Parliamentary Delegation from Sweden Visited Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex
17.05.2018
On May 16, delegation headed by Björn Söder, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex accompanied by Eduard Sharmazanov, Deputy Speaker of the RA National Assembly.
The guests were welcomed by Gevorg Vardanyan, AGMI Acting Director, and introduced to the history of construction of the memorial complex, and its symbolism.
The members of the delegation laid a wreath at the Monument, and put flowers at the eternal fire, honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
Armenian Genocide Museum Joins Museum Night 2018
15.05.2018
Like the previous years, the Armenian Genocide Museum will also join International Museum Night 2018. On May 19, the museum will be open until 7 pm.
Visitors of the museum will be able to get acquainted with the exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the first Armenian Republic opened on April 20 at the AGMI temporary exhibition hall.
The exhibition entitled "Birth of the Republic" includes unique exhibits of the first Republic of Armenia from a number of Armenian and Diaspora museums, as well as personal collections.
Among the rare exhibits are posters, medals, jubilee postcards, unique editions, historical photographs, etc. Also a flagpole of a Turkish flag found in Sardarapat, exclusive exhibits about the Armenian army and state symbols are presented.
The Euphrates basin filled with the bones of Armenians
12.05.2018
This photograph, which is kept in the Norwegian royal archive, represents an Armenian with the surname Papazyan, who stands in the Syrian desert, near the Euphrates basin.
There are bones in the picture, which are the bones of those martyred Armenians, who were thrown into the waters of the Euphrates.
The bones of the killed and strangled Armenians, were scattered through the Euphrates basin, clearly testify the horrors of the genocide committed by the Turks. According to eyewitnesses, the caravans of the Armenian refugees passing along the Euphrates river, were regularly attacked by Turks and Kurds, and the corpses were thrown into the river. There were so many corpses of Armenians, so that they had created a natural dam, hindering the flow of the river water and causing the Euphrates came out of its natural course, deviating within a few miles.
Dear Visitor,
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute will be closed on May 9th, 2018.
Sincerely,
Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
Polish Librarians Visited the AGMI Library
05.05.2018
On May 4, more than 40 members of the Polish Library Association visited the Armenian Genocide memorial Complex within the framework of the “Visit the libraries of Europe” program. They had a tour in the Armenian Genocide Museum, got acquainted with the materials on the Armenian Genocide.
The librarians from Poland had a meeting with the staff of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. They also visited the AGMI reading hall, and got acquainted with the library's large collection.
Gohar Khanumyan, head of the Collection Department of the AGMI, and Tatevik Ghaltakhchyan, head of the Library and Archives Department, presented the peculiarities of the work of the AGMI Library, thematic and unique collections. This was followed by an active discussion and exchange of experiences.
Survived Tevekelyans: 4 People from 24 were Saved
28.04.2018
“Malatya was a paradise on earth. Each house had two springs: one for drinking, the other for washing. Each housewife was busy making dried fruit and desserts. The result was irreconcilable. Due to the hard work and exceptional taste of its people, Malatya became a unique place of enjoyment and prosperity. This paradise was known for its delicious fruits, wheat, cigarettes, silk and hemp.
An Armenian of Malatya was proud, temperate and rebellious, so Turks were somehow moderate towards them.
Armenians, Turks, Kurds and Greeks lived in Malatya. Twenty thousand Armenians lived here”. - Sedrak Shahen, a Western Armenian writer and publicist wrote in his book.
The annual flower gathering event took place at the Armenian Genocide Memorial
27.04.2018
Today the annual flower collecting event took place at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. Humbled flowers at the eternal fire, put on April 24, were collected to be given a second life.
With the initiative of Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets, since 2010 humbled flowers at the Armenian Genocide Monument are being collected and used after a special processing. Flower stalks are removed from the petals: compost is derived from the first part and the flower petals are used to prepare recycled handmade paper.
The compost is used to enrich the soil of Memory Alley at Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, and the handmade papers for making letters of appreciation and cards.
Using special technology 40 sheet of paper is made out of one kilogram flower, which is called flower-paper. This event means to give a “second life” to the flower by recycling it through special treatment and use it again in another form.
President of the Republic of Armenia and Other High-Ranking Officials Visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex
24.04.2018
Today the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sargsyan, the acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Karen Karapetyan, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Ara Babloyan, the President of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Bako Sahakyan, His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, members of the Parliament and the Government visited Tsitsernakaberd- Armenian Genocide memorial Complex.
His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II in honor of the memory of the innocent martyrs prayed for the peace of the souls of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Representatives of legislative and executive bodies, the supreme command staff of the Armed Forces, politicians, intellectuals, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia, patriotic unions and non-governmental organizations also paid tribute.
Article by a Lemkin Scholarship Awardee was published in a Spanish Newspaper
24.04.2018
Iván Gaztañaga, one of the alumni of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute's Rafael Lemkin Scholarship, has published an article in the most popular Spanish newspaper El País.
The article titled “Cleaning the dust of the Armenian Memory” is about the Spanish historic archives regarding the Armenian Genocide. Spain preserves dozens of letters, telegrams and press notes talking about the massacres from 1915 with the radicalization of Young Turks, the Provisional Law and the mass murder crimes. The Spanish embassies and consulates in the Ottoman Empire (Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Damascus) informed the Spanish Crown and Government about the extermination of Armenian people.
The documents also save an interesting folder about the attempts to rescue father Komitas Vardapet (the great Armenian composer, musician and armenologist) from Constantinople.
Birth of the Republic:
Opening of Temporary Exhibition at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
20.04.2018
Today the opening of the exhibition titled "Birth of the Republic" dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia took place at the Temporary Exhibitions Hall of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute for the representatives of mass media.
The exhibition includes unique exhibits relating to the First Republic of Armenia from a number of Armenian and Diaspora museums and personal collections.
Among the rare exhibits are posters, medals, jubilee postcards, unique editions, historical photographs, etc. Also a flagpole of a Turkish flag found in Sardarapat, Avetis Aharonyan's golden pen, by which the Treaty of Sevres was signed, exclusive exhibits about the Armenian army and state symbols are presented.
Findijag Self-Defense, July-August 1915
17.04.2018
Findijag village is located in Marash province of Mountainous Cilicia. Fndijag Armenians are famous for the heroic resistance organized against the prevailing forces of the enemy and for escaping Adana massacres in 1909.
As early as in spring of 1915 a group of fighting Zeitun Armenians, who had rebelled against the genocidal policy of Young Turks, found shelter in Fndijag. The news from neighbouring towns about the mass massacres made Findijag Armenians organize self-defense. Soon they were joined by the Armenians population of neighbouring Derekyoy and Keshifle villages (totally around 4000 Armenians). Military unit was established under the command of Vardevar Kehyan, Minas Golantchyan, Hovsep Zeituntsyan, Nazareth Kojoyan and others.
In mid-July the Turkish gendarme detachments met the grave resistance of Armenian population. A few days later a regular army consisting of 8000 Turks and Muslim mobs was drawn against Armenian forces (about 600 fighters, including women).
Delegation օf Legislative Assembly օf the Republic of Karelia Visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex
13.04.2018
Delegation led by Elissan Shandalovich, President of the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia (RF), accompanied by Mikael Melkumyan, Deputy Speaker of the RA National Assembly, and Vahe Enfiadjyan, member of the RA National Assembly, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex.
The guests were welcomed by Gevorg Vardanyan, AGMI Acting Director, and introduced to the history of construction of the memorial complex, and its symbolism.
The members of delegation put flowers at the eternal fire, by honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
Corinna Shattuck – 170
Miss Shattuck: Apostle – like Missionary
12.04.2018
Corinna Shattuck was born on April 21, 1848, in the city of Lyuisville, Kentucky, USA. After her parents’ death, she moved to Acton, Massachusetts to her grandparents, where she spent her childhood. She studied pedagogy at Framingham normal school (now Framingham State University). In the fall of 1873, as a missionary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions she left for Aintab. From 1873 she helped Armenians of Aintab, Urfa, Marash, Adana and Kessab.
In 1892, she finally settled in Urfa and took the management of the missionary work there. By threatening her own life she sheltered and saved the lives of 240 Armenians in her home (60 men, the rest - women and children) during 1895 Urfa massacre. She did not use her right to move to Aintab, preferring to help the Armenians from the massacres. The missionary did not spare any effort to care for orphans, feed the homeless, and heal the cuts of the wounded. She established an Orphanage in the Protestant School, and soon the number of children in that orphanage reached 300.
Avetis Sanosyanm, one of the inmates of the orphanage wrote; “This noble missionary tried in every way to be useful to the people, if someone needed clothes, she had to find a mean to provide him/her with home and meal. If the orphans had to gather upon one shelter, then they should be educated.
Children Waiting for their Turn to Enter an Orphanage in Alexandrapol (1919)
10.04.2018
The photograph depicts starving Armenian orphans in tatters, standing in the snow in cold winter and waiting for their turn to enter the American Near East Relief orphanage. This was possible only if one of the children in the orphanage died to free a place for another orphan.
Armenian Genocide resulted in death of tens of thousands of Armenian children; those who survived became orphans, deprived of parental care. In order to provide livelihood to those children and save them from inevitable death, an unprecedented in the history of mankind rescue mission was launched wherein the American Near East Relief Committee played a major role. The organization carried out a vigorous activity in Syria, Lebanon, Greece and Armenia, and after the Armistice of Mudros, the organization led relief activities also in the inner regions of the Ottoman Empire.
The Minister of State Attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum
30.03.2018
The French delegation led by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, the minister of state attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and paid tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.
The guests were welcomed by Gevorg Vardanyan, the AGMI Acting Director, who introduced to the history of construction of the memorial complex and its symbolism.
Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne laid a wreath at the Monument, and the members of delegation put flowers at the eternal fire, honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
Ottoman Empire’s State Orphanages as Centers for Turkifying Armenian Children
30.03.2018
The policy of turkification and assimilation of children during the Armenian genocide was an important component of the Ottoman genocidal policy. The Ottoman documents clearly show that the Turkish government aimed at systematically assimilating the Armenian children. The process of Islamization of children and erasure of their national and religious identity was easier to implement at an early age. Famous genocide scholar Vahagn Dadryan referring to the issues of forced Islamization of Armenian children during the Armenian Genocide, notes that “the Ottoman Turks were quite appreciative of the value of the gene pool that Armenian children embodied; they were regarded as an invaluable resource for the enrichment of the mainstream of the Turkish nation”.
Forcible Islamization of Armenian children was implemented on two levels: by the state and public masses. Many Armenian children were kidnapped by Turks and Kurds, sometimes they were “adopted”, and living in an Islamic environment, they were gradually turkifyied and assimilated to that society.
Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Paid Tribute to the Memory of Victims of Armenian Genocide
27.03.2018
Jean Asselborn, the minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxemburg, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial and paid tribute to the memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide.
The guests were welcomed by the AGMI Acting Director Gevorg Vardanyan and introduced to the history of construction of the memorial complex and its symbolism.
Minister Asselborn put flowers at the eternal fire, by honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence. The guests also visited the Memory Alley, where the Foreign Minister planted a nominal fir.
Hayk Demoyan gave a lecture on Interpretations of Armenian History at the Fresno State’s University Business Center
27.03.2018
On March 19, Dr. Hayk Demoyan gave a lecture entitled “Multiple Identities and Memories of the Armenian World” at Fresno State’s University Business Center.
The lecture, which was a part of the Armenian studies program spring lecture series, showcased the research of Hayk Demoyan. Demoyan’s lecture examined how physical symbols of Armenian history like monuments, statues and stamps vary throughout different countries. He explained that through the construction of these physical entities, some try to frame history the way they would like it to be framed. This can lead to differing narratives among people.
An overarching theme of the lecture was that there are disputes regarding whether certain historical figures or events should be perceived positively or negatively.
Delegation of RF FA State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Visited Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex
26.03.2018
On March 24, the delegation of the RF Federal Assembly State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots accompanied by the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Armen Ashotyan and AGMI Acting Director Gevorg Vardanyan visited Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex.
On behalf of the RF FA State Duma the members of the delegation laid a wreath at the Genocide Monument, and put flowers at the eternal fire, by honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
The guests also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum, observed the exhibits, got acquainted with the documents proving the Armenian Genocide and left a note in the Memory Book.
The Interview of Gevorg Vardanyan in the Policy Journal of the American Hellenic Institute
21.03.2018
The interview of Gevorg Vardanyan, acting director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, was published in the policy journal of the American Hellenic Institute.
The interview of George Shirinian, the Executive Director of the International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (A Division of the Zoryan Institute), is devoted to the comparative studies of the Armenian Genocide, particularly the Greeks genocide.
The American Hellenic Institute is one of the most influential Greek lobby organizations of USA. It was established in 1974, and has a great role in Greek-American relations, the Cyprus issue and the recognition of Greek genocide. The on-line magazine released by the Institute has a large audience among the Greeks in USA, as well as cultural, public and political figures.
Delegation of APF Political Affairs Committee Paid Tribute to the Memory of Victims of Armenian Genocide
20.03.2018
The delegation of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF) accompanied by the AGMI Acting Director Gevorg Vardanyan and the Head of the RA NA delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie Margarit Yesayan visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex.
The President of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie, the Member of the Senate of France Christophe-André Frassa and the members of the delegation put flowers at the eternal fire, by honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
The members of the delegation also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum, were introduced with the museum exhibits, documentary proofs and photos about the Armenian Genocide and left a note in the Memory Book.
The Delegation of the Polish senate Paid Tribute at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and visited museum
19.03.2018
On March 18, the delegation of the Foreign and European Union Affairs Committee of the Senate of the Republic of Poland accompanied by the Head of the RA NA Armenia-Poland Friendship Group Vahan Harutyunyan, Shirak Torosyan, the member of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Paweł Cieplak, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland to Armenia visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex.
The guests were welcomed by the AGMI Acting Director Gevorg Vardanyan and introduced to the history of construction of the memorial complex and its symbolism.
The Chairman of the Foreign and European Union Affairs Committee of the Senate of the Republic of Poland Marek Rocki and the members of the delegation laid a wreath and flowers at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and at eternal fire honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
Dr. Hayk Demoyan participated in the conference dedicated to the 400 Years of Armenian-American heritage
18.03.2018
On March 17, Dr. Hayk Demoyan, participated in the conference dedicated to the 400 Years of Armenian-American heritage in Ararat House in Los Angeles. The title of the Dr. Demoyan’s speech was: “Return or Stay? Armenian Emigration to America and Repatriation in the Late 19th to Early 20th Centuries.”
The major flow of Armenian emigration to the United States from both Western and Eastern Armenia started in the second half of the 19th century. Primarily, these individuals were medical or theological students. Until the late 19th century, there were few cases of these immigrants seeking a permanent settlement in the U.S. Armenian men, who were the first sojourners arriving in the United States as working migrants, usually had their families behind and their primary goal was to accumulate funds before returning to their homeland and rejoining their families. Armenian-American publications and local memorabilia from this time contain instructions on how one should behave in the U.S. and keep loved ones “back home” foremost in their minds. The Hamidian massacres of 1894-1896 triggered a fresh wave of Armenian migration from the Ottoman Empire and forced many of those already in the U.S. to face a very personal dilemma: stay in the new land and cut off family connections back home or attempt, by all means possible, to bring family members to the U.S.
Conference dedicated to the 400 Years of Armenian-American heritage
AGMI Participated in the Organization of the Conference Los Angeles
10.03.2018
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) together with Ararat-Eskijian Museum (AEM), National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), Project SAVE Armenia photograph Archives and Armenian Studies program at California State University Northridge are organizing a conference dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Armenian to America “Martin the Armenian” (Virginia 1618) on March 16-17, in Ararat House in Los Angeles, George Deukmejian Community Center.
The conference titled “Celebration of 400 years of Armenian-American heritage, 1918-2018” will focus on the history of the Armenian-American community and its remarkable achievements that were very modest at the start.
Doctor of Historical Sciences Hayk Demoyan, who is also a major supporter of the conference and exhibition, will participate at the event.
Dear Visitor,
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute will be closed on March 8th, 2018.
Sincerely,
Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
Prime Minister of Georgia Paid Tribute to the Memory of Victims of Armenian Genocide
02.03.2018
Delegation led by Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who has arrived in Armenia on an official visit, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and Museum accompanied by Vahan Martirosyan, RA Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies, and Kamo Areyan, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan.
The high-ranking guests were welcomed by the AGMI Acting Director Gevorg Vardanyan and introduced to the history of construction of the memorial complex and its symbolism.
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili laid a wreath at the Monument, and the members of delegation put flowers at the eternal fire, honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence. Prime Minister also watered the fir he planted in Memory alley in 2016.
The new volume of English-language periodical has been published
02.03.2018
The new volume of English-language periodical “International Journal of Armenian Genocide Studies” has been published by the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.
International Journal of Armenian Genocide Studies publishes articles and reviews related to Armenian Genocide as well as genocide studies in general. Particular attention is paid to articles dealing with history, political science, anthropology, sociology, literature and law. Articles on other sciences are also be considered if they have strong ties or contexts with the main theme.
The journal has been published twice a year since 2014, Editor-in-Chief: Hayk Demoyan.
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Paid Tribute to the Memory of Victims of Armenian Genocide
23.02.2018
Delegation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, led by Giorgi Gakharia, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, which has arrived in Armenia on an official visit, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and Museum accompanied by Colonel-General of the Police Vladimir Gasparyan, the Head of the Military Police of the RA Ministry of Defence.
The guests were welcomed by the AGMI Acting Director Gevorg Vardanyan and introduced to the history of construction of the memorial complex and its symbolism.
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia laid a wreath at the Monument, and the members of delegation put flowers at the eternal fire, by honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
Dutch Parliament Adopts Two Resolutions on Armenian Genocide
23.02.2018
By majority of votes the Lower house of the Dutch Parliament (Tweede Kamer) adopted two motions regarding the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
One of the motions states that the Lower House “recognizes the Armenian Genocide”. According to the second motion, A Dutch Minister or State Secretary should attend the commemoration of the Genocide in Armenia in April.
Immediately after the vote, the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated that “Armenia highly appreciate the debates held in the Parliament of friendly Netherlands and the decisions adopted as a result, which unequivocally reaffirm the recognition of the Armenian Genocide back in 2004.
“Armenian Legacy in America: A 400-year Heritage”
Dr. Hayk Demoyan’s new book is out now
23.02.2018
New monograph by Doctor of Historical Sciences Hayk Demoyan titled “Armenian Legacy in America: A 400-year Heritage” has been published. The book is dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Armenian to America. In 1618, “Martin the Armenian” arrived to Virginia. The arrival of the first Armenian also signaled the flow of Armenian refugees, immigrants who brought their own customs, style, cuisine, and mentality to new country. They were students, craftsman, traders, farmers, who came to America to survive, and with great hope to help their families suffering from exploitation and abuse in their homeland.
The book is an illustrated addition with 620 pages and more than 2,200 photos, including artifacts, documents and rare images, demonstrating the history and legacy of the Armenian-American community and the important contributions of the Armenian Community.
The volume is the first attempt to comprise materials from Armenian institutions of the Republic of Armenia, and the United States. Book chapters and illustrations are presented in chronological order, covering the time period from 1618 until the early 1990’s.
President of Lebanon Visited Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and Museum
21.02.2018
President of the Republic of Lebanon Michel Aoun, who has arrived in Armenia on a state visit at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and Museum accompanied by the RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Development Davit Lokyan and Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan.
Acting Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Gevorg Vardanyan introduced to the President of Lebanon the construction history of the memorial complex and its symbolism. The president of Lebanon laid a wreath at the Monument, and the members of delegation put flowers at the eternal fire, by honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
Hayk Demoyan Will Take Part at the Conference Dedicated to the 400 Years of Armenian-American Heritage
16.02.2018
Dr. Hayk Demoyan will take part at the conference dedicated to the 400 years of Armenian-American heritage titled “Celebration of 400 years of Armenian-American heritage, 1618-2018” on March 16, 2018, at the Ararat Home of Los Angeles, George Deukmejian Community Center. He has been a key collaborator in organizing the conference and exhibition.
In conjunction with the conference, a special exhibition prepared for the occasion will be on display featuring Armenian-American heirlooms and historical artifacts from the Ararat-Eskijian Museum and from the private collection of Dr. Hayk Demoyan.
Article by a Lemkin Scholarship Awardee was published in a Prestigious American Scientific Journal
13.02.2018
Rebecca Jinks, the first recipient of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute's Rafael Lemkin Scholarship, has published an article in the American Historical Review. The article titled “Marks Hard to Erase. The Troubled Reclamation of “Absorbed” Armenian Women, 1919–1927”, is dedicated to the tragic fate of Armenian women during the Armenian Genocide. Original sources and photos from the AGMI collections were used in the article.
American Historical Review is a leading English-language scientific journal in the world, with the highest impact factor. It is the official publication of the American Historical Association, now published by the Oxford University Press.
Rafael Lemkin Scholarship was established by the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in 2011 with a view to engage young and promising scientists from around the world in the study of the Armenian Genocide.
President of Bulgaria Paid Tribute to the Memory of Victims of Armenian Genocide
12.02.2018
President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, who has arrived in Armenia on a state visit at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex accompanied by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan. Acting Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Gevorg Vardanyan presented the history of construction of the memorial complex and its symbolism.
The president of Bulgaria laid a wreath at the Monument, and the members of delegation put flowers at the eternal fire, by honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence. The President and his delegation also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum, where AGMI deputy director Lousine Abrahamyan presented the history of the first Genocide of the 20th century. At the end of the tour President Rumen Radev left a note in the Book of Honorable Guests. AGMI Acting Director Gevorg Vardanyan handed Golden Medal for high-ranking guests visiting the museum to the President of Bulgaria.
New Ambassador of Poland Visited Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and Museum
08.02.2018
The newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland to Armenia Paweł Cieplak visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. He laid a wreath at the Monument, and then the members of the delegation put flowers at the eternal fire, honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
The Ambassador was welcomed by Gevorg Vardanyan, AGMI Acting Director, and introduced to the history of construction of the memorial complex, and its symbolism.
The delegation from Poland also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum. AGMI Deputy Director Lousine Abrahamyan introduced museum exhibits and presented the history of Armenian Genocide.
«My Family was killed because we were Armenians»
08.02.2018
The memoir of Hayk Aharonyan, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, has been written down by his son Emanuele Sergio Aharonyan. By doing this work he mentions that when these stories are not written down directly by the survivors, they lose their “flavor”.
The father of the person, who wrote the memoir, Hayk Aharonyan, was born on May 25, 1905, in Sebastia, attended an Armenian private school. One day Turks told them, that they were deporting all the Armenians. They offered to the family to convert to Islam and stay, but Hayk’s father Manuel, answered, that he was born Christian and would die Christian. During the Armenian Genocide, Aharonyan lost eighty-four relatives. Only one, Levon Darbinyan, succeeded to cross the Russian border and to find shelter in Eastern Armenia.
A Turk took Hayk to his farm in Malatya, where he worked nine years for him. He mentioned that by this the Turk saved his life, as six-seven years old children or over were killed because they would remember, that they were Armenians and Christians. After shooting two neighbors by the master's indication, he was offered to escape to Malatya. 19 years old Hayk encountered many difficulties and returned to Sebastia. He went to his father’s house and found out, that a Turkish family was leaving there. When he announced, that the house belonged to his family, the Turks answered to him: “Giavur (infidel) go away, otherwise we will cut your head off”.
President of the National Council of Switzerland Paid Tribute to the Memory of Victims of the Armenian Genocide
06.02.2018
The delegation led by Dominique de Buman, President of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation, accompanied by Lucas Gasser, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republ;ic of Armenia, and Shirak Torosyan, Member of the Armenian Parliament, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex.
The guests were welcomed by Gevorg Vardanyan, AGMI Acting Director, and introduced to the history of construction of the memorial complex and its symbolism.
Dominique de Buman laid a wreath at the Genocide Monument, and put flowers at the eternal fire, by honoring the memory of the innocent martyrs with a minute of silence.
Self-Defense օf Marash, January - February 1920
31.01.2018
Marash was one of the densely-populated and rich cities of historic Cilicia. Before the Armenian Genocide it had about 40.000 Armenian population, which was engaged in crafts, trade and agriculture.
In 1915 Marash Armenians were deported from their native city, many of them were massacred during deportation. A part of Armenians (about 25.000 people) that had been deported from Marash in 1915 and legionaries who had fought in French army, returned to city after the defeat of Turkey in WWI and the conclusion of Mudros Treaty in October 30, 1918, as soon as the Turks left Cilicia.
With the extension of Kemalist-nationalist movement Turkish authorities started devising plans for removing French garrison from Marash at the point of bayonet and massacring Armenian population of the city. In order to carry out those plans Turkish authorities first armed local Muslim mobs, instilled hatred against Marash Armenians by organizing constant disturbances.
Unique Archive donated to the Armenian genocide Museum-Institute
30.01.2018
Thanks to the efforts of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, the Archive of the American-Armenian family, who survived the Armenian Genocide, has been donated to the Museum.
American-Armenian Susan Solakyan donated a great history of her big family to The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, which includes memoirs, documents and photos.
Of course he is sure, that their family relics appear in caring hands, and the goal is to transfer the most important thing, the memory, to the generations.
Over one-century-old history of Tomas and Estern Mkrtchyan, who were from Mezre (Kharberd province), from being deported from their historical homeland up to settling in the United States, is rich with the accurate historical information, as well as the most severe manifestations of human loss.
Dear Visitor,
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute will be closed on January 28th, 2018.
Sincerely,
Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
“Atlas of the Armenian Genocide” is published
27.01.2018
Atlas of the Armenian Genocide in English language was published by Babken Harutyunyan Laboratory of Armenian Historical Geography and Cartography. The research has been carried out by Vardan Mkhitaryan, head of Laboratory.
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute has participated in the preparation of the Atlas. The Atlas presents various issues and historical events related to the Armenian Genocide: Armenian-Turkish war, Hamidian massacres, massacres of eastern Armenians, May victories, massacres of Armenians in Baku, cultural genocide, formation of Diaspora etc. Atlas also includes agreements, documents and pictures. The role of Armenians in the Ottoman and Russian Empires is also presented in the Atlas. There is also a reference to the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide in the last part of the publication.
Awarding Ceremony of the Winners of the International Children’s Exhibition of Fine Arts Lidice 2017 was Held at AGMI
26.01.2018
Awarding ceremony of the winners of the International Children’s Exhibition of Fine Arts Lidice (ICEFA Lidice) was held at the temporary exhibition hall of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. Peter Mikiska, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Armenia, hosted the ceremony and handed over the prizes to the winners.
AGMI Acting Director Gevorg Vardanyan gave a welcome speech, stressing the role of such events in shaping children’s worldview. Gevorg Vardanyan expressed his great whish that all children in the world live in peace and never see tragedies like Lidice.
The Ambassador thanked the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute for supporting the event. The 45th edition (2017) of the exhibition was dedicated to the theme of “Traveling”.
Every Armenian is a Document-said Lusie Chakir (Ashotyan), Hrant Dink’s maternal-grandmother, Survivor of Armenian Genocide: Episodes from Her Life
19.01.2018
“Hrant, darling, I don’t remember much about 1915 events, but my biography, as well as those of many other survivors, are documents about the genocide”.
Lusi(n)e Chakir(Chaqr) was a daughter of Efendi Manuel Ashotyan, a craftsman and a father of five from Gyurunts. She was the only daughter of her father, and he used to call her Ahchig (Aghchik (girl in Armenian)), thus her name remained Aghchik. She was one of those little Armenian survivor-girls chosen from the deportation caravans and handled to the Qangal orphanage in Sebastia.
Lusie Chakir was Hrant Dink’s maternal-grandmother.
It was 1915. Lusie’s elder brother Artashes had moved to the USA to get education. As her relatives recalled based on her stories, the entire family was impatiently waiting for a letter from Artashes. In the evening there was a knock on the door, but a policeman instead of a postman was standing on the door.
Newly Discovered Photos
24.12.2017
Nearly 25 new photos depicting the evacuation of the participants of Musa Dagh heroic battle by the French warships have been discovered by the efforts of the Armenian Genocide Museum -Institute. The original photos were taken by the French navy officer in September 1915.
The photos depict evacuation of the Armenian civilians by the boats to the warships.
The new photos will be available to the public in April 2018.
US Cinemas announced premiere: “Alice in Hungerland”
What did the silent movie tell about Armenian Genocide?
05.12.2017
In 1915 a number of prominent Americans at the request of Henry Morgenthau, the US Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, founded the Near East Relief Committee, which aimed “to provide relief and to assist in the repatriation, rehabilitation, and the reestablishment of suffering and dependent people of the Near East and adjacent areas, as well as to provide for the care of orphans and widows …” For the purpose of organizing donations and fundraising, the members of the Relief Committee began a large-scale campaign.
For more effective fundraising conditions were created at the end of World War I. It provided the broader layers of the society an opportunity better to understand the Near East tragedy through photographs and moving pictures. Using the power of visual image and realizing the impact of photographs of desperate Armenian refugees and orphans to capture the sentiments of the society, documentary and feature films were screened.
In order to create such movies the Committee members, photographers, producers and filmmakers were sent to the Near East. In 1921, Mrs. Florence Spencer Duryea, as a member of the film crew of the Near East Relief Committee, arrived in Constantinople. Mrs. Florence Spencer Duryea was with the organization from the very first years of the Committee's creation, and was particularly interested in Armenian refugees and orphans. Being the National Director of Women’s Organizations for the institution, she frequently spoke about Near East Relief’s work and was quoted in prominent publications such as the New York Times and the Woman Citizen.
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