VALLEY MARKS 93RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Astrid Seipelt
Valley Star , CA
April 28 2008
Read the story then watch an audio slideshow of the Armenian Genocide
demostration at the Turkish Consulate.
A DAY TO REMEMBER – One of the many signs that were carried by marchers
at the Turkish Consulate April 24. The date marked the 93rd anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide that occured in the Ottoman Empire – the
forerunner of modern Turkey.
Thursday night was a night of remembrance and recognition for the
Armenian community of Valley College, as more than 80 people gathered
in Monarch Hall to honor the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Organized by Valley’s Armenian Student Association with the support
of the college and the Associated Student Union, the genocide was
remembered through music, dance, poetry and film.
"The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century
and because it was not recognized by the world, other genocides
happened," said Amy Eritsian, president of the Armenian Student
Association. "When we get the Armenian Genocide recognized, these
things will stop happening,"
Monarch hall was filled with candles, flowers and a replica of the
Tsitsernakaberd memorial, which overlooks the Armenian capital of
Yerevan. The 140-feet-high stele represented the rebirth of Armenia,
and the 12 slabs arranged in a circle represent the twelve lost
provinces in modern-day Turkey.
Students who organized the event wanted to send a message of hope
and to keep the memory of the Armenian Genocide alive. Ani Yeremyan,
a speech communication major, attended the event and was proud of
the different groups of Armenians coming together to remember.
"Lebanese Armenians, Persian Armenians, Armenian Armenians came
together on this day not only for Armenians in particular, but for
everybody that has experienced some kind of atrocity in their culture,
whether is be Latinos, African Americans….," she said. "Our Armenian
Student president and ASU president do a great job bringing the
community together, especially the older members,"
Yeremyan also performed at the event, her dance telling the story of
the pain of the genocide.
"The meaning of my dance, it’s a very sad and emotional dance, it’s
a mothers cry, going back to home, going back to where the heart
belongs…Ninety three years, it’s a very long time," she said.
ASU President Mari Kiridjian said that recognition and participation
are the most important aspects of the genocide anniversary, which is
remembered on campus each year.
"Students need to learn outside what is in their history books; they
should know what has occurred to other people," Kiridjian said. "You
go to class with these people, don’t you want to know where they come
from, their history?"
The country of Turkey was known as the Ottoman Empire during World
War 1. It was in the Ottoman Empire where Armenians were subjected
to a genocide in 1915.