PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
P.O.Box. 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Tel: 01-353010/1/2
01-349230/1
Haigazian University Commemorates the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide
Missak Keleshian on "The Cry of the Orphans"
On the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
Haigazian University hosted Mr. Missak Keleshian, a popular name in the
Armenian community for his surveys of Armenian historical facts, photos,
monuments and heritage sites, who presented an emotive, yet very
inspiring lecture on the Armenian orphans and immigrants during their
mass deportation in April 1915.
The lecture took place on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, in the hall of the
First Armenian Evangelical Church, next to Haigazian University, among a
capacity audience.
The program opened with a word of welcome by the Haigazian University
Public Relations Director, Mira Yardemian, who considered that "a photo
is worth 1000 words", inviting the audience to share "a unique story of
adversity, hardship, torture, and suffering of Armenian orphans and
immigrants who endured during their mass deportation, but also a story
of faith, compassion, courage and survival of the Armenian nation."
Then, Mr. Kelechian presented his illustrated lecture by showing photos
of the various orphanages in the Near East, focusing on two Lebanese
orphanages; the Antoura orphanage which sheltered thousands of
Armenians, and the hand made rug prepared by the orphans of Ghazir,
which is currently displayed at the White House, donated as a gift to
the US President then.
In conclusion, Kelechian thanked and paid gratitude in the name of all
massacred Armenians, massacre survivors, and the entire Armenian nation,
to the tremendous relief support the Near East Relief had carried out on
the eve of the Armenian Genocide, in April 1915. He acknowledged the
countries whose governments had an instrumental role in this global
welfare; the organization was led by the United States, and included
many offices in countries like Australia, Great Britain, Denmark,
Switzerland, Greece and many others.