Armenian Genocide news from diaspora in France and Argentina

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a national holiday and time to honor the war veterans who served to protect and defend the United States in wars. Yesterday, in France, a Khachkar commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide was inaugurated in Versailles, France. Armenian-French singer, Charles Aznavour unveiled the Khachkar at the ceremony. In France, on April 24th French-Armenians remember not only all those who lost their lives during the Armenian Genocide, but also all the Armenians who gave their lives for France in war.

The US and France have the largest Armenian populations in the Armenian diaspora.  In Argentina, home of the third largest population of Armenians (descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors), protests to prevent a bust of Kemal Ataturk from being erected in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city, were successful leading to Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan canceling his visit to Argentina.

Many Armenians from Marash live in Argentina. My grandfather was from Marash (he eventually settled in New York). He survived the massacre carried out by Kemal Ataturk in 1920. Not only does Turkey deny the Genocide, the Turkish Government also asserts that Ataturk was not responsible for any of the massacres. However, that is not true.

Read the related articles in the news:

Khachkar commemorating Armenian Genocide victims unveiled in Versailles
Public Radio of Armenia | May 31, 2010

Erdogan cancels visit to Argentina: Kemal Ataturk bust not to be erected in Buenos Aires
Panorama.com | May 31, 2010

New reading ‘Deep Mountain: Across the Turkish-Armenian Divide’

Kudos to Taleen Babayan for an eye- and heart-opening interview with author Ece Temelkuran, discussing Armenian and Turkish relations and Mr. Temelkuran’s book, Deep Mountain: Across the Turkish-Armenian Divide.

Read the article on the Zohrab Center’s blog:

Interview with Ece Temelkuran, author of “Deep Mountain”
ZohrabCenter.wordpress.com | May 28, 2010

Reasons for Congress to support H.R. 252 Armenian Genocide Resolution

I’m sad to see that interest and attention concerning recognition of the Armenian Genocide has waned with the passing of yet another anniversary of the darkest period in Armenian history. This article was actually posted online last month. Please read US Representative Sarbanes eloquent words about Turkey’s Armenian Genocide denial and share them with your friends:

Why I support recognition of the Armenian genocide (Rep. John Sarbanes)
TheHill.com | April 29, 2010

Judge Michael Boyajian reflects on peace between Armenians and Turks

Bravo to Judge Boyajian–as I read his words, I could picture the little girl he writes about. What an uncomplicated solution to a complex and painful issue. If only…

Read Judge Michael Boyajian’s blog post here:

Letter Writing the Road to Peace
Huffington Post | May 27, 2010

It’s not too late to submit Armenian Genocide testimony for Congressional Record

Schiff submits Armenian Genocide Survival Stories into Congressional Record
PanArmenian.net | May 26, 2010

‘Chiennes D’Historie’ French-Armenian’s genocide themed film wins at Cannes

Message Carried to Cannes: Armenian short film wins honor at most famous festival
ArmeniaNow.com | May 24, 2010

“Orphans of the Genocide” documentary and Turkish conversion of Armenian children

Bared Maronian’s “Orphans of the Genocide” documentary in the works
The Armenian Reporter | May 17, 2010

Communing online across the Armenian diaspora

Earlier today, I ‘chatted’ with an Armenian in Beirut on Facebook. His family (like my grandfather’s family) was from Marash. Several months ago, I discovered a Facebook page with Marashtzi Canadian Armenians sharing pictures of their summer picnic. Last summer, I met an Israeli-born Armenian woman while I was visiting Jerusalem and learned that her family was also from Marash. Here, in New York City, many Armenian families are the children and grandchildren of genocide survivors from Marash. In fact, the husband of my Armenian grocer (Yaranush) is also Marashtzi.

These are just a few examples of how Armenians from one town decimated by the Ottoman Turks built their lives in the cities where they were welcomed all over the world. And now, through the Internet, we are finding one another. I wish our grandparents could be alive to know their children are rebuilding Marash—and Van, Sepastia, Aintab, Kayseri, Constantinople, Everek, Harpoot, Zeitun, Diyarbekir, Urfa, Sivas—in their hearts and here online.

Include your Armenian Genocide family stories in the US Congressional Record

Take Action:

If you have a family member who can tell the story of a mother or father (or any relative) who was a victim of the Ottoman Turks during the Armenian Genocide, please help them share their testimony in the US Congressional Record. Read and share the following newspaper article with your Armenian family and friends:

Rep. Schiff launches Armenian genocide Congressional Record Campaign
Whittier Daily News | May 15, 2010

[Email your family’s stories and memories of the Armenian genocide to Mary Hovagimian at mary.hovagimian@mail.house.gov. Ms. Hovagimian is a member of Representative Adam Schiff’s Pasadena (California) office staff. Rep. Schiff is working to bring H.R. 252 to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs.]

Related:

This weekend, I read David Kherdian’s award-winning book about his mother, Veron Dumehjian Kherdian. The book, The Road From Home: A True Story of Courage, Survival and Hope, is beautifully written and very inspirational. It gives us a window into Armenian life before, during and after the Armenian Genocide. I highly recommend it. (I’ve provided a link to the book on Amazon.com, but you may be able to find it in your library. It’s available as an audio book and for Kindle, too.

• ISBN-10: 068814425X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688144258

London’s Tate Modern still doesn’t get it: The Armenian Genocide was central to Arshile Gorky’s life and work

London’s Tate Modern denies denying Genocide, but sticks to qualifications
The Armenian Reporter | May 12, 2010

For more background about this issue, refer to this related blog post:

Shame On London’s Tate Gallery for Enabling Turkey’s Armenian Genocide Denial Campaign (April 23, 2010)

(Also search ‘Gorky’ in the search box located in the right column for more about the great Armenian artist.)