Tweet
"THE TWENTY HUNCHAKIAN MARTYRS" COMMEMORATED
By MassisPost
http://massispost.com/archives/9131
Updated: July 31, 2013
PASADENA, CA - As part of Social Democrat Hunchakian Party's events
worldwide, commemorating the 98th anniversary of the "Twenty Gallows",
the Paramaz and Arsen Gidour Chapters of SDHP's western region, in
their turn, organized an event on July 25 to honor the memory of the
twenty Armenian activists who were hung in Istanbul's Sultan Bayazid
Square on June 15, 1915.
This year's event was significant and different in its format from
past years because its purpose was to analyze the unprecedented
commemorative events that took place in Turkey on June 13 and 15 of
this year.
The evening's Master of Ceremonies Vahe Atchabahian emphasized that
the activities commemorating the "Twenty" in Istanbul were historical,
stating that the efforts of the Turkish progressive youth who worked
tirelessly to coordinate the activities should be commended. "Today's
progressive youth, by acquainting themselves with Paramaz and his
friends, have come to realize the goals that they are pursuing
within present day Turkey, were pursued decades ago by the martyred
Armenians."
SDHP Gaidz Youth Organization member Jano Khodanian presented in
detail the activities and program objectives pursued by the "Twenty."
Khodanian said, "Although their plans did not come to fruition, the
'Twenty' have been a source of inspiration for thousands of young
Armenians throughout the world, but most notably, to those who joined
the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party."
Sundukyan State Academic Theatre's famous actor Harut Fodoulyan,
eloquently narrated Paramaz's legendary speech during trials in the
Turkish court.
Delivering the keynote address of the evening, S. D. Hunchakian
Party Central Committee member, Krikor Khodanian, stated that the
observance of the anniversary by the Turkish Progressive Movements of
the martyrdom of the "Twenty," is considered a positive step towards
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. At the same time, he cautioned
of being overly optimistic taking into consideration the ulterior
motives of the Turkish government tolerating such activities.
Mr. Khodanian presented a historical overview on Genocide recognition,
from the 1965 worldwide demonstration in Soviet Armenia and the
Diaspora, to the 2007 assassination of Hrant Dink. Events that both
reawakened the Armenian people to pursue justice and brought the
Armenian case to the forefront of the international court breaking
the wall of silence in Turkey.
Significant events occurring along the 1965 protest included Gourgen
Yanikian's assassination of two Turkish consular officials, the
formation and activities of the Armenian Secret Army, Turkish Foreign
Minister Caglayangil meeting with the traditional three Armenian
political parties, the Justice and Development Party coming to power in
Turkey, the assassination of Hrant Dink and the subsequent reaction by
Turkish society and lastly, the commemorations of the Armenian Genocide
on April 24 in major Turkish cities in the last four years initiated
by Turkish intellectuals in an effort to engage Turkish society with
the historical realities of Turkey and apologize to Armenians.
"Consequently, many Turkish intellectuals are convinced the country
is ready and within the next ten years the Turkish government will
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide," Mr. Khodanian addeed. "These
intellectuals do not base their assessment on hopes and desires,
but rather on study and analysis. Recently, a Turkish lecturer wrote
'the hands of the clock are moving, and we are approaching the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Hence the world examines Turkey
and expects it to face its recent history.'"
"Armenians are waiting as well and are ready to open a new page with
our neighbor and its people if Turkey recognizes the historical truth
of the Armenian people and arranges appropriate compensation," added
Khodanian. "Until that day comes to fruition, let the souls of our
martyrs be venerated on April 24 and June 15 throughout Turkey."
Mr. Khodanian's remarks were followed by a video presentation
documenting the historical events that took place on June 13 and June
15 in commemoration of the "Twenty" in Istanbul, Turkey this year.
The twenty-minute coverage included the panel discussion, along with
the commemoration which took place at Sultan Bayazid Square (Bayazit
Meydani) on June 15, organized by various Turkish human rights
activists, Turkish intellectuals and Turkish political figures and
included the Chairman of the S.D. Hunchak party Executive Committee
of Lebanon, Mr. Alexander Keushkerian.
The evening's program included a recitation of Barouyr Sevak's
"Hayastan" by Nareg Klejian, a student of Arshak Dikranian Armenian
school. Renowned Los Angeles-based Armenian American singer Done
invigorated the audience with his powerful performance of patriotic
songs.
SDHP Western Region Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Gabriel
Moloyan, delivered a message on behalf of His Eminence Archbiship
Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church. The message expressed the importance of the "Twenty" martyrs
reiterating the significance of commemorating their legacy not only
in the Diaspora, but within Turkey as well. His Eminence Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian, former Primate of the Western Diocese expressed his
astonishment for not only the progression of the Turkish society's
willingness to confront their government's denialist agenda, but also
for the steps taken to commemorate the "Twenty" on the very same
soil where they were martyred. Archbishop Hovspeian commended the
activities of the Hunchakian Party and wished them continued success.
From: A. Papazian
By MassisPost
http://massispost.com/archives/9131
Updated: July 31, 2013
PASADENA, CA - As part of Social Democrat Hunchakian Party's events
worldwide, commemorating the 98th anniversary of the "Twenty Gallows",
the Paramaz and Arsen Gidour Chapters of SDHP's western region, in
their turn, organized an event on July 25 to honor the memory of the
twenty Armenian activists who were hung in Istanbul's Sultan Bayazid
Square on June 15, 1915.
This year's event was significant and different in its format from
past years because its purpose was to analyze the unprecedented
commemorative events that took place in Turkey on June 13 and 15 of
this year.
The evening's Master of Ceremonies Vahe Atchabahian emphasized that
the activities commemorating the "Twenty" in Istanbul were historical,
stating that the efforts of the Turkish progressive youth who worked
tirelessly to coordinate the activities should be commended. "Today's
progressive youth, by acquainting themselves with Paramaz and his
friends, have come to realize the goals that they are pursuing
within present day Turkey, were pursued decades ago by the martyred
Armenians."
SDHP Gaidz Youth Organization member Jano Khodanian presented in
detail the activities and program objectives pursued by the "Twenty."
Khodanian said, "Although their plans did not come to fruition, the
'Twenty' have been a source of inspiration for thousands of young
Armenians throughout the world, but most notably, to those who joined
the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party."
Sundukyan State Academic Theatre's famous actor Harut Fodoulyan,
eloquently narrated Paramaz's legendary speech during trials in the
Turkish court.
Delivering the keynote address of the evening, S. D. Hunchakian
Party Central Committee member, Krikor Khodanian, stated that the
observance of the anniversary by the Turkish Progressive Movements of
the martyrdom of the "Twenty," is considered a positive step towards
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. At the same time, he cautioned
of being overly optimistic taking into consideration the ulterior
motives of the Turkish government tolerating such activities.
Mr. Khodanian presented a historical overview on Genocide recognition,
from the 1965 worldwide demonstration in Soviet Armenia and the
Diaspora, to the 2007 assassination of Hrant Dink. Events that both
reawakened the Armenian people to pursue justice and brought the
Armenian case to the forefront of the international court breaking
the wall of silence in Turkey.
Significant events occurring along the 1965 protest included Gourgen
Yanikian's assassination of two Turkish consular officials, the
formation and activities of the Armenian Secret Army, Turkish Foreign
Minister Caglayangil meeting with the traditional three Armenian
political parties, the Justice and Development Party coming to power in
Turkey, the assassination of Hrant Dink and the subsequent reaction by
Turkish society and lastly, the commemorations of the Armenian Genocide
on April 24 in major Turkish cities in the last four years initiated
by Turkish intellectuals in an effort to engage Turkish society with
the historical realities of Turkey and apologize to Armenians.
"Consequently, many Turkish intellectuals are convinced the country
is ready and within the next ten years the Turkish government will
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide," Mr. Khodanian addeed. "These
intellectuals do not base their assessment on hopes and desires,
but rather on study and analysis. Recently, a Turkish lecturer wrote
'the hands of the clock are moving, and we are approaching the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Hence the world examines Turkey
and expects it to face its recent history.'"
"Armenians are waiting as well and are ready to open a new page with
our neighbor and its people if Turkey recognizes the historical truth
of the Armenian people and arranges appropriate compensation," added
Khodanian. "Until that day comes to fruition, let the souls of our
martyrs be venerated on April 24 and June 15 throughout Turkey."
Mr. Khodanian's remarks were followed by a video presentation
documenting the historical events that took place on June 13 and June
15 in commemoration of the "Twenty" in Istanbul, Turkey this year.
The twenty-minute coverage included the panel discussion, along with
the commemoration which took place at Sultan Bayazid Square (Bayazit
Meydani) on June 15, organized by various Turkish human rights
activists, Turkish intellectuals and Turkish political figures and
included the Chairman of the S.D. Hunchak party Executive Committee
of Lebanon, Mr. Alexander Keushkerian.
The evening's program included a recitation of Barouyr Sevak's
"Hayastan" by Nareg Klejian, a student of Arshak Dikranian Armenian
school. Renowned Los Angeles-based Armenian American singer Done
invigorated the audience with his powerful performance of patriotic
songs.
SDHP Western Region Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Gabriel
Moloyan, delivered a message on behalf of His Eminence Archbiship
Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church. The message expressed the importance of the "Twenty" martyrs
reiterating the significance of commemorating their legacy not only
in the Diaspora, but within Turkey as well. His Eminence Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian, former Primate of the Western Diocese expressed his
astonishment for not only the progression of the Turkish society's
willingness to confront their government's denialist agenda, but also
for the steps taken to commemorate the "Twenty" on the very same
soil where they were martyred. Archbishop Hovspeian commended the
activities of the Hunchakian Party and wished them continued success.
From: A. Papazian