Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Greater Washington DC Area Armenians Comemmorate Genocide

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Greater Washington DC Area Armenians Comemmorate Genocide

    GREATER WASHINGTON DC AREA ARMENIANS COMEMMORATE GENOCIDE

    Armenian Weekly
    Fri, Apr 30 2010

    WASHINGTON-Armenian Americans from throughout the Southern Maryland,
    Northern Virginia and Washington DC area joined together on April
    18th at the Soorp Khatch Armenian Church Arabian Hall for the annual
    community commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, hosted by the
    Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Greater Washington.

    Participants young and old gathered to remember the 1.5 million
    Armenians murdered by orders of the Ottoman Turkish Government,
    honor the survivors, and recommit to efforts to secure justice for
    the Armenian Genocide.

    The Greater Washington Homenetmen Armenian Scout troop color guard
    opened the program and escorted in honored guest, 105-year-old Armenian
    Genocide survivor Yeretzgeen Sirarpi Khoyan.

    Keynote speakers of the day included ANCA Eastern Region Board Member
    Aram Sarafian, Esq. and Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
    Association Eastern U.S. Region Board member, Dr. Aline Baghdassarian.

    Each focused on the role of continued community and political activism
    to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and vigilance to
    end the cycle of genocide-already seen in the 21st century with the
    ongoing atrocities in Darfur.

    Ms. Talar Kachechian was the Mistress of Ceremonies of the program
    which included musical and cultural interludes presented by the
    Hamasdegh Armenian School students, who performed moving renditions of
    Taniel Varoujan's "Terenig," Gevorg Emin's "Der Zor," and Hovannes
    Shiraz' "We Were Peaceful." The Hamasdegh Chorus sang several
    songs including "Kedashen," Chelsea Erchenian presented a PowerPoint
    presentation regarding the history of the Armenian Genocide, followed
    by a closing prayer offered by Soorp Khatch Church pastor, Rev. Father
    Sarkis Aktavoukian. Earlier in the day, Rev. Father Aktavoukian
    had led the congregation in a special requiem service in memory of
    the victims of the Armenian Genocide, attended by Tatoul Markarian,
    Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. and other Armenian Embassy staff.

    The commemorative program was part of a series of activities organized
    by the local Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Greater
    Washington. Participating organizations include the Soorp Khatch
    Armenian Church Board of Trustees, Soorp Khatch Ladies Guild, Hamasdegh
    Armenian School, the ARF Sebouh Gomideh and its sister organizations
    including the local Armenian National Committee, Armenian Relief
    Society, Hamazkayine Armenian Educational and Cultural Association,
    Armenian Youth Federation Seniors and Juniors, and Homenetmen
    Armenian Athletic and Scouting Association. Homenetmen had held a
    special program on April 16th marking the 95th anniversary of the
    Armenian Genocide, with songs and poetry presented by the Homenetmen
    Scouts and remarks offered by Armenian National Committee of America
    Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
Working...
X