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S. FLORIDA COMMUNITY COMMEMORATES GENOCIDE
Armenian Weekly
May 14, 2012
BOCA RATON, Fla.-On April 24, to 300 members of the local
community gathered at the Armenian Community Centre of Boca Raton
in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The event was
organized by St. Mary and St. David Armenian Apostolic Churches,
the Armenian National Committee of Florida, the Armenian Assembly of
America, and the Knights of Vartan Hayasdan Lodge.
Genocide commemoration in S. Florida The crowd sang the American and
the Armenian anthems, respectively.
Very Rev. Dr. Nareg Berberian and Father Vartan Joulfayan officiated
a requiem service in memory of the 1.5 million Armenian victims who
fell during the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks.
The master of ceremonies, Shant Norsigian, the grandson of a genocide
survivor himself, welcomed the attendees to the 97th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide, and together observed a moment of silence in
memory of the victims.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Antranig Kasbarian, began his speech with
a short introduction of the genocide and focused on Turkish-Armenian
relations, Turkey's political strategy vis-a-vis the genocide, and its
impact on Armenians in Armenia, Turkey, and the diaspora. Kasbarian
conveyed the importance of unity among Armenians in the process
of genocide recognition and the urgency of demand for reparations
from Turkey.
The keynote speech was followed by the screening of the documentary
film "Orphans of the Genocide" by Bared Maronian. The film is an
Emmy-nominated documentary telling the story of the hundreds of
thousands of orphans forgotten in the pages of history.
Four students from St. Davis Armenian Church School-Kaliana Maronian,
David Sarkisyan, Rita Vartanian, and Joy Mikael-recited poems in
Armenian dedicated to the genocide. Natalie Mazmanian from Seminole
Ridge High School of West Palm Beach delivered a message to the youth
about their undivided commitment to Armenian heritage. Alik Mazmanian
of Boca Raton performed the traditional Armenian song "Sareri Hovin
Mernem." The Arevig Dance group of the local Armenian Relief Society
chapter dedicated a special dance in memory of the genocide victims.
Sage McBride from St. Mary's Armenian Church of Florida performed
"Groung" (Crane) by Gomidas on violin.
From: A. Papazian
Armenian Weekly
May 14, 2012
BOCA RATON, Fla.-On April 24, to 300 members of the local
community gathered at the Armenian Community Centre of Boca Raton
in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The event was
organized by St. Mary and St. David Armenian Apostolic Churches,
the Armenian National Committee of Florida, the Armenian Assembly of
America, and the Knights of Vartan Hayasdan Lodge.
Genocide commemoration in S. Florida The crowd sang the American and
the Armenian anthems, respectively.
Very Rev. Dr. Nareg Berberian and Father Vartan Joulfayan officiated
a requiem service in memory of the 1.5 million Armenian victims who
fell during the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks.
The master of ceremonies, Shant Norsigian, the grandson of a genocide
survivor himself, welcomed the attendees to the 97th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide, and together observed a moment of silence in
memory of the victims.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Antranig Kasbarian, began his speech with
a short introduction of the genocide and focused on Turkish-Armenian
relations, Turkey's political strategy vis-a-vis the genocide, and its
impact on Armenians in Armenia, Turkey, and the diaspora. Kasbarian
conveyed the importance of unity among Armenians in the process
of genocide recognition and the urgency of demand for reparations
from Turkey.
The keynote speech was followed by the screening of the documentary
film "Orphans of the Genocide" by Bared Maronian. The film is an
Emmy-nominated documentary telling the story of the hundreds of
thousands of orphans forgotten in the pages of history.
Four students from St. Davis Armenian Church School-Kaliana Maronian,
David Sarkisyan, Rita Vartanian, and Joy Mikael-recited poems in
Armenian dedicated to the genocide. Natalie Mazmanian from Seminole
Ridge High School of West Palm Beach delivered a message to the youth
about their undivided commitment to Armenian heritage. Alik Mazmanian
of Boca Raton performed the traditional Armenian song "Sareri Hovin
Mernem." The Arevig Dance group of the local Armenian Relief Society
chapter dedicated a special dance in memory of the genocide victims.
Sage McBride from St. Mary's Armenian Church of Florida performed
"Groung" (Crane) by Gomidas on violin.
From: A. Papazian