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PRESS RELEASE
Federation of Armenian Associations in Sweden
Press Contacts:
Arshak Gavafian: +46-705 340 705 [email protected]
Melina Mansourian: +46-739 872 231 [email protected]
Armenian Genocide Commemoration Events Held in Stockholm, Sweden
April 24 2007 marks the 92nd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. On
April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Empire, Today's Turkey, initiated the
Armenian Genocide by arresting and executing over 600 hundred Armenian
intellectuals. The brutal massacre of the Armenian leaders was the start
of the First Genocide of the 20th Century during which 1.5 million
Armenian men, women, and children were killed and the entire nation was
driven from its land. Turkey has not yet recognized the Genocide.
The Republic of Armenia and Armenians throughout the world commemorate
April 24 as a Day of Remembrance. The Federation of Armenian
Associations in Sweden in cooperation with Armenian Church Councils has
held a series of commemoration events starting April 20, 2007. The
events will continue till April 28 2007.
April 20: Meeting with Mr. Ara Papyan, the Armenian ambassador in Canada
during the years 2001-2006
Armenians in the Sweden met with Mr. Papyan. Mr. Papyan is an historian,
diplomat and an expert on international laws related to Armenian
Genocide and Treaty of Sévres. Araz Artinian, the Armenian filmmaker and
producer of the film `Genocide in Me', participated in the meeting.
April 21: Main Commemoration Event
The event started at 02:00pm after Prayers by Father Nerseh Khalatian,
Vicarious of Patriarchal Delegate of Armenian Apostolic Church in
Scandinavia and ended at 07:00pm after blessings from Father Grigor
Shahinian, head of the Armenian Catholic Church.
The event contained lectures held by Mr. Vahagn Avedian, chairman of the
Federation of Armenian Associations in Sweden, Mr. Ara Papyan and Mr.
Jacob Johnson, member of the Left Party and a regular member of the
Swedish Parliament
Mr. Vahagn Avedian concluded his lecture by saying that `Calling
Armenian genocide as a part of history is history. In the time now and
future we must deal with Recognition, Redress, Reconciliation and
Prevention'.
Mr. Papyan, the head speaker of the day was clear in his statements and
meant that Sevre Treaty is yet valid today according to international
laws and in spite of the long standing occupation Turkey does not
possess any legal title to the territory and its de facto sovereignty is
not more than an administrative control by force of arms.
Mr. Johnson who is an active Swedish politician working for a Genocide
Recognition said that after the Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
Swedish Parliament in 2000, the Turkish embassy's lobby has strengthened
and they do everything they can to stop the process from further
development.
The event also contained poem readings by Zara Grigorian, Alenoosh
Avedian and Haik Hakopian, dance and drama performances by Raffi
Armenian Association and Homenetmen Scouts. The last part of the program
was the documentary film `Genocide in Me'. Araz Artinian, the young and
talented director of the film, attended the event and after the film she
held a short lecture and also answered many questions from the audience.
More than 300 Armenians and also Swedes were present and felt quite
satisfied with the event.
April 22: Exhibition of photos on Armenian Genocide
Mr. Ara Papyan inaugurated the event that will go on until 27 April.
During this period the work of Mr. Ebrahim Katto which consists of
artistic photos on Armenian Genocide is exhibited.
April 22: Liturgy in Memory of Armenian Genocide Victims
In memory of Genocide Victims, Father Nerseh Khalatian, Vicarious of
Patriarchal Delegate of Armenian Apostolic Church in Scandinavia held a
liturgy at Kista Church.
April 24: Manifestation at Mynttorget square, Swedish Parliament,
A one day Manifestation, 10:00am-07:00pm, in front of the Swedish
Parliament. Swedish Armenians had a tent with information about the
Armenian Genocide, distribute booklets, brochures to people who are
passing by. At noon the Author Mr. Bertil Bengtsson held a lecture and
answered questions about his book `The year of the Sword" will signed
the book for purchasers. At 01:00pm a delegation from the Federation of
Armenian Associations in Sweden met with Prime Minister Fredrik
Reinfeldt and handed over a letter. At 02:00pm interview took place with
young Swedish Armenian politicians and their view of the Armenian
Genocide. At 04:30pm - 06:00pm speeches of parliamentarians from all
Swedish political parties, as well as speeches on behalf of Assyrian,
Greek and Kurdish Unions were given in this active part of the
manifestation.
April 24: Ecumenical Commemorational Mass, at St. Jacob Church at
07:00pm
Participants: Armenian Apostolic Church of Sweden, Armenian Catholic
Church of Sweden, Swedish Protestant Church, Catholic Church of Sweden,
Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church of Stockholm and many other Swedish
based Churches.
April 28: Wreath-Laying Ceremony
The Armenian Church representatives, representatives from the Federation
of Armenian Associations in Sweden and Armenians as well as Swedes
visited the Grave of the famous Missionary Ms. Alma Johansson. Ms.
Johansson saved thousands of Armenian children lives in Moush and
surrounding areas during 1915. There was a commemorational service as
well as a wreath-laying ceremony at the Grave by Father Nerseh
Khalatian, Vicarious of Patriarchal Delegate of Armenian Apostolic
Church in Scandinavia and Pastor Norair Gandjumian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Federation of Armenian Associations in Sweden
Press Contacts:
Arshak Gavafian: +46-705 340 705 [email protected]
Melina Mansourian: +46-739 872 231 [email protected]
Armenian Genocide Commemoration Events Held in Stockholm, Sweden
April 24 2007 marks the 92nd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. On
April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Empire, Today's Turkey, initiated the
Armenian Genocide by arresting and executing over 600 hundred Armenian
intellectuals. The brutal massacre of the Armenian leaders was the start
of the First Genocide of the 20th Century during which 1.5 million
Armenian men, women, and children were killed and the entire nation was
driven from its land. Turkey has not yet recognized the Genocide.
The Republic of Armenia and Armenians throughout the world commemorate
April 24 as a Day of Remembrance. The Federation of Armenian
Associations in Sweden in cooperation with Armenian Church Councils has
held a series of commemoration events starting April 20, 2007. The
events will continue till April 28 2007.
April 20: Meeting with Mr. Ara Papyan, the Armenian ambassador in Canada
during the years 2001-2006
Armenians in the Sweden met with Mr. Papyan. Mr. Papyan is an historian,
diplomat and an expert on international laws related to Armenian
Genocide and Treaty of Sévres. Araz Artinian, the Armenian filmmaker and
producer of the film `Genocide in Me', participated in the meeting.
April 21: Main Commemoration Event
The event started at 02:00pm after Prayers by Father Nerseh Khalatian,
Vicarious of Patriarchal Delegate of Armenian Apostolic Church in
Scandinavia and ended at 07:00pm after blessings from Father Grigor
Shahinian, head of the Armenian Catholic Church.
The event contained lectures held by Mr. Vahagn Avedian, chairman of the
Federation of Armenian Associations in Sweden, Mr. Ara Papyan and Mr.
Jacob Johnson, member of the Left Party and a regular member of the
Swedish Parliament
Mr. Vahagn Avedian concluded his lecture by saying that `Calling
Armenian genocide as a part of history is history. In the time now and
future we must deal with Recognition, Redress, Reconciliation and
Prevention'.
Mr. Papyan, the head speaker of the day was clear in his statements and
meant that Sevre Treaty is yet valid today according to international
laws and in spite of the long standing occupation Turkey does not
possess any legal title to the territory and its de facto sovereignty is
not more than an administrative control by force of arms.
Mr. Johnson who is an active Swedish politician working for a Genocide
Recognition said that after the Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
Swedish Parliament in 2000, the Turkish embassy's lobby has strengthened
and they do everything they can to stop the process from further
development.
The event also contained poem readings by Zara Grigorian, Alenoosh
Avedian and Haik Hakopian, dance and drama performances by Raffi
Armenian Association and Homenetmen Scouts. The last part of the program
was the documentary film `Genocide in Me'. Araz Artinian, the young and
talented director of the film, attended the event and after the film she
held a short lecture and also answered many questions from the audience.
More than 300 Armenians and also Swedes were present and felt quite
satisfied with the event.
April 22: Exhibition of photos on Armenian Genocide
Mr. Ara Papyan inaugurated the event that will go on until 27 April.
During this period the work of Mr. Ebrahim Katto which consists of
artistic photos on Armenian Genocide is exhibited.
April 22: Liturgy in Memory of Armenian Genocide Victims
In memory of Genocide Victims, Father Nerseh Khalatian, Vicarious of
Patriarchal Delegate of Armenian Apostolic Church in Scandinavia held a
liturgy at Kista Church.
April 24: Manifestation at Mynttorget square, Swedish Parliament,
A one day Manifestation, 10:00am-07:00pm, in front of the Swedish
Parliament. Swedish Armenians had a tent with information about the
Armenian Genocide, distribute booklets, brochures to people who are
passing by. At noon the Author Mr. Bertil Bengtsson held a lecture and
answered questions about his book `The year of the Sword" will signed
the book for purchasers. At 01:00pm a delegation from the Federation of
Armenian Associations in Sweden met with Prime Minister Fredrik
Reinfeldt and handed over a letter. At 02:00pm interview took place with
young Swedish Armenian politicians and their view of the Armenian
Genocide. At 04:30pm - 06:00pm speeches of parliamentarians from all
Swedish political parties, as well as speeches on behalf of Assyrian,
Greek and Kurdish Unions were given in this active part of the
manifestation.
April 24: Ecumenical Commemorational Mass, at St. Jacob Church at
07:00pm
Participants: Armenian Apostolic Church of Sweden, Armenian Catholic
Church of Sweden, Swedish Protestant Church, Catholic Church of Sweden,
Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church of Stockholm and many other Swedish
based Churches.
April 28: Wreath-Laying Ceremony
The Armenian Church representatives, representatives from the Federation
of Armenian Associations in Sweden and Armenians as well as Swedes
visited the Grave of the famous Missionary Ms. Alma Johansson. Ms.
Johansson saved thousands of Armenian children lives in Moush and
surrounding areas during 1915. There was a commemorational service as
well as a wreath-laying ceremony at the Grave by Father Nerseh
Khalatian, Vicarious of Patriarchal Delegate of Armenian Apostolic
Church in Scandinavia and Pastor Norair Gandjumian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress