North Andover Citizen, MA
April 18 2008

Community calendar
Fri Apr 18, 2008, 06:50 PM EDT

Armenian Genocide observance

A part of the 93rd commemoration ceremony of the Armenian Genocide,
"The Georgetown Boys" will be performed on Sunday, April 20, 3 p.m. at
the North Andover Middle School, Main Street.

The musical, written and directed by noted Armenian playwright
Dr. Herand Makarian, tells the story of 109 genocide orphans from
Western Armenia who were brought to Georgetown, Canada, to be trained
as farmers. Ranging in age from 8 to 12, they worked in the Toronto
suburb until they were able to open farms of their own.

The musical, performed by the New Jersey Youth Theater Group, will
be in both English and Armenian.

The overall theme of Sunday’s commemoration will be "One and Half
Million Reasons to Remember," reflecting the 1.5 million lives lost
during the genocidal years under the Ottoman Turkish empire from
1915 to 1923. Survivors in the Merrimack Valley will be present at
the event.

A joint requiem service will precede the play, conducted by area clergy
and there will be hymns from the Armenian Choral Group of Merrimack
Valley. Winners of an annual essay contest will also be announced.

Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students. For advance tickets,
call either 978-373-1654 or 978-256-2538. A reception will follow in
the school cafeteria.