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  • Keeping Armenian heritage alive in Lowell

    Lowell Sun, MA
    Aug 10 2012


    Keeping Armenian heritage alive in Lowell
    By Lyle Moran

    LOWELL -- Tom Vartabedian, 71, settled in Haverhill nearly 50 years
    ago, but most of his friends in the Armenian community lived in Lowell
    at the time, so Vartabedian decided to join the Lowell Armenian
    Federation.

    He has been a stalwart of the Mill City group, promoting Armenian
    heritage and educating the community about Armenian history since
    then.

    In recent months, Vartabedian has been working with other Armenians in
    the Merrimack Valley to make the vision of a monument outside Lowell
    City Hall memorializing the Armenian genocide, which resulted in 1.5
    million deaths at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, a reality.

    The Sun recently caught up with the chairman of the federation to
    learn more about Lowell's Armenian community and the planned genocide
    monument, including what the different elements of it will symbolize
    and where it will be constructed.

    Q: What is the history of the Armenian community in Lowell?

    A: We had a big Armenian settlement in Lowell several years before,
    and after the Armenian genocide from 1915 to 1923. Lowell was one of
    the cities that really opened their gates to these refugees and
    immigrants. People settled here in droves because there was work.
    These immigrants, mostly females, worked in the mills. They worked
    their fingers to the bone so they could raise their families and sent
    their children to school to receive an education they never received
    themselves.

    Q: How big is the community?

    A: There are anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 Armenians still in Lowell.
    It is the largest Armenian community in the Merrimack Valley and
    Lowell will be the first to have such a prominent memorial outside a
    municipal building.
    Q: Will the planned monument pay tribute to Lowell's Armenian community?

    A: The theme is a mother's hands. It shows two hands in a weaving pose
    over a cross. The significance is that Armenians are very indebted to
    Lowell for having the opportunity to work in the mills in Lowell as
    weavers, loomers and in other positions. Lowell was a place they could
    come and live freely.

    Q: Why is the symbol of the cross so important to Armenians?

    A: One of our proudest accomplishments as Armenians is that Armenia
    was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state
    religion. That happened in 301 A.D. We are very proud of our religious
    ancestry, and 90 percent of the 8 million Armenians across the world
    are apostolic Christians.

    Q: How does the Armenian community throughout the Merrimack Valley
    feel about plans for the monument?

    A: We have inculcated the Armenian community throughout the Merrimack
    Valley to take part in this project. I like the fact that the
    Armenians are becoming unified and bonding over this monument. Every
    one is putting their distinctions aside. It has magnetic appeal.

    Q: Who else has helped make sure the project becomes a reality?

    A: We approached Mayor Jim Milinazzo with the idea when he was still
    mayor and he immediately put the sail to the wind and went with it. He
    suggested we get the land next to the flagpole used for flag-raising
    ceremonies for the monument and he facilitated making that happen.
    Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, the artist designing the monument, also
    deserves a lot of credit. He is a very prominent artist in the
    Armenian community.

    Q: Where will the memorial be constructed?

    A: In Armenia, there is a tufa stone used to build monuments so we are
    thinking of having it made over there. The thought behind it is we
    could give our business to Armenia, a country that could really use an
    economic boost. Also, if you want authenticity, you might as well go
    to the source.

    Q: Do you hope the monument will help lead to broader recognition of
    the genocide?

    A: There are at least 21 countries in the world that recognize the
    Armenian genocide, but the U.S. does not. Turkey is a valuable ally of
    the U.S. because of their air bases and oil fields. By reaching the
    towns and the cities, perhaps eventually the legislators will take
    notice and consider action to recognize what happened almost 100 years
    ago.

    Q: When will the memorial be complete?

    A: The plan is to have the monument in place by the end of next year
    and have a nice dedication. Having it up by next year will ensure it
    will be there for the flag-raising ceremony in April 2015 to recognize
    the 100th observance of the genocide.

    Q: How can people help make sure it becomes a reality?

    A: The estimated cost is about $35,000 and we have launched a
    fundraising campaign so we can pay to have the 6-foot-tall monument
    built.

    Anyone who wants to contribute should contact the chairman of the
    committee working on the project, Armen Jeknavorian, who lives at 15
    Summit Ave., in Chelmsford.

    http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_21281349/keeping-armenian-heritage-alive-lowell



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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