically inaccurate and morally offensive. All the world knows that any improvement in Armenian-Turkish relations will need to start with Ankara openly acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and accepting its modern-day responsibility for the vast moral and material consequences of this still unpunished crime,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.

“Reps. Stivers, Cohen, and Sessions, – in stripping out language about the Armenian Genocide from a bill about Turkish-Armenian relations – are, effectively, carrying Turkish President Erdogan’s water in Washington, advancing his shameful denial campaign even as he’s doubling down on his government’s anti-American actions and attitudes.”

H.Res.573 was introduced by Ohio Congressman Steve Stivers (R-OH) with the support of Congressional Turkey Caucus Co-Chairs Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Steve Cohen (D-TN).

Rep. Sessions spearheaded a similar resolution in the previous Congress, by all accounts, at the urging of former Congressman Connie Mack, who, upon retiring, was retained by the Turkish Institute for Peace. That resolution secured a total of 2 cosponsors.

New Armenian Genocide movie’s (Caravan) director is forced to withdraw film from Turkey cinemas

October 14, 2017 By administrator

The director of the movie “Kervan (Caravan) 1915,” which is about Armenian Genocide and which hit the large screens in Turkey several days ago, has announced that he is forced to remove the film from the country’s cinemas.

Turkey’s movie theaters are deliberately showing this film by director İsmail Güneş only in the early morning, and this has made the director to withdraw the film from the cinemas, according to Cumhuriyet (Republic) daily of Turkey.

Güneş stated that some forces obstructed him in every way during the shooting of this movie, and this continues to this day. The director stressed that cinemas in Turkey deliberately show his movie solely once in the morning so that only few people would watch it.

“For that reason, I have to call the film back from movie theaters,” he added.

As reported earlier, the Turkish director of “Kervan 1915” had said this film does not attempt to show whether or not there was genocide, but it just tells the story of a coachman, who was instructed to transfer 200 Armenians from Giresun to Aleppo, during which he “selflessly” defends the Armenians who were “entrusted” to him, from the attacks by bandits.

The director of the movie had stressed that on their way from Giresun to Aleppo, the characters of the film also witness scenes of massacres.

A unique perspective on the Armenian genocide

October 1, 2017 By administrator

“Landscape” by Jeff Wagner is on exhibit at Old Schwamb Mill in Arlington.

By Nancy Shohet West Globe Correspondent,

HISTORY LESSON The Armenian Museum of America presents the exhibition “Scars of Silence” through Jan. 27. Curated by Jennifer Liston Munson, the exhibition includes excerpts from a film by Nubar and Abby Alexanian and photographs by Nubar Alexanian chronicling an Armenian-American father and daughter as they embark on a journey to their ancestral homeland. Their focus is exploring the legacy of the Armenian genocide of 1915-1923, and the result is a personal account of what it means to be Armenian today. Admission is $7 for nonmembers; $3 for students and seniors; free for members and children under 12. The museum is located at 65 Main St., Watertown. For hours and more, call 617-926-2562 or go to www.armenianmuseum.org.

OTHER ART On exhibit through Nov. 11 at the Old Schwamb Mill at 17 Mill Lane, Arlington is “Fall Currents,” showcasing oil paintings by artists from the Portland/Kittery, Maine, area, with an emphasis on abstracts, landscapes, and still-life paintings. The mill’s gallery is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $5. For more information, call 781-643-0554 or go to www.oldschwambmill.org.

The 6 Bridges Gallery presents “Fall Bog,” an exhibition of new watercolor paintings by Joyce McJilton Dwyer, on view Tuesday, Oct. 3, through Nov. 11. There will be an artist’s reception Oct. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. Dwyer’s solo exhibit explores the autumn landscape of one particular place: Gowing’s Swamp in Concord, a wetland described in Henry David Thoreau’s journals that has been frequented by historians, naturalists, scholars, scientists, students, and just plain folks for more than 150 years. The gallery is located at 77 Main St., Maynard. For hours and more, go to www.6bridgesgallery.com or call 978-897-3825.

The Belmont Gallery of Art presents “Off the Clock,” an exhibition of works by Belmont Public School art teachers, on view now through Oct. 6. The gallery is located on the third floor of the Homer Building, Town Hall Complex, 19 Moore St., Belmont Center. Gallery hours are weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays 1-4 p.m. For more, go to www.belmontgallery.org .

PARTIES & BENEFITS The Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History invites the public to its annual celebration of National Stamp Collecting Month on Saturday, Oct. 7, with a free reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Gallery. Selections from members’ collections will be on display, and guests will be asked to vote for their favorite exhibit. Meanwhile, musician Vera Meyer will perform on the glass harmonica, an instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761, and museum member Tim O’Connor will play the part of Franklin, the first postmaster general under the Continental Congress. Tickets for the 7 p.m. dinner that follows the reception are $50 per person and $90 per couple. Nonmembers who attend will receive a free one-year membership to the museum, located at 241 Wellesley St., Weston. For more, go to www.spellmanmuseum.org .

Enjoy an old-fashioned New England fair Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. when Verrill Farm hosts the 11th annual Harvest Festival and Benefit for Pediatric Care at Emerson Hospital. The event features a petting zoo, pony rides, face-painting, carnival games, music, food, a raffle, and a hay ride to pick-your-own pumpkins out in the fields. (Rain date is Saturday, Oct. 14.) Proceeds from the festival are used to support pediatric care and the Pediatric Intervention Team at Emerson Hospital. Tickets can be purchased at the festival and are five for $10 or 12 for $20. Verrill Farm is located at 11 Wheeler Road, Concord. For more, go to www.verrillfarm.com.

Armenian Genocide documents from Vatican archives arrive at AGMI

September 20, 2017 By administrator

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan has received documents from the secret archives of the Vatican about the events of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire.

Part of the valuable documents acquired with the help of Italian entrepreneur of Armenian origin Artur Asatryan, were transferred to the museum, AGMI said in a statement.

Manana Hakobyan from the TV show “Of Armenian origin” transferred the documents to the Institute and said that at the moment only a part of the documents have been digitized.

Also, Armenia’s ambassador to the Vatican Mikayel Minasyan has also facilitated the transfer of the documents.

Some three dozen countries, hundreds of local government bodies and international organizations have so far recognized the killings of 1.5 million Armenian in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. Turkey denies to this day.