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PRESS RELEASE
Date: April 23, 2015
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OF AMERICA
Telephone: (202) 383-9009
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OF AMERICA LAUNCHES ONLINE MUSEUM
WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA) announced
today the opening of a state-of-the-art online museum (
www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org).
The interactive site invites visitors to explore the story of the Armenian
people and its fateful experience in 1915. The site is currently optimized
for laptop and desktop computer viewing, with full mobile device, as well
as the addition of galleries, scheduled for later this year.
Presenting the Armenian Genocide from multiple perspectives, the online
museum highlights the role and extent of American involvement in denouncing
the atrocities committed against the Armenian people during World War I and
in delivering the humanitarian aid that rescued the remaining survivors
from further mistreatment.
The online museum begins with an exploration of the rich culture of the
Armenian people created over millennia to underscore the gravity of the
loss of an entire civilization with the destruction of historic Armenia.
The enormity of the human losses during the Armenian Genocide are set
against this background to stress the relationship that once existed
between the Armenian people and their now decimated homeland. It reveals
the extent to which the places once associated with worship and
celebration, with commerce and education, and the historical memory of
significant events from the time of the Armenian monarchies, have been
erased from the face of the earth.
By underlining with resonant content the historic identity of the Armenian
people, their art and culture, and their perseverance in the face of
adversity, the online museum also reinforces the universal message of our
common humanity and collective responsibility, and explains why the story
of the Armenians and other peoples who have suffered similar fates must be
told.
The museum is also dedicated to educating the public about the continuing
consequences of the Armenian Genocide. Viewers will learn how the
international community's failure to condemn the genocide and hold the
perpetrators accountable made the Armenian Genocide a prototype for later
crimes against humanity.
An instructional video introducing the entire online museum explains the
Armenian Genocide in the context of a century and more of mass atrocities
around the world and examines the role of American leadership in responding
to the problem of genocide.
The introductory video as well as the online exhibits feature the oral
testimony of survivors supported with pictorial and other documentary
evidence.
The testimony of other significant figures underscores the world's reaction
and America's response to the Armenian Genocide with observations by
Theodore Roosevelt, Major General James Harbord, Ambassador Henry
Morgenthau, Consul Jesse Jackson, subsequent remembrance day statements
issued by sitting presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush,
and Barack Obama, supplemented by the striking invocations made by Pope
Francis during this April's commemorative observance at St. Peter's
Basilica in Rome.
The online museum also confronts the Turkish government's denial policy by
recalling the late Hrant Dink's heroic and singular role in exploring
avenues for creating a common ground for understanding.
The title of the introductory video, `Coming to Terms,' echoes the
expression that has become the international theme of the centennial as
governments and world leaders join Armenians around the world on calling
upon Turkey to face up to the evidence. It urges the Turkish authorities,
civil and political, to acknowledge this shameful chapter in history and
take bold and honest steps toward putting the legacy of the murderous Young
Turk regime once and for all behind them.
The launch of the online museum was timed with the centenary of the
Armenian Genocide. It follows the production of a series of digital
exhibits previously issued by AGMA, the Armenian National Institute (ANI)
and the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). With these digital
exhibits hundreds of images from the Armenian Genocide and previously
unexplored aspects of the Meds Yeghern were brought to light. These and
other resources will also be available through the AGMA online museum.
In the spirit of cooperation to pay due respect to the victims of the
Armenian Genocide, many individuals and organizations joined with AGMA in
supporting the creation of the online museum and its many components. Among
them are the Armenian Film Foundation, Zoryan Institute, Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute, and Armenian Studies Program at the California State
University in Fresno. They augmented the resources available from the
United States National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Republic of
Armenia National Archives, and Armenian General Benevolent Union's Nubarian
Library, among others. AGMA also extends special thanks to film makers
Carla Garapedian and Ted Bogosian, as well as historian and geographer Dr.
Robert Hewsen.
AGMA also thanks with particular appreciation the renowned photographer
Hrair Hawk Khatcherian whose commitment to documenting the cultural and
religious heritage of Armenians across their historic homeland and the
diaspora is on display through the magnificent photographs he shared with
AGMA and which form such a central part of the visual experience of
visiting the online museum.
Joining Hrair Khatcherian in making the online museum an exceptional
experience is the soulful musicianship of Gevorg Dabaghyan, enveloping
viewers with haunting melodies from the mountains of Armenia. He continues
the unique tradition of composing and playing music on the national
instrument of Armenia, the duduk, made from the native apricot tree. AGMA
is honored to feature Mr. Khatcherian's and Mr. Dabaghyan's exemplary and
unequalled artistry.
The AGMA online museum is being produced by the museum planning and exhibit
design firm of Gallagher & Associates which has been working with AGMA,
ANI, and Assembly staff and board members to bring the concept of an
Armenian Genocide museum to the public since the start of the project. Its
video production wing prepared `Coming to Terms: The Legacy of the Armenian
Genocide' under the direction of Mike Buday.
The online museum was primarily made possible by the generous contribution
of the Estate of Agnes Kazanjian. Donors to AGMA, Anoush Mathevosian,
Hirair & Anna Hovnanian Foundation, Edele Hovnanian, Dr. Sarkis Kechejian,
Dr. Nishan Kechejian, the Alice Ohanessian Irrevocable Trust, Julie
Kulhanjian Strauch, Noubar Tcheurekjian, and the Trustees of the Armenian
Assembly of America, are also gratefully acknowledged.
The project was overseen by the AGMA Online Museum Working Group consisting
of Mark Malkasian, Richard H. Papalian, Van Z. Krikorian, and Rouben
Adalian under the guidance of the AGMM Building and Operations Committee
composed of Van Z. Krikorian, Chairman, Denise Darmanian, Edele Hovnanian,
Richard H. Papalian, and Zaven Tachdjian. The Board of Trustees of the
Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial, Inc., includes Hirair Hovnanian,
Chairman, Anoush Mathevosian, Vice-chair, Van Z. Krikorian, Secretary, and
Kathleen Baradaran.
The Armenian Genocide Museum of America is a joint effort by the Armenian
Genocide Museum and Memorial Inc., the Armenian Assembly of America, and
the Armenian National Institute. Its online museum offers a place for
reflection and learning filled with hope, inspiration, and a commitment to
eradicating the scourge of genocide through education and a focus on
prevention. Interactive tools in the narrative galleries allow visitors to
navigate at their own pace across the many features of the online museum,
which will be expanded over the coming months.
###
AGMA NR#: 2015-01
Available online at: http://bit.ly/agmamuseum
Date: April 23, 2015
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OF AMERICA
Telephone: (202) 383-9009
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM OF AMERICA LAUNCHES ONLINE MUSEUM
WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA) announced
today the opening of a state-of-the-art online museum (
www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org).
The interactive site invites visitors to explore the story of the Armenian
people and its fateful experience in 1915. The site is currently optimized
for laptop and desktop computer viewing, with full mobile device, as well
as the addition of galleries, scheduled for later this year.
Presenting the Armenian Genocide from multiple perspectives, the online
museum highlights the role and extent of American involvement in denouncing
the atrocities committed against the Armenian people during World War I and
in delivering the humanitarian aid that rescued the remaining survivors
from further mistreatment.
The online museum begins with an exploration of the rich culture of the
Armenian people created over millennia to underscore the gravity of the
loss of an entire civilization with the destruction of historic Armenia.
The enormity of the human losses during the Armenian Genocide are set
against this background to stress the relationship that once existed
between the Armenian people and their now decimated homeland. It reveals
the extent to which the places once associated with worship and
celebration, with commerce and education, and the historical memory of
significant events from the time of the Armenian monarchies, have been
erased from the face of the earth.
By underlining with resonant content the historic identity of the Armenian
people, their art and culture, and their perseverance in the face of
adversity, the online museum also reinforces the universal message of our
common humanity and collective responsibility, and explains why the story
of the Armenians and other peoples who have suffered similar fates must be
told.
The museum is also dedicated to educating the public about the continuing
consequences of the Armenian Genocide. Viewers will learn how the
international community's failure to condemn the genocide and hold the
perpetrators accountable made the Armenian Genocide a prototype for later
crimes against humanity.
An instructional video introducing the entire online museum explains the
Armenian Genocide in the context of a century and more of mass atrocities
around the world and examines the role of American leadership in responding
to the problem of genocide.
The introductory video as well as the online exhibits feature the oral
testimony of survivors supported with pictorial and other documentary
evidence.
The testimony of other significant figures underscores the world's reaction
and America's response to the Armenian Genocide with observations by
Theodore Roosevelt, Major General James Harbord, Ambassador Henry
Morgenthau, Consul Jesse Jackson, subsequent remembrance day statements
issued by sitting presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush,
and Barack Obama, supplemented by the striking invocations made by Pope
Francis during this April's commemorative observance at St. Peter's
Basilica in Rome.
The online museum also confronts the Turkish government's denial policy by
recalling the late Hrant Dink's heroic and singular role in exploring
avenues for creating a common ground for understanding.
The title of the introductory video, `Coming to Terms,' echoes the
expression that has become the international theme of the centennial as
governments and world leaders join Armenians around the world on calling
upon Turkey to face up to the evidence. It urges the Turkish authorities,
civil and political, to acknowledge this shameful chapter in history and
take bold and honest steps toward putting the legacy of the murderous Young
Turk regime once and for all behind them.
The launch of the online museum was timed with the centenary of the
Armenian Genocide. It follows the production of a series of digital
exhibits previously issued by AGMA, the Armenian National Institute (ANI)
and the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). With these digital
exhibits hundreds of images from the Armenian Genocide and previously
unexplored aspects of the Meds Yeghern were brought to light. These and
other resources will also be available through the AGMA online museum.
In the spirit of cooperation to pay due respect to the victims of the
Armenian Genocide, many individuals and organizations joined with AGMA in
supporting the creation of the online museum and its many components. Among
them are the Armenian Film Foundation, Zoryan Institute, Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute, and Armenian Studies Program at the California State
University in Fresno. They augmented the resources available from the
United States National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Republic of
Armenia National Archives, and Armenian General Benevolent Union's Nubarian
Library, among others. AGMA also extends special thanks to film makers
Carla Garapedian and Ted Bogosian, as well as historian and geographer Dr.
Robert Hewsen.
AGMA also thanks with particular appreciation the renowned photographer
Hrair Hawk Khatcherian whose commitment to documenting the cultural and
religious heritage of Armenians across their historic homeland and the
diaspora is on display through the magnificent photographs he shared with
AGMA and which form such a central part of the visual experience of
visiting the online museum.
Joining Hrair Khatcherian in making the online museum an exceptional
experience is the soulful musicianship of Gevorg Dabaghyan, enveloping
viewers with haunting melodies from the mountains of Armenia. He continues
the unique tradition of composing and playing music on the national
instrument of Armenia, the duduk, made from the native apricot tree. AGMA
is honored to feature Mr. Khatcherian's and Mr. Dabaghyan's exemplary and
unequalled artistry.
The AGMA online museum is being produced by the museum planning and exhibit
design firm of Gallagher & Associates which has been working with AGMA,
ANI, and Assembly staff and board members to bring the concept of an
Armenian Genocide museum to the public since the start of the project. Its
video production wing prepared `Coming to Terms: The Legacy of the Armenian
Genocide' under the direction of Mike Buday.
The online museum was primarily made possible by the generous contribution
of the Estate of Agnes Kazanjian. Donors to AGMA, Anoush Mathevosian,
Hirair & Anna Hovnanian Foundation, Edele Hovnanian, Dr. Sarkis Kechejian,
Dr. Nishan Kechejian, the Alice Ohanessian Irrevocable Trust, Julie
Kulhanjian Strauch, Noubar Tcheurekjian, and the Trustees of the Armenian
Assembly of America, are also gratefully acknowledged.
The project was overseen by the AGMA Online Museum Working Group consisting
of Mark Malkasian, Richard H. Papalian, Van Z. Krikorian, and Rouben
Adalian under the guidance of the AGMM Building and Operations Committee
composed of Van Z. Krikorian, Chairman, Denise Darmanian, Edele Hovnanian,
Richard H. Papalian, and Zaven Tachdjian. The Board of Trustees of the
Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial, Inc., includes Hirair Hovnanian,
Chairman, Anoush Mathevosian, Vice-chair, Van Z. Krikorian, Secretary, and
Kathleen Baradaran.
The Armenian Genocide Museum of America is a joint effort by the Armenian
Genocide Museum and Memorial Inc., the Armenian Assembly of America, and
the Armenian National Institute. Its online museum offers a place for
reflection and learning filled with hope, inspiration, and a commitment to
eradicating the scourge of genocide through education and a focus on
prevention. Interactive tools in the narrative galleries allow visitors to
navigate at their own pace across the many features of the online museum,
which will be expanded over the coming months.
###
AGMA NR#: 2015-01
Available online at: http://bit.ly/agmamuseum