German journalist presentation of book on German responsibility in Armenian Genocide Istanbul

December 1, 2015 By administrator

Istanbul will host Wednesday, December 2, a presentation of the book “Genocide complicity: Germany’s role in the Armenian Genocide” by German journalist and writer Jurgen Gottschlich, Ermenihaber.am reports citing Demokrat Haber.

The author will read some excerpts from the book to answer the attendee’s questions afterwards.

The volume unveils the story of how Germany – which wanted to establish a strong presence in the East during the WWI – lured Turkey into the war. The German officers who served in the Ottoman army, characterized Armenians as spies and traitors. And when the forced deportations of Armenians turned into genocide, the German government thought it was a “harsh, but productive measure.” According to the author, Germany turned a blind eye to the diplomats and clergy members’ concerns about the atrocities perpetrated against the Armenians.

When writing the book, Gottschlich visited the sites of those events, met with descendants of Genocide survivors, simultaneously studying German and Turkish archives.

Armenian Genocide centennial commemorated in Baghdad

November 28, 2015 By administrator

In commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, Baghdad hosted Thursday, November 26, a performance in Arabic, titled “The Armenian Genocide before the court.”

Based on the play “Stand up the court is coming” by Perch Zeytuntsyan, the event was organized by Homenetmen (Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts) and the Armenian Mixed Youth Association, Armenian Foreign Ministry’s press office reports.

Armenia’s ambassador to Iraq Karen Grigoryan, representatives of political and public circles, clergy members attended the event, covered by local media outlets.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres, and deportations involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, the Italian Chamber of Deputies, majority of U.S. states, parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium and Wales, National Council of Switzerland, Chamber of Commons of Canada, Polish Sejm, Vatican, European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.

Alzira becomes the 12th city in Spain to recognize the Armenian Genocide

November 27, 2015 By administrator

The city of Alzira, in the Province of Valencia, joined 11 Spanish cities by officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian Ararat Association of Valencia.

On November 25 the Council of the city of Alzira, composed of five political parties voted unanimously in favor of a resolution tabled by the Armenian Association Ararat, describing the first butcher of the 20th century as genocide and condemns denial policy of Turkey.

Alzira is a city of 45,000 inhabitants in the east of Spain, capital of the comarca of Ribera Alta, in the province of Valencia.

Saturday, November 28, 2015,
Jean Eckian © armenews.com

Dresden Symphony recalls Armenian genocide “Aghet”

November 27, 2015 By administrator

Recalling the genocide on Armenians perpetrated by the Osmanian Empire a century ago, an orchestra of German, Turkish and Armenian musicians is performing world premieres in Berlin, Deutsche Welle reports.

The mass execution of Armenians in 1915 is considered the 20th century’s first systematic extermination of an ethnicity, with massacres and death marches resulting in the death of approximately 1.5 million persons.

As a sign of reconciliation, the Dresden Symphony Orchestra launched a project titled “Aghet.” Deriving from the Turkish word “ağıt,” the word translates as “catastrophe” and is synonymous of the century-old genocide. The playbill for the concerts on November 27 and 28 at the “Radialsystem V,” a venue in Berlin’s Friedrichshain district, includes works by Zeynep Gedizlioğlu (Turkey), Vache Sharafyan (Armenia) und Helmut Oehring (Germany).

Guitarist’s initiative

Conducted by Andrea Molino, the Dresden Symphony is joined by musicians from Turkey and Armenia as well as members of the “No Borders Orchestra.” The latter, consisting of instrumentalists from the former Yugoslav states, was formed after the civil wars in the region in the 1990s and is itself a reconciliation project.

“Aghet” was initiated by Marc Sinan together with the orchestra from Dresden. Sinan’s Armenian grandmother lost her parents in the events following the deportations that began on April 24, 1915. The guitarist of German, Armenian and Turkish heritage performs the solo part in Helmut Oehring’s piece “Massaker, hört ihr MASSAKER!” (Massacre, do you hear MASSACRE!) for guitar solo, voice, women’s chorus and strings.

On his compositional approach, Oehring writes: “The score is meant to depict a force field that transforms the injuries and devastation suffered into a new energy, a kind of emotional reserve for those who come afterwards.”

Also given its world premiere is “Isimsiz / Notes for the Silent One” for strings. This is not the first work written by the young Turkish composer Zeynep Gedizlioğlu on the subject; her string quartet titled “Susma” (Don’t Be Silent!) was dedicated to the Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, murdered by a Turkish nationalist in broad daylight in Istanbul, in January 2007. Gedizlioğlu, who had been nearby, heard the shot.

The duduk, or the ‘Armenian flute’

At the “Aghet” concert project, a work by the Armenian composer Vache Sharafian is given its first performance in Germany. In “Surgite Gloriae,” a double concerto for viola and duduk, Armenian duduk soloist Araik Bartikian and German violist Matthias Worm play solo. Known as the “Armenian flute,” the duduk is considered the country’s national instrument.

Sharafian, who lives as a music instructor in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, has attracted worldwide attention for his compositions, including works for the Silk Road Ensemble, a much-noted intercultural project by American cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Following “Hasretim” and “Dede Korkut,” “Aghet” is the third and final installment in the Dresden Symphony Orchestra’s trilogy dealing with the history and culture of Anatolia and the Caucasus region.

Following the performances in Berlin, the concert will be repeated on April 29, 2016 in Dresden before going on tour to Belgrade, Yerevan and Istanbul later in the year. The latter performance is certain to spark controversy, as the genocide of Armenians is still denied in the official reading of history in Turkey.

Source: armradio.am

Armenian Genocide Museum: Reliving a painful history

November 27, 2015 By administrator

By Sudipta Dev,

One of the most poignant aspects of my visit to Armenia last September was the heart-rendering tales of the genocide, the pain of which every Armenian across the world continues to carry in his / her heart. As many as 28 countries across the world recognise the Armenian genocide that had happened between 1915-1923 in the Ottoman Empire. India incidentally is not among those nations. The genocide museum and memorial is a painful reminder of the sad history of the nation that has seen the death of 1.5 million people in the beginning of the 20th century. As every visitor to Armenia will realise, the last 100 years do not seem to have lessened the pain for them any less.

The Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan was built in 1967 on Tsitsernakaberd hill. The imposing tall structure of the genocide monument towers over the area.. As soon as one steps into the garden and the extended lawn that leads to the memorial, notes of sad music wafts through the air in keeping with the sombre atmosphere of the premises.

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute was inaugurated in 1995 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the genocide. The museum leaves a powerful impact on every visitor. The detailed explanations according to chronology is a moving account of the horrific events. The museum exhibits the photographs of the orphans of the genocide, women and children sent to Syrian desert without food and water, stark documentaries, methods of mass killing depicted are tragic reminders of the darkest hours for the Armenians. All photographs were taken by eye witnesses who saw the genocide.

For Armenians it was not only the death of its people but also a cultural genocide on account of the massacre of Armenian intellectuals, clergymen, and destruction of historical and cultural heritage. A century has passed but it is a grief that they do not want to ever lessen leave alone forget.

Source: financialexpress

Russia: Bill outlawing Genocide denial aims to restore justice: Duma vice-speaker

November 26, 2015 By administrator

Co-author of the draft law on criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide explained in a conversation with PanARMENIAN.Net the reason behind submitting the bill to the parliament against the backdrop of tense relations between Moscow and Ankara.

“It is a well-known fact that the Armenian Genocide was much discussed in the centennial commemoration year,” Deputy Chairman of Russia’s State Duma Nikolay Levichev said. “On the eve of 2015, the party Fair Russia organized a large international conference on the Genocide. In April, 2015, the lower House of the Russian Parliament adopted a declaration, expressing solidarity with the brotherly Armenian people and calling on the international community to resolve conflicts through dialogue, without use of force. Besides, a State Duma delegation participated in April’s commemoration ceremonies in Yerevan.”

For this reason, Levichev said, the draft bill on the criminalization of Genocide denial was a continuation of this year’s events, serving, first of all, as a reminder of the need to restore historical justice.

The vice-speaker said, however, that the international situation has certainly influenced the submission of the legislative initiative. The actions of the Islamic State group much resemble genocide: massacres are perpetrated, Christian holy sites are destroyed.

“If we don’t pay due attention to the facts of the past to defend the historical truth, we are doomed to repeat the bloody events,” he said.

It is already clear, Levichev added, that the discussions on the bill will lead to debates outside the parliament, some of the colleagues from other parliamentary factions having already expressed the view that criminalization of Genocide denial is “an excessive measure.”

Russian party seeks ‘accountability for Armenian genocide denial’

November 25, 2015 By administrator

A Russian opposition leader, Sergei Mironov, said on Nov. 25 that his party had submitted a bill to the Russian parliament on holding to account anyone who denies that the 1915 killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire “was genocide.”

“We have just submitted a bill on responsibility for failure to acknowledge the fact of a genocide of Armenians by Turkey in 1915,” Mironov, the leader of the opposition Just Russia party, said via his Twitter account.

His statement came a day after the Turkish air forces shot down a Russian jet, escalating tensions between Ankara and Moscow.

November/25/2015

Argentina’s newly-elected President and Armenian Genocide: review

November 23, 2015 By administrator

A candidate of Argentina’s conservative party Cambiemos, Mauricio Macri was elected president of Argentina Sunday, November 22, by winning the runoff against Daniel Scioli, the government candidate, Prensa Armenia reports, presenting a review of Macri-Armenian community relations.

During his tenure as Chief of Government of the City of Buenos Aires, Macri rejected the construction of a bust of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, after the intense complaints of the Armenian community and a misunderstanding of the local officials.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called off a visit to the country shortly afterwards.

In April 2012, Macri visited Yerevan for the transfer of the World Book Capital, which in 2011 had been held in Buenos Aires and in 2012 in Yerevan. He visited the Armenian Genocide Museum and stated that “Buenos Aires has received thousands of Armenian citizens who contributed to the development of Argentina and forged our cultural identity as a country.”

In June 2014, the City of Buenos Aires allocated some property for the construction of an Armenian Genocide Museum.

This time, the Chief of Staff of the City, Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, said that this museum was “a way to ensure that mankind will not commit atrocities like those committed almost 100 years ago in Armenia.”

The next month, in July 2014, Macri met with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Argentina, handing him the keys to the City of Buenos Aires.

During the centenary of the Armenian Genocide in April 2015, Macri commemorated the Genocide centennial with a post on Facebook: “The Ottoman authorities started the bloody persecution of the Armenian people 100 years ago, on April 24, 1915, killing and rooting out millions of innocent people.”

The former President Nestor Kirchner enacted in January 2007 the Law 26,199, approved by Congress in December 2006, which declares every April 24 as the “Action day for tolerance and respect among peoples” in commemoration of the Genocide against the Armenian people. In September 1987 former President Raul Alfonsin made the first recognition of the Armenian Genocide during a ceremony with the Armenian community.

Interview: In 1915, the Swiss knew all the Armenian genocide through the press

November 21, 2015 By administrator

One hundred years, the Swiss were very knowledgeable of the deportations and massacres perpetrated by the Young Turk regime against the Armenians. They provided generous assistance to survivors. The press of the time testifies.

Interview by Pascal Fleury

There are a century, the Swiss already knew everything that suffered the atrocities of Armenians in Turkey. “This is nothing less than the systematic destruction of a people, with the intention of establishing arrested in the Turkish Empire the exclusive domination of Islam,” wrote “Freedom” on the front page its edition of October 13, 1915. Why Switzerland Is is shown similarly secured at the time? And why, a century later, she has still not recognized the Confederation officially the genocide? The explanations of the historian Hans-Lukas Kieser, professor at the University of Zurich and specialist of Ottoman world.

In 1915, the Armenian tragedy was recounted in detail in the Swiss press. How do you explain such an interest in this distant conflict, in full World War?

Hans-Lukas Kieser: To understand this media focus, to remember history in 1915. drama Twenty years ago, the large-scale massacres had been perpetrated against the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. It was between 1894 and 1896, under Sultan Abdülhamid regime. Emergency committees have launched solidarity actions. Their petition to the Federal Council to intervene with the major powers was signed by a record number of 450,000 people in a national humanitarian impulse that has far exceeded partisan or religious considerations. The Federal Council has not really changed, but private initiatives are then multiplied. Swiss missions were opened on the ground. In 1915, this vast support network, which was still in place, was reactivated. The public has been sensitized.

How the Swiss have they been informed of the atrocities suffered by the Armenians in 1915?

The most reliable information on the massacres and deportations were provided by missionaries of relief organizations on the ground. The best known of these eyewitnesses was the Appenzell Jakob Künzler who with his wife, was serving a mission hospital in Urfa in south-eastern Turkey today. Very active in the humanitarian movement, he provided valuable reports to relief committees in Switzerland and Germany. Other Swiss have played the same role as the director of an orphanage, Beatrice Rohner at Marash and Aleppo, who knew the area very well and languages. Information has also been submitted by the Armenian diaspora in Switzerland, informed, and by Ottoman Muslims opposed to the dictatorship of the Young Turks.

“The correspondence was sent by trusted people with mail being strictly censored. Codes were sometimes used, such as the German expression “Weapon” (poor) to “Armenian”. Some reports have gone through the German diplomatic channel, Switzerland does not have a diplomatic representative in Turkey at the time.

The Swiss showed great solidarity vis-à-vis the genocide survivors, as recently recalled the Armenian Catholicos Aram I. What help have they made on the ground?

Swiss aid concerned especially widows, orphans and young women who escaped slavery and forced marriage. Initially, it was to hide and feed. The rescue was very improvised, operating through networks of Muslim friends. The missionaries also hidden men, taking enormous risks to their own lives. In Urfa, for example, Künzler couple sheltered in the hospital under false identities. It provided them with clothes Bedouin smugglers that can lead them to safer areas in the south.

“From 1917, when the dictatorship was more tolerant once completed destruction of shelters have been opened. In Aleppo, the orphanage Beatrice Rohner welcomed more than a thousand children from 1916. In the same city, the Swiss trader Emil Zollinger has even hosted 2,000 refugees. Thanks to the huge financial support came from Switzerland and the United States, the victims were also able to receive food, clothing and medical services.

Humanitarian operations were also conducted in Switzerland …

During the war, mutual aid was limited primarily to clinics. Then, Switzerland has welcomed hundreds of orphans. The best-known work is that of the Waldensian pastor Antony Krafft-Bonnard, who founded an orphanage in 1921 in Begnins (VD), and the following year opened a center in Geneva. Some Swiss politicians have called for a “national home” for the Armenians in the Middle East. Federal Councillors Gustave Ador and Giuseppe Motta spoke in this direction before the League of Nations. But the action was limited in Switzerland. She however continued on the ground, Aleppo and Lebanon, with the management of orphanages and assistance in refugee camps, in collaboration with international organizations such as Near East Relief. Assistance to survivors lasted until the eve of the Second World War thanks to the loyalty of this “humanitarian Switzerland”.

In 1915, reading newspapers, the Swiss already knew all about the scale of atrocities suffered by the Armenians. How is it that a hundred years later, the Confederation still has not officially recognized the genocide?

This can be explained by the character of the international policy of Switzerland. For a century, in this case, it remains on its reservation, opting for a policy of interest. She willingly praises this “humanitarian Switzerland” which has taken a clear stand against genocide and crimes against humanity, but in terms of diplomacy, behaves just like a natural disaster had happened, refusing to take on the Historical facts. But do not put it in the long run, is to deny the …

“Swiss withholding such was observed this year, during the commemorations of the centenary of the genocide, as the pope or the German president will not chew their words. Such lack of courage could be against-productive in the long run. Especially as the historical problem of major crime is now denied accentuates the Middle East and that crimes against humanity are repeated, with new massacres and pushed people into exile.

“A recognition of the genocide by the government would also strengthen the criminal standard against racial discrimination. Is Switzerland wants to keep the universal perspective of this law? The recent judgment of the European Court of Human Rights does not require sacrifice. But it is for Switzerland to affirm, while putting the best value.

***** The live Armenian drama in “Freedom”

The French-speaking press has dealt extensively and in detail of the “systematic annihilation” perpetrated against the Armenians in 1896 and 1915. If the term “genocide” does not appear – this neologism was created in 1944 – all criteria crime against humanity described therein black on white. Excerpts from “Freedom” of the time.

“… The Armenian question, which has and will do so much bloodshed, was created by the Sultan himself, who wanted to foment a violent hatred between Muslims and Christians, as it fears nothing as the Topics union between different religions … “

“The responsibility of the Sultan,” August 21, 1896

Mr. Schwarz, a pastor in Freiburg: “… We had no example of such a slaughter organized against an unarmed people, already oppressed for many generations. This people, accustomed by long servitude to have no more confidence in himself, was barbarously decimated; 150,000, maybe 300,000 people perished in the torture or suffering from dismal poverty to which they are reduced, but there was their fault … “” For Armenians, “September 23, 1896

“… Since the beginning of the war (World War, ed), Turks, taking advantage of the general confusion, sate their bigotry in the blood of innocent women, children, old people, nothing found favor in their eyes. News, absolutely reliable sources, tell us the horrors that are committed in the dark recesses of a dying empire, and we dare say that the horrors of European warfare are nothing compared to the atrocities of the barbaric peoples n have not yet been influenced by Christian ideas … “” The Armenian question “, 6 August 1915

“… The deportation of Armenian families in arid deserts, even assuming that these unfortunate arrive at their destination, is a disguised killing and those who go so miserable flock of women and children, under the kicks and butts Ottoman gendarmes, through the deserts of Mesopotamia, are worse off than those who were massacred in their homes and whose bullet or bayonet has finished one stroke anguish and suffering. (…) It is estimated that nearly one million the number of those who have been affected by the massacres and deportations … “

“The extermination of the Armenians”, 12 October 1915

“… The Christian Switzerland, facing these painful elements will do his duty. This is certain death to save the remains of this unfortunate Christian nation. We refuse our Armenian brothers our moral and material support? No ! More than ever, let’s be generous! … “

“Call to Switzerland”, November 23, 1915

> Panel discussion “Tomorrow there are a hundred years: genocide seen by the Swiss press,” Sarkis Shahinian (Switzerland-Armenia Association) and Gilles Soulhac, journalist, this Sunday, October 25th at 18: 30 pm, at the St-Gervais Theatre Geneva, close of the exhibition “Fragments”.

***** A taboo genocide

In Turkey, the use of the word “genocide” is still punishable. But increasingly many voices for the Turks found the memory. Like the grand-son of Jemal Pasha, the “butcher” of Armenians. See RTS2 on Sunday in “Armenian Genocide, the 1915 spectrum”.

http://www.laliberte.ch/news/dossiers/histoire-vivante/en-1915-on-savait-deja-tout-du-genocide-303932#.ViqM8yveJY-

California state officials, ANCA-WR lead efforts to enhance Genocide education

November 21, 2015 By administrator

California State Senator Carol Liu and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson joined the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region’s “America We Thank You” and Education committees on Wednesday in hosting a reception, screening, and panel discussion for the launch of the organization’s new documentary titled “America We Thank You” at the Brand Library.
Directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Bared Maronian, the documentary tells the story of the first congressionally sanctioned charity established in the United States, the Near East Relief, which helped saved over 1 million refugees and 132,000 orphans of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

The capacity filled room was packed with school board members, superintendents, administrators anca 171and educators from school districts all across Los Angeles. “For many, this was the first time they have heard about the NER, which is why it’s so important to talk about this historical fact in the context of United States history. It’s the first instance in history where we see the U.S. respond to an international crisis, which has today paved the way for the establishment of USAID, US Peace Corps and other humanitarian efforts,” commented Hermineh Pakhanians, co-chair of the ANCA-WR AWTY Committee.

In opening the program, ANCA-WR AWTY co-chair Vanna Kitsinian stated, “Tonight’s gathering is particularly important to our work because as educators, school board members, principals and teachers, you all are the very audience we hope to share this story with, so that you in turn teach this critical part of history to your student body.”

Kitsinian was followed by Senator Carol Liu, Chair of the Senate Education committee who spoke of historical significance of the Armenian Genocide and the story of the Near East Relief.

In her remarks she noted “As a former history teacher, same as Tom, I understand the importance of educating our youth about the past and during my tenure in the legislature I have hosted a number of events at my home to help raise funds and awareness about the Armenian Genocide. I have also strongly supported teaching of the Armenian Genocide in our public school systems. I am proud to have supported Assemblymember Nazarian’s AB1915 which was signed into law by Governor Brown in 2014 which adds Armenian Genocide survivor and witness oral testimonies into the teaching of human rights in California schools. Not only should we teach our students of past atrocities and human loss but we also should highlight the role Americans played and can play in aiding the survivors of atrocities…unfortunately, current versions of world history textbooks do not go into much depth about the Armenian Genocide. Recently I wrote a letter to some of these history publishers urging them to expand the breath and improve the quality of our textbooks in upcoming additions of world history textbooks,” stated Liu in her remarks. “I’m proud to represent the largest population of ethnic Armenians outside of Armenia and as I end my tenure here as a state legislator, one of my priorities is to make sure that by the time I end next year is to make sure that we have a genocide education curriculum for all of our students here,” she added.

Superintendent Tom Torlakson took to the stage to thank the ANCA-WR and Senator Liu in working side by side with the CA Department of Education to see that Genocide curriculum is in its rightful place, in classrooms and textbooks. Torlakson continued as he discussed the remarkable precedent the U.S. set for the rest of the world by sanctioning the work of the NER. “We note tonight in this documentary that out of the terrible tragedies, the atrocities, the suffering, emerged a bright light of humanity, of love, and of hope and that is the Near East Relief. With kids, politicians, average people, senior citizens, veterans, all lifting a hand to help. I hadn’t heard about the Golden Rule – the Sunday dinner being put aside to be a simple meal so you could put the rest of the cost of your Sunday dinner towards the Near East Relief.” Torlakson is working with the ANCA-WR to ensure that this relevant portion of untaught history is incorporated into the classroom curriculum and that instructors receive adequate training.
“We are grateful to Mr. Torlakson, Senators DeLeon and Liu, Assemblymembers Achadjian, Nazarian, and Wilk along with many others, who have been an instrumental part of this journey as we continue our work beyond recognition and ensure that future generations learn not only about the atrocities of 1915, but the role the United States and the American people in helping save the Armenian nation from annihilation. With their full-fledged and unyielding support, we are one step closer to incorporating perhaps the proudest chapter in American history into the education system and curriculum,” stated Elen Asatryan ANCA Western Region Executive Director.