Message on a genocide

Hills Shire Times (Australia)
October 26, 2004 Tuesday

A LIFETIME of learning about the Armenian culture and her parents’
heritage has given Kellyville schoolgirl Rhaya Ratavosi plenty of
inspiration.

So, coming up with an idea for her entry in the Orange Blossom
Festival’s photography competition was a breeze for the 16-year-old.

She simply turned to the pages of the Armenian magazine Garoon.

“I was looking for pictures of Armenian women dancing and celebrating
their culture and I found them in the magazine,” she said.

She contrasted the strong imagery of Armenian women dancing with her
knowledge of the 1915 genocide of 1.5 million Armenians and the end
result was a confronting collage which won her first prize in the
competition’s high school monochrome print category.

Rhaya said she had not expected to win when she entered her collage
but she, and her parents, were thrilled when she did.

“Since I was in pre-school I have been going to Armenian school
on Saturdays and we learned all about the genocide, about Armenian
history,” Rhaya said.

“But the school is fun too. It’s a great place to get together with
Armenian friends.”

Rhaya’s parents, Armenians born in Iran, emigrated to Australia 15
years ago but have ensured their daughter knows the family’s heritage.

“My dream is to one day visit Armenia,” she said.