PEABODY TO MARK ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TOMORROW
by Stacie N. Galang
The Salem News
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
April 16, 2008 Wednesday
Beverly, Massachusetts
Apr. 16–PEABODY — Although fewer survivors remain, the city will
continue its tradition of commemorating the 93rd anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide tomorrow morning by raising the country’s flag
outside City Hall.
The ceremony was begun in the early 1990s by former Mayor Peter
Torigian and has continued since, mayoral aide Mary Bellavance said.
Torigian’s mother survived the catastrophic event.
"This ceremony is our small way of paying tribute to the martyrs of
the Armenian Genocide," the former mayor is remembered for saying.
Bellavance, Mayor Michael Bonfanti, Torigian’s daughter Mary Torigian
Foley and others from the Torigian family have helped carry on the
annual commemoration.
"We have not missed a year," Bellavance said.
Bonfanti will lead off a short program inside City Hall following the
11 a.m. flag raising. The Rev. Vartan Kassabian of North Andover’s
St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church will give both the blessing
and the guest remarks. Filmmaker Apo Torosyan will give a video
presentation called "Witnesses."
The genocide was a Turkish campaign between 1915 and 1923 to
exterminate the Armenian people living in the crumbling Ottoman
empire. The campaign included death marches and concentration camps.
At tomorrow’s commemoration, Congressman John Tierney or a
representative from his office is expected to give remarks.
After the ceremony, light refreshments will be available.