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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
Date: December 2, 2013
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA TO DISPLAY ARMENIAN ORPHAN SISTER RUG IN BOSTON
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) will
display the `Armenian Orphan Sister Rug' at the Assembly's annual holiday
reception and briefing in Boston, Massachusetts later this week. Dr. H.
Martin Deranian, author of `President Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian
Orphan Rug' will be the special guest, where he will talk about the Ghazir
rug, also known as the Armenian Orphan Rug, the Sister Rug and the unique
history surrounding their fate. In addition, the Assembly is delighted to
feature remarks by Shant Mardirossian, Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Near East Foundation.
The Armenian Assembly's Annual Boston Holiday Reception & Briefing will be
held at the Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic Street, Arlington, MA,
on Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 PM.
A part of Dr. Martin Deranian's private collection, the Armenian Orphan
Sister Rug was woven by the same orphans at the Ghazir orphanage. According
to Dr. Deranian, the carpet dates from the 1920's and is 3' 5' x 5' 8'. At
one end, the carpet is woven with beautiful lettering that reads `To Mrs.
D.W. Williams, an expression of appreciation Near East Orphanage Ghazir,
Syria.'
`The Ghazir Rug was presented to President Coolidge and to the American
people as an expression of love and goodwill for America's compassionate
and selfless role in preserving the lives of tens of thousands or orphans
of the Armenian Genocide through the support of Near East Relief,' Dr.
Deranian told the Assembly. `The rug is also a memorial to the
orphan-weavers who wove into its warp and weft a permanent remembrance of
Armenia's darkest years, 1915-1923. It is my hope that the rug will be
placed on public view,' stated Deranian.
As the Assembly previously reported, the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington, D.C. was planning a December exhibition of this historic
treasure symbolizing the proud chapter in America's history. The White
House issued a statement saying that, "The Ghazir rug is a reminder of the
close relationship between the peoples of Armenia and the United States. We
regret that it is not possible to loan it out at this time."
In 1925, Dr. John H. Finley, editor-in-chief of the New York Times and
vice-chairman of the congressionally chartered Near East Relief
organization (today called the Near East Foundation) presented a rug made
by orphans of the Armenian Genocide to then President Calvin Coolidge. The
rug was made in appreciation of America's generosity in aiding the
survivors of the first genocide of the 20th Century.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR# 2013-025
Photo Caption: Dr. H. Martin Deranian holding the Armenian Orphan Sister
Rug, Worcester Evening Gazette, April 24, 1985
Available online at: http://bit.ly/18WcxKA
PRESS RELEASE
Date: December 2, 2013
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA TO DISPLAY ARMENIAN ORPHAN SISTER RUG IN BOSTON
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) will
display the `Armenian Orphan Sister Rug' at the Assembly's annual holiday
reception and briefing in Boston, Massachusetts later this week. Dr. H.
Martin Deranian, author of `President Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian
Orphan Rug' will be the special guest, where he will talk about the Ghazir
rug, also known as the Armenian Orphan Rug, the Sister Rug and the unique
history surrounding their fate. In addition, the Assembly is delighted to
feature remarks by Shant Mardirossian, Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Near East Foundation.
The Armenian Assembly's Annual Boston Holiday Reception & Briefing will be
held at the Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic Street, Arlington, MA,
on Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 PM.
A part of Dr. Martin Deranian's private collection, the Armenian Orphan
Sister Rug was woven by the same orphans at the Ghazir orphanage. According
to Dr. Deranian, the carpet dates from the 1920's and is 3' 5' x 5' 8'. At
one end, the carpet is woven with beautiful lettering that reads `To Mrs.
D.W. Williams, an expression of appreciation Near East Orphanage Ghazir,
Syria.'
`The Ghazir Rug was presented to President Coolidge and to the American
people as an expression of love and goodwill for America's compassionate
and selfless role in preserving the lives of tens of thousands or orphans
of the Armenian Genocide through the support of Near East Relief,' Dr.
Deranian told the Assembly. `The rug is also a memorial to the
orphan-weavers who wove into its warp and weft a permanent remembrance of
Armenia's darkest years, 1915-1923. It is my hope that the rug will be
placed on public view,' stated Deranian.
As the Assembly previously reported, the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington, D.C. was planning a December exhibition of this historic
treasure symbolizing the proud chapter in America's history. The White
House issued a statement saying that, "The Ghazir rug is a reminder of the
close relationship between the peoples of Armenia and the United States. We
regret that it is not possible to loan it out at this time."
In 1925, Dr. John H. Finley, editor-in-chief of the New York Times and
vice-chairman of the congressionally chartered Near East Relief
organization (today called the Near East Foundation) presented a rug made
by orphans of the Armenian Genocide to then President Calvin Coolidge. The
rug was made in appreciation of America's generosity in aiding the
survivors of the first genocide of the 20th Century.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR# 2013-025
Photo Caption: Dr. H. Martin Deranian holding the Armenian Orphan Sister
Rug, Worcester Evening Gazette, April 24, 1985
Available online at: http://bit.ly/18WcxKA