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April 24 Commemorated By Somber Joint Program

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  • April 24 Commemorated By Somber Joint Program

    APRIL 24 COMMEMORATED BY SOMBER JOINT PROGRAM

    http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/04/30/april-24-commemorated-by-somber-joint-program/
    ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, COMMUNITY | APRIL 30, 2013 7:43 PM

    A mass at St. James Armenian Church preceded the lecture.

    By Alin K. Gregorian

    Mirror-Spectator Staff

    WATERTOWN - The Hovnanian Hall of the Armenian Cultural and Educational
    Center (ACEC) was packed with hundreds of people who wanted to hear
    Armenia's Ambassador to the United Nations Garen Nazarian on April
    24, the day of the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, around
    the world.

    Before the start of the program at 7 p.m., many had gathered at St.

    James Armenian Church on Mount Auburn Street for a requiem service,
    before heading to St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church in a
    procession to lay a wreath, led by the members of the clergy from
    several churches, including St. James, St. Stephen's, Holy Trinity
    Armenian Church in Watertown, Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church
    in Belmont and First Armenian Church, also in Belmont and Armenian
    Memorial Church in Watertown.

    The somber procession included members of the Homenetmen Scouts Boston
    Chapter carrying flags.

    During his talk, Nazarian alternated his comments between English
    and Armenian. He opened his remarks by conveying the condolences of
    the Armenian government over the events of April 15, adding that the
    nation of Armenia wishes a speedy recovery for the surviving victims
    of the bomb attacks.

    Regarding the Genocide, he said, "Let's make this day and these events
    an act of remembrance, but remember to act."

    He said he was glad to see so many younger people participate.

    Nazarian said that for the government of Armenia, the recognition of
    the Armenian Genocide was a part of its foreign policy. As Armenians,
    he said, the Genocide plays a large role in "shaping our identity."

    He said, "April 1915 is the dividing line: before and after Genocide."

    After praising the spirit of the Armenian escapees who miraculously
    survived the forced marches and went on to start new lives elsewhere,
    Nazarian spoke about the more recent pogroms in Azerbaijan and the
    victory on the battlefield in Artsakh.

    He praised the host community, noting, "The Armenian-American
    community is one of the most ardent catalysts for the recognition of
    the Armenian Genocide."

    In addition to the Armenian-American community, he praised "Turkish
    citizens, intellectuals and journalists" who frequently speak up
    about the Armenian Genocide.

    Nazarian noted that in the upcoming months, meetings were to take
    place to plan the commemoration of the centennial of the Armenian
    Genocide. It was the lack of official recognition of the Armenian
    Genocide that led to the subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Azerbaijan
    and Sudan."

    Nazarian noted that the United Nations Human Rights Council recently
    adopted a resolution initiated by Armenia, and co-sponsored by almost
    60 member states of the international body, which "stresses the
    importance of truth, justice, reparation and that perpetrators should
    be held criminally responsible on the national or international level."

    "Sooner or later," he said, "Turkey will be compelled to accept
    the truth."

    After Nazarian's speech, the film "April" by Vigen Chaldranyan
    was shown.

    Before Nazarian's speech, the young performers, Zangakner, sang two
    songs in Armenian.

    Acting as emcees were the Armenian Youth Federation's Tsoler
    Avedissian, who spoke in Armenian, and George Barmakian, who spoke
    in English



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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