Remembering Genocide in Armenia
This is my first time in Armenia on April 24th and I have to say that my experience was extremely personal and emotional. I didn't take my camera with me when I went to Dzidzernakabert as I needed to keep this time personal, but I did catch many photos from the march on the 23rd with the AYF in Armenia.
An estimated 25,000 people took to the streets marching from Azadutiun Square to the Genocide Memorial. It seemed to me that 95% were youth. The energy was incredible, one of unity with the world in the demand for genocide recognition. It also seems that the impact of Screamers enforced an urgency on the youth to end genocide everywhere. Phrases from the film were repeated that night and signs like "From Criers to Screamers", "Armenia says Stop Darfur", "1st Genocide of the 20th Century Denied; 1st Genocide of the 21st Century Preventable", and "Victim of Denialism: Hrant Dink" exposed the effect of the film on the youth. It seems like the genocide issue is changing from one of mourning and history to one of mourning and a global concern today.
I can't compare to previous years, but I hear that the numbers in attendance to the march as well as on April 24 were much higher than previous years, despite the pouring cold rain and then snow throughout the two days.
It seems like the town is talking about the subject they have avoided so much before. I was happy to see many of the youth and activist groups discussing the issue like never before, even with the drastic difference of opinions.
Meanwhile, on the international front, Bush once again released his statement without using the proper terminology of genocide. However, It seems like LA Times Managing Editor took a lashing from Harout Sassounian in his latest editorial. Read the article here (make sure to read Harout Sassounian's piece).
Also, it seems like Turkey continues to rally protests to spread denial of the genocide. See the footage they captured.
And finally, here are some photos from the march on the 23rd.
An estimated 25,000 people took to the streets marching from Azadutiun Square to the Genocide Memorial. It seemed to me that 95% were youth. The energy was incredible, one of unity with the world in the demand for genocide recognition. It also seems that the impact of Screamers enforced an urgency on the youth to end genocide everywhere. Phrases from the film were repeated that night and signs like "From Criers to Screamers", "Armenia says Stop Darfur", "1st Genocide of the 20th Century Denied; 1st Genocide of the 21st Century Preventable", and "Victim of Denialism: Hrant Dink" exposed the effect of the film on the youth. It seems like the genocide issue is changing from one of mourning and history to one of mourning and a global concern today.I can't compare to previous years, but I hear that the numbers in attendance to the march as well as on April 24 were much higher than previous years, despite the pouring cold rain and then snow throughout the two days.
It seems like the town is talking about the subject they have avoided so much before. I was happy to see many of the youth and activist groups discussing the issue like never before, even with the drastic difference of opinions.
Meanwhile, on the international front, Bush once again released his statement without using the proper terminology of genocide. However, It seems like LA Times Managing Editor took a lashing from Harout Sassounian in his latest editorial. Read the article here (make sure to read Harout Sassounian's piece).
Also, it seems like Turkey continues to rally protests to spread denial of the genocide. See the footage they captured.
And finally, here are some photos from the march on the 23rd.
posted by Arsineh at 2:42 PM
2 Comments:
Did you happen to see the promotional flower basket from the Yerician stores at the eternal flame? Here is a snapshot of it (the one in the beckground).
http://forum.openarmenia.com/uploads//post-6-1177440267.jpg
This is a cause to boykott the Yerician stores.
thank you for your post about the genocide rememberance!
Here is my video from Stockholm / Sweden !
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3R8_zrRwtCo
Take care!
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