GENOCIDE MUSEUM

Azg/Arm
6 Nov 04

Pan-Armenian Establishment In Center of Washington

The issue of Washington Museum of Armenian Genocide hasn’t been
touched in the Diaspora press for many years. Recently, Alin
Grigorian, reporter of The Armenian Mirror Spectator weekly, informed
in the October 23 issue of the newspaper that “the program is in
progress and the money accumulation is continuing.”

Ruben Adalian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Institute,
explained that the institution he leads has become a branch for
accumulating money for the museum-memorial and thanks to their efforts
they managed to secure one third of the program’s probable cost
($100million). The first donorwas Anush Matevosian who presented $3,5
million in 1996. Gerard Gafeschian followed her example and donated
$15 million for the project. Hrayr Hovnanian joined them by giving $5
million. Sarkis Kechejian (Texas), Nshan Kechejian (Massachusetts) and
James Keshishian were among the donors as well. “That would be an
absurd to miss such an opportunity. Each member of the American
Armenian communityis confident that the project will be a success,”
Adalian stated, emphasizing that the museum will become rich annals
for important materials and sources.

Adalian was the author and the editor of many books on Armenian
Genocide. He taught at John Hopkins and Georgetown Universities. He
did his PhD in history at UCLA.

The museum that is situated in the corner of streets N14 and “G” in
Washington, in the former building of the National Bank, is very close
to the White House. Adalian didn’t specify about the deadlines of the
museumâ=80=99s final exterior, but he considered the issue of choosing
a high-class architect. They received 90 applications, but the members
of the board that makes decisionswill chose the one who will be able
to combine the features of the traditional American architecture with
the Armenian national atmosphere, the Armenian history and the
Armenian Genocide, particularly. It is expected that a quarter of a
million of visitors will attend the museum annually. Besides the
exhibitionhall, the museum will have conference halls and research
centers. The main building of the Armenian National institute will be
situated there too, and besides its current mission will unfold
researches, as well.

“The museum is sure to become a pan-Armenian center. We are sure that
everyone will participate in accumulating the exponents,” Ruben
Adalian said.

By Hakob Tsulikian