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Lowell Genocide Memorial Gets Rave Notice
By Tom Vartabedian on May 26, 2014
Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian embraces 102-year-old Nellie
Nazarian by 'A Mother's Hands' Genocide Memorial after unveiling.
Nellie is the lone remaining genocide survivor in Merrimack Valley.
(Tom Vartabedian Photo)
LOWELL, Mass.--Knot by knot, a mother's hands weave the history of her people.
These hands performed another ritual May 10 when they welcomed a crowd
of more than 300 people to their side at Lowell City Hall.
At long last (three years in the making) this unique genocide memorial
stands proud inside City Hall Plaza--the first time such a monument
finds itself across government soil in America.
While other monument unveilings went through some tenuous moments in
other parts of the world, this one was dedicated and blessed with
fanfare as various churches and organizations staged a united stand
behind a group called the Merrimack Valley Armenian Monument
Committee.
The stone exceeds six feet in length and takes its place in Monument
Park where other ethnic groups are represented. Anyone entering or
leaving the building is bound to take notice.
The mother's hands jets out over a khatchkar (cross-stone) wrapped
around an elaborate border with an emotional message below. At the
base, an inscription reads, "In Memory" and "Ee Hishadag," in
Armenian.
"There are approximately 230 monuments dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide in 42 countries around the world," said artistic designer
Daniel Varoujan Hejinian. "Most of these monuments are located in land
belonging to Armenian churches and organizations. What's so special
about this is the fact it is a first in the diaspora--an Armenian
Genocide memorial in front of a government building."
Combined with bronze and granite, the stone shows a mother's weaving
hands sculptured in clay, then refined through an elaborate process to
exude a 3-dimensional effect.
As a model, the artist used his sister Lena's hands. Buried into the
foundation of the stone was an actual piece of crochet done by
Hejinian's mother as a symbolic gesture of his family history and the
qualities that enhanced the concept.
"In spite of the pain and horror of our genocide, the Armenian people
everywhere cast their hopes and dreams, knot by knot, as they bloom
and prosper," added Hejinian, who has personally put up more than 50
genocide billboards around Greater Boston over the past 18 years.
"Our mothers were dream weavers," he added. "They worked the mills in
Lowell, holding down nearly two-thirds of all textile jobs in this
city. They came here to weave the fabric of our culture and we owe
them all a debt of gratitude."
Ironic that the unveiling took place on the eve of Mother's Day after
an earlier date was postponed due to a conflict. The fact it rained
did little to deter the crowd.
Crowd pours around 'A Mother's Hands' Genocide Memorial with cameras
in hand. (Tom Vartabedian Photo)
Chairman Armen Jeknavorian found a prominent Mother's Day saying in
capturing the moment, "The earth's warmth is in the mother's hands."
He, too, looked to the mills for a symbolic connection to the
memorial. Like his parents before him, they coped with difficult times
in bringing homage to the community.
"The Armenian population in Lowell during the early 1930's was
significant," he noted. "They built and consecrated their own church
in 1916. Our history remains proud with prosperity."
A procession in the downtown sector was led by members of the Sam
Manoian Post, Armenian-American Veterans, led by Commander Richard
Juknavorian.
Replica of 'A Mother's Hands' Genocide Memorial is presented to
artistic designer Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, center, by Merimack Valley
Armenian Monument Committee. Making the presentation were Chairman
Armen Jeknavorian, left, and Dr. Ara Jeknavorian. (Tom Vartabedian
Photo)
A torch bearing an eternal flame made its way to the entourage, led by
youth activists Garo Tashjian and Mgo Kassabian. It originated in
Armenia, making its first stop here, and will proceed through
communities across America before winding up in Historic Armenia next
April.
Children from different church schools held banners and marched with
their elder counterparts amid a police escort. Umbrellas were the
order of the day before it finally cleared for the dedication ceremony
shortly thereafter.
In attendance was Nellie Nazarian, the lone genocide survivor in
Merrimack Valley, joined by her family. The 102-year-old was embraced
by Armenians and Americans alike for her resilience as she posed for
photographs before the stone.
In a special certificate from U.S. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas
(Lowell), she applauded the courageous Armenian men and women who have
thrived to become a vital part of her community.
"This first monument of its kind in Lowell stands as a testament to
Armenians throughout history," she pointed out. "While we remember the
deceased, we also celebrate those who survived, worked the mills, and
raised their families with dignity."
U.S. Congressman John Tierney (Peabody), another strong advocate on
Armenian issues, described the monument as a symbol of this
community's strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
"Rest assured that I will continue my efforts to address core
humanitarian and economic difficulties that face the Armenian
population," he said.
Other proclamations and remarks were issued by State Senator Eileen
Donaghue, State Representative David Nangle, Mayor Rodney Elliott,
City Manager Kevin Murphy, City Councilor Rita Mercier (a former ANCA
Freedom Award winner), and City Councilor James Milinazzo, who
embraced the monument idea and selected the site as former mayor.
Members of Sam Manoian Post, Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell,
make their way along downtown Lowell in the rain, led by Commander
Richard Juknavorian. (Tom Vartabedian Photo)
Youth of the community presided over a flag-raising ceremony following
the monument blessing.
An ambitious fund-raising effort launched a year ago brought it the
$35,000 needed by Skylight Studios of Woburn for construction. Another
$15,000 is being raised toward the perpetual care. Contributions
poured in from around the country from donors who found the concept
both eclectic and ingenious.
A reception followed at Lowell High School, where a miniaturized
replica of the memorial was presented to Hejinian by committee members
as a gesture of gratitude.
A delightful cultural interlude was provided by soloist Sevan
Dulgarian, a UMass Amherst freshman and Greater Boston AYF Chapter
member.
Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian spoke both at the unveiling
and the luncheon. He served as honorary chairman of the project after
a visit last summer to the Lowell Folk Festival where he noticed an
Armenian tricolor and volunteered to get involved.
"The memorial represents the true Armenian-American dream: an
opportunity for us to show the public who we are and what we teach,"
he brought out. "The more we teach, the sooner people will realize the
truth about our genocide. Your effort here is compatible with what was
accomplished at Armenian Heritage Park in Boston. Heart. Commitment.
Energy. All the qualities go into it."
Three students were called upon to read their winning essays on a
theme that reflected the monument. They were Anna Shahtanian and
Matthew Kochakian, both of St. Gregory Church, North Andover, and
Isabelle Kapoian, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford.
The event was televised by Haykaram Nahapetyan, representing public
television of Armenia H1, and also received front-page exposure in the
local press. Serving as master of ceremonies throughout the day was
Dr. Ara Jeknavorian, committee activist and co-chairman of the
Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/05/26/lowell-genocide-memorial-gets-rave-notice/
From: A. Papazian
By Tom Vartabedian on May 26, 2014
Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian embraces 102-year-old Nellie
Nazarian by 'A Mother's Hands' Genocide Memorial after unveiling.
Nellie is the lone remaining genocide survivor in Merrimack Valley.
(Tom Vartabedian Photo)
LOWELL, Mass.--Knot by knot, a mother's hands weave the history of her people.
These hands performed another ritual May 10 when they welcomed a crowd
of more than 300 people to their side at Lowell City Hall.
At long last (three years in the making) this unique genocide memorial
stands proud inside City Hall Plaza--the first time such a monument
finds itself across government soil in America.
While other monument unveilings went through some tenuous moments in
other parts of the world, this one was dedicated and blessed with
fanfare as various churches and organizations staged a united stand
behind a group called the Merrimack Valley Armenian Monument
Committee.
The stone exceeds six feet in length and takes its place in Monument
Park where other ethnic groups are represented. Anyone entering or
leaving the building is bound to take notice.
The mother's hands jets out over a khatchkar (cross-stone) wrapped
around an elaborate border with an emotional message below. At the
base, an inscription reads, "In Memory" and "Ee Hishadag," in
Armenian.
"There are approximately 230 monuments dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide in 42 countries around the world," said artistic designer
Daniel Varoujan Hejinian. "Most of these monuments are located in land
belonging to Armenian churches and organizations. What's so special
about this is the fact it is a first in the diaspora--an Armenian
Genocide memorial in front of a government building."
Combined with bronze and granite, the stone shows a mother's weaving
hands sculptured in clay, then refined through an elaborate process to
exude a 3-dimensional effect.
As a model, the artist used his sister Lena's hands. Buried into the
foundation of the stone was an actual piece of crochet done by
Hejinian's mother as a symbolic gesture of his family history and the
qualities that enhanced the concept.
"In spite of the pain and horror of our genocide, the Armenian people
everywhere cast their hopes and dreams, knot by knot, as they bloom
and prosper," added Hejinian, who has personally put up more than 50
genocide billboards around Greater Boston over the past 18 years.
"Our mothers were dream weavers," he added. "They worked the mills in
Lowell, holding down nearly two-thirds of all textile jobs in this
city. They came here to weave the fabric of our culture and we owe
them all a debt of gratitude."
Ironic that the unveiling took place on the eve of Mother's Day after
an earlier date was postponed due to a conflict. The fact it rained
did little to deter the crowd.
Crowd pours around 'A Mother's Hands' Genocide Memorial with cameras
in hand. (Tom Vartabedian Photo)
Chairman Armen Jeknavorian found a prominent Mother's Day saying in
capturing the moment, "The earth's warmth is in the mother's hands."
He, too, looked to the mills for a symbolic connection to the
memorial. Like his parents before him, they coped with difficult times
in bringing homage to the community.
"The Armenian population in Lowell during the early 1930's was
significant," he noted. "They built and consecrated their own church
in 1916. Our history remains proud with prosperity."
A procession in the downtown sector was led by members of the Sam
Manoian Post, Armenian-American Veterans, led by Commander Richard
Juknavorian.
Replica of 'A Mother's Hands' Genocide Memorial is presented to
artistic designer Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, center, by Merimack Valley
Armenian Monument Committee. Making the presentation were Chairman
Armen Jeknavorian, left, and Dr. Ara Jeknavorian. (Tom Vartabedian
Photo)
A torch bearing an eternal flame made its way to the entourage, led by
youth activists Garo Tashjian and Mgo Kassabian. It originated in
Armenia, making its first stop here, and will proceed through
communities across America before winding up in Historic Armenia next
April.
Children from different church schools held banners and marched with
their elder counterparts amid a police escort. Umbrellas were the
order of the day before it finally cleared for the dedication ceremony
shortly thereafter.
In attendance was Nellie Nazarian, the lone genocide survivor in
Merrimack Valley, joined by her family. The 102-year-old was embraced
by Armenians and Americans alike for her resilience as she posed for
photographs before the stone.
In a special certificate from U.S. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas
(Lowell), she applauded the courageous Armenian men and women who have
thrived to become a vital part of her community.
"This first monument of its kind in Lowell stands as a testament to
Armenians throughout history," she pointed out. "While we remember the
deceased, we also celebrate those who survived, worked the mills, and
raised their families with dignity."
U.S. Congressman John Tierney (Peabody), another strong advocate on
Armenian issues, described the monument as a symbol of this
community's strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
"Rest assured that I will continue my efforts to address core
humanitarian and economic difficulties that face the Armenian
population," he said.
Other proclamations and remarks were issued by State Senator Eileen
Donaghue, State Representative David Nangle, Mayor Rodney Elliott,
City Manager Kevin Murphy, City Councilor Rita Mercier (a former ANCA
Freedom Award winner), and City Councilor James Milinazzo, who
embraced the monument idea and selected the site as former mayor.
Members of Sam Manoian Post, Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell,
make their way along downtown Lowell in the rain, led by Commander
Richard Juknavorian. (Tom Vartabedian Photo)
Youth of the community presided over a flag-raising ceremony following
the monument blessing.
An ambitious fund-raising effort launched a year ago brought it the
$35,000 needed by Skylight Studios of Woburn for construction. Another
$15,000 is being raised toward the perpetual care. Contributions
poured in from around the country from donors who found the concept
both eclectic and ingenious.
A reception followed at Lowell High School, where a miniaturized
replica of the memorial was presented to Hejinian by committee members
as a gesture of gratitude.
A delightful cultural interlude was provided by soloist Sevan
Dulgarian, a UMass Amherst freshman and Greater Boston AYF Chapter
member.
Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian spoke both at the unveiling
and the luncheon. He served as honorary chairman of the project after
a visit last summer to the Lowell Folk Festival where he noticed an
Armenian tricolor and volunteered to get involved.
"The memorial represents the true Armenian-American dream: an
opportunity for us to show the public who we are and what we teach,"
he brought out. "The more we teach, the sooner people will realize the
truth about our genocide. Your effort here is compatible with what was
accomplished at Armenian Heritage Park in Boston. Heart. Commitment.
Energy. All the qualities go into it."
Three students were called upon to read their winning essays on a
theme that reflected the monument. They were Anna Shahtanian and
Matthew Kochakian, both of St. Gregory Church, North Andover, and
Isabelle Kapoian, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford.
The event was televised by Haykaram Nahapetyan, representing public
television of Armenia H1, and also received front-page exposure in the
local press. Serving as master of ceremonies throughout the day was
Dr. Ara Jeknavorian, committee activist and co-chairman of the
Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/05/26/lowell-genocide-memorial-gets-rave-notice/
From: A. Papazian