THE PAST IS GONE, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

LA Valley Star
ge/paper295/news/2009/05/06/News/The-Past.Is.Gone. But.Never.Forgotten-3736950.shtml
May 6 2009
CA

Every person that walks the halls of Valley College has a heritage,
whether it relates to a country that they recently immigrated from,
or their ancestry traced back over many years. For one portion of the
college community, however, their heritage is marred by mass murder
and Diaspora. The Armenian community gathered in Monarch Hall April
28, in remembrance and recognition of their heritage and in honor of
the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

"As survivors, it is our obligation to make sure our history is
rewritten correctly…We will not rest until the whole world knows the
truth of the Armenian history," said Armine Elikuchukyan, president
of the Armenian Student Association.

The genocide, which resulted in 1.5 million deaths, was carried out
by the Ottoman Empire. It is considered the first genocide of the
20th century, and is commemorated every year on April 24; the day on
which most of the killing took place in 1915.

Monarch Hall was starkly decorated for the event, with Armenian flags,
candles, and a flowered cross serving as the only decoration for more
than 40 attendees. Young Armenians read poetry over somber Armenian
music during the service, showing the lasting effect of the genocide
and demonstrating the hope that young Armenians have for the future.

"My people, my dear people, lovely people. Hundreds of years have
passed but your love is always in our hearts…Your fire will never
extinguish, will always burn in our hearts, and in our memories,"
said a woman in Armenian.

Another woman spoke of Mt. Ararat in Armenian, a mountain considered
the spiritual home of Armenians but now part of Turkish territory.

"You exist, you’ve always been here with pride, you exist in the world
always as a dream, we are going to die one day, are we going to die
without you Ararat? …You remain far, you remain a dream Ararat."

Dance was also used to express the gamut of emotions Armenians have
about their past, ranging from sadness about past wounds, to the joy
of starting afresh.

"The dance was about after the genocide; everything reopens, but we are
remembering our feelings about the past," said Knarik Nazilikian, who
danced ‘Kilkia,’ named after a former Armenian city. "Dancing makes
me feel better about who I am, and where my parents and ancestors
came from, even though I was born here [in the United States]."

Marine Djougarian also danced during the service, showing deep sorrow
through her movement across the stage.

[My dance] I begin happy, but then I remember the genocide, which is
very tragic to me. I’m crying, and I am sad, and I am remembering my
ancestors…I’m a dancer and I am happy that I dance, but a ceremony
like this does not make me happy."

Arthur Minasyan, vice president of the Associated Student Union,
believes that more should be done in recognition of the genocide.

"I do think the day needs to be recognized, I still talk to a lot of
people who aren’t aware of the atrocities that took place in 1915,"
said Minasyan. "Presidents in the past…they have recognized the
Armenian Genocide, but then they take office, and then [nothing]…I
hope Obama does, but the nation interest is his main concern."