CITY COMMEMORATES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Stacie N. Galang

Salem News
April 15 2010
MA

PEABODY — Turkish-born Apo Torosyan’s father survived the genocide
in Armenia but at age 5 lost his parents.

His family’s history has inspired the younger Torosyan to devote
himself to teaching others about the widespread killing of Armenians
by the Ottoman Empire starting in April 1915.

Torosyan, who’s half-Armenian and half-Greek, will speak April 22 at
11 a.m. at Peabody City Hall during the city’s commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide. He plans to talk about the origins of the word
genocide and those who deny it.

"It’s not an Armenian story," he said. "It’s a human story, and
genocide is a universal story."

Torosyan, an artist and filmmaker, immigrated to the United States
in 1968 at age 26 and settled in Boston with his young family. He
would later do well enough to bring his parents and other relatives
to the country.

"I was very proud I could support all those people," said Torosyan,
who calls Peabody home.

In 1986, he sold his visual design business to pursue his art, which
led him back to his roots and the Armenian Genocide. His father’s
age and experience kept him from sharing, but Torosyan eventually
communicated with his father’s older brother. His uncle’s willingness
to talk helped shed light on the family’s story.

"I did find that what happened to my family was really something very
important that I should speak about," Torosyan said. "I introduced
it into my art in the late 1990s."

In his first film in 2003, Torosyan returned to Turkey to create
"Discovering My Father’s Village."

The artist believes his work on the genocide would prevent him from
returning to his homeland. Nevertheless, he feels compelled to tell
the truth, Torosyan said.

"I cannot go back because I have spoken about the Armenian Genocide,
and that is an insult to Turkey by the Turkish government’s values,"
he said. "I will talk about this unjust history page for the rest of
my life. Not for vengeance, for justice of humanity. There’s no hate
in this message."

Torosyan said he’s uplifted by an increasing number of fellow
countrymen in Turkey speaking out about the country’s denial of
the genocide.

As part of the April 22 event, the Armenian flag will be raised
outside City Hall. The program will include presentations by city
officials and religious leaders.

Erin Burbridge, granddaughter of former Mayor Peter Torigian, will
read the city proclamation. The ceremonies will be followed by a
light luncheon.

For more information about the event, call Mayor Michael Bonfanti’s
office at 978-538-5702.